Ghost Town (Kanye West song): Difference between revisions
HMSLavender (talk | contribs) m Reverted edits by 198.72.132.29 (talk) (AV) |
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5) (AManWithNoPlan - 20193 |
||
(34 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{ |
{{Short description|2018 song by Kanye West}} |
||
{{ |
{{Good article}} |
||
{{Infobox song |
{{Infobox song |
||
| name |
| name = Ghost Town |
||
| caption |
| caption = |
||
| artist |
| artist = [[Kanye West]] |
||
| album |
| album = [[Ye (album)|Ye]] |
||
| released |
| released = June 1, 2018 |
||
| recorded |
| recorded = October 31, 2017 – June 1, 2018 |
||
| studio |
| studio = West Lake Ranch, [[Jackson Hole|Jackson Hole, Wyoming]] |
||
| genre |
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]] |
||
| length |
| length = 4:31 |
||
| label |
| label = *[[GOOD Music|GOOD]] |
||
*[[GOOD Music|GOOD]] |
|||
*[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] |
*[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] |
||
| writer |
| writer = *Kanye West |
||
*Kanye West |
|||
*[[Carole Bayer Sager]] |
*[[Carole Bayer Sager]] |
||
*[[Cyhi the Prynce|Cydel Young]] |
*[[Cyhi the Prynce|Cydel Young]] |
||
Line 31: | Line 29: | ||
*[[Bump J|Terrence Boykin]] |
*[[Bump J|Terrence Boykin]] |
||
*[[Trade Martin]] |
*[[Trade Martin]] |
||
| producer |
| producer = *Kanye West |
||
*[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]], |
|||
*[[Francis and the Lights]] |
|||
*[[Benny Blanco]] |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
"'''Ghost Town'''" is a song by American rapper [[Kanye West]] from his eighth studio album, ''[[Ye (album)|Ye]]'' (2018). The song features vocals from [[PartyNextDoor]], [[Kid Cudi]], and [[070 Shake]]. It was produced by West, |
"'''Ghost Town'''" is a song by American rapper [[Kanye West]] from his eighth studio album, ''[[Ye (album)|Ye]]'' (2018). The song features vocals from [[PartyNextDoor]], [[Kid Cudi]], and [[070 Shake]]. It was produced by West, co-produced by [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]], and features additional production from [[Francis and the Lights]], [[Benny Blanco]], and [[Noah Goldstein]]. The song is a [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] track that features [[Psychedelic music|psychedelic]] elements. It is composed around a [[Sampling (music)|sample]] of "Take Me for a Little While", performed by the Royal Jesters, and also includes a sample of "Someday", performed by Shirley Ann Lee. |
||
The mind of West is demonstrated as going through the |
The mind of West is demonstrated as going through the unraveling process within "Ghost Town", which is connected to mental illness, and West's verse features him gargling unfinished thoughts. The song received general acclaim from [[Music journalism|music critics]] and was mostly named by them as one of the album's highlights, with general praise from critics going towards 070 Shake's outro. A number of them complimented the lush composition of the song, though other critics expressed somewhat mixed assessments of West's verse. The song was included in end-of-year lists for 2018 by multiple publications, including ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' and ''[[NME]]''. |
||
"Ghost Town" reached number 16 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in 2018, while |
"Ghost Town" reached number 16 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in 2018, while peaking at numbers 14 and 17 on the [[Recorded Music NZ|NZ Singles Chart]] and [[UK Singles Chart]], respectively. The song has since been certified double [[RIAA certification|platinum]] and gold in the United States and the United Kingdom by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] and the [[British Phonographic Industry]], respectively. West and Kid Cudi have delivered multiple joint performances of the song, including performing it on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' and at the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella Music Festival]] in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The song was covered by both [[BadBadNotGood]] and [[Jungle (band)|Jungle]] in 2018. A sequel to the song was released by West and Kid Cudi, as [[Kids See Ghosts]], under the title "[[Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)]]" on their [[Kids See Ghosts (album)|eponymous debut studio album]] (2018). The sequel features an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of lyrics from the song. |
||
==Background and development== |
==Background and development== |
||
[[File:PartyNextDoor 2016 press photo.png|thumb|170px|left|alt=PartyNextDoor in 2016|The song features vocals from [[PartyNextDoor]], who teased a collaboration with West via [[Twitter]].]] |
[[File:PartyNextDoor 2016 press photo.png|thumb|170px|left|alt=PartyNextDoor in 2016|The song features vocals from [[PartyNextDoor]], who teased a collaboration with West via [[Twitter]].]] |
||
A link was shared by West via his [[blog]] on February 7, 2009 to a cover version of his 2007 single "[[Can't Tell Me Nothing]]" by American [[Pop music|pop]] project [[Francis and the Lights]].<ref name="gq">{{cite web |last1=Woolf |first1=Jake |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-friends-francis-bon-iver |title=Kanye's New Video with Bon Iver and Francis and the Lights Is Delightfully Self-Aware |work=[[GQ]] |date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625083628/https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-friends-francis-bon-iver |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> They first collaborated on the latter's [[Single (music)|single]] "[[Friends (Francis and the Lights song)|Friends]]" in 2016 alongside [[Bon Iver]], and West has a cameo in the accompanying [[music video]].<ref name="gq"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Erik |url=https://music.avclub.com/kanye-chance-and-bon-iver-can-t-all-be-wrong-about-fr-1798255068 |title=Kanye, Chance, and Bon Iver can't all be wrong about Francis And The Lights |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830102336/http://music.avclub.com/kanye-chance-and-bon-iver-can-t-all-be-wrong-about-fr-1798255068 |archive-date=August 30, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Along with "Ghost Town", Francis and the Lights contributed production to |
A link was shared by West via his [[blog]] on February 7, 2009, to a cover version of his 2007 single "[[Can't Tell Me Nothing]]" by American [[Pop music|pop]] project [[Francis and the Lights]].<ref name="gq">{{cite web |last1=Woolf |first1=Jake |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-friends-francis-bon-iver |title=Kanye's New Video with Bon Iver and Francis and the Lights Is Delightfully Self-Aware |work=[[GQ]] |date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625083628/https://www.gq.com/story/kanye-west-friends-francis-bon-iver |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> They first collaborated on the latter's [[Single (music)|single]] "[[Friends (Francis and the Lights song)|Friends]]" in 2016 alongside [[Bon Iver]], and West has a cameo in the accompanying [[music video]].<ref name="gq"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Erik |url=https://music.avclub.com/kanye-chance-and-bon-iver-can-t-all-be-wrong-about-fr-1798255068 |title=Kanye, Chance, and Bon Iver can't all be wrong about Francis And The Lights |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830102336/http://music.avclub.com/kanye-chance-and-bon-iver-can-t-all-be-wrong-about-fr-1798255068 |archive-date=August 30, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Along with "Ghost Town", Francis and the Lights contributed production to the tracks "[[I Thought About Killing You]]" and "[[All Mine (Kanye West song)|All Mine]]".<ref name="tidal"/> He handled additional production for the former of the three, alongside [[Benny Blanco]] and Noah Goldstein, while [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]] co-produced it and West served as the lead producer.<ref name="tidal"/> |
||
In a November 2016 interview with ''[[Now (newspaper)|NOW Magazine]]'', Canadian musician [[PartyNextDoor]] cited West as |
In a November 2016 interview with ''[[Now (newspaper)|NOW Magazine]]'', Canadian musician [[PartyNextDoor]] cited West as someone he wanted to produce and write at the level of, while also stating that he was influenced by West when he was younger.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ritchie|first=Kevin|url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/features/partynextdoor-puts-the-905-on-the-charts/|title=PARTYNEXTDOOR puts the 905 on the charts|work=[[Now (newspaper)|NOW Magazine]]|date=November 23, 2016|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203140025/https://nowtoronto.com/music/features/partynextdoor-puts-the-905-on-the-charts/|archive-date=December 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the release of his third EP ''[[Colours 2]]'' in June 2017, PartyNextDoor tweeted on July 20 of that year that he had new music on the way with West, and [[Apple Music]] simultaneously responded via [[Twitter]].<ref name="Cowen">{{cite web |last1=Cowen |first1=Trace William |title=Partynextdoor Reveals He Has New Music on the Way With Kanye West |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2017/07/partynextdoor-new-music-kanye-west |access-date=June 27, 2020 |website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=July 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028011745/http://www.complex.com/music/2017/07/partynextdoor-new-music-kanye-west |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, it was unknown what project the two were recording for, and PartyNextDoor had only previously contributed to West's work by co-writing "[[Waves (Kanye West song)|Waves]]" in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=India |first1=Lindsey |title=PartyNextDoor Says He Has New Music With Kanye West Coming Soon |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/partynextdoor-new-music-kanye-west-coming-soon/ |access-date=June 27, 2020 |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |date=July 20, 2017 |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831115341/https://www.xxlmag.com/partynextdoor-new-music-kanye-west-coming-soon/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/5-best-songs-partynextdoor-have-written-for-other-artists-rihanna-drake-sza-1.7184835|title=The 5 best songs PartyNextDoor has written for other artists|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=April 26, 2024|access-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426132026/https://www.cbc.ca/music/5-best-songs-partynextdoor-have-written-for-other-artists-rihanna-drake-sza-1.7184835|archive-date=April 26, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> PartyNextDoor later tweeted a picture of the two of them talking on July 22, 2017, the first photographic evidence of their collaboration.<ref name="Cowen"/> Alongside "Ghost Town", PartyNextDoor provided vocals and songwriting for ''Ye's'' track "[[Wouldn't Leave]]", though he wasn't properly credited until the album's credits were updated on [[Streaming media|streaming services]] on June 15, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cush |first1=Andy |title=New 'ye' Credits Are Way Different Than First Reported |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/06/kanye-west-ye-credits-final/ |website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |access-date=April 26, 2019 |date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425135450/https://www.spin.com/2018/06/kanye-west-ye-credits-final/ |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
[[File:070Shake...jpg|thumb|right|alt=[[070 Shake]] performing in 2023|[[070 Shake]] was insistent on signing to West's label [[GOOD Music]] and when listening back to the song, she was determined to focus on the moment of her first listen.]] |
|||
Initially an unknown [[SoundCloud]] user, American [[Hip hop music|hip |
Initially an unknown [[SoundCloud]] user, American [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] artist [[070 Shake]] refused to sign with anyone other than West.<ref name="vogue">{{cite web |last1=Abraham |first1=Mya |title=070 Shake on Kanye West, COVID-19, and Creativity |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/070-shake |website=[[Teen Vogue]] |access-date=June 27, 2020 |date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426165226/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/070-shake |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> 070 Shake ultimately signed to his record label [[GOOD Music]] in 2016 and recalled West advising her "to ultimately be 100 percent open when you're creating and let your mind wander," as well as to not "set any boundaries for yourself."<ref name="vogue"/> The song and fellow album track "[[Violent Crimes (song)|Violent Crimes]]" both include vocals from 070 Shake.<ref name="tidal"/> In an interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', she stated that after the song, a lot of people were contacting her by phone and recalled being "like, 'How did you get my number?' and shit."<ref name="shake"/> When listening to the song for the first time, 070 Shake labeled the feeling "surreal" and said she placed focus on taking the whole moment in so she would not have regretted failing to take it in properly after the time, while 070 Shake opined that being on a record with West felt "crazy".<ref name="shake"/> |
||
A promotional video was displayed on West's official website from the ''Ye'' listening party that was set to "Ghost Town" and "I Thought About Killing You", though the website was ultimately updated on October 22, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Markowitz|first1=Douglas|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/kanye-west-is-hosting-something-in-miami-tonight-10416347|title=Kanye West Project Wyoming Miami Event and Venue Updated|newspaper=[[Miami New Times]]|date=June 6, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219072544/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/kanye-west-is-hosting-something-in-miami-tonight-10416347|archive-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Caraan|first1=Sophie|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-new-release-date-album-pre-order|title=Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' New Release Date| |
