“Perfect Way to Die” by Alicia Keys is a powerful song highlighting police brutality and racism. The song was released in 2020 and was included in her album “ALICIA.”

The song is written from the perspective of a grieving mother whose son was shot. “Perfect Way to Die” addresses police brutality and the unjust deaths of Black individuals. 

The song starts with a mother who gets a call that her son has been shot. The woman goes to the police station and is told, “Ma’am can you calm down?” This immediately shows that the policeman does not care that she is distraught, but that he wants her to be calm even when she is grieving.

The song then goes to the mother singing to her dying son. She sings, “And I think of all you could have done/ At least you’ll stay forever young.” The woman thinks of all her son could have accomplished but she is glad her son will stay young and not hardened by life. 

In the fifth verse the song focuses on a young woman moving to the city. The narrator of the girl’s life sings, “Flashing lights in the mirror ‘pullover, pullover’/ A couple nights in the detention and it’s over, a whole life’s over.” This means no one will hire the girl if she had been to jail, and her perfect new life is over.

I chose this song because I recently watched the musical “Hell’s Kitchen” where this song is featured. I really like the lyrics of the song and how it is sung. 

Alicia Keys is a classically trained pianist, singer, and actress. She made her debut in 2001 with her song, “Songs in A Minor.” Keys has been nominated for 32 Grammy Awards and has won 17. 

“Perfect Way to Die” is available on all major streaming platforms.