Highlights

Album: The Life of Pablo (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This hip-hop R&B cut finds West rapping braggadocios rhymes about his desire for his career to be like a "highlight reel," full of outstanding moments. Young Thug, The-Dream, R&B songstress Kelly Price and former Debarge lead singer El DeBarge. also contribute vocals.
  • This is West's seventh song with "lights" in the title. The previous six are:

    2007 "Flashing Lights" from Graduation

    2008 "Street Lights from 808's & Heartbreak

    2010 "All of the Lights (Interlude)" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

    2010 "All of the Lights." from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

    2016 "Ultralight Beam" from The Life of Pablo

    2016 "Low Lights" from The Life of Pablo
  • West begins his verse with a poke at his wife Kim Kardishan's ex, Ray J

    I bet me and Ray J would be friends
    If we didn't love the same bitch


    Ray J previously targeted the couple in 2013 with his single "I Hit It First" where his lyrics included: "I had her going North and her ass going South, but now baby choose to go West."
  • The song was helmed by regular West collaborator Mike Dean with:

    Atlanta producer Southside, who also worked on the original 'Good Friday' version of "Facts" with Metro Boomin.

    New York producer Velous, who is signed to French Montana's Coke Boys imprint. He also co-produced "All Day."
  • Kanye West performed the song on Saturday Night Live with Young Thug, The-Dream, Kelly Price and El DeBarge. It was West's sixth appearance as musical guest on the show.
  • An earlier version featured Madonna on the chorus, but her voice was replaced by Young Thug's. Kanye West and Madonna did previously collaborate on the Queen of Pop's Hard Candy track "Beat Goes On."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."