

The song's lyrics tell listeners that they can reach Keys by calling a particular number, 489–4608, which was her former telephone number minus the area code when she lived in New York City, according to Keys' publicist, Lois Najarian. The single's music video, directed by Lamont "Liquid" Burrell, Rod Isaacs, Jeff Robinson, and Brian Campbell, contains footage of several live concerts from both 2004's Verizon Ladies First Tour, which Keys took part in, and her own 2005 The Diary Tour. Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters said the "sparse production" of the song "gives Keys ample space to work out her ideas." Music video Its Hani remixes topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart in late 2004. The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. "Diary" was nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 2005 Grammy Awards. At one time, "Diary" had been released as a double A-side with " If I Ain't Got You".

It was released on May 24, 2004, as the album's third single.

and produced by Keys, the song features the American group Tony! Toni! Toné! on bass, piano, guitar, organ and Wurlitzer, while Jermaine Paul provides uncredited additional vocals. " Diary" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys from her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003).
