Welcome to Heartbreak

Kanye West · 808s & Heartbreak [2008]

Verse 1



My friend showed me pictures of his kids,

And all I could show him were pictures of my cribs.

He said his daughter got a brand-new report card,

And all I got was a brand-new sportscar.



[Chorus]



And my head keeps spinning,

Can't stop having these visions,

I gotta keep winnin'.

2x



Verse 2



Dad cracked a joke, all the kids laughed,

But I couldn't hear him all the way in first-class.

Chased the good-life, my whole life long,

Look back on my life, and my life gone,

Where did I go wrong?



[Chorus]



And my head keeps spinning,

Can't stop having these visions,

I gotta keep winnin'.

2x



Bridge



I've seen it, I've seen it before.

I've seen it, I've seen it before.

I've seen it, I've seen it before.

I've seen it, I've seen it before.



Verse 3



My god sister's gettin' married by the lake,

But I couldn't figure out who I'd wanna take.

Bad enough that I showed up late,

I had to leave before they even cut the cake.

Welcome to heartbreak.



[Chorus]



And my head keeps spinning,

Can't stop having these visions,

I gotta keep winnin'.

2x

And I can- and I can't stop.

No, no, I can't stop.

No, no, no, no I can't stop.

No, no, no, no I can't stop.



I can't stop.

Can't stop.

Can't stop.



No, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no.



No, no, no, no.

I can't stop.



,spinning,

Can't stop having these visions,

I gotta keep winnin".

Welcome to Heartbreak

Released in 2008 on Kanye West's *808s & Heartbreak*, this track marked a radical departure from the hip-hop norm by embracing vocal vulnerability and R&B influences. Featuring a minimalist production style that highlighted emotional delivery, the song became a cornerstone of the album's exploration of heartbreak and digital isolation. Its innovative approach to vocal processing and melodic structure significantly influenced the sound of modern pop and hip-hop, setting a new standard for emotional expression in electronic music. The recording remains a defining moment in West's discography, bridging the gap between his earlier rap-focused work and the more experimental directions he would take in subsequent projects.