All Of The Lights

About this song

All of the Lights is the fourth single from Kanye West's fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. It features contributions from 14 other artists, including Drake, Alicia Keys and John Legend, who are credited as additional vocalists in the liner notes, while Rihanna is the sole featured artist on the single. Kanye said he worked on the song for over two years, bringing in many artists because he couldn't find the right one.

What it's about

The song deals with the pressures of living as a celebrity with personal problems in the public eye. It tells a literal story of troubles in a home, including domestic abuse, imprisonment and separation, and also works as a metaphor for Kanye's struggles with fame and his relationship to hip-hop.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 27 other songs, like “Movie by RNO (Group) (Ft. Kaleelnyc)”.
• Covered 5 times, including “All Of The Lights (The Set) by Julia Stone & Kwamé (Producer)”.
• Written by Kanye West, The-Dream, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Malik Yusef and Really Doe.
• Produced by Kanye West, Jeff Bhasker, MIKE DEAN, Ken Lewis and Rosie Danvers.
• Recorded at Avex Recording Studio and Electric Lady Studios.