808s & Heartbreak was a huge departure for Kanye West. The album found him experimenting with auto-tune, singing for nearly the entirety of the project. It also found him at his most vulnerable, coming after the unexpected death of his mother, Donda West, and his break-up with fiancee Alexis Phifer. 808s turns 8 today, and its influence is as clear as ever. From Drake to Travis Scott, the project has directly inspired many artists who broke out in the years following its release.
"Paranoid" is actually one of the most joyful-sounding songs on the album. The synth-pop feel of the track nods towards influences like Phil Collins and Tears For Fears. Released as the fourth single from the album, the video is directed by Nabil and features Rihanna in the lead role. Kid Cudi and Consequence contributed to the songwriting process, as did Jeff Bhasker and Plain Pat.
Quotable Lyrics:
Tell me right now
You really wanna spend your whole life alone?
A little time out might do you good, might do us good
Before we be done for good
Cause I could make it good I could make it hood
I can make you come I can make you go
I can make you high I can make you fly
Make you touch the sky hey maybe so
