Wolves

“Wolves” is a deeply symbolic and personal track that explores themes of protection, redemption, and the perils of fame. At its core, the song is a reflection on Kanye West's role as a husband to Kim Kardashian and a father to their children, North and Saint. The 'wolves' of the title are a metaphor for the dangers and predatory nature of the world, particularly the relentless scrutiny of the media and the public.

The central lyrical motif revolves around a modern reinterpretation of the biblical story of Mary and Joseph. West casts himself and his wife in these roles, asking, “What if Mary was in the club / ‘Fore she met Joseph with no love?” . This line seeks to humanize his wife, suggesting that her past does not define her and that their relationship is a sacred and protective union, much like that of the holy family. By envisioning a contemporary Mary and Joseph, West elevates his own family to a near-mythical status, in need of protection from the corrupting forces of the outside world.

The desire for protection is further emphasized with the lyrics, “Cover Nori in lambs' wool / We surrounded by the fuckin' wolves.” . The imagery of 'lambs' wool' symbolizes innocence and purity, a shield for his children against the predatory 'wolves'. This reflects a father's instinct to safeguard his family from the negative aspects of their celebrity status.

The song also delves into themes of personal transformation and salvation through love. The opening lines, “Lost out, beat up / Dancin', down there / I found you, somewhere out,” suggest a past of being lost and broken, with the discovery of his partner being a moment of redemption. This sentiment is echoed in Sia's contribution, where she sings of being “lost and beat up” and “warm flesh, unseasoned” before being found. .

Ultimately, “Wolves” is a complex tapestry of personal anxieties, biblical allusions, and a declaration of familial devotion. It's a testament to West's view of his family as a sanctuary in a hostile world and his determination to protect them at all costs.

The song opens with a feeling of being lost and defeated, of aimlessly navigating a dark and chaotic space. The narrator finds someone in this environment, a beacon of light in the turmoil. There's a sense of rediscovery and being found, both literally and spiritually.

The narrative then shifts to a more introspective and protective tone. The narrator addresses a loved one, acknowledging their wild and untamed nature, a quality that is both alluring and concerning. There's a feeling of urgency, a need for this person's presence despite the potential for chaos. The lyrics touch on themes of regret and the numbing of pain, questioning the sincerity of apologies when substances are used to cope.

A significant portion of the song delves into a modern-day reimagining of the story of Mary and Joseph. The narrator poses a hypothetical question: what if Mary, before she was the revered mother of Jesus, was a regular woman in a club, surrounded by a rough crowd? This thought experiment serves to humanize a sacred figure and draw a parallel to the narrator's own partner. The narrator sees himself as a protector, a Joseph figure to his 'Mary,' wanting to shield her and their children, North ('Nori') and Saint, from the dangers of the world, symbolized by the 'wolves.' The act of covering their children in 'lambs' wool' is a powerful image of innocence and protection against the predatory forces that surround them.

The lyrics also explore the complexities of relationships in the public eye. The narrator acknowledges the public's perception and the constant scrutiny they face. He feels a need to protect his family from the 'wolves' of fame, criticism, and negativity. There's a rawness in his admission of his own past wildness and a recognition of the same in his partner. The song suggests a shared history of being outsiders who have found solace and a sense of purpose in each other.

The latter part of the song, particularly in the version featuring Sia and Vic Mensa, reinforces the theme of salvation through love. Sia's verse speaks of being 'lost and beat up' and 'unseasoned,' only to be found and given a new sense of self, likening the experience to a spiritual awakening. Vic Mensa's contribution introduces a darker, more conflicted perspective, acknowledging a self-destructive tendency and the potential to be 'bad for' the one he loves, echoing the Icarus myth with the warning not to 'fly too high.' Frank Ocean's outro on some versions provides a somber and poetic reflection on the aftermath of a burnt-out relationship, a life that is precious but has been through the fire.

