Blended Family (What You Do for Love)

## Single by Alicia Keys featuring ASAP Rocky

"**Blended Family (What You Do for Love)**" is a song by Alicia Keys featuring guest vocals from ASAP Rocky. It was released as the second single and ninth track from her sixth studio album, *Here* (2016). In a press statement, she said, "To me, the word 'family' has no singular definition, and the modern family is made up of all kinds of beautiful people of different walks of life willing to put love first."

## Music video

The accompanying music video was directed by Hype Williams and premiered November 11, 2016. It is set in black and white, featuring many kinds of families, including her own with husband Swizz Beatz and children from his previous relationship. Keys said, "I feel like 'the family' is such a beautiful and diverse unit and—as we've all experienced—our families come in all different sizes and shapes and versions."

## Lyrics

Lyrics
[Verse 1: Alicia Keys]

Hey I might not really be your mother

That don't mean that I don't really love ya

And even though I married your father

That's not the only reason I'm here for ya

[Pre-Hook: Alicia Keys]

I think you're beautiful

I think you're perfect

I know how hard it gets

But I swear it's worth it, worth it

[Hook: Alicia Keys]

That's what you do, what you do, what you do

What you do for love

'cause there ain't nothing, there ain't nothing, there ain't nothing

There ain't nothing I won't do for us

It may not be easy

This blended family, but baby

That's what you do, what you do, what you do

What you do for love, love

[Verse 2: Alicia Keys]

I know it started with a little drama

I hate you had to read it in the paper

But everything's alright with me and ya Mama

Baby everybody here you know adores ya

[Pre-Hook: Alicia Keys]

I think it's beautiful

I think its perfect

I know how hard it gets

But I swear it's worth it, worth it

[Hook: Alicia Keys]

That's what you do, what you do, what you do

What you do for love

'cause there ain't nothing, there ain't nothing, there ain't nothing

There ain't nothing I won't do for us

It may not be easy

This blended family, but baby

That's what you do, what you do, what you do

What you do for love, love

[Bridge: A$AP Rocky & Alicia Keys]

For love, for love

Are you this real my true love

Cause you're my baby, rejoice daily

I believe love could bring us closer than blood

[Verse 3: A$AP Rocky & Both]

I remember having four step-moms at nine

Loved Christmas time and birthday was fly

Hit my sister's just for dinner cause the cookin' was bomb

Her mother's supper made me love her like she took me to prom (uh)

And shoutout to my sisters on welfare

Flacko care, nobody else care

And shoutout to the step-sisters and step-brothers

And god-sisters, who eventually slept with us

Real love, but you do it right, alright

I'm here for you

That is alright, alright

[Hook: Alicia Keys]

That's what you do, what you do, what you do

What you do for love

There ain't nothing, there ain't nothing, there ain't nothing

There ain't nothing I won't do for us

It may not be easy

This blended family but baby

That's what you do, what you do, what you do

What you do for love

[Outro: Alicia Keys]

That's just what you do (for love)

For love of the babies (for love)

We're a blended family (for love)

And it's alright (for love)

Said it's alright!

I'll be here forever

## References

1. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (November 11, 2016). "Watch Alicia Keys' Heartwarming 'Blended Family' Video". *Rolling Stone*.
2. ↑ Mackenzie, Joi-Marie (December 15, 2016). "Alicia Keys Tells the Inspiration Behind New Video for 'Blended Family'". *ABC News*.