Welcome To Heartbreak is the second track to 808's And Heartbreak. It Features backing vocals from Kid Cudi and Jeff Bhasker and was Produced by Kanye West, Jeff Bhasker, and Plain Pat. In the Track, West addresses attempting to fill his life's lack of substance with items, expressing a struggle to relate to a normal lifestyle as a result of his fame.
Background[]
Kid Cudi said that "Welcome To Heartbreak" was made for JAY-Z's Blueprint 3, but then was repurposed for 808s and Heartbreak after Kanye heard Cudi recording his hook. The hook was repurposed, but the original hook went "Cookin up in the kitchen, young boy had that vision had to get with it, (Ooh, ooh, ooh); Cookin up in the kitchen, young boy had that vision had to get with it, (Ooh, ooh, ooh)." it is likely JAY-Z never recorded on it.
In the book Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Story Behind The Song, Kanye explained that this song was inspired by a conversation with Dave Sirulnick, a producer from MTV, who had a small photo album of him and his wife and children. Kanye said "It struck me that I really want to be married and have a family, but that hasn’t worked out for me. I felt like I was in high school and jealous of what another guy had. I knew that was what I really wanted."
“Welcome To Heartbreak” was certified gold by the RIAA on September 23, 2020.
Music Video[]
The music video uses a technique called data moshing, which creates a pixelated effect with Kanye West wearing a Bill Cosby sweater. It includes planned color and texture changes that enhance this effect. The video also features other digital glitches that reflect Kanye's troubled mental state in the song. Additionally, there are slow-motion scenes and some compression artifacts included.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Kanye West]
My friend showed me pictures of his kids
And all I could show him was pictures of my cribs
He said his daughter got a brand new report card, card
And all I got was a brand new sports car, oh
[Chorus: Kid Cudi & Kanye West]
And my head keeps spinning
Can't stop having these visions
I gotta get with it (Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo)
And my head keeps spinning
I can't stop having these visions
I gotta get with it (Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo)
[Verse 2: Kanye West]
Dad cracked a joke, all the kids laughed
But I couldn't hear him all the way in first class
Chased the good life my whole life long
Look back on my life and my life gone
Where did I go wrong?
[Chorus: Kid Cudi & Kanye West]
And my head keeps spinning
Can't stop having these visions
I gotta get with it (Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo)
And my head keeps spinning
I can't stop having these visions
I gotta get with it (Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo)
[Bridge: Kanye West]
I've seen it, I've seen it before
I've seen it, I've seen it before
I've seen it, I've seen it before
I've seen it, I've seen it before
[Verse 3: Kanye West]
My god-sister getting married by the lake
But I couldn't figure out who I wanna take
Bad enough that I showed up late
I had to leave 'fore they even cut the cake
Welcome to heartbreak
[Chorus: Kid Cudi & Kanye West]
And my head keeps spinning
Can't stop having these visions
I gotta get with it (Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo)
And my head keeps spinning
I can't stop having these visions
I gotta get with it (Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo)
[Outro: Kanye West]
Ooh-hoo
Ooh-hoo
Ooh-hoo
And I, and I can't stop
No, no, I can't stop
No, no, no, no, I can't stop
No, no, no, no, I can't stop
Can't stop, I can't stop, I can't stop
No, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
No, no, I can't stop
No, can't stop having these visions
I gotta get with it
Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo
Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo
Ooh-hoo