Street Lights

"Street Lights" (also stylized as "Streetlights") is a song by American record producer and vocalist Kanye West from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song features background vocals from Esthero and Tony Williams. It was produced by West and co-produced by Mr Hudson. The producers co-wrote the song with Esthero and Williams. For the song, West was inspired by driving past street lights. A pop piano ballad with indie pop elements, it features shoegaze synths. Lyrically, West references street lights passing by like memories and time. "Street Lights" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who often praised the composition. Some were complimentary towards West's vocals, while other critics noted the song's emotional appeal. An accompanying music video premiered on June 29, 2009. In the video, West drives around on the search for a destination that he fails to reach. West performed the song live during The Yeezus Tour in 2013. He and the Sunday Service Choir perform an acoustic rendition of it in his film Jesus Is King (2019). The song has been subject to cover versions by Ruby Amanfu, Daniel Caesar, and Stars. Background The song was produced by West, with co-production from English musician Mr Hudson; the two wrote it alongside backing vocalists Esthero and Tony Williams. The musician was involved with other 808s & Heartbreak tracks, contributing a feature to "Paranoid" and co-writing "Say You Will". Mr Hudson was on vacation in Paris when he received a phone call from West, who was drawn in by his charm. After the musician's work on the album, West signed him to his record label GOOD Music. Mr Hudson released his debut studio album Straight No Chaser under the label in October 2009, with West contributing vocals on the single "Supernova". Speaking with Slate in 2013, West explained that he took inspiration for "Street Lights" from "driving around watching these street light's passing". Continuing, West recalled having the realization that "each one was transitory" and "that's what life was". He clarified that he did not mean any sort of disrespect towards the Buddha, but humbly believed "right there I figured it out".