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"Love Lockdown" is a song by American recording artist Kanye West from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song was produced by West, while co-produced by Jeff Bhasker. The producers co-wrote it with Esthero, Malik Yusef, and Starshell. West initially shared the song via his blog on September 10, 2008, before re-recording it after negative reactions. The song was later released for digital download on September 18, 2008 by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam as the lead single from the album. West sings through Auto-Tune on the song, with the lyrics looking at a failed relationship's after effects.

Reception[]

"Love Lockdown" received widely positive reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented the production. Some directed praise towards the drums in the production, while numerous critics highlighted West's vocal performance on the song. It was named to year-end lists for 2008 by multiple publications, including Pitchfork and Blender. The song won the award of Best Rap/Hip Hop Dance Track at the 2009 International Dance Music Awards. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it became West's highest debut by entering at number three on the chart. The song also reached the top 10 in Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. "Love Lockdown" has been certified quadruple platinum and gold in the United States and the UK by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and British Phonographic Industry (BPI), respectively. An accompanying music video premiered on October 7, 2008. The video replicates the role of Christian Bale in the American film American Psycho (2000), with West making his appearance in his own apartment while all colour has been removed from the rooms. In 2008, Time listed the visual as their Video of the Year.

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]

I'm not loving you, way I wanted to

What I had to do, had to run from you

I'm in love with you, but the vibe is wrong

And that haunted me, all the way home

So you never know, never, never know

Never know enough, 'til it's over love

'Til we lose control, system overload

Screaming, "No, no, no, n-nooo!"

I'm not loving you, way I wanted to

See I wanna move, but can't escape from you

So I keep it low, keep a secret code

So everybody else don't have to know

[Chorus]

So keep your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Keeping your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Now keep your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Now keep your love lockdown—you lose

[Verse 2]

I'm not loving you, way I wanted to

I can't keep my cool, so I keep it true

I got something to lose, so I gotta move

I can't keep myself and still keep you too

So I keep in mind, when I'm on my own

Somewhere far from home, in the danger zone

How many times did I tell you 'fore it finally got through?

You lose, you lose

I'm not loving you, way I wanted to

See I had to go, see I had to move

No more wasting time, you can't wait for life

We're just racin' time, where's the finish line?

[Chorus]

So keep your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Keeping your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Now keep your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Now keep your love lockdown—you lose

[Verse 3]

I'm not loving you, way I wanted to

I bet no one knew, I got no one new

Know I said I'm through, but got love for you

But I'm not loving you, the way I wanted to

Gotta keep it goin', keep the loving goin'

Keep it on the roll, only God knows

If I be with you, baby, I'm confused

You choose, you choose

I'm not loving you, way I wanted to

Where I wanna go, I don't need you

I've been down this road too many times before

I'm not loving you, way I wanted to

[Chorus]

So keep your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Keeping your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Now keep your love lockdown—your love lockdown

Now keep your love lockdown—you lose

[Outro]

You lose, you lose

You lose, you lose

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