Gone (Kanye West song)
"Gone" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his second studio album, Late Registration (2005). The song features guest appearances from fellow rappers Cam'ron and Consequence. It was solely produced by West, who served as a songwriter alongside the rappers and Chuck Willis, the latter of which received credit due to having written the sampled work. A hip hop track, it contains samples of Otis Redding's version of "It's Too Late". The song's production is largely orchestral, featuring string arrangements set in two chords. Lyrically, it sees West speaking of potentially abandoning fame and moving elsewhere for seeking a simpler life.
"Gone"
August 30, 2005
- The Record Plant (Hollywood)
- Capitol Recording (Hollywood)
5:32
- Kanye West
- Dexter Mills
- Cameron Giles
- Chuck Willis
- Kanye West
"Gone" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who often highlighted the sample of "It's Too Late". Some complimented West's rapping, while numerous reviewers appreciated the strings. In 2009, Pitchfork listed the song among the 200 best songs of the 2000s. It was performed by West, Cam'ron, and Consequence for West's debut live album, Late Orchestration (2006). In September 2013, Marina Shifrin released a video of herself dancing to the song when leaving a job at Next Media Animation. The clip went viral on YouTube, while it caused the song to debut at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Background and recording[edit]
West provided guest vocals on Cam'ron's single "Down and Out" from his fourth studio album Purple Haze (2004), as well as receiving a production credit on the song. However, West later admitted in 2006 that the production was actually handled by Brian "All Day" Miller, though revealed himself to be fond of the beat and recalled the positive reception it gathered. West also received credit as a producer on fellow Purple Haze track "Dip-Set Forever", before working with Cam'ron on "Gone".[1] The rapper freestyled over West's single "Runaway" in 2010, expressing his anger towards him for not contributing a verse to his album. Later that year, West featured Cam'ron on the original version of "Christmas in Harlem".[2]
American record producer and composer Jon Brion had achieved fame from his distinctive production work for artists and film scores for auteurs, though was lacking experience in hip hop. West became a fan of singer-songwriter Fiona Apple whom Brion had produced for; while watching 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, he appreciated Brion's score. The pair became connected via record producer Rick Rubin, a mutual friend of theirs, and West quickly phoned Brion and they instantly formed chemistry with each other. The rapper enlisted him to work on Late Registration, marking Brion's first involvement in a hip hop project; the decision created confusion across his fanbase. Brion imagined people commenting that West has "gone off his rocker" and envisioning him making "an art record with some crazy, left-field music guy", clarifying this not to be "the case whatsoever".[3] The latter recalled West taking charge of production with his strong vision and mentioned the rapper's "quick, intuitive decisions".[3] "Gone" was produced by West, who co-wrote it with Consequence, Cam'ron, and singer-songwriter Chuck Willis, the fourth of which received credit due to having written the work that is sampled.[4] An 18-piece orchestra played for the song,[5] with the string orchestrations being handled by violinist Eric Gorfain, who also contributes his instrument. The strings were recorded by Tom Biller at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.[4] Speaking of these instruments, Brion said: "There's a whole string section, and it turns into crazy soundtrack music. It's a big piece of work."[3]
Composition and lyrics[edit]
Musically, "Gone" is a hip hop track.[5] The song is built around a looped sample of American singer Otis Redding's 1965 version of "It's Too Late",[6][7] originally written and performed by Willis, which is used as the hook.[4][5][8] "Gone" has a lush orchestral production,[9] relying on string arrangements that have two chords and were done by Brion.[4][6][10] The arrangements were performed by an 18-piece orchestra, consisting of 10 violinists, four violists, and four cellists, whose instruments appear in small bursts.[4][5][11] As well as the strings, the song features a drum beat.[3] After starting with the Redding sample, it moves into a two-chord piano ostinato, followed by a simplistic funk beat. The string section changes to a detailed counterpoint when West raps, going along with the rise and fall of his voice.[11] West's final verse is preceded by an instrumental passage, which consists of nearly a minute of stabs.[11][12] The song features two verses from West, who performs first and is succeeded by guest verses from Cam'ron and Consequence, before delivering the 30-bar closing verse.[9][11][13]
In the lyrics of "Gone", West considers the idea of abandoning fame and relocating somewhere in a breadbasket area to find a simpler life.[14] He details his escape fantasy, threatening to "move to Oklahoma and just live at my aunt's house".[15] West also insults fellow rappers he deems as unworthy of his production expertise, assuring that what they "could get is a job from me".[11][16] Cam'ron delivers onomatopoeic Dadaism, stating he does not need a roof. Consequence tells a story that involves his friend dying, a nest egg being stolen, drinking alcohol, and at least one life-changing mistake occurring.[5]
Information taken from Late Registration liner notes.[4]
Recording
Personnel
Additional musicians