Kanye West

Lyrics

[Hook]
And I can see it with my eyes closed, now
Feeling like my life froze
I’m about to hit the ground

[Verse 1]
I sold my soul to the devil: that's a crappy deal
Least it came with a few toys like a Happy Meal
This game you could never win
Cause they love you then they hate you then they love you again
Get away from me misery
Get away from me loneliness
Get away from me fake bitches, I can’t take the phoniness
Get away from me wack tracks
I can only make only hits
I’m an only child lost in the World
Where do the lonely kids go when the bell ring?
It's feeling like Hell rings
Bringing me back down
Checking my background
Its ironic whats happening
Imagine if I didn’t have the ends
I wouldn't have so many imaginary friends
I’m spaced out Dogg, I be on that moon talk
Wonder if God ask Mike how to moonwalk
I swear to momma wish me and my father talk more
I stopped visiting around the time I was a sophomore
I guess everything I hate about me I see in him
And we ain’t finna change, so we’ll never agree again
Till then I’ll be pouring out my soul
Just a few things I see with my eyes closed
[Hook]
And I can see it with my eyes closed, now
Feeling like my life froze
I’m about to hit the ground

[Verse 2]
I sold my soul to the devil
I know its a crappy deal
At least it came with a few toys
Like a Happy Meal
I’m spaced out dog
I be on that moontalk
I wonder if God asked Mike how to Moonwalk?
You know the entertainment Angels
Adriana for Giselle
Let's exchange Angels
Photoshoot at my crib
Lets exchange angles
Rockin nothin but them Tom Binns bangles
My heart so anxious, gettin' anxiety
Begging one of these fuckin fashion houses to hire me
They say I’ve been an asshole
I said if you acquire me
I can be a quiet me, call it verbal dieting
Give me your herbal chai tea
I’ll be calm as Tai Chi
With a bad white bitch like Ice-T
I’m not right dog, I’m slightly off
I’m paranoid; like bonin’ raw dog
And wakin up with a slight cough
Yea, that’ll make ya dick quite soft
Plus my neck hurt too lemme take all this ice off
Never meant to hurt you, I should’ve took nights off
But it cost too much to live and I never took the price off
[Hook]
And I can see it with my eyes closed, now
Feeling like my life froze
I’m about to hit the ground

When it comes to Kanye West's music, his songs are always steeped in controversy and anticipation, which is why his unreleased song, Eyes Closed, featuring frequent collaborator John Legend, was no different. The song never made it onto any of his albums, but it was eventually leaked in January 2011, which created a buzz among Kanye's fans. Considering the song has such a fascinating history, it deserves a deep dive into its production and composition.

About Eyes Closed

The song's creation is credited to Kanye West, Jeff Bhasker, and Mike Dean, who produced the track. The song reportedly came from the same sessions as Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, an album that garnered widespread critical acclaim, which led to high expectations for the Eyes Closed track. The song was never officially released as a part of any album, but it found its way onto the internet in an unfinished form, which contains Kanye's verses and John Legend's chorus.

While the song's origin is fascinating, its composition is even more so. Eyes Closed features a prominent sample of Jimmy Spicer’s “Money (Dollar Bill Y'all).” The song is an innovative reimagining of the original track compared to other songs that have sampled the same record. The lyrics are abstract and metaphorical, making it an excellent example of Kanye's idiosyncratic songwriting style.

The song's chorus, sung by John Legend, is one of the catchy parts of Eyes Closed, and his vocals add the perfect layer to the song. His emotional delivery provides the perfect counterbalance to Kanye's verses, which are more aggressive and robust in tone. This contrast adds a unique depth to the song, making it a perfect example of two musical geniuses collaborating.

There are some interesting facts surrounding this song that reveal more about its creation. For instance, Kanye’s verse in the track is almost identical to the one in the cypher for G.O.O.D. Music’s 2010 BET Awards performance. The similarity shows Kanye's consistency in his artistry and the lengths he goes to ensure his music is of the highest quality. Also, the song was later given to Snoop Dogg, who released it under the title Eyez Closed on his album Doggumentary in 2011.

Overall, Eyes Closed is an excellent example of Kanye West's musical prowess. The cinematic production, inspired sampling, and brilliant lyrics make it a standout track in his musical catalog. The contrast between Kanye and John Legend's voices adds an extra layer of complexity, and it is a testament to both artists' talent. Although the song never found its way onto any of Kanye's albums, it has become a fan favorite and is still appreciated by music lovers today.

• Release Date: None
• Artist: Kanye West