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"Believe What I Say" is the tenth track from Kanye West's tenth studio album, Donda (2021), and the ninth track from the deluxe version of Donda.[1][2] The song features vocals from Buju Banton and background vocals from STALONE and Dem Jointz.[3] The song was later rereleased as a radio single on November 30, 2021.[4]

Production[]

The song heavily samples Lauryn Hill's 1998 song, "Doo Wop (That Thing)".[5]

Background[]

The song was created during the DONDA: WITH CHILD era in September of 2020. By this point, the song had an additional feature from SAINt JHN that was left out in future versions and a mumble chorus with a vocoder effect.[6] SAINt JHN's verse was removed for the rest of the WITH CHILD era and early "Green Tiles" era. On September 26, 2020, Ye previewed the song with a snippet that he posted on Twitter.[3] It was also seen on several leaked track lists throughout the era.

Later into the "Green Tiles" era, a feature from Steve Lacy would surface with Steve Lacy providing background vocals for the chorus, more prominent STALONE vocals and a simpler beat produced by E.VAX.[7] Ty Dolla $ign was also said to have recorded a reference track for the song during these sessions. While the song was worked on within this time period, the song would not appear on tracklists again until the project had morphed into Donda.

By the Mercedes-Benz sessions, Consequence had began writing for the song as well.[8] The song wasn't fully previewed to the public until August 26, 2021, when it was played at the second listening party in Chicago.[9] It was officially released alongside the rest of the Donda album on November 30, 2021 as 10th track.

On September 5th, 2021, underground rapper BabyTron released an "unreleased" verse for the song.[10] However, this verse was confirmed to be a fake as the instrumental was identical to an instrumental remake on YouTube.[11] It's unknown if this was only a publicity stunt or if BabyTron ever was on the song or any other Donda throwaways.

Lyrics[]

[Intro]
Yo, yo (Check our situation)
My men and my women
(Yo) Yo, yo (Check our situation)
My men and my wom–

[Verse 1]
You need somethin' unexpected, some form of weapon
You ask him to feel protected, and still feel protected
Just one time for the record, just one time for the record
Don't agree with the message, don't agree with the methods

[Chorus]
Don't let, don't let the lifestyle drag you down
Who knows when was the last time you felt the love
One last sparkle to follow in my light
One last sparkle to follow

[Verse 2]
Man, it's too early
What the hell you doin' wakin' me up at 5:30?
Why the hell are you worried?
Play somethin' that is very, very vibe-worthy
I don't know want my mind alerting
People sayin' tweetin' gonna make you die early
How 'bout have my heart hurtin'?
Hold it all inside, that could make you die early
Go on and get your best attorney
Something's there, feel it when I heard it
Just release the spirit, let it flow though
How these **** leaving now with one leg like Flo-Jo?
Nail me to the cross with long nails, like Coko
Free Throat Coat for the throat goats
Even if I gotta do it solo, even if I gotta do it with no promo
I ain't got my point across
'Til we finally get across and pass the point
So there's a couple things that I gotta quote
Don't involve yourself in things you don't have to know
I ain't never question what you was askin' for
I gave you every single thing you was askin' for
I don't understand how anybody could ask for more
Got a list of even more, I just laugh it off
I be goin' through things I had to wrote
Celebrity drama that only Brad'll know
Too many family secrets, somebody passin' notes
Things I cried about, I found laughable
Lil' baby Jesus, ain't laughing, no
Don't involve yourself in things they ain't have to know
The big man upstairs ain't laughin', no
Don't involve yourself in things they ain't have to know

[Bridge]
Now here we are
You know I'm not about it
Showed you my all
I let you into my thoughts

[Chorus]
Don't let, don't let the lifestyle drag you down
Who knows when was the last time you felt the love
One last sparkle to follow in my light
One last sparkle to follow in love
One last sparkle to follow in my light
One last sparkle to follow

[Interlude]
Okay, I didn't throw a fit when you said you wanted to leave
I told you I loved you, but you didn't believe
You were too easily fooled, so easily deceived
By some dude who's more rather into greed
Played by your emotions, you were swamped by your needs
Told me, I didn't believe, you said I was out to deceive, ahaha
You said that I lie, how did I? I told you everything, didn't I?
But you just could not believe, man, I'm so peeved
Your friends all up in your head even when we're in bed
Your mind's elsewhere, and you say you care? Haha
I'm laughin' at you all, you think you got me? No, no
My back ain't against the wall (The wall, the wall, the wall, the wall, the wall)

[Chorus]
Don't let, don't let the lifestyle drag you down
Who knows when was the last time you felt the love
One last sparkle to follow in my light (Right on)
One last sparkle to follow

Trivia[]

  • The line, "Free Throat Coat for the throat goats", is censored on the deluxe version of Donda.

References[]

Donda
Singles
"Hurricane" • "Life Of The Party"
Radio singles
"Believe What I Say" • "Off The Grid"
Other tracks
"Donda Chant" • "Jail" • "God Breathed" • "Praise God" • "Jonah" • "Ok Ok" • "Junya" • "24" • "Remote Control" • "Moon" • "Heaven and Hell" • "Donda" • "Keep My Spirit Alive" • "Jesus Lord" • "New Again" • "Tell The Vision" • "Lord I Need You" • "Pure Souls" • "Come to Life" • "No Child Left Behind"
Deluxe tracks
"Up From The Ashes" • "Never Abandon Your Family"
Chronology
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