Ultimately, the song is a multifaceted narrative about finding redemption and protection in family and faith while navigating the treacherous landscape of fame and public life. It's a prayer for safety, an ode to a partner who is both a source of stability and a reflection of the narrator's own untamed spirit, and a declaration of a father's fierce instinct to protect his children from the ever-present 'wolves'.

The creation of “Wolves” was a notoriously long and evolving process, reflecting the album's description by West as a “living breathing changing creative expression.” . The song was first debuted on February 12, 2015, at Kanye West's Yeezy Season 1 fashion show, where it was presented as the opening track of his upcoming album. . This initial version featured vocals from Sia and Vic Mensa. .

The song was produced by Cashmere Cat and Sinjin Hawke, with West himself also credited as a producer. . West later revealed that the idea for a collaborative project with Drake, also titled 'Wolves,' was a catalyst for the song's creation. .

Over the next year, “Wolves” went through several iterations. An early version reportedly included a feature from Frank Ocean and a slightly different vocal take from Sia. . When “The Life of Pablo” was first released in February 2016, fans were surprised to find that the album version of “Wolves” had removed the contributions from Sia and Vic Mensa, instead featuring a new verse from West and an outro by Frank Ocean. .

This change was met with disappointment from many fans who had grown attached to the original version. In response to the feedback, West tweeted, “Ima fix wolves.” . True to his word, on March 15, 2016, the album was updated on streaming services with a revised version of “Wolves.” . This new version reinstated the verses from Sia and Vic Mensa, and Frank Ocean's outro was separated into its own track titled “Frank's Track,” which appeared immediately after “Wolves” on the album. .

The fluid nature of the song's creation is indicative of West's unconventional approach to album releases in the streaming era, treating the project as a work in progress that could be altered even after its initial release. .

“Wolves” features a relatively simple and direct rhyme scheme that prioritizes emotional delivery over complex lyrical structures. The rhymes are often perfect rhymes, contributing to a sense of lyrical clarity and directness. For example, in the lines, “You tried to play nice, everybody just took advantage / You left your fridge open, somebody just took a sandwich,” the rhyme of 'advantage' and 'sandwich' is straightforward and impactful.

The rhythmic structure of the song is slow and deliberate, with a lurching quality to the chorus sung by Vic Mensa. . The tempo is melancholic and contributes to the overall somber mood. . West's vocal delivery is often off-kilter, playing with the rhythm of the beat in a way that feels both conversational and slightly disjointed. This creates a sense of raw emotion and vulnerability, as if the thoughts are being expressed as they come to him rather than being perfectly polished.

The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is a key component of the song's effectiveness. The sparse beat allows West's vocals to float over the top, sometimes falling in and out of perfect time. This rhythmic tension mirrors the emotional tension of the lyrics, creating a feeling of unease and introspection.

“Wolves” employs a range of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, to create its haunting and atmospheric quality.

Musical Techniques:

• Minimalist Production: The song features a sparse and minimalist arrangement, characterized by a melancholic and somber beat. . This stripped-down production, handled by Cashmere Cat, Sinjin Hawke, and West, creates a sense of space and vulnerability, allowing the vocals to take center stage. .
• Auto-Tune: West's vocals are heavily processed with Auto-Tune, a signature element of his sound since the album “808s & Heartbreak.” . In “Wolves,” the Auto-Tune is used not as a corrective tool, but as an instrument to convey a sense of emotional distance and a mournful, almost robotic, tone.
• Vocal Layering and Harmonies: The contributions of Sia, Vic Mensa, and Frank Ocean (on different versions) add layers of texture and emotional depth to the track. Sia's bluesy and powerful vocals provide a raw, emotional counterpoint to West's more processed delivery. . Vic Mensa's lurching chorus adds a sense of unease and internal conflict.
• Samples: The song incorporates samples of “Walking Dub” by Sugar Minott and the sound of howling wolves, which enhances the track's ominous and predatory atmosphere. .

