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"On God" is the fifth track from Kanye West's ninth studio album, JESUS IS KING (2019).[1] The song features uncredited vocals from producer CAMEone.[2] The song carries on the spiritual themes of the album while tying in mentions of the thirteenth amendment, past life experiences, and even namedropping Chief Keef. The song features production by Pi'erre Bourne, marking the third collaboration between the two artists (also bearing the trademark "yo P'ierre" producer tag.)[2]

The song's title (and lyrics) are a nod to the expression "on god" -- "a common phrase in hip hop -- which means something like 'believe me' or 'swear on my life.'"[2]

Production[]

While the instrumental does not sample anything, vocals from YB's 2011 song, "Lambo", can be heard (Kanye also sampled this song in "Mercy"). At the beginning of the song, several people saying "Yo, Pi'erre" can also be heard.[3]

Background[]

Producer CAMEone revealed in an interview that he originally made the instrumental for the song in 2017.[4] When Kanye began working on the song, he initially planned for Dua Lipa to feature in the song.[5] However, this not happen. It was previewed at several listening parties and initially planned to be the third track on the album.[6]

Remix[]

Kanye and Dr. Dre planned to release a remix for the song on their now-unreleased collaborative album, JESUS IS KING: The Dr. Dre Version. It had a completely different instrumental and featured a verse from Thurz.[7]

Lyrics[]

[Intro]
Yo, Pi'erre, yo, Pi'erre

[Verse]
"How you get so much favor on your side?"
"Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour," I replied
Thou shalt love thy neighbor, not divide
I'ma ride, that's on God
His light shine the brightest in the dark
Single mothers know they got my heart
And all my brothers locked up on the yard
You can still be anything you wanna be
Went from one in four to one in three
Thirteenth amendment, gotta end it, that's on me
He the new commander and the chief
That's on Keef, that's on God
Before the ranch, I had horses in the garage
When the Forbes cover was just a mirage
They had me chasin' statues, that's on pride
"Oh my God," Bust said that's on Tribe
When I thought the Book of Job was a job
The Devil had my soul, I can't lie
Life gon' have some lows and some highs
Before the Grammy's ever gave a nod
I wore my heart on my sleeve, I couldn't hide
In '03, they told me not to drive
I bleached my hair for every time I could've died
But I survived, that's on God
I've been tellin' y'all since '05
The greatest artist restin' or alive
That's on L.A. Reid, that's on Clive
That's no Jive, that's on God
Off the 350s He supplied
The IRS want they fifty plus our tithe
Man, that's over half of the pie
I felt dry, that's on God
That's why I charge the prices that I charge
I can't be out here dancin' with the stars
No, I cannot let my family starve
I go hard, that's on God

[Outro]
(Yo Pi'erre, you wanna come out here?)
Okay, okay, okay, okay

[Intro]
I'ma ride, that's on God
That's on God (That's on-)
The devil had my soul, I can't lie
I'ma ride, that's on God

[Verse 1]
"How you get so much favor on your side?" (Side, side, side, side, side, side)
"Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour," I replied (-plied)
Thou shalt- Thou shalt love thy neighbor, not divide
I'ma ride, that's on God
His light shine the brightest in the dark
Single mothers know they got my heart
And all my brothers locked up on the yard
You can still be anything you wanna be
Went from one in four to one in three
Thirteenth amendment, gotta end it, that's on me
He the new commander and the chief
That's on Keef, that's on God
Before the ranch, I had horses in the garage
When the Forbes cover was just a mirage
They had me chasin' statues, that's on pride
"Oh my God," Bust said that's on Tribe
When I thought the Book of Job was a job
The Devil had my soul, I can't lie

[Bridge]
I can't-
Padre, Hijo, Espíritu Santo, super

[Verse 2]
On my city, plenty lose innocence
Heaven knows I need intervention
Seven rows of pews with holy shoes
I'm rowin' through the ocean
Baptized on the coast where they go loco, eh?
Thirty-five, forty-five, oh, so late
Not what you had in mind, but he still on time
Rockin' through that ozone layer
Post-apocalyptic, God has risen
Sins forgiven, so here's for givin' sermons
Open up my mouth, the prayers come out
The gates about to swing, they need a purpose
Mira las rodillas, tocan piso, cada día el me hizo nuevo, voy con energía del cielo
Fighting to put these feet up on the devil
Congress divide us, temptation disguised as a waitress
Dropping diamonds each time that I lace it to feed the forsaken, wait
Heathens will make it right out of a season of hatred, wait
We should embrace it and stop all the fakin', that's-

[Verse 3]
That's on God
Off the 350s He supplied
The IRS want they fifty plus our tithe
Man, that's over half of the pie
I felt dry, that's on God
That's why I charge the prices that I charge
I can't be out here dancin' with the stars
No, I cannot let my family starve
I go hard, that's on God

References[]

JESUS IS KING
Radio singles
"Follow God" • "Closed On Sunday"
Other tracks
"Every Hour" • "Selah" • "On God" • "Everything We Need" • "Water" • "God Is" • "Hands On" • "Use This Gospel" • "Jesus Is Lord"
Chronology
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