Waves

"Waves" is a multi-layered song that primarily explores the themes of enduring love, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life and relationships. The central metaphor, "waves don't die," posits that like ocean waves, feelings and connections may change form but their energy and impact are perpetual. This can be interpreted as the lingering feelings for a person even after they are gone, suggesting that the emotional imprint is lasting. The song also touches on living in the moment and the idea of a non-possessive love, as expressed in the line "Let me crash here for the moment, I don't need to own it." Beyond romantic relationships, "Waves" is a reflection on personal legacy and the lasting impact one has on the world, suggesting that our influence, like waves, continues to ripple outward. There's also a narrative of redemption and transformation, with the song's uplifting and almost spiritual tone symbolizing the ability to rise above adversity. The braggadocious verses from Kanye West about his undeniable presence can be seen as an assertion of his own resilience and refusal to be diminished by public opinion or personal struggles.

The song opens with a sense of confident arrival and self-assurance. The narrator, presumably Kanye West, enters a space with an undeniable presence, likened to being 'the one.' There's a confrontational energy, a readiness to engage in a physical altercation, and a palpable sense of bravado. This initial section also touches upon a romantic or physical encounter, with a woman showing interest and the narrator assessing the situation with a casual, almost transactional, coolness.

The chorus, carried by Chris Brown's soulful vocals, introduces the central metaphor of the song: 'Waves don't die.' This recurring phrase suggests the enduring nature of emotions, impact, and perhaps love itself. The singer asks to 'crash here for the moment,' indicating a desire for a temporary, non-possessive connection. It's about experiencing the intensity of the present without the burden of ownership or long-term commitment. This sentiment is underscored by the lines 'I don't need to own it' and 'no lie.' The chorus also paints a vivid picture of a passionate night, with the promise of steadfastness, 'I'm still gon' be here in the morning.' This juxtaposition of fleeting moments and enduring presence creates a complex emotional landscape.

The song then delves into a more contemplative and metaphorical space. The lines 'Sun don't shine in the shade' and 'bird can't fly in a cage' serve as axiomatic truths about the necessity of freedom and the right environment for one to thrive. These simple yet profound statements expand the song's theme beyond personal relationships to broader ideas of self-expression and breaking free from constraints, whether they be societal expectations or internal inhibitions. The subsequent line, 'even when somebody go away, the feelings don't really go away,' directly explains the 'waves don't die' concept, grounding it in the relatable experience of lingering emotions after a separation. This reinforces the idea that the impact of people and experiences is lasting, much like the perpetual motion of waves.

The song's bridge, featuring Kid Cudi's signature humming, offers a meditative and ethereal break from the lyrical content. This wordless vocalization contributes to the track's atmospheric and almost spiritual quality, allowing the listener to float on the sonic waves created by the music. It's a moment of pure feeling, transcending the need for explicit language and enhancing the song's overall emotional weight.

The outro, with its repeated 'turn it up,' acts as both a literal instruction and a metaphorical encouragement to amplify life, to live with intensity and to embrace the powerful currents of emotion and experience that the song explores. It brings the track to an energetic and uplifting close, leaving the listener with a sense of hope and the enduring power of the human spirit.

"Waves" was a late addition to Kanye West's seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo, released in 2016. The song's inclusion famously delayed the album's release, as Chance the Rapper, a collaborator on the album, fought for it to be included. West and Chance reportedly worked through the night to finish the track. The beat for "Waves" was one of the first created by West and producer Charlie Heat for the album sessions, dating back to 2014. The track was initially set to be scrapped before Chance's intervention. The song features prominent guest vocals from Chris Brown and humming from Kid Cudi. According to co-writer Fonzworth Bentley, Chris Brown's involvement came about when West was looking for "the second most hated nigga in America" for a collaboration. A demo version of the song recorded by Chance the Rapper, which included a sample of Enigma's "Return to Innocence," was later shared by him. The final version features a sample of "Fantastic Freaks at the Dixie" by the Fantastic Freaks. The song has a long list of credited songwriters, including West, Brown, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), Chance the Rapper, and producers like Hudson Mohawke and Metro Boomin. Theophilus London also claimed to have been forced by West to write for the song without receiving credit.

