Tears for Water Reviews

• Mediocre Poetry and Lyrics Have More Power When Sung

  
  By A393DH0HMNXPRJ on 2004-11-17
  I am an Alicia Keys fan. I love this girl, so I was VERY excited when this book came out. However, her poetry is of the level of things I was writing about when I was 13. The thoughts are often shallow musings pretending to be deep. "Something in your eyes/Is tortured", sounds almost promising, right? Then she continues on with "something is wrong (ya think?)/And it's hurting me." DAMN, Alicia, you had me thinking I would get some deep thoughts for a second there. The metaphors she uses are often trite and some just plain don't work. Also, it's great to have the lyrics to her songs in book form, but without her delivery and fiery piano playing, these lyrics lose their luster. Alicia has writing of greater caliber than this in her head, for proof just check some of her "journal" entries at her official site. I don't know what went wrong with this book. At least it wasn't as bad as T-Boz''s "Thoughts".
  
  

• An Intimate Look

  
  By A2VKWLCNZF4ZVB on 2005-01-12
  Many have enjoyed the lyrical stylings of R&B songbird Alicia Keys, making her a Diamond Disc recording artist. Reaching such an accomplishment in the music industry, an artist has earned the love and attention of a large fan base. In return, Alicia has given those fans an intimate look at her innermost thoughts and feelings through her poetry in TEARS FOR WATER.
  
  The intimate collection displays her feelings of loneliness and confusion on her road to stardom, and her feelings against social injustice, something that she has witnessed firsthand and read about in history books. She also writes of her world travels, places that her voice has taken her and the beauty she has discovered while there. After certain selections Alicia has notes giving her motivation for the written piece, which I found engaging.
  
  I enjoyed the collection because it gave me a closer, more endearing look at the person and not just the artist. I was disappointed in the collection because it did not hold as much depth as her musical lyrics, which is what made me a fan in the first place. I expected her poetry to touch me as her songs have, but they fell short. I felt that she only scratched the surface of what she is really capable of producing, which is why I will continue to support her endeavors.
  
  Reviewed by Aiesha Flowers
  of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
  
  
  
  

• The Soul of Alicia Keys...

  
  By A396HULOTOOYYU on 2004-11-07
  I have been looking forward to the release of this book, and I have to say that I was one of the first people in the bookstore when this book came out. It was WELL worth the wait. You can really relate to and feel all the emotion that Alicia put into her poems and lyrics. With the explainations of what she was going through at the time and the way she put her words together, you almost feel as if you are there with her. This book is worth every penny I paid for it. This book grabs you in right at the introduction. In this book, she lets you into her most personal and private thoughts & feelings. You think you know, but you have no idea... This is the real Diary of Alicia Keys.
  
  As soon as you finish reading this review, add this book to your cart, and click "buy".
  
  

• Buy It If You Choose

  
  By A17NQVG56DVDJ4 on 2005-02-04
  I wasn't really a big Alicia Keys fan when she came out back in 2001 but when I seen her last year in concert she blew me away & I start getting more into her..She is very talented however I felt like her book could have been better..Even tho I haven't finished reading the whole thing from what I have read her poems seem to be okay..Its nothing special about them in my opinion..Like when I'm reading something I expect to feel what the person is going through reading Alicia's poems I didn't feel that..Her poems are good & shes a great writer just expected a lil more from this book & I still don't get why she put her lyrics from both of her albums in the book that just didn't make sense to me, but buy it if you choose its not a bad book just not really to exciting either overall I give it 4 stars..
  
  

• ALICIA HAS THE FLOOR

  
  By AWJXQ3OCB7BN5 on 2004-11-15
  ALICIA LETS YOU INTO HER INNERMOST THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. SHE IS SO GENUINE. TEARS FOR WATER IS ALICIA HERSELF IN BOOKFORM.
  I ENJOYED THE BOOK FOR MANY REASONS. I COULD DEFINITELY RELATE TO ALOT OF THE POEMS. I LOVE HOW SHE LETS YOU KNOW WHERE SHE WAS IN LIFE WHEN SHE WROTE SOME OF THE POEMS, THUS GIVING YOU A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. THIS IS A BOOK I WILL KEEP AND READ THROUGHOUT THE MANY STAGES OF MY LIFE FOR GUIDANCE.
  
