Never Let Me Down
Kanye West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One thing I found, one thing I found
Oh no you never let me down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Yo, first I snatched the streets then I snatched the charts
First I had they ear, now I have they heart
Rappers came and went, I've been here from the start
I seen them put it together, watched them take it apart
Seen the rovers roll up with ribbons
I seen them repo'd, resold then re-driven
So when I reload, he holds number one position
When you hot I'm hot
And when your feet cold, mines is sizzlin'
It's plain to see, niggas can't fuck with me
'Cause I'm a be that nigga for life
This is not an image, this is God given
This is hard livin', mixed with Cristal sippin'
It's the most consistent, Hov
Give you the most hits you can fit inside a whole disc and
Nigga I'm home on these charts, y'all niggas visitin'
It's Hov tradition, Jeff Gordon of rap
I'm back to claim pole position, holla at ya boy
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
I get down for my grandfather who took my momma
Made her sit in that seat where white folks ain't want us to eat
At the tender age of six she was arrested for the sit-ins
And with that in my blood I was born to be different
Now niggas can't make it to ballots to choose leadership
But we can make it to Jacob's and to the dealership
That's why I hear new music and I just don't be feelin' it
Racism still alive, they just be concealin' it
But I know they don't want me in the damn club
They even make me show ID to get inside of Sam's club
I done did dirt and went to church to get my hands scrubbed
Swear I've been baptized each three or four times
But in the land where niggas praise Yukons and getting paid
Its goin' take a lot more than coupons to get us saved
Like it take a lot more than du-rags to get you waves
Nothing sad as that day my girl father past away
So I promised to Mr. Rainey I'm gonna marry your daughter
And you know I gotta thank you for the way that she was brought up
And I know that you was smiling when you seen the car I bought her
And you sent tears from heaven when you seen my car get balled up
But I can't complain what the accident did to my left eye
'Cause look what an accident did to Left Eye
First Aaliyah, now Romeo must die
I know I got angels watchin' me from the other side
When it comes to being true, at least true to me
One thing I found, one thing I found
Oh no you never let me down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
Get up, I get down
We are all here for a reason on a particular path
You don't need a curriculum to know that you a apart of the math
Cats think I'm delirious but I'm so damn serious
That's why I expose my soul to the globe, the world
I'm tryin' to make it better for these little boys and girls
I'm not just another individual
My spirit is a part of this that's why I get spiritual
But I get my hymns from Him
So it's not me it's He that's lyrical
I'm not a miracle, I'm a heaven sent instrument
My rhythmatic regiment navigates melodic notes
For your soul and your mental
That's why I'm instrumental, vibrations is what I'm into
Yeah I need my loot by rent day
But that ain't what gives me the heart of Kunta Kinte
I'm tryin' to give us us free like Sinke
I can't stop, that's why I'm hot
Determination, dedication, motivation
I'm talking to you of my many inspirations
When I say I can't let you or self down
If I were on the highest cliff, on the highest riff
And you slipped off the side and clinched on to your life
In my grip I would never ever let you down
And when these words are found
Let it be known that God's penmanship has been signed
With a language called love
That's why my breath is felt by the death
And while my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind
I too dream in color and in rhyme
So I guess I'm one of a kind in a full house
'Cause whenever I open my heart, my soul or my mouth
A touch of God reigns out
When it comes to being true, at least true to me
One thing I found, one thing I found
Oh no you never let me down
Get up, I get
Get up, I get
Get up, I get
Get up, I get
Get up, I get
Get up, I get down
Who else you know been hot this long
Started from nothing but he got this strong
Built the Roc from a pebble, peddled rock before I met you
Peddled bikes, got my nephews peddle bikes because they special
Let you tell it man I'm fallin' well
Somebody must have caught him 'cause
Every fourth quarter, I like to Mike Jordan 'em
Number one albums what I got, like four of 'em
More of them on the way, the eighth wonder on the way
Clear the way, I'm here to stay
Y'all can save the chitter chat, this and that
This is Jay, dissin' Jay will get you Mase'd
When I start spittin' them lyrics niggas get very religious
Six hail Mary's please Father forgive us
Young, the archbishop, the Pope John Paul of y'all niggas
They way y'all all follow Jigga
Hov's a livin' legend and I'll tell you why
Everybody want to be Hov and Hov's still alive
"Never Let Me Down" by Kanye West is a song about being true to oneself and to others, standing up for what one believes in no matter the obstacles. The chorus declares "Oh no you never let me down" suggesting that the person being spoken to has always been a rock, a foundation, for the singer. The verses are rap solos by Kanye West and Jay-Z, who share their experiences and point of view on life. Kanye West's solo talks about his grandfather's experience with racism and how that influence made him want to be different and fight against racism. He shares his dream of wanting to make the world a better place for the little boys and girls of the world. Jay-Z's solo highlights his achievements in the music industry, comparing himself to Michael Jordan and speaking about his legendary status. The song ends with Kanye West repeating the chorus, and thanking the person who never let him down, God.
