Touch The Sky

Album: Late Registration (2006)
Charted: 6 42
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is based on Curtis Mayfield's 1970 funk classic "Move On Up." Lyrically, it's a similar message of trying to be the best, with West rapping about how he overcame his struggles and doubts. West also retained the distinctive horn lines from Mayfield's song.
  • Lupe Fiasco raps a verse on this track.
  • West produces much of his own material, but he brought in Roc-A-Fella Records' in-house producer, Just Blaze (Justin Smith) to work on this track.
  • The video was shot in the style of a 1970s movie, and portrayed West as a character similar to Evel Knievel preparing for a daredevil stunt. Pamela Anderson plays the love interest of West, and Nia Long appears as his ex-girlfriend. In a dialogue break, the actress Tracee Ellis Ross tells Long, "I told you, when he get on, he's gonna leave your ass for a white girl," which is a reference to West's hit "Gold Digger."

    Evel Knievel did not appreciate the video and sued West, claiming that the video was "vulgar and offensive," and damaged his reputation. The suit was settled and West met with Knievel in November 2007, shortly before Knievel died. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • The lyrics, "I'm going on an airplane, and I don't know if I'll be back again" are derived from the 1969 Peter, Paul and Mary song "Leaving On A Jet Plane."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.