A promotional video was displayed on West's official website from the ''Ye'' listening party that was set to "Ghost Town" and "I Thought About Killing You", though the website was ultimately updated on October 22, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Markowitz|first1=Douglas|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/kanye-west-is-hosting-something-in-miami-tonight-10416347|title=Kanye West Project Wyoming Miami Event and Venue Updated|newspaper=[[Miami New Times]]|url-access=limited|date=June 6, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219072544/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/kanye-west-is-hosting-something-in-miami-tonight-10416347|archive-date=December 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Caraan|first1=Sophie|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-new-release-date-album-pre-order|title=Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' New Release Date|publisher=[[Hypebeast (company)|Hypebeast]]|date=October 22, 2019|access-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022181150/https://hypebeast.com/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-new-release-date-album-pre-order|archive-date=October 22, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> West assembled the listening party on the night before the album's release in [[Jackson Hole|Jackson Hole, Wyoming]], which is the same place that it was recorded by him.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Leight |first1=Elias |title=Inside Kanye West's Wyoming Listening Party |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/inside-kanye-wests-wyoming-listening-party-628250/ |access-date=April 19, 2019 |url-access=limited |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330163526/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/inside-kanye-wests-wyoming-listening-party-628250/ |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nembhard |first1=Candice |title=Kanye West's New Album 'Ye': Everything We Know So Far |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-new-album-details-release-date/ |access-date=April 19, 2019 |website=[[Highsnobiety]] |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211202205447/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-new-album-details-release-date/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kevin Parker (musician)|Kevin Parker]] of [[Tame Impala]] initially believed that he was credited as a co-writer on the song instead of "Violent Crimes", until he was informed that the latter was played at the listening party.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maine |first1=Samantha |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kevin-parker-kanye-west-ye-collab-saga-2347439 |title=Tame Impala's Kevin Parker says contributing to Kanye West's 'Ye' was 'an absolute saga' |website=[[NME]] |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234004/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kevin-parker-kanye-west-ye-collab-saga-2347439 |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Parker had allegedly sent a number of [[Sampling (music)|samples]] to West for ''Ye'', but assumed that they hadn't made the cut after not hearing back from him.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Braidwood |first1=Ella |url=http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/guests-on-ye-2330299 |title=All the guests on Kanye's 'ye', from Nicki Minaj to John Legend |work=NME |access-date=June 16, 2018 |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604020944/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/guests-on-ye-2330299 |archive-date=June 4, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> West began to come to Jackson Hole often from early 2017 onwards, months after his stay in the hospital.<ref name="writing"/> After he left the hospital, notes were made by West about his experiences and feelings.<ref name="writing"/> As part of the album's songwriting process, West gave his notes to various writers for them to help add structure to his thoughts.<ref name="writing"/> When discussing his songwriting process during an interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'' on June 25, 2018, West revealed that co-writer [[Malik Yusef]] was responsible for the lyrics "Sometimes I take all the shine/Talk like I drank all the wine."<ref name="writing">{{cite web |last1=Caramanica |first1=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |title=Into the Wild With Kanye West |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/arts/music/kanye-west-ye-interview.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=registration |access-date=June 21, 2019 |date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307161900/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/arts/music/kanye-west-ye-interview.html |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Before combining rap with [[Rock music|rock]], West and Kid Cudi had shown admiration for rock artists.<ref name="Kornhaber"/> |
||
==Composition and lyrics== |
==Composition and lyrics== |
||
Line 55: | Line 57: | ||
|title= "Ghost Town" |
|title= "Ghost Town" |
||
|description=A 26 second sample of the song, featuring guitar alongside an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of [[Dave Edmunds]]' "Take Me for a Little While" from [[Kid Cudi]] and West gargling unfinished thoughts in a dazed tone with a reused verse melody from "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]".<ref name="joe"/><ref name="billboard"/><ref name="Garvey"/>}} |
|description=A 26 second sample of the song, featuring guitar alongside an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of [[Dave Edmunds]]' "Take Me for a Little While" from [[Kid Cudi]] and West gargling unfinished thoughts in a dazed tone with a reused verse melody from "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]".<ref name="joe"/><ref name="billboard"/><ref name="Garvey"/>}} |
||
Musically, "Ghost Town" is a hip |
Musically, "Ghost Town" is a hip-hop track that is often noted for its rock elements.<ref name="joe"/><ref name="Battan"/><ref name="Sheffield"/><ref name="Hoskins"/> The song includes a sample of "Take Me for a Little While", written by [[Trade Martin]] and performed by the Royal Jesters, within its leading bass, drum, and keys combination.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |last1=Glaysher |first1=Scott |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459035/kanye-west-ye-album-samples |title=Kanye West's 'Ye': A Closer Look Into The Samples Of The Album |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=June 16, 2018 |date=June 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616205602/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459035/kanye-west-ye-album-samples |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Helman |first1=Peter |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2001629/tame-impalas-kevin-parker-contributed-to-kanye-wests-ye-after-all/news/ |title=Kanye's 'Ye' Credits Reveals Tame Impala Co-Write |website=[[Stereogum]] |access-date=February 26, 2021 |date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616230612/https://www.stereogum.com/2001629/tame-impalas-kevin-parker-contributed-to-kanye-wests-ye-after-all/news/ |archive-date=June 16, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="ranked">{{cite magazine |last1=Brown |first1=Eric Renner |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8462186/kanye-west-good-summer-albums-2018-every-song-ranked |title=Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Summer Album 2018 Series: Every Song Ranked |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 24, 2019 |date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805091605/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8462186/kanye-west-good-summer-albums-2018-every-song-ranked |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The opening of the track features a sample of "Someday", as performed by Shirley Ann Lee.<ref name="Kim"/> Guitars are included within the song, which some writers viewed as [[Psychedelic music|psychedelic]].<ref name="joe"/><ref name="Hoskins"/><ref name="Jon">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/03/arts/music/kanye-west-ye-review.html|title=Kanye West Writes a Song of Himself on 'Ye'|website=The New York Times|url-access=registration|author=Pareles, Jon|author-link=Jon Pareles|date=June 3, 2018|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414202752/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/03/arts/music/kanye-west-ye-review.html|archive-date=April 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kanye and Kid Cudi's New Album: Breaking Down the Credits |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/kanye-and-kid-cudis-new-album-breaking-down-the-credits.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |url-access=limited |access-date=June 27, 2020 |date=June 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430122347/https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/kanye-and-kid-cudis-new-album-breaking-down-the-credits.html |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> In particular, "Ghost Town" has been noted for taking rock influence from Kid Cudi's work, with a "strong presence of guitars" that Will Lavin of [[Joe (website)|Joe.co.uk]] called "very reminiscent of a couple of tracks" from his second studio album ''[[Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager]]'' (2010).<ref name="joe">{{cite web |last1=Lavin |first1=Will |url=https://www.joe.co.uk/entertainment/a-track-by-track-first-listen-breakdown-of-kanye-wests-new-album-ye-181770 |title=A track-by-track first listen breakdown of Kanye West's new album Ye |publisher=[[Joe (website)|Joe.co.uk]] |date=June 2018 |access-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327195039/https://www.joe.co.uk/entertainment/a-track-by-track-first-listen-breakdown-of-kanye-wests-new-album-ye-181770 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Atlantic]]''{{'}}s Spencer Kornhaber commented that the song features "psychedelic, space-soul, and [[Progressive music|prog]] sounds."<ref name="Kornhaber"/> West's tone is dazed, with him using the same verse melody as that of his [[Pusha T]]-featuring single "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]" (2010).<ref name="Garvey"/> In the outro, [[laser]] sounds are featured.<ref name="ranked"/> |
||
The song presents the mind of West going through the process of |
The song presents the mind of West going through the process of unraveling, with the ongoing speculation that his mental health is often poor.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|last1=Petridis|first1=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/01/kanye-west-ye-review-good-music|title=Kanye West: ye review – a candid tour of a troubled mind|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329214326/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/01/kanye-west-ye-review-good-music|archive-date=March 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Mental illness is a common theme on ''Ye''; the song is linked to the subject matter of the album that West's mind is unraveling.<ref name="Guardian"/> PartyNextDoor sings about feeling so good that it is dangerous.<ref name="Kornhaber"/> West's verse in the song sees him gargling multiple half-finished thoughts as he opens up his mind.<ref name="Garvey"/><ref name="twitter">{{cite web |last1=Altmann |first1=Alana |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/kanye-wests-ghost-town-lyrics-have-fans-so-so-hype-9265466 |title=Kanye West's 'Ghost Town' Lyrics Have Fans So, So Hype |work=[[Elite Daily]] |access-date=December 3, 2018 |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003207/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/kanye-wests-ghost-town-lyrics-have-fans-so-so-hype-9265466 |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The lyrics of West's verse include a reference to the opioid painkiller fentanyl.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Snapes|first1=Laura|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/01/kanye-west-cites-trump-metoo-and-his-bipolar-disorder-on-new-album-ye|title=Kanye West cites Trump, #MeToo and his bipolar disorder on new album ye|work=The Guardian|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911020600/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/01/kanye-west-cites-trump-metoo-and-his-bipolar-disorder-on-new-album-ye|archive-date=September 11, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> While singing the [[Refrain|chorus]] of "Ghost Town", Kid Cudi [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolates]] vocals from [[rock and roll]] artist [[Dave Edmunds]]' 1979 version of "Take Me for a Little While".<ref name="billboard"/> The outro is performed by 070 Shake, featuring her singing about freedom and numbness in a manner that has been described as [[Belting (music)|belting]].<ref name="shake">{{cite magazine |last1=Klinkenberg |first1=Brendan |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/how-070-shake-stole-the-show-on-kanye-wests-new-album-630276/ |title=070 Shake Stole the Show on Kanye West's 'Ghost Town' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-access=limited |access-date=December 13, 2018 |date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205054748/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/how-070-shake-stole-the-show-on-kanye-wests-new-album-630276/ |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kornhaber"/><ref name="Garvey"/><ref name="Jon"/> 070 Shake explained that she used a metaphor for numbness with the line, "Put my hand on the stove, to see if I still bleed."<ref name="shake"/> |
||
==Release and recording== |
==Release and recording== |
||
"Ghost Town" was released on June 1, 2018 as the sixth and penultimate track on West's eighth studio album ''Ye''.<ref name="Yeung">{{cite web |last1=Yeung |first1=Neil Z. |title=''Ye'' – Kanye West |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ye-mw0003181816 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403080453/https://www.allmusic.com/album/ye-mw0003181816 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> However, West |
"Ghost Town" was released on June 1, 2018, as the sixth and penultimate track on West's eighth studio album, ''Ye''.<ref name="Yeung">{{cite web |last1=Yeung |first1=Neil Z. |title=''Ye'' – Kanye West |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ye-mw0003181816 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403080453/https://www.allmusic.com/album/ye-mw0003181816 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> However, West tweeted out an early track list of the [[Kids See Ghosts (album)|eponymous debut studio album]] by [[Kids See Ghosts]], a hip-hop duo consisting of him and Kid Cudi, on May 15 of that year, and this showed the song as originally being scheduled for release on the album.<ref name="Murphy">{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Sam |title=Kanye West Shares Current Tracklist Of Forthcoming Kid Cudi Collab Album |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/kanye-west-shares-current-tracklist-of-forthcoming-kid-cudi-collab-album/ |website=[[Music Feeds]] |access-date=March 3, 2020 |date=May 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303083210/https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/kanye-west-shares-current-tracklist-of-forthcoming-kid-cudi-collab-album/ |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kim">{{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Michelle |title=5 Takeaways from Kanye West and Kid Cudi's New Album, Kids See Ghosts |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/5-takeaways-from-kanye-west-and-kid-cudis-new-album-kids-see-ghosts/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=January 29, 2019 |date=June 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143655/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/5-takeaways-from-kanye-west-and-kid-cudis-new-album-kids-see-ghosts/ |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was slated to be released as the fourth track, though the shuffling of tracks between albums recorded by West led to the song being released on ''Ye'' instead.<ref name="Murphy"/><ref name="Kim"/> The song's follow-up was released by Kids See Ghosts under the title "[[Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)]]" on June 8, 2018, also being led to by the shuffling.<ref name="Kornhaber">{{cite web |last1=Kornhaber |first1=Spencer |title='Kids See Ghosts,' Kanye West, & the Wobbly Sound of Freedom |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/06/kanye-west-ghost-town-ye-kids-see-ghosts/562724/ |website=[[The Atlantic]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 26, 2019 |date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401153819/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/06/kanye-west-ghost-town-ye-kids-see-ghosts/562724/ |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kim"/> |
||
In an interview with ''[[Pigeons & Planes]]'', 070 Shake revealed that the song was finished hours before the album's listening party on May 31, 2018 and recalled reference tracks being recorded: "I had done a reference for it, and then I guess he forgot about it. We put that reference on another song, then Kanye did his own reference for that 'free' concept." She explained in the interview that it came close to not making the album's final cut during the recording sessions: "At the end we were talking and asking, 'Is this the one right here?' And I kind of mentioned 'Ghost Town' and said maybe we could use something from that."<ref name="billboard3">{{cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459291/070-shake-kanye-west-ghost-town-ye |title=070 Shake Says Kanye West Finished 'Ghost Town' on 'Ye' Release Day |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 28, 2018 |date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623130449/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459291/070-shake-kanye-west-ghost-town-ye |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> 070 Shake elaborated, revealing that after listening to the reference again, West "said, 'Oh yeah, this is the one.'" She concluded, stating |