  
• EXCELLENT, EMOTIONAL AND JUST PLAIN GOOD
  By AAWCB16KNG628 on 2004-11-24
  I THOUGHT ALICIA'S BOOK WAS WONDERFUL IT DEALT WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT I FELT THAT WE BOTH RELATED TOO. HER POEMS WERE REALITY. IT WAS EXCELLENT!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ALICIA.
  
  I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE THAT IS NOT CLOSED MINDED AND VERY OPEN TO AN DIFFERENT SIDE TO AN ARTIST. IT WAS NICE OF HER TO LETT US IN MIND. :)
  
  
• dissapointing, unsatisfactory poetry
  By A1Q50XA9D6BJGM on 2005-02-24
  I am a well known and respected poet from the bay area, and also an Alicia Keys fan. I was very dissapointed by this book, in which the poetry is mediocre and stereotypical. It sounded like one long running teenage rant, like "why don't you love me? I am sad! I hate my life" kinds of things. not intellectual or original. I am surprised because i thought she was lyrically better than that. The writing is poor, and on the level of a middle school student. People that I know that like this book have even admitted they are not familiar with a lot of poetry and don't know how to recognize good poems. Shes lucky she has the connections to publish a book, because if she was some regular girl no one would wanna read her poems.
  
  
• Soulful
  By A2HIAYC62AEYBI on 2005-09-03
  Ms. Keys has always come across as being real; there is no fakeness in her.
  This book is a perfect example of why I form this opinion of her.
  
  Gary Lloyd James, Author of UNTIED FEELINGS that contains poems such as...
  
  A Woman's Tears
  
  To all women in abusive relationships
  
  
  The tears she shed were not in vain
  There lying on the floor with her dress
  Blood stained. Thinking about the pain, the
  Pain that was inflicted because she complained.
  
  With her back against the
  Wall, she waits for others opinions,
  about why she is lying there, curled up
  in a fetal position.
  
  When she speaks, she speaks with caution
  because she fears her words may cause
  confusion, in making a decision.
  
  Whether or not to stay married to this man
  this man that said for him, she was the woman
  The Queen, the Nubian, the African.
  Then why does she cry those tears?
  
  Is it because she fears his breath,
  pungent with beer?
  Fear his hand across her face, as she lies
  there in that small dark space
  without a way to erase,
  the pain, that caused those tears.
  
  
• Something Doesn't Fit
  By A1Q2GLZXL2CNJ8 on 2005-05-03
  Well we have all been exposed to the child prodigy "Alicia Keys" and to be honest, her first album was okay, I think she deserved on Grammy for that one song that was "When a woman ...." but all the others were in "my opinion" undeserved, particularly when India Irie who had a absolutely sensational CD, with songs about life that just made you look and think about life in a new way, did not get even one. And I think it was all because of her connection/relationship with Clive Davis. I have heard that her concerts give you another level of respect for her as an artist. But I mean a child prodigy should be good, after all, somebody spent good money to develop her. But, after Beyonce's incredible performance of Dangerously In Love @ the Grammy's 2004, which I will always remember. NOBODY put it down like that young DIVA since Whitney sang "I Will Always Love You", and still Beyonce's performance was a notch up. But I can't take anything away from Whitney (she is my girl no matter what she is doing). But to see Alicia memicking and dressed(hair & makeup)like Beyonce on J-Leno, I was floored, and then again on some award show and even later still at the Grammy's 2005 when she received, I believe 4 Grammy's, which I think were undeserved, I think she should have gotten one or two but that was it. And then she tried to anchor onto Usher's celebrity and success with "My Boo" which was not a bad song but I think she has a image problem, much like Maria Carey "miss mimi" who also imitates Beyonce, I mean her CD cover is her exact image. These girls need counseling.
  Now this book of thoughtless poems that leave you in the middle of nowhere, what is next girl. You should aspire to be more like Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, who created a whole genre of music just to exemplify their persona,lyrics, songs, without even realizing it consciously, effortlessly. Those are the modern day Diva's you should look up to to create your own image not copy some one else's, with the background you have. But sometimes all that training stiffles your out the box creativity. I think this is the case.
  