One interesting fact about "Never Let Me Down" is that it features Jay-Z performing one of his most famous verses. The verse, where he lyrically destroys his haters, has been called one of the greatest rap verses of all time. Another interesting fact is that Kanye West originally wanted Jay-Z to have the last verse of the song, but Jay-Z insisted that Kanye close the track with his verse. "Never Let Me Down" also features background vocals by J.Ivy, who performed a spoken word piece at the Def Poetry Jam TV show, impressing Kanye West and leading to their collaboration. The song was initially not included on Kanye West's first album "The College Dropout," but was added later when he found a way to clear the sample of the 1973 song "We Almost Lost Detroit" by Gil Scott-Heron. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005, but lost to Jay-Z's "99 Problems."
Chords: Gb // Abmaj7 // E maj7 // Abmaj7 // Dbmaj7 // Ebmin7 // Gb // Abmaj7 // E maj7 // Abmaj7
Line by Line Meaning
When it comes to being true, at least true to me
Being authentic and genuine is important to me
One thing I found, one thing I found
I have discovered something valuable
Oh no you never let me down
You have always been reliable and supportive
Get up, I get down
I face challenges and obstacles, but I keep persevering
Yo, first I snatched the streets then I snatched the charts
I gained success in both the underground and mainstream music scenes
First I had they ear, now I have they heart
People initially paid attention to my music, but now they truly feel it
Rappers came and went, I've been here from the start
Many other rappers have come and gone, but I have stayed true to my craft
I seen them put it together, watched them take it apart
I have witnessed others build their careers and then ruin them
Seen the rovers roll up with ribbons
I have witnessed luxury cars arrive with celebratory decor
I seen them repo'd, resold then re-driven
I have seen those cars repossessed, sold to new owners, and driven again
So when I reload, he holds number one position
Whenever I release new music, it quickly reaches the top of the charts
When you hot I’m hot
When you are successful, I am also successful
And when your feet cold, mines is sizzlin'
Even when you are struggling, I am thriving
It's plain to see, niggas can't fuck with me
It is evident that no one can compete with me
'Cause I'm a be that nigga for life
I will always maintain my status and influence in the industry
This is not an image, this is God given
My talent and success are not superficial, but divine
This is hard livin', mixed with Cristal sippin'
My life is a combination of struggle and luxury
It's the most consistent, Hov
I am the most consistently successful artist, known as Hov
Give you the most hits you can fit inside a whole disc and
I have produced the greatest number of hit songs that can fill an entire album
Nigga I'm home on these charts, y'all niggas visitin'
I am consistently dominating the charts while others only briefly succeed
It's Hov tradition, Jeff Gordon of rap
Being at the top of the game is a tradition for me, like Jeff Gordon in racing
I'm back to claim pole position, holla at ya boy
I have returned to reclaim the top spot, so pay attention to me
I get down for my grandfather who took my momma
I take action to honor my grandfather who fought for my family
Made her sit in that seat where white folks ain't want us to eat
He made her sit in a seat where racial segregation was not allowed
At the tender age of six she was arrested for the sit-ins
My mother was arrested at a young age for participating in civil rights sit-ins
And with that in my blood I was born to be different
Because of my family's history, I was destined to stand out from the crowd
Now niggas can't make it to ballots to choose leadership
Many people in my community are unable to vote and have a say in politics
But we can make it to Jacob's and to the dealership
We may face obstacles in society, but we can still achieve material success
That's why I hear new music and I just don't be feelin' it
I often find it difficult to connect with new music because it lacks authenticity
Racism still alive, they just be concealin' it
Although racism may be less overt, it still exists and is often hidden
But I know they don't want me in the damn club
I am aware that some establishments do not want me as a patron
They even make me show ID to get inside of Sam's club
I am subjected to additional scrutiny and obstacles even in everyday situations
I done did dirt and went to church to get my hands scrubbed
I have made mistakes but sought redemption through religion
Swear I've been baptized each three or four times
I have undergone spiritual cleansing rituals multiple times
But in the land where niggas praise Yukons and getting paid
In a society where material wealth is highly valued
Its goin' take a lot more than coupons to get us saved
We need more than mere discounts or bargains to improve our situation
Like it take a lot more than du-rags to get you waves
Just as it takes more than a fashion accessory to achieve success
Nothing sad as that day my girl father past away
The day my girlfriend's father died was a deeply sorrowful moment
So I promised to Mr. Rainey I'm gonna marry your daughter
I made a commitment to marry his daughter and honor his memory
And you know I gotta thank you for the way that she was brought up
I am grateful to her father for raising her well
And I know that you was smiling when you seen the car I bought her
I believe her father would have been happy to see the car I purchased for her
And you sent tears from heaven when you seen my car get balled up
I believe her father shed tears from heaven when he witnessed my car accident
But I can't complain what the accident did to my left eye
Although the accident caused damage to my left eye, I won't dwell on the negative
'Cause look what an accident did to Left Eye