In an interview with ''[[Pigeons & Planes]]'', 070 Shake revealed that the song was finished hours before the album's listening party on May 31, 2018, and recalled reference tracks being recorded: "I had done a reference for it, and then I guess he forgot about it. We put that reference on another song, then Kanye did his own reference for that 'free' concept." She explained in the interview that it came close to not making the album's final cut during the recording sessions: "At the end, we were talking and asking, 'Is this the one right here?' And I kind of mentioned 'Ghost Town' and said maybe we could use something from that."<ref name="billboard3">{{cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459291/070-shake-kanye-west-ghost-town-ye |title=070 Shake Says Kanye West Finished 'Ghost Town' on 'Ye' Release Day |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 28, 2018 |date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623130449/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459291/070-shake-kanye-west-ghost-town-ye |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> 070 Shake elaborated, revealing that after listening to the reference again, West "said, 'Oh yeah, this is the one.'" She concluded, stating, "So 'Ghost Town' almost didn't make it."<ref name="billboard3"/> According to 070 Shake, she wrote the reference track after first arriving in [[Wyoming]], and West had forgotten about it due to him being "very focused on a lot of other things, other songs and stuff {{sic}}, and it just left his mind a little bit."<ref name="shake"/> Recording for ''Ye'' started after West made controversial comments about [[Slavery in the United States|slavery]] in a [[TMZ]] interview earlier in May 2018 that led to the album being re-done afterward.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maine |first1=Samantha |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-scrapped-album-2331237 |title=Kanye West reveals he scrapped an entire album after that TMZ interview |website=NME |access-date=April 29, 2019 |date=June 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010123407/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-scrapped-album-2331237 |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
||
[[File:Kanye West makes an appearance at the Georgetown Apple Store (44831849284).jpg|thumb|left|alt=Kanye West in 2018|Reviewers were generally mixed towards West's verse, with some criticizing his singing ability.]] |
|||
"Ghost Town" was met with |
"Ghost Town" was met with acclaim from [[Music journalism|music critics]], often being ranked as one of the album's highlights. Meaghan Garvey of [[Pitchfork (website)|''Pitchfork'']] pointed to the track as "''ye''{{'}}s clear highlight," while she regarded the outro by 070 Shake and Kid Cudi's refrain as being better than West's verse, especially noting that 070 Shake's "performance is unexpectedly magnetic."<ref name="Garvey">{{cite web |last1=Garvey |first1=Meaghan |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-ye/ |title=Kanye West: ye Album Review |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811081349/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-ye/ |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Carrie Battan from ''[[The New Yorker]]'' named the track as the best song, pointing out its elements of [[Soul music|soul]] and [[pop punk]], though she viewed the track as "the finest example of hip-hop's current fascination with rock music" and praised the outro by 070 Shake for showing that her "androgynous, pubescent voice is used to create a bridge between the joyous and the morbid."<ref name="Battan">{{cite magazine |last1=Battan |first1=Carrie |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/kanye-wests-ye-is-a-slapdash-response-to-a-torturous-year |title=Kanye West's 'Ye' Is a Slapdash Response to a Torturous Year |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 17, 2020 |date=June 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920225847/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/kanye-wests-ye-is-a-slapdash-response-to-a-torturous-year |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Outside of "I Thought About Killing You" and "[[Yikes (Kanye West song)|Yikes]]", ''[[The Independent]]''{{'}}s [[Christopher Hooton]] billed the track as the album's "only other remotely good song."<ref name="Hooton">{{cite web |last1=Hooton |first1=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Hooton |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/kanye-west-ye-album-review-critic-reaction-070-shake-wyoming-a8385666.html |title='ye' album review: Kanye West flew too close to the sun, then directly into it |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=June 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622190616/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/kanye-west-ye-album-review-critic-reaction-070-shake-wyoming-a8385666.html |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hooton continued, viewing it as being salvaged by 070 Shake "with a stunning, anthemic and sincere vocal over a crunchy guitar riff."<ref name="Hooton"/> [[Rob Sheffield]] of ''Rolling Stone'' complemented the song for being the only track on ''Ye'' that "stands on its own" and also directed praise towards 070 Shake's vocals, though concluded by writing that the song has "genuine heart – enough heart to make you wish Kanye could find a way out of his current creative trap."<ref name="Sheffield">{{cite magazine |last1=Sheffield |first1=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-kanye-wests-chaotic-insecure-ye-630087/ |title=Review: Kanye West's 'Ye' Album, Rob Sheffield Reviews |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105232649/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-kanye-wests-chaotic-insecure-ye-630087/ |archive-date=November 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Douglas Greenwood from ''[[NME]]'' described the song as the album's "penultimate and perhaps strongest track" and argued that it "owes a great deal to its euphoric, rocky outro" from 070 Shake, with him viewing the outro as "a moment of real clarity on a record that's immediately impactful."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Greenwood |first1=Douglas |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/kanye-west-ye-review |title=Kanye West - 'ye' review |work=NME |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=June 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719203406/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/kanye-west-ye-review |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', Alex Suskind highlighted the song as one of ''Ye''{{'}}s "few bright spots," commenting that it "resembles ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'' opus 'Runaway'" and Suskind directed praise towards the lyrical content.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Suskind|first=Alex|url=http://ew.com/music/2018/06/05/kanye-ye-review/|title=Ye album review: Kanye West's depressing dogma|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=June 5, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609040625/https://ew.com/music/2018/06/05/kanye-ye-review/|archive-date=June 9, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Adam Rothbarth of ''[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]'' commented with praise for Kid Cudi's "purposely gnarly" refrain, West's "elegant vocal performance" and the production of the song.<ref name="Rothbarth">{{cite web|last=Rothbarth|first=Adam|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/kanye-west-ye|title=Kanye West – ye {{!}} Music Review|work=[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]|date=June 6, 2018|access-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301085454/https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/kanye-west-ye|archive-date=March 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Rothbarth opined that the production "sets the perfect foundation for 070 Shake's cyclical" outro and cited the outro as one of the highlights of ''Ye''.<ref name="Rothbarth"/> |
||
Clayton Purdom from ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' stated that "Ghost Town" "holds up the entire album" and labeled the song as "a staggeringly dense sound collage that sounds like a wide-open Wyoming night sky coming alive with dreamy laser blasts."<ref>{{cite web|last=Purdom|first=Clayton|url=https://music.avclub.com/ye-won-t-change-your-mind-on-kanye-1826486318|title=Ye won't change your mind on Kanye|work=The A.V. Club|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928211817/https://music.avclub.com/ye-won-t-change-your-mind-on-kanye-1826486318|archive-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]''{{'}} Ed Power referred to the song as "gorgeous and uncomplicated."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Power |first1=Ed |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/kanye-west-ye-review-big-hearted-and-introspective-1.3516467 |title=Kanye West: ye review: Big-hearted and introspective |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |access-date=February 9, 2019 |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704000920/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/kanye-west-ye-review-big-hearted-and-introspective-1.3516467 |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Trent Clark from ''[[HipHopDX]]'' pointed towards the "passionate cameo" from 070 Shake on the song as what "unveils a star-in-the-making."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Trent |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3170/title.review-kanye-west-fumbles-with-mental-health-acceptance-on-otherwise-enjoyable-ye |title=Kanye West 'ye' album review |work=[[HipHopDX]] |access-date=March 16, 2020 |date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920215302/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3170/title.review-kanye-west-fumbles-with-mental-health-acceptance-on-otherwise-enjoyable-ye |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Greg Kot]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' said that it shows "West telegraphing his vulnerability through shaky singing," despite concluding that 070 Shake "walks away with the song."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kot |first1=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/sc-ent-kanye-ye-review-0601-story.html |title=Kanye West goes inside on 'Ye,' maybe — or he might be trolling us all |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=February 27, 2020 |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602010152/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/sc-ent-kanye-ye-review-0601-story.html |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[AllMusic]] writer Neil Z. Yeung asserted that the song shines as one of the album's "moments of clarity" and commended the lyrical content.<ref name="Yeung"/> For the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Mikael Wood viewed West and 070 Shake's singing as "just astounding" and cited the latter's outro as "a star-making cameo," while also noting the clarity displayed by 070 Shake.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Mikael |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-kanye-west-ye-review-20180604-story.html |title=Kanye West's 'Ye' unintentionally illustrates the limits of alpha-male bravado |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=March 15, 2020 |date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312011814/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-kanye-west-ye-review-20180604-story.html |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Zachary Hoskins was less enthusiastic in ''[[Slant Magazine]]'', dismissing West's verse despite naming the song as the most polished track on ''Ye'' and positively writing of the guitar, as well as Kid Cudi's vocals.<ref name="Hoskins">{{cite web |last1=Hoskins |first1=Zachary |title=Review: Kanye West, Ye |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/kanye-west-ye/ |access-date=February 27, 2020 |work=[[Slant Magazine]] |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203212814/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/kanye-west-ye/ |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In a negative review for ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'', Ross Horton panned the singing on the song and called it "the kind of thing that you once could, objectively, understand to be joke," with the loudness of the vocals receiving criticism from him.<ref>{{cite |
Clayton Purdom from ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' stated that "Ghost Town" "holds up the entire album" and labeled the song as "a staggeringly dense sound collage that sounds like a wide-open Wyoming night sky coming alive with dreamy laser blasts."<ref>{{cite web|last=Purdom|first=Clayton|url=https://music.avclub.com/ye-won-t-change-your-mind-on-kanye-1826486318|title=Ye won't change your mind on Kanye|work=The A.V. Club|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928211817/https://music.avclub.com/ye-won-t-change-your-mind-on-kanye-1826486318|archive-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]''{{'}} Ed Power referred to the song as "gorgeous and uncomplicated."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Power |first1=Ed |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/kanye-west-ye-review-big-hearted-and-introspective-1.3516467 |title=Kanye West: ye review: Big-hearted and introspective |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |access-date=February 9, 2019 |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704000920/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/kanye-west-ye-review-big-hearted-and-introspective-1.3516467 |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Trent Clark from ''[[HipHopDX]]'' pointed towards the "passionate cameo" from 070 Shake on the song as what "unveils a star-in-the-making."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Trent |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3170/title.review-kanye-west-fumbles-with-mental-health-acceptance-on-otherwise-enjoyable-ye |title=Kanye West 'ye' album review |work=[[HipHopDX]] |access-date=March 16, 2020 |date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920215302/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3170/title.review-kanye-west-fumbles-with-mental-health-acceptance-on-otherwise-enjoyable-ye |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Greg Kot]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' said that it shows "West telegraphing his vulnerability through shaky singing," despite concluding that 070 Shake "walks away with the song."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kot |first1=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/sc-ent-kanye-ye-review-0601-story.html |title=Kanye West goes inside on 'Ye,' maybe — or he might be trolling us all |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=February 27, 2020 |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602010152/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/sc-ent-kanye-ye-review-0601-story.html |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[AllMusic]] writer Neil Z. Yeung asserted that the song shines as one of the album's "moments of clarity" and commended the lyrical content.<ref name="Yeung"/> For the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Mikael Wood viewed West and 070 Shake's singing as "just astounding" and cited the latter's outro as "a star-making cameo," while also noting the clarity displayed by 070 Shake.