Throwback Track Thursday: Kanye West X Streetlights

There was once a time when I was an avid Kanye fan.

I loved Through The Wire and All Falls Down and Work Out Plan. Then when the Late Registration album came out, my mum bought it for me and I played it constantly. If I was getting in the car with her that HAD to be the CD that was playing, I made sure of it. Graduation came out after that and it was the same thing. I loved it. I even went back and copped the College Dropout album. Fell in love with that too.

Then came 808's & Heartbreak came out and I was like ... Kanye what are you doing? He was singing primarily, not something that I particulary minded but on top of that he'd taken his music in a whole other direction. I didnt't like any of the singles from the album (Heartless, Love Lockdown) and the sound just wasn't very Kanye for me. For that reason, I skimmed the album and wrote it off therefore ending my days as Kanye music stan. Thinking about it now, I probably should've gave the album a chance because not too long ago, I found myself listening to a song repeatedly and realised it was from that album.

I don't know if my music taste has just changed over the years but the track Streetlights really speaks to me. When I think about it, its probably the type of song you would least expect from a rapper.To me, it has more of an indie band type of sound which makes it kinda awesome that it came from Kanye.

He says so little in the lyrics but some lines are so relatable.

"Do I still got time to grow?

Things aint always set in stone.."

"Streetlights, glowing

Happen to be just like

Moments, Passing

Infront of me.."

"I know my destination

But I'm just not there"

The song is simple and repetitive and Kanye's vocals are saved by this rough, harsh sounding autotune that's a little awkward to take at first but after a couple of listens it's what makes the song work.

The song came out in 2008 and is track 8 on the album. Listen below...