See You in My Nightmares
"See You in My Nightmares" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, featuring fellow rapper Lil Wayne, from the former's fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song was written by West, No I.D., Jeff Bhasker and Lil Wayne. with production from the former two. It was scheduled to be released as the album's third single on March 10, 2009, ultimately being canceled in favor of "Amazing". A club number with an electronic beat, it relies on strings and synths. Lyrically, West and Lil Wayne discuss relationship troubles.
"See You in My Nightmares"
November 24, 2008
2008
- Glenwood (Burbank, California)
- Avex Recording (Honolulu, Hawaii)
4:18
- Kanye West
- Ernest Dion Wilson
- Jeff Bhasker
- Dwayne Carter
- Kanye West
- No I.D. (co)
The song received mixed reviews from music critics, who were generally split in their feelings of Lil Wayne's appearance. Critical commentary was mostly focused on the rapper's vocal style, while a few reviewers were negative towards his lyricism. In 2008, "See You in My Nightmares" charted at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 on the US Pop 100, alongside reaching number 22 on the Canadian Hot 100. The song has since been certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). West performed it in February 2009 for his second live album, VH1 Storytellers (2010). In the former year, a remix of the song was used for Spike Jonze's film We Were Once a Fairytale, which stars a drunken West in a club. The song was later covered by Vida Sophia in December 2015.
Composition and lyrics[edit]
Musically, "See You in My Nightmares" is a club number, with an electronic beat.[8][9] Going against the composition of the other tracks on 808s & Heartbreak, no drum sounds are featured.[10] The song is reliant on strings[11] and electric[10][12] synths,[2][13][14] the former of which were arranged by Gold. The strings were engineered by Jeff Chestek, with assistance from Rick Friedrich, Montez Roberts, and John Stahl.[4] In the background, the song features a cello, violas, bass, and violins.[4][10] Keyboards are also included in the composition, which were contributed by Bhasker.[4] Throughout the song, West's voice is Auto-Tuned as he sings in an aggressive tone.[10][12][15] Lil Wayne raps in Auto-Tune, with him contributing the hook and a verse.[9][10][16]
In the lyrics of the song, West and Lil Wayne touch on relationship troubles with their ex-lovers.[8][14] On the hook, the latter raps about a break-up: "I got the right to put up a fight/ But not quite cause you cut off my light/ But my sight is better tonight/ And I might see you in my nightmare."[9] West dismisses his ex-lover during his performance, asserting that he has rid his mind of her.[11] At the start of Lil Wayne's verse, he shouts "Baby girl, I'm finished" in his signature snarl.[10]
Release and reception[edit]
West's fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak was released on November 24, 2008, including "See You in My Nightmares" as the tenth track.[17] The song had been set for release to US rhythmic crossover and top 40 radio stations as the album's third single on March 10, 2009.[18] Instead, "Amazing" was sent to US radio stations as the third single on the scheduled date.[19][20] However, "See You in My Nightmares" received airplay during March 2009.[21]
The song was met with mixed reviews from music critics, with them mostly being ambivalent about Lil Wayne's feature. Adam Conner-Simons from musicOMH stated that "See You in My Nightmares" demonstrates where the album "crystallises a distinct musical moment", giving the song the title of a "mesmering" duet between West and the rapper.[8] Conner-Simons further commented that due to "two of the rap game's most respected MCs dropping the macho facade", utilizing Auto-Tune and putting out "a passionate club-banger about relationship troubles", West "is effectively ushering in a bizarre new emo-rap subgenre".[8] Writing for PopMatters, Dave Heaton remarked that West's choice to guest Lil Wayne on the song was smart, appreciating his "tough" voice as a perfect fit for "the milieu".[22] In his Consumer Guide MSN Music column, Robert Christgau observed that even though the quality of the songs deters in the second half of 808s & Heartbreak, "they come rushing back with the Lil Wayne ditty".[23] The Los Angeles Times contributor Ann Powers opined that Lil Wayne's feature is "all swagger, no tears".[24] USA Today's Steve Jones recommended the song as one of the tracks to download from the album.[25]
Expressing a divided opinion of "See You in My Nightmares" in No Ripcord, Cara Nash analyzed that while the song "may prove more commercially viable" with Lil Wayne's appearance, his "thug like vocals" are disruptive of the album's "introspective flow".[26] Brandon Perkins from Urb admitted that despite the addition of Lil Wayne's "supersized ego", the song turns out to be "surprisingly flat and forgettable", believing certain lyrics from the rapper stick out for their "cringe-worthy absurdity".[27] In a negative review for Spin, Charles Aaron characterized the song as a "disjointed oddity" that Lil Wayne raps foolish lyrics on in his typical Auto-Tuned style.[13] Aaron continued, affirming that the combination of his rapping and "chintzy synth-strings sweep[ing] by" makes it "time to scan for an exit" from the album.[13] James Reed of The Boston Globe complained about Lil Wayne's talent being "squandered on 'See You in My Nightmares'".[28] Offering a similar viewpoint, Slant Magazine's Wilson McBee said the rapper's feature is representative of "the worst of his recent Auto-Tuned, soft-rock indulgences".[29] Reviewing 808s & Heartbreak for Pitchfork, Scott Plagenhoef selected the song as one of its low points.[30]
Commercial performance[edit]
Upon the release of 808s & Heartbreak, "See You in My Nightmares" debuted and peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, standing as the week's highest entry.[31] The song spent four weeks on the Hot 100 in total.[32] In the same week as its debut on the chart, the song entered the US Billboard Pop 100 at number 27, becoming the highest entry on another chart for the United States.[33] "See You in My Nightmares" was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for amassing 500,000 certified units in the US on September 23, 2020.[34]
Elsewhere, the song entered two charts following the album's release. It opened at number 22 on the Canadian Hot 100, standing as the highest entry of the week.[35] The song lasted for one week on the chart.[36] In the United Kingdom, the song reached number 111 on the UK Singles Chart.[37]
Information taken from 808s & Heartbreak liner notes.[4]
Recording
Personnel
Additional musicians