This is so not what we were expecting back when word spread that Kanye West and Paul McCartney were in the studio together and that one of their songs might be called "Piss on My Grave."
On New Year's Eve, Yeezus released one of his most poignant songs since "Hey Mama." It's called "Only You" and it's dedicated to daughter North West.
The story, according to a press release posted on Pitchfork, is that Kanye and the former Beatle were in the studio improvising together, and after playing back one of their recordings, "Kanye sat there with his family, holding his daughter North on his lap, and listened to his vocals, singing, 'Hello, my only one . . .' And in that moment, not only could he not recall having sung those words, but he realized that perhaps the words had never really come from him." He then concluded that his late mother, Donda West, was singing through him.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
Here's the part that sends chills down the spine: The name "Kanye" actually means "only one." (At least, according to the press release.)
The sweet song features Kanye's autotuned vocals and McCartney's mellow keyboard creating a bit of a lullaby feel, but the lyrics are the real gut-punch, particularly when you picture Kanye's mom singing from beyond the grave, "Tell Nori about me." Oh, boy, this room just got real dusty.
"Only One," the first single from 'Ye's upcoming album, is available on iTunes now. (Pitchfork)