Top 10 Best Kanye West Songs
From his early days as a producer making beats for Jay-Z and others, to his breakthrough as a solo artist with The College Dropout, to his stadium-filling, headline-grabbing present, Kanye West has constantly pushed boundaries and redefined what it means to be a hip-hop artist and an artist in general.
Which are his tracks that truly stand out from the rest? The ones that capture the essence of Kanye's creativity, his passion, his ambition, and sometimes even his flaws? That's what we're here to explore.
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Stronger
My favorite from the start - perhaps the best song ever. We're basically all in agreement, so I'll list a few reasons why I like this. For one, the beat is killer. Kanye picked the right music for his song.
Another thing: his vocals. Kanye West really put forward his best voice in this. Amazing! Gold Digger and Can't Tell Me Nothing are good, but this one easily tops all his other work combined.
Objectively, this is his biggest-scale production to date. He worked with producers across the globe and spent years perfecting everything from the lyrics to the vocals to the music video. In my opinion, nothing he's ever made could top it.
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Runaway
This song is my second favorite from Kanye West and is actually one of my top ten favorite songs ever, up to this point. The reason for this doesn't become clear until the first part of the song is over. At the 6:00 minute mark, the heavy distortion of the voice starts up. I'm not really sure of the official term, but it makes sense, I believe.
Lyrics have never been a big part of music for me. It's always been about the sound - how everything fits in with everything else. Kanye is probably the best modern artist for this reason. The emotion exhibited in this song is phenomenal and is one of the few songs I've listened to that actually made me tear up.
This song should definitely be in the top five. I won't say it should be number one because this is a list based on people's opinions, not a list of stated facts. However, if it were my own personal list of these ten songs, this would be number one. Though, if Say You Will were on the list, it would most definitely claim the number one spot. That song really defines a year-long depression in just six minutes.
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Jesus Walks
People really don't understand what a breath of fresh air this guy was to hip-hop when this song (and album) was released in 2004. After years of bling and gangsta rap, with artists like 50 Cent rapping about being In Da Club and money, drugs, guns, and whatnot, here comes someone rapping about family and religion. And he does it in a totally non-preachy way. He also makes his own beats, and they sound well-orchestrated and grand! Kanye West will always have good looks for this song.
Obviously, this is the hit that brought him to extreme heights, but for good reason. Its production is insane and foreshadowed what was to come. Also, his lyricism and somewhat serious subject matter make it so much better.
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Power
It is definitely better than Stronger and Heartless, neither of which has any business being labeled his best song. That makes me suspect that those who voted for them do not listen to any other songs of his. Additionally, it is catchier than Jesus Walks. 21st Century Schizoid Man is an awesome song, and Kanye making it his hook was a brilliant idea that worked superbly.
This song is just something else. It exemplifies the prog-rock ethos of the entire album. From the genius King Crimson sample (at that point in time, who wasn't thinking of Kanye as a real-life 21st Century Schizoid Man?) to the cascading guitar riffs and acrobatic verses, this song essentially carries on the spirit of progressive rock through its compositional structure. The brilliant and haunting outro is genius.
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Gold Digger
"Gold Digger" is easily my favorite Kanye West song. This song is clever, has great lyrics, and a very memorable hook. "Gold Digger" keeps listeners laughing and wanting to hear what Kanye has to say about getting a prenup.
This song is so good. With awesome vocals by both Kanye and Jamie Foxx, and a hard-hitting beat, it should be at least in the top 3. Not to mention, it's probably one of his most well-known songs.
It always makes me laugh when I hear this song. It's just a song that everyone likes and can groove to. Kanye and Jamie Foxx are a recipe for disaster - in a good way.
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All of the Lights
Easily one of the greatest songs of all time, and my favorite rap song ever. The background music, lyrics, video, and vocal performances are just amazing. Not only that, but it features vocals from not only Kanye, but also Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Elton John, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Elly Jackson, The-Dream, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, and Drake. Just an overall beautiful song from one of my favorite rappers of all time.
This is the best song of Kanye West, though I consider Eminem the best rapper alive and am his biggest fan. I am also a big fan of Kanye West. This song should be placed at number one, and Stronger should be at number two, and so on.
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Can't Tell Me Nothing
This song is so great! I listen to it all the time. It makes me think of a memory. I love it. It's my favorite Kanye West song! Graduation, the album, is one of the greatest albums ever made.
This song was in The Hangover. It's an amazing night album, and the music video is unbelievable, like all Kanye West music videos.
This is my theme song right here! It puts me in my zone before I do anything. No matter how small the task, I listen to this song first.
