Ahead of the 2020 elections on Tuesday, CBS hosted the Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy special this past weekend. The collection of submissions from musicians, actors, politicians, and activists featured the first-ever collaboration between Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile on the new song, “A Beautiful Noise”.
With 20 Grammy wins between them, Keys and Carlile also teamed up with an all-female group of songwriters—including Ruby Amanfu, Brandy Clark, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Linda Perry, and Hailey Whitters—to raft craft the piece.
Related: The Highwomen Return To ‘The Tonight Show’ For Virtual “Crowded Table” Performance [Video]
The song finds its power in its scarcity as Keys and Carlile both sit at dueling grand pianos with no other musical accompaniment. The lyrics for “A Beautiful Noise” tell the story of marginalized communities finally gaining their birthright to fully participate in society. After Keys and Carlile trade verses back and forth, they come together in harmony to lift each other up just as women have been doing on and off the stage for years.
“This song has that special energy that we really need to feel right now,” Keys said. “Everyone has the power to make a beautiful noise and to lift others up with their voice. And now more than ever, we need to let those voices be heard by voting. I’m so grateful to have joined my sister Brandi Carlile, a beautiful spirit, inspiring artist and incredible person, for this moment.”
“The evolution of ‘A Beautiful Noise’ represents a group of incredible women from all different walks of life coming together with a universal message of hope and empowerment,” Carlile added. “It is an important reminder that we all have a voice and that our voices count. It was an absolute dream and honor to join the incomparable Alicia Keys to deliver this beautiful message through song. Alicia lives this song. This is how she walks through the world. I am forever inspired. Please vote.”
Watch Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile perform their new song, “A Beautiful Noise”, on CBS’ Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy. The song is also available on all streaming platforms. Scroll down to read the lyrics.
Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile – “A Beautiful Noise”
[Video: Alicia Keys]