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Mikael |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-kanye-west-ye-review-20180604-story.html |title=Kanye West's 'Ye' unintentionally illustrates the limits of alpha-male bravado |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=March 15, 2020 |date=June 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312011814/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-kanye-west-ye-review-20180604-story.html |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Zachary Hoskins was less enthusiastic in ''[[Slant Magazine]]'', dismissing West's verse despite naming the song as the most polished track on ''Ye'' and positively writing of the guitar, as well as Kid Cudi's vocals.<ref name="Hoskins">{{cite web |last1=Hoskins |first1=Zachary |title=Review: Kanye West, Ye |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/kanye-west-ye/ |access-date=February 27, 2020 |work=[[Slant Magazine]] |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203212814/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/kanye-west-ye/ |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In a negative review for ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'', Ross Horton panned the singing on the song and called it "the kind of thing that you once could, objectively, understand to be joke," with the loudness of the vocals receiving criticism from him.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Horton|first=Ross|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/ye-is-not-the-kanye-you-love-its-the-kanye-we-deserve|title=Kanye West – ye {{!}} Album Review|magazine=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|date=June 2, 2018|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203132318/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/ye-is-not-the-kanye-you-love-its-the-kanye-we-deserve|archive-date=February 3, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, Steve 'Flash' Juon of ''RapReviews'' complained that having to listen to West's singing on the song makes him "just like 'Whyyyyyyy?'"<ref name="Juon">{{cite web|last=Juon|first=Steve 'Flash'|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2018_10F_ye.html|title=RapReviews.com Feature Of The Week - Kanye West - 'ye'|website=RapReviews|date=October 9, 2018|access-date=March 16, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831115343/https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2018_10F_ye.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Juon insisted that his opinion of West lacking in singing ability bore no relevance to any dislike towards him, as Juon admitted that [[Chris Brown]] can sing despite not liking him either.<ref name="Juon"/> |
||
==Accolades== |
==Accolades== |
||
''[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]'' named "Ghost Town" as one of the best new songs for the week of June 7, 2018.<ref name="Vulture">{{cite web |title=7 Best New Songs of the Week |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/best-new-songs-of-the-week-kanye-the-1975-the-internet.html |website=Vulture |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=June 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531093616/https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/best-new-songs-of-the-week-kanye-the-1975-the-internet.html |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hunter Harris of the site |
''[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]'' named "Ghost Town" as one of the best new songs for the week of June 7, 2018.<ref name="Vulture">{{cite web |title=7 Best New Songs of the Week |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/best-new-songs-of-the-week-kanye-the-1975-the-internet.html |website=Vulture |url-access=limited |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=June 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531093616/https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/best-new-songs-of-the-week-kanye-the-1975-the-internet.html |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hunter Harris of the site labeled the track as "a mediocre album's best offering," though directed praise towards 070 Shake's outro.<ref name="Vulture"/> It was listed as one of the best songs from the first half of the year by [[Junkee]], with Lauren Ziegler calling the track "a therapy session."<ref>{{cite web |title=Best Songs 2018: Here Are The Tracks That Stand Out |url=https://junkee.com/best-songs-2018/165057 |publisher=[[Junkee]] |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=July 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531093619/https://junkee.com/best-songs-2018/165057 |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Refinery29]] named it to their list of 2018's best summer songs, published in June of that year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baila |first1=Morgan |title=Best Summer Songs 2018 New Top Music Hits So Far |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2018/06/202471/best-songs-of-summer-2018 |publisher=[[Refinery29]] |access-date=June 18, 2020 |date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619134905/https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2018/06/202471/best-songs-of-summer-2018 |archive-date=June 19, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> On ''uDiscoverMusic''{{'}}s November 2019 list of the West's best samples, the Royal Jesters sample on the track was ranked 20th.<ref name="Bowler">{{cite web |last1=Bowler |first1=Paul |title=Best Kanye West Samples: 20 Tracks That Revolutionised Hip-Hop |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-kanye-west-samples/ |website=uDiscoverMusic |access-date=February 22, 2020 |date=November 28, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831115401/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-kanye-west-samples/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For the website, Paul Bowler wrote that the sample is where West "returns to the soulful grooves with which he made his name" and viewed it as "powering" West's performance on "Ghost Town".<ref name="Bowler"/> |
||
The track appeared on year-end lists by multiple publications, including being listed as the fifth |
The track appeared on year-end lists by multiple publications, including being listed as the fifth-best song of 2018 by ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]''.<ref name="cos"/> Matt Melis of the publication complimented it as the "very best" of West's 2018, and Melis described the track as being "backed by a killer, old-school sample; surrounded by friends; and delivering a liberating, back-to-basics message."<ref name="cos"/> ''Joe'' ranked "Ghost Town" at the same position on their list, with Dave Hanratty calling it "an exceptional song that hit the heavens with power and grace."<ref name="fifth"/> The track was named by ''[[The Daily Beast]]'' as the seventh-best song of 2018, and Marlow Stern called it West's most impressive work from that year, while he praised 070 Shake's outro, which accordingly "soars to the stratosphere."<ref name="Stern"/> |
||
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
||
Line 91: | Line 94: | ||
| {{center|<ref name="ranked"/>}} |
| {{center|<ref name="ranked"/>}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row"| ''[[Consequence |
! scope="row"| ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' |
||
| Top 50 Songs of 2018 |
| Top 50 Songs of 2018 |
||
| {{center|5}} |
| {{center|5}} |
||
| {{center|<ref name="cos">{{cite web |title=Top 50 Songs of 2018 |url=https:// |
| {{center|<ref name="cos">{{cite web |title=Top 50 Songs of 2018 |url=https://consequence.net/2018/12/top-50-songs-of-2018/6/ |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |access-date=May 7, 2019 |date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507133917/https://consequence.net/2018/12/top-50-songs-of-2018/6/ |archive-date=May 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row"| {{sort|Daily Beast|''[[The Daily Beast]]''}} |
! scope="row"| {{sort|Daily Beast|''[[The Daily Beast]]''}} |
||
Line 104: | Line 107: | ||
| The 50 Best Songs of 2018 |
| The 50 Best Songs of 2018 |
||
| {{center|37}} |
| {{center|37}} |
||
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Indiana |first1=Jake |title=The 50 Best Songs of 2018 |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-songs-of-2018/ |website=Highsnobiety |access-date=May 7, 2019 |date=December 17, 2018 }}</ref>}} |
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Indiana |first1=Jake |title=The 50 Best Songs of 2018 |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-songs-of-2018/ |website=Highsnobiety |access-date=May 7, 2019 |date=December 17, 2018 |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831115405/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-songs-of-2018/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row"| ''[[Joe (website)|Joe]]'' |
! scope="row"| ''[[Joe (website)|Joe]]'' |
||
Line 133: | Line 136: | ||
==Commercial performance== |
==Commercial performance== |
||
Following the release of ''Ye'', "Ghost Town" debuted on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] at number 16, standing as the highest charting non-single from the album.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Zellner |first1=Xander |last2=Trust |first2=Gary |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460526/kanye-west-ye-all-7-songs-debut-hot-100-top-40 |title=Kanye West Debuts All 7 Songs From 'Ye' in Billboard Hot 100's Top 40 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 16, 2018 |date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612235543/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460526/kanye-west-ye-all-7-songs-debut-hot-100-top-40 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The song entered the US [[Streaming Songs]] chart at number eight, with 29.7 million streams.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Rutherford |first1=Kevin |url=https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460872/kanye-west-streaming-songs-chart-all-mine |title=Kanye West Leads Streaming Songs Chart for First Time With 'All Mine' |date=June 13, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014125312/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460872/kanye-west-streaming-songs-chart-all-mine |archive-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> On the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart, it opened at number 11.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Anderson |first1=Trevor |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8461085/kanye-west-ye-aretha-franklin-top-40-total-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart |title=Kanye West Passes Aretha Franklin's Top 40 Total on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |date=June 14, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702002638/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8461085/kanye-west-ye-aretha-franklin-top-40-total-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> By debuting at number two on the US [[R&B Songs|Hot R&B Songs]] chart, the song stood as the only track from the album to enter |
Following the release of ''Ye'', "Ghost Town" debuted on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] at number 16, standing as the highest charting non-single from the album.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Zellner |first1=Xander |last2=Trust |first2=Gary |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460526/kanye-west-ye-all-7-songs-debut-hot-100-top-40 |title=Kanye West Debuts All 7 Songs From 'Ye' in Billboard Hot 100's Top 40 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 16, 2018 |date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612235543/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460526/kanye-west-ye-all-7-songs-debut-hot-100-top-40 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The song entered the US [[Streaming Songs]] chart at number eight, with 29.7 million streams.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Rutherford |first1=Kevin |url=https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460872/kanye-west-streaming-songs-chart-all-mine |title=Kanye West Leads Streaming Songs Chart for First Time With 'All Mine' |date=June 13, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014125312/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/chart-beat/8460872/kanye-west-streaming-songs-chart-all-mine |archive-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> On the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart, it opened at number 11.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Anderson |first1=Trevor |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8461085/kanye-west-ye-aretha-franklin-top-40-total-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart |title=Kanye West Passes Aretha Franklin's Top 40 Total on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |date=June 14, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702002638/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8461085/kanye-west-ye-aretha-franklin-top-40-total-hot-rb-hip-hop-songs-chart |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> By debuting at number two on the US [[R&B Songs|Hot R&B Songs]] chart, the song stood as the only track from the album to enter the charts.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-songs/2018-06-16 |title=Top R&B Songs – June 16, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613112106/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-songs/2018-06-16 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next week, following the release of ''Kids See Ghosts'', the song descended 44 places to number 60 on the Hot 100, though it was two places higher on the chart than "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)".<ref name="mportugal">{{cite web |author=mportugal |url=https://www.935kday.com/2018/06/21/kanye-wests-ye-album-sees-a-65-sales-drop-in-its-second-week/ |title=Kanye West's 'Ye' Album Sees A 65% Sales Drop In Its Second Week |publisher=[[KDAY|93.5 KDAY]] |access-date=February 22, 2020 |date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919094518/http://www.935kday.com/2018/06/21/kanye-wests-ye-album-sees-a-65-sales-drop-in-its-second-week/ |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ksgdebut"/> For 2018, "Ghost Town" ranked at number 42 on the year-end US Hot R&B Songs chart.<ref name="rb"/> The song was certified [[RIAA certification|double platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for amassing 2,000,000 certified units in the United States on July 6, 2022.<ref name="riaa"/> |
||
The track performed best in New Zealand, peaking at number 14 on the [[NZ Singles Chart]].<ref name="nz">{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4487|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618102452/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4487|archive-date=June 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, the track debuted on the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 17, giving West his third top 40 entry on the chart issue that fell on the date of his 41st birthday.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Arthur, Andrew |title=The Greatest Showman denies Kanye West number one album on his birthday |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-greatest-showman-denies-kanye-west-number-one-album-on-his-birthday-36990895.html |access-date=March 1, 2020 |website=[[Irish Independent|Independent.ie]] |date=June 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703080704/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-greatest-showman-denies-kanye-west-number-one-album-on-his-birthday-36990895.html |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The track reached number 21 on the [[Canadian Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2018-06-16|title=Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs – June 16, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330142615/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2018-06-16|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]], it debuted at number 22 and came close to giving West his third top 20 entry for that week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2018/6/aria-chart-watch-476/|title=ARIA Chart Watch #476|publisher=auspOp|date=June 9, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416001157/https://www.auspop.com.au/2018/6/aria-chart-watch-476/|archive-date=April 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The track also reached the top 30 in [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|Slovakia]], [[IFPI Greece|Greece]], [[Irish Singles Chart|Ireland]] and [[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|Portugal]].<ref name="slovak"/><ref name="greece"/><ref name="ire"/><ref name="port"/> In Estonia, the song entered at number 37 on the [[Eesti Tipp-40|Singlid tipp-40]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nestor|first=Siim|url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-kui-korgelt-lendab-superstaar-uudo-sepp?id=82609981|title=Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: kui kõrgelt lendab superstaar Uudo Sepp?|website=[[Eesti Ekspress]]|language=et|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612134029/http://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-kui-korgelt-lendab-superstaar-uudo-sepp?id=82609981|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, it rose five places to number 32 on the chart.<ref name="est"/> The track experienced lesser performance in the Czech Republic, reaching number 42 on the country's Singles Digitál Top 100 chart.<ref name="czech"/> |
