Say You Will

"Say You Will" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the opening track on his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song contains vocals from the Kadockadee Kwire featuring Glenn Jordan, Phillip Ingram, Jim Gilstrap, Romeo Johnson, Kevin Dorsey, and Will Wheaton. It also includes background vocals from Mr Hudson and Tony Williams. The song was produced by West, who co-wrote it with Jeff Bhasker, Young Jeezy, Malik Yusef, Mr Hudson, and Consequence. In 2008, the song was recorded over a time period of 15 minutes. It is a melancholy hip hop and R&B ballad, which features synth-pop production. Lyrically, the song sees West discuss struggling to detach himself from Alexis Phifer. "Say You Will" received generally positive reviews from music critics, a number of whom named it as one of the album's highlights. Some praised the composition, while several reviewers highlighted the vocals on the song. West performed the song at the 2011 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and he later narrated a team of singers through a performance of it at Nebuchadnezzar in 2019. The song was used in a trailer for West's film Jesus Is King (2019), before subsequently being featured in the film. Mobius Band shared a cover version of it in February 2009, which samples children's voices. A remix of the song was released in October 2015 that features Caroline Shaw. On the electro–orchestral remix, the strength of the vocals is increased and violins from Shaw are added. Background and recording Outside of "Say You Will", English musician Mr Hudson co-wrote fellow 808s & Heartbreak track "Street Lights" and contributed a feature to "Paranoid". The musician was on vacation in Paris when he received a phone call from West, who was drawn in by his charm. After Mr Hudson's contributions to the album, West went on to sign him to his record label GOOD Music. The musician subsequently released his debut studio album Straight No Chaser under the label in October 2009, with West contributing vocals on the single "Supernova". "Say You Will" was solely produced by West, who served as a songwriter alongside Jeff Bhasker, Young Jeezy, Malik Yusef, Mr Hudson, and Consequence. An 11-piece orchestra contributed to the song, which was conducted by Larry Gold.