Only One
Kanye West & Paul McCartney Lyrics

As I lay me down to sleep I hear her speak to me
Kanye is in a calm state and feels his deceased mother's presence, who speaks to him in his mind

Hello 'Mari, how ya doin'? I think the storm ran out of rain, the clouds are movin'
Kanye's mother greets him and reassures him that the tough times are over, and things are looking up

I know you're happy, 'cause I can see it So tell the voice inside ya head to believe it
Kanye's mother knows he's finally at peace, and urges him to keep believing in himself

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
Kanye's mother tells him that she spoke to God about him, and he gave him two angels (probably Kanye's wife and daughter). She reminds Kanye that she never left him, and heaven is within him

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
Kanye's mother addresses him with love and reassurance, telling him that he's special and will continue to shine until his name is known by everyone. She reminds Kanye to stay true to himself, despite his flaws and past mistakes

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
Kanye's mother reminds him that the good always surpasses the bad, even on his worst days. She reminds him of her past encouragement that he will be the man he wants to be. She tells him she is proud of who he is, and encourages him to never cry or fear

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
Kanye's mother acknowledges that she didn't choose to leave this world, but every time he thinks of her or hears her voice in his mind, it's not the end of their connection

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
Kanye's mother reminds him that he has the world in his hands because of the love he gives/receives. She assures him that he's still the chosen one and asks him to trust that he'll understand one day

So hear me out, hear me out I won't go, I won't go No goodbyes, no goodbyes Just hello, just hello
Kanye's mother begs him to listen to her, and reassures him that she's not gone and there's no need for goodbyes, just a simple 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
Kanye's mother assures him that she's always with him, and will cry and smile with him. She dreams of the next time they see each other, where they'll have wings and fly together

Tell Nori about me, tell Nori ab- I just want you to do me a favor Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Kanye asks his mother to tell their daughter, North (Nori), about her and their conversations, and asks his listeners to do him a favor by spreading the message