  
• The best out there
  By A23DH4UUW6KFKH on 2005-05-13
  Alicia Keys is the best female artist out there today. She is pure talent. She's not like most female artists that shake their butts with little to nothing on to sell records. She doesn't try to be something she's not and she does so much to help those in need. She's so deep and everything in this book and writes about in general I think everyone can relate to. And for the record, Beyonce can't hold a match to Alicia. Alicia blows Beyonce out the water.
  
  
• Tears for Water
  By A1Y5IC00Q3ZK9J on 2005-05-21
  If you liked Alicia's music, then I recomend this book of poems. If gives you a true insight into what Alicia is thinking and feeling when she writes music and poetry.
  
  After some of the poems Alicia writes descriptions as to why she wrote that poem, and the way she was feeling.
  
  At the end of the poetry section are the lyrics for the songs from both albums.
  
  Great book - buy it!!
  
  
• Give credit where credit is due.
  By A4WIGLYVB62U on 2005-06-08
  Alicia keys book is very deep. She pours her heart right out on to the pages. I didn't find anything shallow about it. She is so smart and pretty and in this book you see that she is also human. She hurts like a lot of women hurt. She is just real.
  
  
• Nice job Alicia!
  By A2MPVUEVX1QT9L on 2004-11-07
  This book is wonderful. It brings you inside the mind of Alicia and connects you with her thoughts. Her words are words that we all can relate to whether young or old and she expresses her feelings so clearly. I recommend this book to everyone. I know that you will enjoy it.
  
  
• 4 Letter Word - LOVE !!! (NICE!!! , COOL!!! , DOPE!!!)
  By A2I12PBNLB6DRQ on 2004-11-10
  the "4 Letter Word" poem I think was about LOVE ,
  it has to be. That was one of my favorite poems along with "Mind Sex" (cuz it was crazy , lol) , & "Damn You!" , but they all were nice. This book has 27 of Alicia's poems along with the lyrics to "Songs In A Minor" & "Diary of Alicia Keys". Mayne , I loved this book. Alicia is truly a talented poet , writer & musician. I highly recommend this book for her fans & people who like poetry & write poetry. Everyone can relate to this book.
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• Alicia is amazing!!!
  By A3HB1KZJH1QGMP on 2004-11-08
  This book truly shows Alicia in a different light. It actually shows us her life through her writing. I can't fathom what she was going through when she wrote these poems. I can only wonder and imagine. I give Alicia 5 stars! This is a good book. The poems are so deep, and she really shares very private thoughts throughout the book. I'm a big Alicia fan, and I'll support her through whatever, but this book is overall good. I recommend it definately!
  
  
• BUY IT!!
  By A1BXVKVO75VFOF on 2004-11-09
  This book gives you an insight t some of alicias personaly feelings and is very well written... go out n buy it now!
  
  
• Powerful!!!!!!!!
  By A2LCA5188DA9MF on 2004-11-10
  I loved this book of poems. They were very powerful! I loved Lilly of the Valley! These poems are very thought provoking and you can tell they can from somewhere REAL! These are some of most heartfelt poems I've ever read! You can feel what was going on at that point of her life, and you can relate to these poems.
  
  
• Off to a great start!
  By A2F5D15TEFAAG8 on 2004-11-10
  This is Alicia's first book and our first look into her thoughts as far as poetry goes. I think it's an excellent way too start off her bookwriting career. The poems were great and show us a different side of her! I look forward to the next one! Keep 'em coming, Alicia!
  
  
• ok
  By A9Q28YTLYREO7 on 2004-11-14
  Alicia Keys still ain't fully moved me as a artist on a whole.so reading the Lyrics in Poem Form doesn't sway me that much at all.much Like Jewel did with her Book of Poems something seems kinda emypt upon reading them all.they are ok but not a Book I want sitting on My Coffee Table.
  
  
• Chicken Soup for the Intillectual Soul
  By A3OUA3K55Y2BV on 2005-02-12
  Wonderful, i can relate to all of these poems and lyrics. This girl has a gift; and a way with words. Alicia is a rarity these days, she actually has talent. Words are moving, understandable, and inspiring.
  