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Heartless
I love this song so much. It's cool, the video is cool, and the use of auto-tune actually impresses me because he makes it work so well. He doesn't sound like an auto-tuned phony. Auto-tune works well for this song. Power, Gold Digger, Stronger, and Runaway are also good songs.
This is one of the few rap songs I've ever heard that can use auto-tune so well. Very well done, great melody. I prefer the original "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" rather than Kanye's version. Also, "Jesus Walks" should be number one.
Nothing could be better. Great use of everything he has. People just hate it because he uses his talents so effectively. I love the use of auto-tune. Keep it up, man.
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Homecoming
Alright, y'all, come on. How can you say this isn't the best song? I'm not talking about how good it sounds to you - that's just opinion. I'm talking from a perspective of lyrical content and deeper meaning. Here's why: the song is an allegory. It's two stories in one rap song.
On the surface level, it's a story about Kanye and a girl named Wendy falling in love and what they go through together. But Wendy is a symbol for Chicago and how Chicago changes and shapes Kanye.
Lines throughout the song, like "My name is Wendy, and I like to blow trees," can be interpreted in different ways. Either it's about Chicago, the Windy City, blowing on trees with its wind, or it's about Wendy smoking weed. I know that sounds weird, but you have to understand that in this case, "blowing trees" is less about smoking weed and more about having some swagger. Lines like these show you how much of a lyrical genius he is. It's not just appealing to the ear like "Stronger" or "Gold Digger," but something really deep, meaningful, and poetic. That's what rap is all about - finding a way to put poetry to a beat and making it sound good.
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All Falls Down
Hip-Hop NEEDED The College Dropout in 2004. So much heavy gangster rap, and here comes Kanye, rapping about family, religion, and on this song, materialism. He also had a great sense of humor on his earlier records.
This is my favorite Kanye song because of the top-tier production, his passionate and powerful delivery (the lyrics are incredible) and Syleena Johnson's vocals are absolutely incredible. This song is perfect.
During last summer, I went through a rough patch. To distract myself, I tried to listen to every Kanye song. This song, to me, was by far the best. The beat, piano, gospel, and so much more make this song incredible.
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Violent Crimes
By far Kanye's most emotional track ever.
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My Way Home
Great flow, great lyrics, great production. Way too underrated on this list.
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Flashing Lights
If the list is Top Ten Greatest Kanye Songs, that means the tune should be recognizable. The production is near perfect. The hook brings you back and should be in the top ten of this list.
His best work, in my opinion. The beautiful, somewhat haunting instrumental, as well as Dwele's massive contribution, puts it a notch higher than anything else he's done.
I don't see how this song isn't in the top position! The instrumentals are phenomenal and melt you right into the song. You can't help but bob your head. You're just lost in the music.
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Black Skinhead
Kanye West killed this track. I love how he is standing up for his own skin color and isn't just making a song about attracting girls or something like that.
I love this song. The lyrics give it a meaning that no one might understand, and I love that. Standing up for your own skin color is very courageous.
The best song on the album. If I could describe it, it's like Skrillex meets Wu-Tang Clan. It's the only song I could label as a masterpiece on that album.
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Through the Wire
I personally think this should be at least number 5 on the top ten list. I don't understand how Stronger and Heartless are ahead of Through the Wire. This is one of his most meaningful songs, if not the most, because it was recorded only a few days after almost being killed in a car crash. This is one of Kanye's best songs, and it's on my personal top ten. Kanye is one of the most underrated rappers ever, especially for people who are just judging him on his three latest albums and not on his first three. I highly recommend The College Dropout and Late Registration.
Arguably his best song. I believe this because it's a clear translation of trauma into lyrics and it was written only days after the event.
The sole reason it's not in the top 5 is that the majority of new Kanye West listeners don't tend to listen to old albums apart from Graduation. Through the Wire is a lyrical masterpiece.
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Diamonds from Sierra Leone
This song is epic, probably my favorite Kanye West song of all time. It still gives me chills when I listen to it, especially the bonus track version. I love how it sheds light on the inhumanity of the blood-diamond trade and how materialistic consumers are culprits in their desire for diamonds. I personally prefer the bonus track version over the remix with Jay-Z. The remix cuts some of Kanye's verses to add a Jay-Z verse where he mostly brags about how great he is and how much money he has, rather than adding to the meaning of the song.
Kanye's verse in this version is one of the realest out there. It's because of tracks like this that people respect him. He's angry and driven but compelling, drawing us onto his side. Forget any of his 2010s arrogant, auto-tuned, ego-driven nonsense.