Left Eye, from the group TLC, also experienced an accident that had tragic consequences
First Aaliyah, now Romeo must die
The untimely deaths of Aaliyah and Romeo (in the movie) serve as reminders of mortality
I know I got angels watchin' me from the other side
I believe I have spiritual guardians looking out for me
We are all here for a reason on a particular path
Each of us has a unique purpose and direction in life
You don't need a curriculum to know that you a apart of the math
You don't need formal education to understand your significance and role in the grand scheme
Cats think I'm delirious but I'm so damn serious
Some people may view me as crazy, but I am incredibly focused and dedicated
That's why I expose my soul to the globe, the world
I share my deepest emotions and thoughts with the world
I'm tryin' to make it better for these little boys and girls
I am striving to create a better world for the younger generation
I'm not just another individual
I am not ordinary or unremarkable
My spirit is a part of this, that's why I get spiritual
My essence is connected to something greater, which is why I am introspective and seek spiritual understanding
But I get my hymns from Him
I draw inspiration and guidance from a higher power
So it's not me it’s He that's lyrical
The credit for my lyrical ability should be attributed to God
I'm not a miracle, I'm a heaven sent instrument
I am not miraculous, but I am a vessel through which divine purpose is expressed
My rhythmatic regiment navigates melodic notes
I use my rhythmic and melodic skills to create music
For your soul and your mental
My music is intended to resonate with and uplift your soul and mental state
That's why I'm instrumental, vibrations is what I'm into
I love the power of music to create positive vibrations and energy
Yeah I need my loot by rent day
I need to earn money to cover my expenses
But that ain't what gives me the heart of Kunta Kinte
Money is not what fuels my determination and resilience
I'm tryin' to give us us free like Sinke
I am striving for liberation and freedom for myself and my community
I can't stop, that's why I'm hot
My unstoppable drive is what makes me successful
Determination, dedication, motivation
I am fueled by my determination, dedication, and motivation
I'm talking to you of my many inspirations
I am sharing with you the sources of inspiration in my life
When I say I can't let you or self down
I am expressing my commitment to not disappoint others or myself
If I were on the highest cliff, on the highest riff
Even in the most challenging and precarious situations
And you slipped off the side and clinched on to your life
If you were hanging on the edge, desperately trying to hold on to life
In my grip I would never ever let you down
I would use all my strength and determination to prevent you from falling
And when these words are found
When someone discovers these lyrics
Let it be known that God's penmanship has been signed
It should be recognized that God's hand was involved in creating these words
With a language called love
The expression of love is present throughout the lyrics
That's why my breath is felt by the death
The impact and influence of my words extend even to those who have passed away
And while my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind
My message reaches and resonates with those who may be spiritually blind
I too dream in color and in rhyme
My dreams are vivid, artistic, and filled with vibrant imagery
So I guess I'm one of a kind in a full house
In a world filled with many people, I am unique and stand out
'Cause whenever I open my heart, my soul or my mouth
Whenever I express my thoughts and emotions openly
A touch of God reigns out
The presence and influence of God is evident
Who else you know been hot this long
Do you know anyone else who has remained successful for as long as I have?
Started from nothing but he got this strong
I began with nothing but have become incredibly resilient and successful
Built the Roc from a pebble, peddled rock before I met you
I created an empire from humble beginnings, selling drugs before I achieved fame
Peddled bikes, got my nephews peddle bikes because they special
I provided bikes for my nephews as a way to show them they are important
Let you tell it man I'm fallin' well
According to what others may say, I am losing my success
Somebody must have caught him 'cause
Someone must have saved me because
Every fourth quarter, I like to Mike Jordan 'em
During critical moments, I excel and perform like Michael Jordan
Number one albums what I got, like four of 'em
I have achieved multiple number one albums
More of them on the way, the eighth wonder on the way
I have even more successful albums coming, surpassing expectations
Clear the way, I'm here to stay
Make space for me because I am here for the long haul
Y'all can save the chitter chat, this and that
You can keep your gossip and idle conversation
This is Jay, dissin' Jay will get you Mase'd
This is me, Jay-Z, warning that criticizing me will lead to negative consequences like what happened to Mase
When I start spittin' them lyrics niggas get very religious
When I rap my verses, it evokes strong emotions and reactions in listeners
Six hail Mary's please Father forgive us
People start saying prayers to seek forgiveness for their sins
Young, the archbishop, the Pope John Paul of y'all niggas
I am a respected and influential figure among my peers
They way y'all all follow Jigga
Everyone in the industry tries to emulate and imitate me
Hov's a livin' legend and I'll tell you why
I am a legendary figure who will explain the reasons
Everybody want to be Hov and Hov's still alive
Everyone desires to be like me, and I am still thriving
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Richardson, Michael Bolton, Shawn C. Carter, Bruce Kulick, Kanye West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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