The track performed best in New Zealand, peaking at number 14 on the [[NZ Singles Chart]].<ref name="nz">{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4487|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618102452/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4487|archive-date=June 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, the track debuted on the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 17, giving West his third top 40 entry on the chart issue that fell on the date of his 41st birthday.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Arthur, Andrew |title=The Greatest Showman denies Kanye West number one album on his birthday |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-greatest-showman-denies-kanye-west-number-one-album-on-his-birthday-36990895.html |access-date=March 1, 2020 |website=[[Irish Independent|Independent.ie]] |date=June 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703080704/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-greatest-showman-denies-kanye-west-number-one-album-on-his-birthday-36990895.html |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 26, 2024, "Ghost Town" received a [[Music recording certification|gold certification]] from the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) for pushing 200,000 units in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Bpi"/> The track reached number 21 on the [[Canadian Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2018-06-16|title=Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs – June 16, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330142615/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2018-06-16|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]], it debuted at number 22 and came close to giving West his third top 20 entry for that week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2018/6/aria-chart-watch-476/|title=ARIA Chart Watch #476|publisher=auspOp|date=June 9, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416001157/https://www.auspop.com.au/2018/6/aria-chart-watch-476/|archive-date=April 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The track also reached the top 30 in [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|Slovakia]], [[IFPI Greece|Greece]], [[Irish Singles Chart|Ireland]], and [[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|Portugal]].<ref name="slovak"/><ref name="greece"/><ref name="ire"/><ref name="port"/> In Estonia, the song entered at number 37 on the [[Eesti Tipp-40|Singlid tipp-40]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nestor|first=Siim|url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-kui-korgelt-lendab-superstaar-uudo-sepp?id=82609981|title=Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: kui kõrgelt lendab superstaar Uudo Sepp?|website=[[Eesti Ekspress]]|language=et|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612134029/http://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-kui-korgelt-lendab-superstaar-uudo-sepp?id=82609981|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, it rose five places to number 32 on the chart.<ref name="est"/> The track experienced lesser performance in the Czech Republic, reaching number 42 on the country's Singles Digitál Top 100 chart.<ref name="czech"/> |
||
==Live performances== |
==Live performances== |
||
[[File:Kids See Ghost.png|thumb|200px| |
[[File:Kids See Ghost.png|thumb|200px|upright|alt=Kid Cudi (left) and Kanye West (right), the two members of Kids See Ghosts|West and [[Kid Cudi]] (pictured right and left, respectively) have performed the song live together on multiple occasions.]] |
||
070 Shake performed solely her part on the song live on June 22, 2018 for her set at Ladyland Fest in Brooklyn.<ref name="Smith">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Trevor |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/watch-070-shake-perform-kanye-wests-ghost-town-live-for-the-first-time-news.53387.html |title=Watch 070 Shake Perform Kanye West's 'Ghost Town' Live For The First Time |work=HotNewHipHop |access-date=October 25, 2018 |date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150005/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/watch-070-shake-perform-kanye-wests-ghost-town-live-for-the-first-time-news.53387.html |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The performance generated a positive reaction from the crowd and they were able to recall the words to 070 Shake's part, though it marked the first time that any portion of the song had been performed live.<ref name="Smith"/> On August 16, 2018, West and Kid Cudi delivered a performance of a rendition of it live at a surprise show in the Los Angeles nightclub Los Candiles |
070 Shake performed solely her part on the song live on June 22, 2018 for her set at Ladyland Fest in Brooklyn.<ref name="Smith">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Trevor |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/watch-070-shake-perform-kanye-wests-ghost-town-live-for-the-first-time-news.53387.html |title=Watch 070 Shake Perform Kanye West's 'Ghost Town' Live For The First Time |work=HotNewHipHop |access-date=October 25, 2018 |date=June 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150005/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/watch-070-shake-perform-kanye-wests-ghost-town-live-for-the-first-time-news.53387.html |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The performance generated a positive reaction from the crowd, and they were able to recall the words to 070 Shake's part, though it marked the first time that any portion of the song had been performed live.<ref name="Smith"/> On August 16, 2018, West and Kid Cudi delivered a performance of a rendition of it live at a surprise show in the Los Angeles nightclub Los Candiles as part of a private party in celebration of West's [[Adidas Yeezy|Yeezy Season 4]] collaborator Willo Perron.<ref name="Breihan">{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2010769/kanye-west-kid-cudi-perform-ghost-town-at-surprise-show/video/ |title=Kanye West & Kid Cudi Perform 'Ghost Town' At Surprise Show |work=Stereogum |access-date=October 25, 2018 |date=August 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150008/https://www.stereogum.com/2010769/kanye-west-kid-cudi-perform-ghost-town-at-surprise-show/video/ |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Leight">{{cite magazine |last1=Leight |first1=Elias |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-kid-cudi-debut-ghost-town-at-surprise-show-712545/ |title=Kanye West, Kid Cudi Debut Live 'Ghost Town' at Surprise Show |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=March 14, 2020 |date=August 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124162413/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-kid-cudi-debut-ghost-town-at-surprise-show-712545/ |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> A small room was covered in red lights for the performance, and the crowd joined in when the rappers shouted lyrics from the song, while this marked the first time that West had performed it live.<ref name="Breihan"/><ref name="Leight"/> The track was performed live by West, Kid Cudi, and 070 Shake on the outro of the [[Saturday Night Live (season 44)|44th season premiere]] of ''[[Saturday Night Live|Saturday Night Live (SNL)]]'' in September 2018, with them being accompanied by a backing band.<ref name="Kaplan">{{cite magazine |last1=Kaplan |first1=Ilana |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/kanye-west-pro-trump-speech-snl-731238/ |title=Kanye West Delivers Unaired Pro-Trump Speech on 'SNL' |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=October 25, 2018 |date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025110208/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/kanye-west-pro-trump-speech-snl-731238/ |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DeVille">{{cite web |last1=DeVille |first1=Chris |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2016661/kanye-kid-cudi-070-shake-ghost-town-snl/video/ |title=Kanye's Pro-Trump 'SNL' Rant: Watch The Speech That Didn't Air |work=Stereogum |access-date=March 14, 2020 |date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014031526/https://www.stereogum.com/2016661/kanye-kid-cudi-070-shake-ghost-town-snl/video/ |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the performance was cut off around the time that 070 Shake began to deliver her part of it, and the song was followed by a speech from the West about his support of US President [[Donald Trump]].<ref name="Kaplan"/><ref name="DeVille"/> Prior to West's appearance, ''SNL'' creator [[Lorne Michaels]] revealed in an interview on the ''Origins With James Andrew Miller'' podcast that West was booked for the show when he stepped up after singer [[Ariana Grande]] dropped out.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Rhian |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-ariana-grande-snl-dropped-2384478 |title=Kanye West booked for 'SNL' because Ariana Grande dropped out |work=NME |access-date=May 10, 2019 |date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510205000/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-ariana-grande-snl-dropped-2384478 |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> For West and Kid Cudi's first performance, billed as Kids See Ghosts, the duo performed the song live as the closer to their set at the 2018 [[Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8484361/kanye-west-kid-cudi-kids-see-ghosts-live-debut-camp-flog-gnaw |title=Kanye West & Kid Cudi's Kids See Ghosts Makes Live Debut at 2018 Camp Flog Gnaw |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=November 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609233836/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8484361/kanye-west-kid-cudi-kids-see-ghosts-live-debut-camp-flog-gnaw |archive-date=June 9, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
West was joined by Kid Cudi and 070 Shake when leading his [[Gospel music|gospel]] group the [[Sunday Service Choir]] through a rendition of |
West was joined by Kid Cudi and 070 Shake when leading his [[Gospel music|gospel]] group the [[Sunday Service Choir]] through a rendition of "Ghost Town" at their first concert on January 7, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schatz |first1=Lake |url=https://consequence.net/2019/01/kanye-west-sunday-service-gospel-video/ |title=Kanye West leads Sunday Service featuring gospel versions of his songs: Watch |website=Consequence |access-date=March 14, 2020 |date=January 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202041845/https://consequence.net/2019/01/kanye-west-sunday-service-gospel-video/ |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that month, the group collaborated with West for a rendition of the song as part of their concert.<ref name="rs"/> The performance began once West got up off a stool 36 minutes into the concert, with the rendition including an extended outro that saw him deliver a sermon.<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-new-song-sunday-service-letterman-781765/ |title=Watch Kanye West Debut New Song At Second Sunday Service |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=January 29, 2019 |date=January 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129182013/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-new-song-sunday-service-letterman-781765/ |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the sermon, West said, "Don't it feel to know you can never be canceled. They say, 'You can't do this. You can't do that, you'll lose your career,' but I'm still here."<ref name="rs"/> On March 24, 2019, the Sunday Service Choir performed the song in Los Angeles for their 12th weekly concert.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Munroe |first1=Monique May |title=Five things you need to know about Kanye West's Sunday Services |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/43832/1/kanye-west-sunday-services-five-things-to-know |access-date=June 5, 2024 |magazine=[[Dazed]] |date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401144701/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/43832/1/kanye-west-sunday-services-five-things-to-know |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kenneally |first1=Cerys |title=Police turned up to Kanye West's Sunday Service in LA after noise complaint |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/police-turned-up-to-kanye-wests-sunday-service-in-la-after-noise-complaint |access-date=June 5, 2024 |magazine=The Line of Best Fit |date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326001324/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/police-turned-up-to-kanye-wests-sunday-service-in-la-after-noise-complaint |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kid Cudi brought out West as a surprise during the start of his weekend two set at the 2019 [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella Music Festival]], where the two performed a rendition of "Ghost Town".<ref name="coachella">{{cite news |last1=Nyren |first1=Erin |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/kanye-west-kid-cudi-coachella-1203194063/ |title=Kanye West Surprises at Kid Cudi Coachella Weekend Two Set |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=April 21, 2019 |date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421112521/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/kanye-west-kid-cudi-coachella-1203194063/ |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
==Appearances in media== |
==Appearances in media== |
||
Following the release of ''Ye'', the song became a popular topic with fans of West across Twitter.<ref name="twitter"/> [[Avenged Sevenfold]] member [[M. Shadows]]' published a list of his |