The rhyme scheme in Kanye West's verses is relatively straightforward, often employing couplets and a conversational flow that feels almost improvisational at times. For instance, the opening lines "Step up in this bitch like / I'm the one your bitch like" establish a simple AABB-like pattern. The rhythm of the rapping is confident and assertive, riding the beat with a certain swagger. The song's tempo is around 115 BPM. Chris Brown's chorus has a more melodic and flowing rhythm, with the repetition of "Waves don't die" and "Let me crash here for the moment" creating a hypnotic, wave-like cadence that mirrors the song's central theme. The rhythmic interplay between West's punctuated verses and Brown's smooth, soulful chorus is a key dynamic of the track. The track is written in the key of B♭ Major.

Musically, "Waves" is a blend of art pop and gospel with a hip-hop foundation. It features a prominent sample of "Fantastic Freaks at the Dixie" by the Fantastic Freaks, particularly the ad-lib "Turn it up!", which is used as a recurring hook. The production is characterized by looped choral synths and a beat that is both grand and minimalistic. Hudson Mohawke, one of the producers, noted that the core instrumental is built around simple Omnisphere choir chords. The vocal performances are a key stylistic element. Chris Brown's soulful, warped, and chopped-up hook contrasts with Kanye West's more direct and braggadocious rap verses. Kid Cudi's signature humming adds an ethereal, wordless layer to the track, enhancing its atmospheric quality. Lyrically, the song uses direct address and a conversational tone in West's verses, while the chorus employs repetition and a powerful central metaphor. The use of autotune on the vocals of West and Kid Cudi in the bridge creates a sense of a "sincere prayer for peace."

Upon its release as part of *The Life of Pablo*, "Waves" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, with many praising Chris Brown's vocal performance and the song's euphoric and beautiful musicality. Several critics highlighted it as a standout track on the album. Despite not being released as a single, the song charted on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 71, and also appeared on charts in the UK, Canada, Ireland, and Sweden. It has been certified triple platinum in the United States and gold in the United Kingdom, indicating significant commercial success. A music video was reportedly filmed in the Isle of Skye with director Hype Williams, but it was never released. The song gained additional notoriety due to the story of its last-minute inclusion on the album at the insistence of Chance the Rapper, which delayed the album's release. The 2019 film *Waves*, directed by Trey Edward Shults, draws thematic inspiration from the song, exploring similar dichotomies of life, pain, and beauty.

The dominant metaphor in "Waves" is the ocean wave itself, symbolizing endurance, permanence, and the cyclical nature of life and emotions. The core message, "Waves don't die," suggests that feelings, love, and one's impact on the world are never truly gone but rather transform and continue to exist, much like a wave recedes back into the ocean only to return. This metaphor extends to the idea of resilience; just as waves relentlessly crash against the shore, the human spirit can endure hardships and emerge stronger.

The lyrics also employ other powerful images. The lines "Sun don't shine in the shade / bird can't fly in a cage" are simple, almost proverbial metaphors for the necessity of freedom and the right conditions for growth and self-expression. They speak to the idea of breaking free from constraints, whether they are external societal pressures or internal inhibitions. The act of setting the "night on fire" symbolizes moments of intense passion and connection that illuminate one's life, leaving a lasting warmth even after they have passed.

The most significant recurring motif in "Waves" is the lyrical phrase "Waves don't die." This line, sung by Chris Brown in the chorus, is the song's central thesis, encapsulating the themes of permanence, resilience, and the enduring nature of love and impact. Its repetition throughout the song transforms it into a mantra, reinforcing the idea that while experiences may be fleeting, their essence and emotional resonance persist. Another recurring lyrical element is the ad-lib "Turn it up!", sampled from Fantastic Freaks' "Fantastic Freaks at the Dixie." This phrase acts as a hook and an energetic punctuation mark, urging the listener to amplify the moment and the music. The repetition of "No lie" in the chorus emphasizes the sincerity of the emotions being expressed. Musically, Kid Cudi's humming serves as a recurring, non-lyrical motif that contributes to the song's atmospheric and spiritual feel.