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"Moon" is a song by Kanye West that released as a part of his eleventh studio album, Donda (2021).[1] The song serves as the thirteenth track of the base record and the third from the deluxe record.[1] The track has hidden features from Don Toliver and Kid Cudi and features production done by MIKE DEAN, E.VAX, BoogzDaBeast and others.

The song acts as an interlude, featuring a mellow and calm sound throughout over a calm electric guitar melody done by E.VAX.

Production[]

The song features a tempo of 162 and has a key of F major.[2]

Background[]

The song, according to Don Toliver himself initially actually began as a reference track for Hurricane created during the Mercedes-Benz sessions in late-2021. Don Toliver's vocals for this reference were taken and used on Moon, which Don Toliver noted to be "completely different" from what he initially recorded on.[3]

The first known version of the song was created on July 13 by producer E.VAX, likely as a new song idea.[4] The song was first previewed at the first Donda listening party on July 22nd, featuring solely Don Toliver.[5] At the first event, it was played immediately after "Hurricane," leading some to believe it was an interlude or ending segment like "Frank's Track" to "Wolves" from The Life Of Pablo (2016). Leaker "Waterfalls" would also continue to clarify that Don Toliver's vocals for the song were taken from his reference for Hurricane to support this idea.

Kanye wouldn't record for the song until July 26, where the song was heavily tweaked with additional production from producer duo FNZ.[6] Kanye also had a vocoder effect over his vocals which would not make further versions. On August 1st, Malik Yusef would record two references for the song intended for Kanye.

Prior to the second listening party, rapper Lil Yachty would reach out to Kanye and suggest Kid Cudi's addition to the song using a mutual connection with Vory who had been working with Kanye extensively on Donda.[7] Although unclear when exactly Cudi had recorded his vocals, it has been stated by Fya Man that they had been recorded with SoundByDawson. This version of the song was played on August 5th at the second official Donda listening party.[8]

At the final listening party on August 26, Kid Cudi's vocals had been cut from the song for unclear reasons, garnering criticism from fans.[9] Cudi's contributions were re-instated for the album's release on August 29th as the 13th track.

Lyrics[]

[Chorus: Don Toliver]
I wanna go to the moon, don't leave so soon (Don't leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)
I wanna go to the moon, don't leave so soon (Don't leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)
I wanna go to the moon, don't leave so soon (Don't leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)

[Verse: Kid Cudi]
Mhm, here we go strappin', we up
Never forget all the memories
Sittin', I sip out my cup
Thinkin' I should be a better me
Truly I'm blessed from the start
So much to say in these melodies, oh
Stare at the sky, the moon singin' sweet
Oh, my God, such a sweet moment
Angels, they say I'm not ever weak, such a lonely moment
Heaven knows I might never sleep, trouble in my soul
Hey, I've been prayin', life can be drainin', oh
Hey, we were late, tryna keep haulin' on
I'm ashamed and yet, what I will see, ain't nobody knows, so I go

[Chorus: Don Toliver, Kanye West & Kid Cudi]
How can I get through? (Don't leave so soon)
How can I get through? (To the moon)
How can I get through? (To the moon)
Early afternoon, I wanna go to the moon (Take you to the moon)
Don't leave so soon (Woah)
Don't leave so soon
How could I get through? (Yeah)
How can I get through? (Ooh)
Early afternoon, I wanna go to the moon (Ooh, take you to the moon)
Don't leave so soon (Ooh)
Don't leave so soon (Don't leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)

[Outro: Kid Cudi]
Yeah-yeah
Woah-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Woah-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

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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