Following the release of ''Ye'', the song became a popular topic with fans of West across Twitter.<ref name="twitter"/> [[Avenged Sevenfold]] member [[M. Shadows]]' published a list of his favorite tracks from 2018, which included "Ghost Town" on it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chapstick |first1=Kelsey |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/avenged-sevenfold-pick-favorite-albums-2018-ghost-kanye-post-malone-more |title=Avenged Sevenfold Pick Favorite Albums of 2018: Ghost, Kanye, Post Malone, More |work=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] |date=December 31, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101014538/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/avenged-sevenfold-pick-favorite-albums-2018-ghost-kanye-post-malone-more |archive-date=January 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> At a fashion show by Virgil Abloh during 2018 [[Paris Fashion Week]], Canadian instrumental music group [[BadBadNotGood]] performed a cover version of the song.<ref name="Yoo">{{cite news |last1=Yoo |first1=Noah |title=Watch Kid Cudi Walk in Virgil Abloh's First Louis Vuitton Show |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-kid-cudi-walk-in-virgil-ablohs-first-louis-vuitton-show/ |access-date=March 1, 2020 |work=Pitchfork |date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511081944/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-kid-cudi-walk-in-virgil-ablohs-first-louis-vuitton-show/ |archive-date=May 11, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> During the show, West and Kid Cudi were both in attendance.<ref name="Yoo"/> The laser sounds from the song resurfaced on singer [[Teyana Taylor]]'s track "Issues/Hold On", which was produced by West and released on ''[[K.T.S.E.]]'' in June 2018.<ref name="ranked"/><ref>{{cite web |title=''K.T.S.E.'' – Teyana Taylor |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ktse-mw0003188128 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=March 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808081933/https://www.allmusic.com/album/ktse-mw0003188128 |archive-date=August 8, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The song was covered by English soul musical collective [[Jungle (band)|Jungle]] on September 12, 2018, during a BBC Radio 1 session.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jungle |author-link=Jungle (band) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/tracks/n56r8n |title=Ghost Town (Radio 1 Session, 12 Sep 2018) |publisher=[[BBC Music]] |access-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201135453/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/tracks/n56r8n |archive-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref> |
||
==Sequel== |
==Sequel== |
||
{{Main|Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)}} |
{{Main|Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)}} |
||
[[File:Ty Dolla Sign 2018 March.jpg|thumb| |
[[File:Ty Dolla Sign 2018 March.jpg|thumb|left|alt=[[Ty Dolla Sign]] in March 2018|[[Ty Dolla Sign]] collaborated with [[Kids See Ghosts]] for the sequel.]] |
||
On June 8, 2018, the sequel to "Ghost Town", "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)", was released as the fourth track on ''Kids See Ghosts''.<ref name="Kornhaber"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/kids-see-ghosts-mw0003183929|title=''Kids See Ghosts'' – Kids See Ghosts|last=Yeung|first=Neil Z.|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184810/https://www.allmusic.com/album/kids-see-ghosts-mw0003183929|archive-date=June 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally, the prequel was slated for release |
On June 8, 2018, the sequel to "Ghost Town", "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)", was released as the fourth track on ''Kids See Ghosts''.<ref name="Kornhaber"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/kids-see-ghosts-mw0003183929|title=''Kids See Ghosts'' – Kids See Ghosts|last=Yeung|first=Neil Z.|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184810/https://www.allmusic.com/album/kids-see-ghosts-mw0003183929|archive-date=June 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally, the prequel was slated for release in this position, while the sequel had not been slated for inclusion initially.<ref name="Murphy"/> Prior to the album's release, [[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt TV]] writer Ralph Bristout stated that the song managed to "set up the excitement for" it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/2018/6/1/20824959/on-ghost-town-kanye-west-perfectly-sets-the-stage-for-kid-cudi-collab-album|title=On 'Ghost Town,' Kanye West perfectly sets the stage for Kid Cudi collab album|last=Bristout|first=Ralph|publisher=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt TV]]|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831115356/https://www.revolt.tv/2018/6/1/20824959/on-ghost-town-kanye-west-perfectly-sets-the-stage-for-kid-cudi-collab-album|url-status=live}}</ref> The titles of the album and the sequel, respectively, are part of a "spooky-ghost routine."<ref name="Kornhaber"/> The routine is continued by "Ghost Town" being titled as such, while ''Kids See Ghosts'' track "[[4th Dimension (song)|4th Dimension]]" is also linked to the song since they both sample Ann Lee's "Someday".<ref name="Kornhaber"/><ref name="Kim"/> Kids See Ghosts are the lead performers of the sequel, differing from the prequel, in which Kid Cudi is an additional vocalist and West is the lead performer.<ref name="tidal"/><ref name="Kornhaber"/> The sequel includes vocals from American musician [[Ty Dolla Sign]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Kids See Ghosts|others=[[Kids See Ghosts]]|year=2018|type=booklet|publisher=[[GOOD Music]] and [[Def Jam Recordings]]|id=B0028759-02}}</ref> The song also interpolates lyrics from the prequel.<ref name="Kim"/> |
||
The song was less successful than the prequel on the Hot 100, debuting at number 62 on the chart.<ref name="ksgdebut">{{cite news |last1=Post |first1=Chantilly |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kids-see-ghosts-marks-kanye-wests-double-debut-on-the-hot-100-news.53082.html |title='Kids See Ghosts' Marks Kanye West's Double Debut On The Hot 100 |work=HotNewHipHop |access-date=June 28, 2020 |date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620005627/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kids-see-ghosts-marks-kanye-wests-double-debut-on-the-hot-100-news.53082.html |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> During Kid Cudi's appearance at Coachella 2019, he brought out West as a surprise.<ref name="coachella"/> The two of them performed "Ghost Town" and the song |
The song was less successful than the prequel on the Hot 100, debuting at number 62 on the chart.<ref name="ksgdebut">{{cite news |last1=Post |first1=Chantilly |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kids-see-ghosts-marks-kanye-wests-double-debut-on-the-hot-100-news.53082.html |title='Kids See Ghosts' Marks Kanye West's Double Debut On The Hot 100 |work=HotNewHipHop |access-date=June 28, 2020 |date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620005627/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kids-see-ghosts-marks-kanye-wests-double-debut-on-the-hot-100-news.53082.html |archive-date=June 20, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> During Kid Cudi's appearance at Coachella 2019, he brought out West as a surprise.<ref name="coachella"/> The two of them performed "Ghost Town" and the song alongside other collaborations.<ref name="coachella"/> The staff of ''NME'' reassembled ''Ye'' and ''Kids See Ghosts'' for an edited album entitled ''Ye Sees Ghosts'', featuring the prequel leading into the sequel.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Britton |first1=Luke Morgan |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/edited-two-quite-good-kanye-west-albums-made-one-really-great-kanye-album-2337505 |title=We edited the two quite good Kanye West albums and made one really great Kanye album, 'Ye Sees Ghosts' |work=NME |access-date=June 28, 2020 |date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630160137/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/edited-two-quite-good-kanye-west-albums-made-one-really-great-kanye-album-2337505 |archive-date=June 30, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
==Credits and personnel== |
==Credits and personnel== |
||
'''Recording ''' |
'''Recording ''' |
||
* Recorded at West Lake Ranch, [[Jackson Hole|Jackson Hole, Wyoming]]<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Fu|first1=Eddie|url=https:// |
* Recorded at West Lake Ranch, [[Jackson Hole|Jackson Hole, Wyoming]]<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Fu|first1=Eddie|url=https://consequence.net/2018/04/kanye-west-spotted-at-rick-rubins-recording-studio/|title=Kanye West spotted with Rick Rubin at Calabasas office|date=April 2, 2018|work=Consequence|access-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421163324/https://consequence.net/2018/04/kanye-west-spotted-at-rick-rubins-recording-studio/|archive-date=April 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/23/style/kanye-west-cody-wyoming.html|title=Kanye, Out West|website=The New York Times|url-access=registration|author=Bromwich, Jonah Engel|date=February 23, 2020|access-date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224231846/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/23/style/kanye-west-cody-wyoming.html|archive-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> |
||
'''Personnel''' |
'''Personnel''' |
||
Line 253: | Line 256: | ||
==Certifications== |
==Certifications== |
||
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Ghost Town"}} |
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Ghost Town"}} |
||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Kanye West|title=Ghost Town|award= |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Kanye West|title=Ghost Town|award=Gold|refname="Bpi"|id=2505-997-1|relyear=2018|certyear=2024|access-date=January 27, 2024}} |
||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Kanye West|title=Ghost Town|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2022|refname="riaa"|access-date=July 12, 2022}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Kanye West|title=Ghost Town|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2018|certyear=2022|refname="riaa"|access-date=July 12, 2022}} |
||
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}} |
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}} |
||
Line 262: | Line 265: | ||
==Notes== |
==Notes== |
||
{{Notelist}} |
{{Notelist}} |
||
Ye |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Line 289: | Line 293: | ||
[[Category:Songs written by Pardison Fontaine]] |
[[Category:Songs written by Pardison Fontaine]] |
||
[[Category:Songs written by PartyNextDoor]] |
[[Category:Songs written by PartyNextDoor]] |
||
[[Category:Songs written by Noah Goldstein]] |
Revision as of 06:53, 27 June 2024
"Ghost Town" | |
---|---|
Song by Kanye West | |
from the album Ye | |
Released | June 1, 2018 |
Recorded | October 31, 2017 – June 1, 2018 |
Studio | West Lake Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming |
Genre | Hip hop |
Length | 4:31 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
"Ghost Town" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his eighth studio album, Ye (2018). The song features vocals from PartyNextDoor, Kid Cudi, and 070 Shake. It was produced by West, co-produced by Mike Dean, and features additional production from Francis and the Lights, Benny Blanco, and Noah Goldstein. The song is a hip-hop track that features psychedelic elements. It is composed around a sample of "Take Me for a Little While", performed by the Royal Jesters, and also includes a sample of "Someday", performed by Shirley Ann Lee.
The mind of West is demonstrated as going through the unraveling process within "Ghost Town", which is connected to mental illness, and West's verse features him gargling unfinished thoughts. The song received general acclaim from music critics and was mostly named by them as one of the album's highlights, with general praise from critics going towards 070 Shake's outro. A number of them complimented the lush composition of the song, though other critics expressed somewhat mixed assessments of West's verse. The song was included in end-of-year lists for 2018 by multiple publications, including Consequence and NME.
"Ghost Town" reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2018, while peaking at numbers 14 and 17 on the NZ Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart, respectively. The song has since been certified double platinum and gold in the United States and the United Kingdom by the Recording Industry Association of America and the British Phonographic Industry, respectively. West and Kid Cudi have delivered multiple joint performances of the song, including performing it on Saturday Night Live and at the Coachella Music Festival in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The song was covered by both BadBadNotGood and Jungle in 2018. A sequel to the song was released by West and Kid Cudi, as Kids See Ghosts, under the title "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)" on their eponymous debut studio album (2018). The sequel features an interpolation of lyrics from the song.
Background and development
A link was shared by West via his blog on February 7, 2009, to a cover version of his 2007 single "Can't Tell Me Nothing" by American pop project Francis and the Lights.[1] They first collaborated on the latter's single "Friends" in 2016 alongside Bon Iver, and West has a cameo in the accompanying music video.[1][2] Along with "Ghost Town", Francis and the Lights contributed production to the tracks "I Thought About Killing You" and "All Mine".[3] He handled additional production for the former of the three, alongside Benny Blanco and Noah Goldstein, while Mike Dean co-produced it and West served as the lead producer.[3]
In a November 2016 interview with NOW Magazine, Canadian musician PartyNextDoor cited West as someone he wanted to produce and write at the level of, while also stating that he was influenced by West when he was younger.[4] Following the release of his third EP Colours 2 in June 2017, PartyNextDoor tweeted on July 20 of that year that he had new music on the way with West, and Apple Music simultaneously responded via Twitter.[5] At the time, it was unknown what project the two were recording for, and PartyNextDoor had only previously contributed to West's work by co-writing "Waves" in 2016.[6][7] PartyNextDoor later tweeted a picture of the two of them talking on July 22, 2017, the first photographic evidence of their collaboration.[5] Alongside "Ghost Town", PartyNextDoor provided vocals and songwriting for Ye's track "Wouldn't Leave", though he wasn't properly credited until the album's credits were updated on streaming services on June 15, 2018.[8]
Initially an unknown SoundCloud user, American hip-hop artist 070 Shake refused to sign with anyone other than West.[9] 070 Shake ultimately signed to his record label GOOD Music in 2016 and recalled West advising her "to ultimately be 100 percent open when you're creating and let your mind wander," as well as to not "set any boundaries for yourself."[9] The song and fellow album track "Violent Crimes" both include vocals from 070 Shake.[3] In an interview with Rolling Stone, she stated that after the song, a lot of people were contacting her by phone and recalled being "like, 'How did you get my number?' and shit."[10] When listening to the song for the first time, 070 Shake labeled the feeling "surreal" and said she placed focus on taking the whole moment in so she would not have regretted failing to take it in properly after the time, while 070 Shake opined that being on a record with West felt "crazy".[10]
A promotional video was displayed on West's official website from the Ye listening party that was set to "Ghost Town" and "I Thought About Killing You", though the website was ultimately updated on October 22, 2019.[11][12] West assembled the listening party on the night before the album's release in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which is the same place that it was recorded by him.[13][14] Kevin Parker of Tame Impala initially believed that he was credited as a co-writer on the song instead of "Violent Crimes", until he was informed that the latter was played at the listening party.[15] Parker had allegedly sent a number of samples to West for Ye, but assumed that they hadn't made the cut after not hearing back from him.[16] West began to come to Jackson Hole often from early 2017 onwards, months after his stay in the hospital.[17] After he left the hospital, notes were made by West about his experiences and feelings.[17] As part of the album's songwriting process, West gave his notes to various writers for them to help add structure to his thoughts.[17] When discussing his songwriting process during an interview with The New York Times on June 25, 2018, West revealed that co-writer Malik Yusef was responsible for the lyrics "Sometimes I take all the shine/Talk like I drank all the wine."[17] Before combining rap with rock, West and Kid Cudi had shown admiration for rock artists.[18]
Composition and lyrics
