Using his raps as a confessional booth, Kanye West tackles themes of self-doubt, ambition, relationships, and faith with unflinching honesty. In his 2018 album, ‘Ye’, the song ‘Ghost Town’ featuring Kid Cudi, PartyNextDoor and 070 Shake carried the signature Ye wordplay employing multi-syllabic rhymes and metaphors. Many wondered what the artistic wizard was trying to say through the melancholic track, which underscores the raw and vulnerable nature of the lyrics through its minimalist instrumentation.

Here are some interpretations of what the ‘Donda’ artist, known to skillfully embed profound depths within his musical compositions, might be trying to say in this old track. 

A breakdown of Ghost Town

Beginning with the title itself, ‘Ghost Town’ evokes a sense of emptiness and desolation, potentially reflecting on the artists’ personal struggles, past mistakes, or a feeling of being lost. It opens with PartyNextDoor’s smooth vocals emphasizing hopes for “someday”, hinting at a yearning for liberation and personal expression. Then, Kid Cudi’s chorus diverts the track into a lover’s stance, setting it up perfectly for West’s sorrowful verse. 

As Ye takes off into his verse, the picture painted is that of a pained heart making a plea for understanding in a relationship. Some lines like “drama’ll be gone” and “we gon’ set it off” seemed to be a nod in Kim Kardashian’s direction, implying that he hoped for a better future with his ex-wife. The second half of his verse hinted at a yearning for liberation and personal expression, even if it came with risks.

There are other factors to consider when interpreting this iconic track’s true meaning. 

What situations led to Kanye West delivering the forlorn track?

At the time this song came out, Ye and Kardashian were beginning to hit bumps in their wedded bliss. Besides his marital issues, Ye was also struggling with his mental health struggles, which came to the forefront during this period. The ‘Ye’ album which carries this track predominantly delved into this personal journey. Another thing to note is that ‘Ghost Town’ carried fifteen other songwriters besides West himself. 

After ‘Ghost Town’, Ye also released a sequel to this track titled ‘Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2)’ through his ‘Kids See Ghosts’ duo with Kid Cudi with whom he had a fallout later and only reconciled last year. This track was a much more upbeat, triumphant one, signaling Ye’s victory over his troubles. Considering this context, it is evident the 46-year-old’s hopes of a better tomorrow materialized. 

What do you think ‘Ghost Town’ was really about? Share your thoughts in the comments.