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Template:Song"Only One" is a single by Kanye West that was released on December 31, 2014.[1] It was also released as the second track from Kanye's EP, Dear Donda (2021).[2] The song features backing vocals from Paul McCartney and Ty Dolla $ign.[3]

The song is a tribute to his daughter North and is sung as a message to himself through his mother Donda West. McCartney is featured on the track as a musician and can be heard on "faint" and electronically manipulated backing vocals, but does not sing any lead vocal part.[4][5]

Production[]

The song is an interpolation of the traditional folk song, "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep".[6]

Background[]

Some of the earliest versions of the song were produced during the Yeezus 2 era. One of the tracks on CyHi the Prynce's infamous "ypm" playlist is titled "OO", an abbreviation of "Only One".[7] Ty Dolla $ign revealed that he recorded his vocals for the song in Mexico in September 2014.[8] In 2016, Kanye made an updated version of the song for the Saint Pablo Tour with vocals from Caroline Shaw. This version would later leak in its entirety.[9]

In an interview, Kanye stated that he didn't remember recording the song at all. He stated that his late mother, Donda, "spoke through him that day".[10] In a tweet, Kanye's then-wife, Kim Kardashian, called it her favorite song by Kanye because "Kanye feels like his mom sang thru him to our daughter".[11]

An extended version of the song, featuring Lana Del Ray, was rumored to release on Cruel Winter. However, neither the song nor the album released.[12]

Music video[]

Kanye_West_-_Only_One_ft._Paul_McCartney

Kanye West - Only One ft. Paul McCartney

On January 29, 2015, Kanye previewed the music video for the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The video, directed by Spike Jonze, would release a day later.[13] In the video, Kanye walks through a soggy field with his 18-month-old daughter, North.[14]

Lyrics[]

As I lay me down to sleep

I hear her speak to me

Hello 'Mari, how ya doin'?

I think the storm ran out of rain, the clouds are movin'

I know you're happy, 'cause I can see it

So tell the voice inside ya head to believe it

I talked to God about you, he said he sent you an angel

And look at all that he gave you

You asked for one and you got two

You know I never left you

'Cause every road that leads to heaven's right inside you

So I can say

Hello my only one, just like the mornin' sun

You'll keep on risin' 'til the sky knows your name

Hello my only one, remember who you are

No, you're not perfect but you're not your mistakes

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Oh, the good outweighs the bad even on your worst day

Remember how I'd say

Hey, hey, one day you'll be the man you always knew you could be

And if you knew how proud I was

You'd never shed a tear, have a fear, no, you wouldn't do that

And though I didn't pick the day to turn the page

I know it's not the end every time I see her face, and I hear you say

Hello, my only one, remember who you are

You got the world 'cause you got love in your hands

And you're still my chosen one

So can you understand? One day you'll understand

So hear me out, hear me out

I won't go, I won't go

No goodbyes, no goodbyes

Just hello, just hello

And when you cry, I will cry

And when you smile, I will smile

And next time when I look in your eyes

We'll have wings and we'll fly

'Llo my only one, just like the mornin' sun

You'll keep on risin' 'til the sky knows your name

And you're still my chosen one, remember who you are

No, you're not perfect, but you're not your mistakes

Hey, hey, hey, hey

Tell Nori about me, tell Nori ab-

I just want you to do me a favor

Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me

Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me

Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me

Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me

Tell Nori about me

Credits[]

Adapted from Spotify[15]:

References[]

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