Musically, "Ghost Town" is a hip-hop track that is often noted for its rock elements.[19][22][23][24] The song includes a sample of "Take Me for a Little While", written by Trade Martin and performed by the Royal Jesters, within its leading bass, drum, and keys combination.[20][25][26] The opening of the track features a sample of "Someday", as performed by Shirley Ann Lee.[27] Guitars are included within the song, which some writers viewed as psychedelic.[19][24][28][29] In particular, "Ghost Town" has been noted for taking rock influence from Kid Cudi's work, with a "strong presence of guitars" that Will Lavin of Joe.co.uk called "very reminiscent of a couple of tracks" from his second studio album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010).[19] The Atlantic's Spencer Kornhaber commented that the song features "psychedelic, space-soul, and prog sounds."[18] West's tone is dazed, with him using the same verse melody as that of his Pusha T-featuring single "Runaway" (2010).[21] In the outro, laser sounds are featured.[26]
The song presents the mind of West going through the process of unraveling, with the ongoing speculation that his mental health is often poor.[30] Mental illness is a common theme on Ye; the song is linked to the subject matter of the album that West's mind is unraveling.[30] PartyNextDoor sings about feeling so good that it is dangerous.[18] West's verse in the song sees him gargling multiple half-finished thoughts as he opens up his mind.[21][31] The lyrics of West's verse include a reference to the opioid painkiller fentanyl.[32] While singing the chorus of "Ghost Town", Kid Cudi interpolates vocals from rock and roll artist Dave Edmunds' 1979 version of "Take Me for a Little While".[20] The outro is performed by 070 Shake, featuring her singing about freedom and numbness in a manner that has been described as belting.[10][18][21][28] 070 Shake explained that she used a metaphor for numbness with the line, "Put my hand on the stove, to see if I still bleed."[10]
Release and recording
"Ghost Town" was released on June 1, 2018, as the sixth and penultimate track on West's eighth studio album, Ye.[33] However, West tweeted out an early track list of the eponymous debut studio album by Kids See Ghosts, a hip-hop duo consisting of him and Kid Cudi, on May 15 of that year, and this showed the song as originally being scheduled for release on the album.[34][27] It was slated to be released as the fourth track, though the shuffling of tracks between albums recorded by West led to the song being released on Ye instead.[34][27] The song's follow-up was released by Kids See Ghosts under the title "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)" on June 8, 2018, also being led to by the shuffling.[18][27]
In an interview with Pigeons & Planes, 070 Shake revealed that the song was finished hours before the album's listening party on May 31, 2018, and recalled reference tracks being recorded: "I had done a reference for it, and then I guess he forgot about it. We put that reference on another song, then Kanye did his own reference for that 'free' concept." She explained in the interview that it came close to not making the album's final cut during the recording sessions: "At the end, we were talking and asking, 'Is this the one right here?' And I kind of mentioned 'Ghost Town' and said maybe we could use something from that."[35] 070 Shake elaborated, revealing that after listening to the reference again, West "said, 'Oh yeah, this is the one.'" She concluded, stating, "So 'Ghost Town' almost didn't make it."[35] According to 070 Shake, she wrote the reference track after first arriving in Wyoming, and West had forgotten about it due to him being "very focused on a lot of other things, other songs and stuff [sic], and it just left his mind a little bit."[10] Recording for Ye started after West made controversial comments about slavery in a TMZ interview earlier in May 2018 that led to the album being re-done afterward.[36]
Critical reception
"Ghost Town" was met with acclaim from music critics, often being ranked as one of the album's highlights. Meaghan Garvey of Pitchfork pointed to the track as "ye's clear highlight," while she regarded the outro by 070 Shake and Kid Cudi's refrain as being better than West's verse, especially noting that 070 Shake's "performance is unexpectedly magnetic."[21] Carrie Battan from The New Yorker named the track as the best song, pointing out its elements of soul and pop punk, though she viewed the track as "the finest example of hip-hop's current fascination with rock music" and praised the outro by 070 Shake for showing that her "androgynous, pubescent voice is used to create a bridge between the joyous and the morbid."[22] Outside of "I Thought About Killing You" and "Yikes", The Independent's Christopher Hooton billed the track as the album's "only other remotely good song."[37] Hooton continued, viewing it as being salvaged by 070 Shake "with a stunning, anthemic and sincere vocal over a crunchy guitar riff."[37] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone complemented the song for being the only track on Ye that "stands on its own" and also directed praise towards 070 Shake's vocals, though concluded by writing that the song has "genuine heart – enough heart to make you wish Kanye could find a way out of his current creative trap."[23] Douglas Greenwood from NME described the song as the album's "penultimate and perhaps strongest track" and argued that it "owes a great deal to its euphoric, rocky outro" from 070 Shake, with him viewing the outro as "a moment of real clarity on a record that's immediately impactful."[38] Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Alex Suskind highlighted the song as one of Ye's "few bright spots," commenting that it "resembles My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy opus 'Runaway'" and Suskind directed praise towards the lyrical content.[39] Adam Rothbarth of Tiny Mix Tapes commented with praise for Kid Cudi's "purposely gnarly" refrain, West's "elegant vocal performance" and the production of the song.[40] However, Rothbarth opined that the production "sets the perfect foundation for 070 Shake's cyclical" outro and cited the outro as one of the highlights of Ye.[40]
Clayton Purdom from The A.V. Club stated that "Ghost Town" "holds up the entire album" and labeled the song as "a staggeringly dense sound collage that sounds like a wide-open Wyoming night sky coming alive with dreamy laser blasts."[41] The Irish Times' Ed Power referred to the song as "gorgeous and uncomplicated."[42] Trent Clark from HipHopDX pointed towards the "passionate cameo" from 070 Shake on the song as what "unveils a star-in-the-making."[43] Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune said that it shows "West telegraphing his vulnerability through shaky singing," despite concluding that 070 Shake "walks away with the song."[44] AllMusic writer Neil Z. Yeung asserted that the song shines as one of the album's "moments of clarity" and commended the lyrical content.[33] For the Los Angeles Times, Mikael Wood viewed West and 070 Shake's singing as "just astounding" and cited the latter's outro as "a star-making cameo," while also noting the clarity displayed by 070 Shake.[45] Zachary Hoskins was less enthusiastic in Slant Magazine, dismissing West's verse despite naming the song as the most polished track on Ye and positively writing of the guitar, as well as Kid Cudi's vocals.[24] In a negative review for The Line of Best Fit, Ross Horton panned the singing on the song and called it "the kind of thing that you once could, objectively, understand to be joke," with the loudness of the vocals receiving criticism from him.[46] Similarly, Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews complained that having to listen to West's singing on the song makes him "just like 'Whyyyyyyy?'"[47] Juon insisted that his opinion of West lacking in singing ability bore no relevance to any dislike towards him, as Juon admitted that Chris Brown can sing despite not liking him either.[47]
Accolades
Vulture named "Ghost Town" as one of the best new songs for the week of June 7, 2018.[48] Hunter Harris of the site labeled the track as "a mediocre album's best offering," though directed praise towards 070 Shake's outro.[48] It was listed as one of the best songs from the first half of the year by Junkee, with Lauren Ziegler calling the track "a therapy session."[49] Refinery29 named it to their list of 2018's best summer songs, published in June of that year.[50] On uDiscoverMusic's November 2019 list of the West's best samples, the Royal Jesters sample on the track was ranked 20th.[51] For the website, Paul Bowler wrote that the sample is where West "returns to the soulful grooves with which he made his name" and viewed it as "powering" West's performance on "Ghost Town".[51]
The track appeared on year-end lists by multiple publications, including being listed as the fifth-best song of 2018 by Consequence.[52] Matt Melis of the publication complimented it as the "very best" of West's 2018, and Melis described the track as being "backed by a killer, old-school sample; surrounded by friends; and delivering a liberating, back-to-basics message."[52] Joe ranked "Ghost Town" at the same position on their list, with Dave Hanratty calling it "an exceptional song that hit the heavens with power and grace."[53] The track was named by The Daily Beast as the seventh-best song of 2018, and Marlow Stern called it West's most impressive work from that year, while he praised 070 Shake's outro, which accordingly "soars to the stratosphere."[54]
Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Billboard | The 100 Best Songs of 2018 | 62
|
|
The Best Songs of Kanye West's Wyoming Sessions[a] | 14
|
||
Consequence | Top 50 Songs of 2018 | 5
|
|
The Daily Beast | The 20 Best Songs of 2018 | 7
|
|
Highsnobiety | The 50 Best Songs of 2018 | 37
|
|
Joe | The 20 Best Songs of 2018 | 5
|
|
NME | The Songs of the Year 2018 | 36
|
|
NPR | The 100 Best Songs of 2018 | 56
|
|
Triple J | Hottest 100 of 2018 | 98
|
|
The Village Voice | The Pazz & Jop Music Critics Poll 2018 | 42
|
Commercial performance
Following the release of Ye, "Ghost Town" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 16, standing as the highest charting non-single from the album.[61] The song entered the US Streaming Songs chart at number eight, with 29.7 million streams.[62] On the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it opened at number 11.[63] By debuting at number two on the US Hot R&B Songs chart, the song stood as the only track from the album to enter the charts.[64] The next week, following the release of Kids See Ghosts, the song descended 44 places to number 60 on the Hot 100, though it was two places higher on the chart than "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)".[65][66] For 2018, "Ghost Town" ranked at number 42 on the year-end US Hot R&B Songs chart.[67] The song was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for amassing 2,000,000 certified units in the United States on July 6, 2022.[68]
The track performed best in New Zealand, peaking at number 14 on the NZ Singles Chart.[69] Similarly, the track debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 17, giving West his third top 40 entry on the chart issue that fell on the date of his 41st birthday.[70] On January 26, 2024, "Ghost Town" received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for pushing 200,000 units in the United Kingdom.[71] The track reached number 21 on the Canadian Hot 100.[72] On the ARIA Singles Chart, it debuted at number 22 and came close to giving West his third top 20 entry for that week.[73] The track also reached the top 30 in Slovakia, Greece, Ireland, and Portugal.[74][75][76][77] In Estonia, the song entered at number 37 on the Singlid tipp-40.[78] The following week, it rose five places to number 32 on the chart.[79] The track experienced lesser performance in the Czech Republic, reaching number 42 on the country's Singles Digitál Top 100 chart.[80]
Live performances
070 Shake performed solely her part on the song live on June 22, 2018 for her set at Ladyland Fest in Brooklyn.[81] The performance generated a positive reaction from the crowd, and they were able to recall the words to 070 Shake's part, though it marked the first time that any portion of the song had been performed live.[81] On August 16, 2018, West and Kid Cudi delivered a performance of a rendition of it live at a surprise show in the Los Angeles nightclub Los Candiles as part of a private party in celebration of West's Yeezy Season 4 collaborator Willo Perron.[82][83] A small room was covered in red lights for the performance, and the crowd joined in when the rappers shouted lyrics from the song, while this marked the first time that West had performed it live.[82][83] The track was performed live by West, Kid Cudi, and 070 Shake on the outro of the 44th season premiere of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in September 2018, with them being accompanied by a backing band.[84][85] However, the performance was cut off around the time that 070 Shake began to deliver her part of it, and the song was followed by a speech from the West about his support of US President Donald Trump.[84][85] Prior to West's appearance, SNL creator Lorne Michaels revealed in an interview on the Origins With James Andrew Miller podcast that West was booked for the show when he stepped up after singer Ariana Grande dropped out.[86] For West and Kid Cudi's first performance, billed as Kids See Ghosts, the duo performed the song live as the closer to their set at the 2018 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.[87]
West was joined by Kid Cudi and 070 Shake when leading his gospel group the Sunday Service Choir through a rendition of "Ghost Town" at their first concert on January 7, 2019.[88] Later that month, the group collaborated with West for a rendition of the song as part of their concert.[89] The performance began once West got up off a stool 36 minutes into the concert, with the rendition including an extended outro that saw him deliver a sermon.[89] During the sermon, West said, "Don't it feel to know you can never be canceled. They say, 'You can't do this. You can't do that, you'll lose your career,' but I'm still here."[89] On March 24, 2019, the Sunday Service Choir performed the song in Los Angeles for their 12th weekly concert.[90][91] Kid Cudi brought out West as a surprise during the start of his weekend two set at the 2019 Coachella Music Festival, where the two performed a rendition of "Ghost Town".[92]
Appearances in media
Following the release of Ye, the song became a popular topic with fans of West across Twitter.[31] Avenged Sevenfold member M. Shadows' published a list of his favorite tracks from 2018, which included "Ghost Town" on it.[93] At a fashion show by Virgil Abloh during 2018 Paris Fashion Week, Canadian instrumental music group BadBadNotGood performed a cover version of the song.[94] During the show, West and Kid Cudi were both in attendance.[94] The laser sounds from the song resurfaced on singer Teyana Taylor's track "Issues/Hold On", which was produced by West and released on K.T.S.E. in June 2018.[26][95] The song was covered by English soul musical collective Jungle on September 12, 2018, during a BBC Radio 1 session.[96]
Sequel
On June 8, 2018, the sequel to "Ghost Town", "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)", was released as the fourth track on Kids See Ghosts.[18][97] Originally, the prequel was slated for release in this position, while the sequel had not been slated for inclusion initially.[34] Prior to the album's release, Revolt TV writer Ralph Bristout stated that the song managed to "set up the excitement for" it.[98] The titles of the album and the sequel, respectively, are part of a "spooky-ghost routine."[18] The routine is continued by "Ghost Town" being titled as such, while Kids See Ghosts track "4th Dimension" is also linked to the song since they both sample Ann Lee's "Someday".[18][27] Kids See Ghosts are the lead performers of the sequel, differing from the prequel, in which Kid Cudi is an additional vocalist and West is the lead performer.[3][18] The sequel includes vocals from American musician Ty Dolla Sign.[99] The song also interpolates lyrics from the prequel.[27]
