The Meaning Behind The Song: Cold by Kanye West
The song “Cold” by Kanye West, also known as “Theraflu” or “Way Too Cold,” was released in 2012 as a single. At the time, it caused quite a stir in the media and among fans, primarily due to the rapper’s controversial lyrics. However, the song also tells a story, and its meaning goes far beyond the surface level. In this article, we will explore the deeper meaning behind “Cold” by Kanye West.
Table of Contents
The Lyrics
Before we dive into the meaning behind the song, let’s take a closer look at the lyrics of “Cold.”
The first verse starts with an introspective reflection of the rapper himself, where Kanye West seems quite self-aware about his journey in the music industry. Then, he moves on to discuss his controversial relationship with Kim Kardashian, and how they fell in love while she was still married to Kris Humphries. The chorus talks about his success, fame, and the questionable motives of those surrounding him, while the second verse focuses on more personal themes such as family, loyalty, and trust.
The Deeper Meaning
On the surface, “Cold” might come across as a braggadocious rap song, but if you take a closer look at the lyrics, you’ll see that it’s much more layered than that. At its core, “Cold” is a song about the pursuit of success, fame, and love, and the various challenges that come with it.
In the first verse, Kanye West makes references to his past struggles with rejection and how he persisted despite the odds against him. This part of the song is an ode to his journey in the music industry, but it also speaks to the broader human experience of facing obstacles and overcoming them.
Moving on to the second verse, “Cold” takes on a more introspective tone. Kanye reflects on his relationship with his family, especially his cousin. He speaks about the importance of loyalty and trust, which could be interpreted as referencing his public persona, which is often scrutinized by the media.
In the chorus, Kanye West discusses his fame and success, how he’s made it to the top, and the various people who’ve tried to pull him down along the way. This section of the song speaks to the toll that fame and success can take on a person, including the paranoia, suspicion, and mistrust that can arise among colleagues, family, and friends.
The Controversy
While the lyrics of “Cold” by Kanye West are thought-provoking, they were not without controversy when the song first dropped. Firstly, the lyrics regarding Kim Kardashian, with whom Kanye has now been married for several years, were considered crude and disrespectful towards her then-husband Kris Humphries. Kris himself tweeted his disgust at being referenced in the song without his knowledge or consent.
Furthermore, the song’s original title and reference to Theraflu prompted a negative response from the cold medicine brand, who issued a statement asking Kanye to refer to the medicine by its proper name and not use their trademark without permission.
FAQs
1. Are the lyrics of “Cold” autobiographical?
Yes, the lyrics of “Cold” by Kanye West are autobiographical. They reflect aspects of his personal life and experiences.
2. What was the reaction of people to the song when it first came out?
The song received a mixed response from critics and fans alike. Some appreciated Kanye’s introspection and lyricism, while others thought the lyrics were crass and insensitive.
3. Who is the song dedicated to?
The song doesn’t seem to be dedicated to anyone in particular, but it does make references to various people in Kanye West’s life, including his family and Kim Kardashian.
4. What inspired Kanye West to write “Cold”?
It’s unclear what specifically inspired Kanye to write “Cold,” but it seems to be an introspective reflection on his journey in the music industry, as well as his personal relationships.
5. What is the song’s message?
The main message of “Cold” by Kanye West is the pursuit of success, fame, and love and the various challenges that come with them. It’s also about the toll that those things can take on a person.
6. Why did Kanye change the title of the song from “Theraflu” to “Cold”?
Kanye West changed the title of the song from “Theraflu” to “Cold” after the cold medicine brand asked him to cease using their trademark.
7. Are there any notable collaborations on this song?
“Cold” by Kanye West doesn’t feature any other artists, although it does sample the song “Super Cold” by Young Chop.
8. What genre is the song in?
The song “Cold” by Kanye West falls under the hip-hop/rap genre.
9. Did “Cold” receive any awards or nominations?
The song didn’t receive any nominations or awards, although it did chart on Billboard’s Hot 100 and received critical acclaim from some outlets.
10. Was “Cold” part of an album?
The song “Cold” by Kanye West wasn’t part of an album, but it was released as a single in 2012.
11. Was the song successful?
While it didn’t receive any major awards or nominations, the song did chart on Billboard’s Hot 100 and was received positively by some fans and critics.
12. Did Kanye ever address the controversy around the song’s lyrics?
Kanye didn’t address the Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries controversy directly, but he did speak about his relationship with Kim in other interviews and in his subsequent music. He also didn’t address the Theraflu controversy directly, but he did change the song’s title in response to the brand’s statement.
