Cover Wars: Alicia Keys and The Fray

January 16, 2008

alicia-keys-hollywood-support-writers-guild-america-strike-november-2007.jpg

One of my favorite artist out right now, Alicia Keys, said in a recent interview that one of her favorite bands was The Fray. Just by coincidence I ran across her live cover of their hit, “How To Save A Life”, and I wanted to know what my Love Muffins thought of the song. I have also provided the original song so you can see how you think it stacks up.

Alicia Keys - How To Save A Life
The Fray - How To Save A Life

Filed Under Alicia Keys + Jam It or Slam It?

25 Responses to “Cover Wars: Alicia Keys and The Fray”

AC on January 16, 2008 at 2:50 pm #

It’s a raspy but I like it. The refrain is the best part of her version but the verses are better by The Fray.
Lily on January 16, 2008 at 2:51 pm #

I like the original better. Alicia kinda sounds out of tune and off beat with one. Sorry.
Much2much41 on January 16, 2008 at 2:53 pm #

Slam it. Her version makes me want to slit my wrist, their version makes me want to cut my whole hand off.
WorldlyOne on January 16, 2008 at 3:02 pm #

I love Alicia’s genius, but I prefer the original. Her voice was too low.
thistimenow on January 16, 2008 at 3:19 pm #

Uh,no. She’s off key in the beginning and it is so uninspiring. You can never top the original. The Fray, hands up, down, and all around.
KR on January 16, 2008 at 3:47 pm #

No Alicia, stop please before I start hating you. You get a fat “F” for this one.
lando68 on January 16, 2008 at 4:04 pm #

I think she could do a good version, but I’m not crazy about this attempt. I hope she explores it some more, though.
Kevin on January 16, 2008 at 5:08 pm #

Sit down Alicia! The Fray did it best.
Tam on January 16, 2008 at 5:46 pm #

I love this song! It’s one of my favorites! She did not do it justice. The Fray just has the intensity behind it that it needs! When they sing it, it gives me chills. Sorry Alicia. But she did do a good job w/her cover of “Wild Horses” w/the guy from Maroon 5. Check that out. It’s nice.
De on January 16, 2008 at 5:54 pm #

she went wrong by singing that song (shakes head)
dallastar on January 16, 2008 at 6:01 pm #

OMG, she butchered that song! I love the original version but she was out of tune & too low & raspy to carry it. Sometimes a remix ISN’T needed, she should’ve just said “I love The Fray” and kept it moving as B Scott would say…
B Scott's neighbor on January 16, 2008 at 6:23 pm #

HORRRRRRRID! How dare her not know her vocal limits. She struggled through the entire song and my dumb ass listened to the WHOLE thing
Tonya on January 16, 2008 at 6:45 pm #

I love Alicia, but the original is better.
LadyBanks on January 16, 2008 at 7:57 pm #

in her defense, this was back in November right before the album came out when she was sick.
Artemicon on January 16, 2008 at 9:01 pm #

i loved the original but she needs to back off of this one for sure
she on January 16, 2008 at 10:56 pm #

i’ll stick with the original thank you.
stephanie on January 16, 2008 at 11:25 pm #

i love alicia!!! the original rocks… but i feel her, sometimes you just need to sing…
Sel on January 17, 2008 at 7:37 am #

I love the original, I couldn’t even get through Alicia’s version, sometimes you just can’t sing everything. I still love her though.
cherry on January 17, 2008 at 9:16 am #

wow this just shows alicia cant sing everything with the piano..lol. it doesnt sound good at all. but i still love her. the original hands down.
chanley608 on January 17, 2008 at 11:03 am #

I would like to drink tainted kool-aid listening to this rendition…I love me some Alicia but this cover is like spending a night in a haunted mental hospital….sheer horror.
Tiffany on January 17, 2008 at 12:12 pm #

My gosh she was so friggin flat and totally low thru out…some songs should be left alone as they are…The Fray did the better job…Alicia quit while ur ahead sugar!
Donelle on January 17, 2008 at 2:22 pm #

Good googa mooga! This is the absolute WORST! What the hell was she thinking! The verses are retched, I mean virtually intolerable. I think I even threw up in my mouth a little. Nasty. Don’t do that again Alicia. EVER.
Pamela on January 18, 2008 at 12:15 pm #

EVERYBODY CANT SING EVERYTHING!!!

She would have done alot better if she didnt try to copy him exactly the way he sang it. She should have had her own style with it.
She sounds like a bad drag queen in the beginning.
Benj on January 21, 2008 at 9:58 am #

I prefer the original, but I think that if AK took it into the studios, raised it up a third or a fifth so the beginning was in her range, and put her own spin on it, it’d be a hit.
Tracey on March 12, 2008 at 10:27 am #

I love Alicia but as an artist you really should know you limits!