The song was less successful than the prequel on the Hot 100, debuting at number 62 on the chart.[66] During Kid Cudi's appearance at Coachella 2019, he brought out West as a surprise.[92] The two of them performed "Ghost Town" and the song alongside other collaborations.[92] The staff of NME reassembled Ye and Kids See Ghosts for an edited album entitled Ye Sees Ghosts, featuring the prequel leading into the sequel.[100]
Credits and personnel
Recording
- Recorded at West Lake Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming[101][102]
Personnel
- Kanye West – production, songwriter
- Mike Dean – co-production, songwriter, engineering, mixing
- Noah Goldstein – additional production, songwriter, recording engineering
- Francis and the Lights – additional production
- Benny Blanco – additional production
- 070 Shake – songwriter, vocals
- PartyNextDoor – songwriter, vocals
- Carole Bayer Sager – songwriter
- Carmen Reece – songwriter
- Cydel Young – songwriter
- Dexter Mills – songwriter
- Francis Starlite – songwriter
- Jordan Thorpe – songwriter
- Kenneth Pershon – songwriter
- Malik Yusef – songwriter
- Shirley Ann Lee – songwriter
- Terrence Boykin – songwriter
- Trade Martin – songwriter
- Mike Malchicoff – engineering
- Zack Djurich – engineering
- Mauricio Iragorri – recording engineering
- Jess Jackson – mixing
- Kid Cudi – vocals
Credits adapted from Tidal.[3]
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[68] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
See also
Notes
- ^ Pusha T's Daytona, Ye, Kids See Ghosts' Kids See Ghosts, Nas' Nasir, and Teyana Taylor's K.T.S.E.[26]
Ye
References
- ^ a b Woolf, Jake (July 7, 2016). "Kanye's New Video with Bon Iver and Francis and the Lights Is Delightfully Self-Aware". GQ. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- ^ Adams, Erik (June 12, 2016). "Kanye, Chance, and Bon Iver can't all be wrong about Francis And The Lights". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "ye / Kanye West". Tidal. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ Ritchie, Kevin (November 23, 2016). "PARTYNEXTDOOR puts the 905 on the charts". NOW Magazine. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Cowen, Trace William (July 20, 2017). "Partynextdoor Reveals He Has New Music on the Way With Kanye West". Complex. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ India, Lindsey (July 20, 2017). "PartyNextDoor Says He Has New Music With Kanye West Coming Soon". XXL. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "The 5 best songs PartyNextDoor has written for other artists". CBC News. April 26, 2024. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ Cush, Andy (June 15, 2018). "New 'ye' Credits Are Way Different Than First Reported". Spin. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Abraham, Mya (April 22, 2020). "070 Shake on Kanye West, COVID-19, and Creativity". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Klinkenberg, Brendan (June 5, 2018). "070 Shake Stole the Show on Kanye West's 'Ghost Town'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
- ^ Markowitz, Douglas (June 6, 2018). "Kanye West Project Wyoming Miami Event and Venue Updated". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- ^ Caraan, Sophie (October 22, 2019). "Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' New Release Date". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ Leight, Elias (June 1, 2018). "Inside Kanye West's Wyoming Listening Party". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- ^ Nembhard, Candice (June 1, 2018). "Kanye West's New Album 'Ye': Everything We Know So Far". Highsnobiety. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- ^ Maine, Samantha (June 29, 2018). "Tame Impala's Kevin Parker says contributing to Kanye West's 'Ye' was 'an absolute saga'". NME. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ Braidwood, Ella (June 1, 2018). "All the guests on Kanye's 'ye', from Nicki Minaj to John Legend". NME. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Caramanica, Jon (June 25, 2018). "Into the Wild With Kanye West". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kornhaber, Spencer (June 14, 2018). "'Kids See Ghosts,' Kanye West, & the Wobbly Sound of Freedom". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Lavin, Will (June 2018). "A track-by-track first listen breakdown of Kanye West's new album Ye". Joe.co.uk. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ a b c Glaysher, Scott (June 3, 2018). "Kanye West's 'Ye': A Closer Look Into The Samples Of The Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Garvey, Meaghan (June 4, 2018). "Kanye West: ye Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ a b Battan, Carrie (June 2, 2018). "Kanye West's 'Ye' Is a Slapdash Response to a Torturous Year". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ a b Sheffield, Rob (June 5, 2018). "Review: Kanye West's 'Ye' Album, Rob Sheffield Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c Hoskins, Zachary (June 1, 2018). "Review: Kanye West, Ye". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Helman, Peter (June 14, 2018). "Kanye's 'Ye' Credits Reveals Tame Impala Co-Write". Stereogum. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Brown, Eric Renner (June 25, 2018). "Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Summer Album 2018 Series: Every Song Ranked". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Kim, Michelle (June 8, 2018). "5 Takeaways from Kanye West and Kid Cudi's New Album, Kids See Ghosts". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Pareles, Jon (June 3, 2018). "Kanye West Writes a Song of Himself on 'Ye'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ "Kanye and Kid Cudi's New Album: Breaking Down the Credits". Vulture. June 8, 2018. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (June 1, 2018). "Kanye West: ye review – a candid tour of a troubled mind". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Altmann, Alana (June 1, 2018). "Kanye West's 'Ghost Town' Lyrics Have Fans So, So Hype". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ Snapes, Laura (June 1, 2018). "Kanye West cites Trump, #MeToo and his bipolar disorder on new album ye". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 11, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Ye – Kanye West". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ a b c Murphy, Sam (May 16, 2018). "Kanye West Shares Current Tracklist Of Forthcoming Kid Cudi Collab Album". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ a b Saponara, Michael (June 4, 2018). "070 Shake Says Kanye West Finished 'Ghost Town' on 'Ye' Release Day". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ Maine, Samantha (June 3, 2018). "Kanye West reveals he scrapped an entire album after that TMZ interview". NME. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Hooton, Christopher (June 6, 2018). "'ye' album review: Kanye West flew too close to the sun, then directly into it". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ Greenwood, Douglas (June 3, 2018). "Kanye West - 'ye' review". NME. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ Suskind, Alex (June 5, 2018). "Ye album review: Kanye West's depressing dogma". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Rothbarth, Adam (June 6, 2018). "Kanye West – ye | Music Review". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ Purdom, Clayton (June 1, 2018). "Ye won't change your mind on Kanye". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Power, Ed (June 1, 2018). "Kanye West: ye review: Big-hearted and introspective". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
- ^ Clark, Trent (June 4, 2018). "Kanye West 'ye' album review". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ Kot, Greg (June 1, 2018). "Kanye West goes inside on 'Ye,' maybe — or he might be trolling us all". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 2, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (June 4, 2018). "Kanye West's 'Ye' unintentionally illustrates the limits of alpha-male bravado". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Horton, Ross (June 2, 2018). "Kanye West – ye | Album Review". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Juon, Steve 'Flash' (October 9, 2018). "RapReviews.com Feature Of The Week - Kanye West - 'ye'". RapReviews. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "7 Best New Songs of the Week". Vulture. June 7, 2018. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ "Best Songs 2018: Here Are The Tracks That Stand Out". Junkee. July 4, 2018. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Baila, Morgan (June 21, 2018). "Best Summer Songs 2018 New Top Music Hits So Far". Refinery29. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ^ a b Bowler, Paul (November 28, 2019). "Best Kanye West Samples: 20 Tracks That Revolutionised Hip-Hop". uDiscoverMusic. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Top 50 Songs of 2018". Consequence. December 11, 2018. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- ^ a b Hanratty, Dave (December 27, 2018). "The 20 Best Songs of 2018". Joe. Archived from the original on December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
- ^ a b Stern, Marlow (December 27, 2018). "The 20 Best Songs of 2018: Ariana Grande's Breakup Anthem, Drake's Warning and More". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
- ^ "Best Songs of 2018: 100 Billboard Staff Picks". Billboard. December 11, 2018. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ Indiana, Jake (December 17, 2018). "The 50 Best Songs of 2018". Highsnobiety. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- ^ "NME's songs of the year 2018". NME. December 17, 2018. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- ^ "The 100 Best Songs Of 2018 (60-41)". NPR. December 5, 2018. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Home | Hottest 100 2018". Triple J. 27 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ "Pazz & Jop: The Top 50 Singles of 2018". The Village Voice. 6 February 2019. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- ^ Zellner, Xander; Trust, Gary (June 12, 2018). "Kanye West Debuts All 7 Songs From 'Ye' in Billboard Hot 100's Top 40". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ Rutherford, Kevin (June 13, 2018). "Kanye West Leads Streaming Songs Chart for First Time With 'All Mine'". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ Anderson, Trevor (June 14, 2018). "Kanye West Passes Aretha Franklin's Top 40 Total on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ "Top R&B Songs – June 16, 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ mportugal (June 21, 2018). "Kanye West's 'Ye' Album Sees A 65% Sales Drop In Its Second Week". 93.5 KDAY. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Post, Chantilly (June 19, 2018). "'Kids See Ghosts' Marks Kanye West's Double Debut On The Hot 100". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ a b "Hot R&B Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Kanye West – Ghost Town". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 11, 2018. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
- ^ Arthur, Andrew (June 8, 2018). "The Greatest Showman denies Kanye West number one album on his birthday". Independent.ie. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Kanye West – Ghost Town". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs – June 16, 2018". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #476". auspOp. June 9, 2018. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201823 into search. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 23/2018". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 2018-06-18. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
- ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography Kanye West". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
- ^ Nestor, Siim (June 11, 2018). "Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: kui kõrgelt lendab superstaar Uudo Sepp?". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Nestor, Siim (June 18, 2018). "Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: Uudo sepistas end numero uunoks*". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ a b "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Smith, Trevor (June 23, 2018). "Watch 070 Shake Perform Kanye West's 'Ghost Town' Live For The First Time". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Breihan, Tom (August 17, 2018). "Kanye West & Kid Cudi Perform 'Ghost Town' At Surprise Show". Stereogum. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Leight, Elias (August 17, 2018). "Kanye West, Kid Cudi Debut Live 'Ghost Town' at Surprise Show". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ a b Kaplan, Ilana (September 30, 2018). "Kanye West Delivers Unaired Pro-Trump Speech on 'SNL'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ a b DeVille, Chris (September 30, 2018). "Kanye's Pro-Trump 'SNL' Rant: Watch The Speech That Didn't Air". Stereogum. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ Daly, Rhian (September 28, 2018). "Kanye West booked for 'SNL' because Ariana Grande dropped out". NME. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
- ^ Saponara, Michael (November 12, 2018). "Kanye West & Kid Cudi's Kids See Ghosts Makes Live Debut at 2018 Camp Flog Gnaw". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- ^ Schatz, Lake (January 7, 2019). "Kanye West leads Sunday Service featuring gospel versions of his songs: Watch". Consequence. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ a b c Kreps, Daniel (January 19, 2019). "Watch Kanye West Debut New Song At Second Sunday Service". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ Munroe, Monique May (March 31, 2019). "Five things you need to know about Kanye West's Sunday Services". Dazed. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Kenneally, Cerys (March 25, 2019). "Police turned up to Kanye West's Sunday Service in LA after noise complaint". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Nyren, Erin (April 21, 2019). "Kanye West Surprises at Kid Cudi Coachella Weekend Two Set". Variety. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
- ^ Chapstick, Kelsey (December 31, 2019). "Avenged Sevenfold Pick Favorite Albums of 2018: Ghost, Kanye, Post Malone, More". Revolver. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ a b Yoo, Noah (June 21, 2018). "Watch Kid Cudi Walk in Virgil Abloh's First Louis Vuitton Show". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ "K.T.S.E. – Teyana Taylor". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Jungle. "Ghost Town (Radio 1 Session, 12 Sep 2018)". BBC Music. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Bristout, Ralph (June 1, 2018). "On 'Ghost Town,' Kanye West perfectly sets the stage for Kid Cudi collab album". Revolt TV. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ Kids See Ghosts (booklet). Kids See Ghosts. GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. 2018. B0028759-02.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (June 13, 2018). "We edited the two quite good Kanye West albums and made one really great Kanye album, 'Ye Sees Ghosts'". NME. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ Fu, Eddie (April 2, 2018). "Kanye West spotted with Rick Rubin at Calabasas office". Consequence. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Bromwich, Jonah Engel (February 23, 2020). "Kanye, Out West". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
- ^ "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Kanye West feat. PartyNextDoor – Ghost Town". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- 2018 songs
- Kanye West songs
- 070 Shake songs
- Song recordings produced by Benny Blanco
- Song recordings produced by Kanye West
- Song recordings produced by Mike Dean (record producer)
- Songs written by 070 Shake
- Songs written by Carole Bayer Sager
- Songs written by Cyhi the Prynce
- Songs written by Consequence (rapper)
- Songs written by Kanye West
- Songs written by Malik Yusef
- Songs written by Mike Dean (record producer)
- Songs written by Pardison Fontaine
- Songs written by PartyNextDoor
- Songs written by Noah Goldstein