"Wake The Dead" is an unreleased song by Kanye West that created during the Yandhi sessions.
The title likely refers to the famous raising of Lezarus that was documented in John 11:1-44.[1] In the song's chorus, Ye made references to his 2016 hospitalization at the UCLA Medical Center.[2]
Production[]
The song heavily samples Petch Burapa's song, "Kor Hua Jai Bee Kuen".
Background[]
It is rumored that the song was created in April 2019, during the last Yandhi sessions. The song was again worked on in June 2019, and during the JESUS IS KING sessions, several artists recorded reference tracks, such as EP Da Hellcat, Rhymefest, Kirk Franklin, and Victory. On August 29, 2019, Kim Kardashian revealed an early tracklist for JESUS IS KING, which listed the song as the 8th track from the album.[3] However, it was later scrapped from the album.
The song was seen on several tracklists during the DONDA: WITH CHILD sessions in July 2020, though it had been scrapped from this album.
The song was later brought back for Donda 2 and was intended for release on stem player, though it had presumably been scrapped last minute.[4]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Final, timezone
Time's up, time off
Had it been, final
Turnin' up, tie in all
Heaven all wrecked, ooh
Done had it with this reign, mhm
It was written, so I read
Three stacks on the bed
I think they woke the dead
[Chorus]
Think they woke the dead, mhm
They can't keep me on the meds, doctor won't
But they, won't slow down my bread, uh
It's so many less, I think they woke the dead
[Segue]
I think they woke the dead
[Chorus]
Think they woke the dead, doctor won't
They can't keep me on the meds, doctor won't
But they, won't slow down my bread, uh
It's so many less, I think they woke the dead
[Verse 2]
Just like David said
Grindin' for the bread
Designin' for the blessed, uh
There's so many less, I think they woke the dead
Doctor won't, ah, ooh-yeah, doctor won't (Ooh-yeah)
Doctor won't, three stacks on the bed, doctor won't
I think they woke the dead
[Chorus]
Think they woke the dead, mhm
They can't keep me on the meds, doctor won't
But they, won't slow down my bread, uh
It's so many less, I think they woke the dead
[Outro]
Final, timezone
Time's up, time off
Had it been, final
There's so many less, I think they woke the dead
Time stopped, my loss
All they wish, my loss
Every stop, that's your loss
It's so many less, I think they woke the dead
Final, time's off
Time's up, time off
Had it been, final
It's so many less, I think they woke the dead