Released: 2024 • Features: Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign
At its core, “TALKING” by ¥$, Ye, Kanye West featuring Ty Dolla $ign is a deeply introspective ballad that reflects on the pressures and fears of parenthood, particularly through the lens of a father concerned about the influence he has on his teenage or young adult daughter.
The song underscores the paradox of wanting to protect one’s offspring from the world, while also acknowledging the inevitable course of growing up which involves making one’s own decisions and mistakes.
From the outset, the refrain “You don’t want no problems, you’re just- (talkin’)” sets a defiant tone, serving as a direct rebuke to critics who are perceived as being all talk and no action.
The repeated lines “It’s your bestie (talkin’), Miss, Miss Westie / Just tryna bless me (talkin’) / Just bless me” show a strong confidence and assertiveness, pitting the artists and their supporters against all naysayers.
The lyric “Once again, the clouds are gathering / To release what they held in” suggests a literal and metaphorical impending storm, an inevitable reckoning. It hints at the recurring trials and tribulations faced in life, and the need to constantly confront and navigate these challenges.
With the lines “How much to stop the clock from speedin’? / They might try to slow down / How much to stop my daughter from growin’? / I just can’t take it now” it signals a deep inner conflict.
There’s a clear struggle with his daughter’s growing independence and the fear of the potential problems she may face, the same problems he faced in his youth. Kanye accepts this fear as a part of parenthood and admits that he hopes he hasn’t been a negative influence on her.
The song’s conclusion, “That’s why I gotta break the curses that were sent for me / This is hard work workin’, this ain’t destiny / My motivation is just lookin’ at my family tree / I’m tryna make sure I contribute for the legacy,” reflects Kanye’s aspirations. He wants to disrupt generational curses and create a legacy for his family that is rooted in hard work and resilience, not destiny or circumstance.
He acknowledges that the journey will be difficult but conveys a deep determination to succeed for the sake of his family and their lasting legacy. This song, therefore, is as much a personal manifesto as it is a contemplative piece on the intricacies of parenthood and legacy.