  
• Good
  By A3256W8SSIXH6B on 2005-02-22
  I read this book it was good like her music I would recommend it to a friend also the book "Golden Poetry 101"
  
  
• Getting to know Alicia personally
  By A2KR7PAH83ASC5 on 2005-03-13
  this is one of the best autobiographical books that ive evr read. especially since its not in the traditional "story-telling format. if i wasnt her biggest fan before this book, i definitely am now. hats off Ms. Keys
  
  
• Awesome
  By on 2005-07-24
  I am 11 and I am so inspired by Alicai Keys this poems book is awesome!!!
  
  
• Breathtaking!
  By A10ZAH7Z9LVFPD on 2005-08-02
  I am a huge fan of Alicia keys. I am an inspiring writer, and classicaly trained pianist like her and to read her deep, personal poetry just makes my heart warm. I feel she really grabs your attention with her use of words, and it is truly my favorite book! I really enjoyed the little paragraphs for a few of her poems to show to the reader where her ideas evolved from. Love it, I recommend it to EVERYONE, male and female. Peace~Laura
  
  
• I really enjoyed these.
  By A13323EUVJQ4GX on 2006-07-22
  Alicia Keys is not Maya Angelou and she's not trying to be. From some of the bad reviews I'm not sure that people got that. Granted, I may be biased because I'm such a big fan of her music, but I still enjoyed this compilation never the less.
  
  
• Wow Sister Sister!!!!
  By A3RY5CKYJ4F0A3 on 2008-02-10
  My Sister, My Sister!
  
  You called me out by name.
  You drew me in with your sweet refrain.
  
  I realized not only was I asleep
  I was in a coma and in very deep.
  
  Your words from Heaven pierced my soul!
  Your tears for water made me whole.
  
  Truth that lay so dormant in me,
  You brought to the surface so I could see.
  
  My life was a big counterfeit mistake.
  `til you whispered for me to awake.
  
  Your tears for water are not in vain.
  Your joys, your sorrow, your deepest pains.
  
  The human heart can only hold
  A portion of God, everything else is overflow.
  
  Your songs, your poems are all from grace
  To show the world His tender face.
  
  Oh sweet smells before Gods throne
  Come from your heart, His holy home!
  
  With much, much, love, affection, & gratitude
  The brother of your heart.
  --Mark Hitchcock
  
  
  
• Looking deep
  By AHAYV8U6YQNE2 on 2005-11-02
  
  Alicia Keys' songbook Tears for Water is divided into three sections. The first is a collection of poems, along with some explanations as they relate to the singer. They are many different types but most of them deal with love. Keys also explains that some poems are about the bond she has with her keyboard. The second section is filled with the lyrics to her first album while the last section has the lyrics to her current album.
  
  Tears for Water flows well and allows readers to understand Keys a little more. As she explains her poems, readers are invited into Keys thoughts. It is nice to be given the lyrics to Keys' works to explore their meaning farther. Tears for Water is easy to read and a nice change from novel reading.
  
  
  
• Not what I expected
  By A1MS50VWWKJND9 on 2006-02-04
  I absolutely adore Alicia Keys but the book was not what I expected. I thought she would have more of her own peotry. It contained alot of the words to her song and I knew those by heart already. So I still wont let go of the book but expected more.
  
  
• Excellent!
  By A3TAZBZTPPETZ7 on 2006-03-12
  Alicia has a beautiful writing style. She's very personal, and shares every emotion in completeness. I'm glad she took the time to share her work. It was a very addictive read. I can't wait for her next work, hopefully on it's way...
  
  
• I
  By A146LE1B62855P on 2006-11-06
  This book is definately one of the best i've ever read for the last time! Alicia is not only the talentest preformer, she's amazing writer too! I read this book from first page to the last with the great interest and i just could't stop reading untill the end! I recomend this book to all the people even if u're not fan of Alicia i bet u'll enjoy reading this book and u're gonna find her thought's really close to u're own but written in very emotional form!
  I like it a lot!!!!!!!!!
  
  
  Victoria
  
  

• The Rose That Grew From Concrete
• The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott
• As I Am
• The Diary of Alicia Keys
• Hip-Hop Poetry and The Classics