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N***** in Paris
Amazing song. Give it a listen. You won't regret it. Kanye really nails this song. I can listen to it over and over again.
Upbeat, prime Kanye that focuses on lyrics and meaning rather than boasting about how amazing he is.
I think the best songs are judged by how much they are enjoyed. A song may have a great meaning, but the musicality may suck. This song never gets old. Every time it comes on, everyone is just bopping their heads to it. You just can't beat it.
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Touch the Sky
An ode to success that will leave anyone feeling great! The beat is on point, the lyrics are proper, and then add a fire guest appearance from Lupe - I couldn't imagine anyone disliking this song.
Straight-up dope, along with the rest of this album. Phenomenal song that actually says something.
I'm more of a Lupe fan than a Kanye fan, so of course, I think this song should be in the top ten!
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Devil In a New Dress
Melody is nearly as insane as Ross's sick cameo! Heavily soul-sampled beats that Yeezy laces with rhymes about, what else? A relationship destroyed by a sexy, gold-digging female's desire for, well, Kanye's gold. "The way you look should be a sin / I'm preaching to the congregation / We love Jesus, but she done learned a lot from Satan." Dope, often hilarious rhymes? A dope beat?
Guitar solos in hip-hop, man, Christ. This album got me into hip-hop and fully pulled me out of my snobbish rap isn't music phase. If you like rock and are looking to get into hip-hop or rap, actually listen to this album. It's so, so good.
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Good Life
I completely agree with the guy before me; "Power" is a masterpiece. I don't think anything from "808s" deserves to be on this list, but that's just my opinion. I think "All Falls Down" is definitely in the top 5, probably the top 3. "Good Life" should be higher too. I love Kanye. He's my favorite rapper. I just don't agree with a lot of this list. Also, this list is really mainstream. Songs like "All of the Lights" are horrible, but they are also really mainstream.
Looking back on how negative this comment is, I feel like I should say again that I love Kanye. I would probably put "Good Life" or "Can't Tell Me Nothing" at number one.
It's the best, hands down. The title speaks for itself.
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Hey Mama
How the hell is this not number 1? Overall, this is easily the best song he's ever made. The heart he puts into this song is amazing. Just go listen to this song and compare it with Heartless. Are you joking? 808s was easily his worst album. How this song is not number one amazes me. Obviously, people haven't even listened to his album and have just heard him through the radio. What a joke of a list this is.
Not only is this Kanye's greatest and most heartfelt song dedicated to his now-deceased mother, Donda West, but it also represents a lot more than just a song. This is the song that Kanye still has tears while performing. This song represents who Kanye truly is as an artist and a human being at his core, and for that reason, this song deserves the #1 spot.
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Dark Fantasy
Damn, I'm a big Kanye West fan. He might be a jerk, but he's an incredible artist who brings a lot of emotion and humour to his work and is also able to mix all kinds of genres into his body of work. This unrelated praise done, sorry, Dark Fantasy might be my favourite Kanye track released yet. The structure, the music, the sample, and partly the lyrics are just that great.
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Lost in the World
Incredible auto-tune. Kanye's bit is great too, and I can't help but nod my head to this. I haven't listened to a lot of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, but this is by far the best tune on it. Blame Game is good too, but this rocks.
Lyrically, it's one of the most underwhelming songs on MBDTF. However, sonically, it might be one of Kanye's best songs. The instrumental is the perfect encapsulation of the maximalist theme that Kanye conveys on the album.
I was blown away when I first heard this song. Never has autotune and sampling been used so brilliantly.
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Good Morning
How is this not higher on this list? Kanye has a lot of great songs, but this, deep breath, this is KANYE!
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Amazing
The title of the song fits its description perfectly. A very nice song with excellent lyrics. It should definitely be in the top ten.
This song hooked me when I heard it for the first time. The next week was spent replaying this song.
How is this not Top 10, or Top 5? Kanye kills it in this masterpiece.
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Monster
This is by far Kanye's best song. Honestly, I think this is the best rap song ever.
Amazing beat by Kanye and amazing collaboration with Nicki.
Nice beats, incredible lyrics, and it flows extremely well.
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Family Business
This is simply Kanye at his realest. It's not your typical bob-your-head song, but this is real music. It touches your soul and can make you connect with Kanye on another level. This is music how it should be: emotional and truthful, with great production. Simply beautiful music, and Mr. West at his best. They don't make it like this anymore. Real hip hop.
"I woke up early this morning with a new state of mind, a creative way to rhyme without using knives and guns, keep your nose out the sky, keep your heart to God, and keep your face to the rising sun." Man, does this song never fail to give me chills.