Literary Techniques:

• Biblical Allusion: The central literary device is the extended allusion to the story of Mary and Joseph, which frames the entire narrative of the song. .
• Rhetorical Questions: West employs rhetorical questions, such as “What if Mary was in the club?”, to provoke thought and challenge societal judgments. .
• Imagery: The song is rich in evocative imagery, from the protective “lambs' wool” to the predatory 'wolves,' which creates a vivid and emotionally charged landscape.

“Wolves” had a significant cultural impact, largely due to its unconventional release and the public's fascination with its evolving nature. The song's debut at a major fashion event, broadcast to theaters worldwide, immediately positioned it as a cultural event rather than just a song release. .

The subsequent changes to the track on streaming services sparked a wider conversation about the nature of albums in the digital age, with West treating “The Life of Pablo” as a “living, evolving art project.” . This innovative approach challenged traditional notions of a finished artistic product and set a precedent for other artists to update their work post-release.

Critically, “Wolves” was largely well-received, with many praising its haunting atmosphere and emotional depth. . The song was seen as a return to the more introspective and vulnerable themes of West's earlier work, particularly “808s & Heartbreak.” .

While not a major commercial hit in the traditional sense, “Wolves” did chart on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. . Its influence can be seen in the continued trend of atmospheric and emotionally raw hip-hop. The song also generated a great deal of online discussion and analysis, with fans dissecting its lyrics and debating the merits of its different versions. . The music video, which doubled as a Balmain advertising campaign and featured a host of celebrities, further solidified the song's place at the intersection of music, fashion, and celebrity culture. .

“Wolves” is rich with symbolism and metaphors that contribute to its layered meaning.

• The Wolves: The most prominent metaphor is the 'wolves,' which represent the various threats and negative forces in the world, particularly those associated with fame. This can be interpreted as the paparazzi, critics, and the general public who often scrutinize and 'prey' on celebrities and their families. Historically, wolves have been depicted as predators, a symbol that West uses to convey a sense of being surrounded and under threat. .
• Mary and Joseph: The recurring biblical allusion to Mary and Joseph is a central metaphor for Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. By asking, “What if Mary was in the club / ‘Fore she met Joseph with no love?” West is challenging preconceived notions of purity and sanctity, suggesting that his wife, despite her public past, is his own version of Mary. . He positions himself as a protective Joseph figure, tasked with safeguarding his family. This metaphor elevates their union to a sacred level, creating a modern-day holy family.
• Lamb's Wool: The line, “Cover Nori in lambs' wool,” is a powerful symbol of innocence, purity, and protection. . Lambs are often associated with gentleness and are sacrificial animals in religious contexts. By wanting to cover his children in lamb's wool, West is expressing a desire to shield them from the corruption and dangers of the 'wolves' that surround them.
• Icarus: Vic Mensa's verse contains an allusion to the Greek myth of Icarus with the line, “Don't fly too high / Your wings might melt.” . This serves as a cautionary tale about hubris and the dangers of ambition, a theme that resonates with West's own public persona.

“Wolves” is built around several recurring phrases and motifs that reinforce its central themes.

• “We surrounded by the fuckin' wolves”: This is the most significant recurring phrase and serves as the song's thesis statement. Its repetition at the end of key verses emphasizes the constant sense of threat and the feeling of being under siege. It's a raw and powerful declaration of the dangers faced by the narrator and his family. .
• The “Mary and Joseph” narrative: The questioning of what would have happened “if Mary was in the club” is a recurring motif that is central to the song's meaning. . This re-contextualization of a biblical story serves as a repeated defense and elevation of the narrator's partner and their relationship.
• “Lost and beat up”: The song opens with this phrase, which is repeated throughout to convey a sense of vulnerability and a past filled with hardship. . This motif establishes the emotional landscape of the track and highlights the theme of finding salvation through love.
• “I'm just bad for you”: Vic Mensa's recurring line in the chorus introduces a motif of self-doubt and the potential for self-destruction within a relationship. . This adds a layer of complexity to the song's portrayal of love, acknowledging its darker and more challenging aspects.