See You in My Nightmares
Encyclopedia
"See You in My Nightmares" is a song from Kanye West
's fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak
. Produced by West and his former mentor No I.D.
, the song features a duet between West and rap artist Lil Wayne
. It was to be sent to mainstream radios on March 10, 2009, while to Rhythm/Crossover radio on February 28, 2009, but was canceled in favor of "Amazing
". Though not released as a single, "See You in My Nightmares" still managed to enter the top forty on charts in Canada
and the United States
.
", "See You in My Nightmares" charted without actually being released as a single following the release of 808s & Heartbreak. In the U.S., the song was certified as a "Hot Shot Debut", as it managed to debut at number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100
on the week of December 4. That same week, it also a "Hot Shot Debut" on the Pop 100
, peaking at number twenty-seven. The song was a "Hot Shot Debut" once more in Canada
, where it debuted at number twenty-two on the Canadian Hot 100
.
to direct a short film, We Were Once a Fairytale
for "See You in My Nightmares." According to Jonze's producing partner, Vincent Landay
, the project was done mostly for fun and is "not necessarily a video for 'See You in My Nightmares', but the song is featured in it." Set to run between ten to fifteen minutes, the short film was shot near the end of January within two days in Los Angeles
and has received editing over the course of several weekends. Its plot is based on an idea developed by Jonze, who then reached out to Kanye under the belief that he'd be perfect for it. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 24, 2009, was intended for public release through iTunes on September 8, 2009, but didn't premiere online until October 18, 2009 through Kanye West's blog. On October 18th, “We Were Once a Fairytale” was leaked to the Internet and posted on Mr. West’s official Web site, kanyeuniversecity.com. Mr. Jonze said the film was accidentally leaked from the postproduction studio of a friend, and that Mr. West did not realize that it was not meant to be circulated yet. “I think he was like: ‘Oh, it’s out. I’ll link to it,’ ” Mr. Jonze said. On October 19th the video was removed from the blog site, with only a message left from West saying "SORRY I HAD TO TAKE IT DOWN : (". The video, however, can still be found on various video sharing websites and is now available through iTunes.
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak
808s & Heartbreak
808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released November 24, 2008 on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States. Recording sessions for the album took place at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California and Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii during...
. Produced by West and his former mentor No I.D.
No I.D.
No I.D., officially known as Immenslope and also known as Ernest Wilson , is a hip hop and R&B record producer, also the vice-president of Def Jam Recordings, best known for his early work with Chicago rapper Common and is known as "The Godfather of Chicago hip hop".. The nickname No I.D...
, the song features a duet between West and rap artist Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. It was to be sent to mainstream radios on March 10, 2009, while to Rhythm/Crossover radio on February 28, 2009, but was canceled in favor of "Amazing
Amazing (Kanye West song)
"Amazing" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released as the third single for his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak. Co-produced with Jeff Bhasker, the song features hip hop artist Young Jeezy and contains additional vocals provided by Mr Hudson and Tony Williams...
". Though not released as a single, "See You in My Nightmares" still managed to enter the top forty on charts in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Chart performance
Along with "AmazingAmazing (Kanye West song)
"Amazing" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released as the third single for his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak. Co-produced with Jeff Bhasker, the song features hip hop artist Young Jeezy and contains additional vocals provided by Mr Hudson and Tony Williams...
", "See You in My Nightmares" charted without actually being released as a single following the release of 808s & Heartbreak. In the U.S., the song was certified as a "Hot Shot Debut", as it managed to debut at number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
on the week of December 4. That same week, it also a "Hot Shot Debut" on the Pop 100
Pop 100
The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009...
, peaking at number twenty-seven. The song was a "Hot Shot Debut" once more in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where it debuted at number twenty-two on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
.
We Were Once a Fairytale
West has collaborated with Spike JonzeSpike Jonze
Spike Jonze is an American director, producer and actor, whose work includes music videos, commercials, film and television...
to direct a short film, We Were Once a Fairytale
We Were Once A Fairytale
We Were Once a Fairytale is a 2009 short film directed by Spike Jonze. It stars hip hop musician Kanye West. This is the second collaboration between Jonze and West, since they co-directed the music video for West's single "Flashing Lights" in 2008....
for "See You in My Nightmares." According to Jonze's producing partner, Vincent Landay
Vincent Landay
Vincent Landay is an American film producer. He mostly works with Spike Jonze on his music videos and feature films. He has worked with Jonze since 1993...
, the project was done mostly for fun and is "not necessarily a video for 'See You in My Nightmares', but the song is featured in it." Set to run between ten to fifteen minutes, the short film was shot near the end of January within two days in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and has received editing over the course of several weekends. Its plot is based on an idea developed by Jonze, who then reached out to Kanye under the belief that he'd be perfect for it. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 24, 2009, was intended for public release through iTunes on September 8, 2009, but didn't premiere online until October 18, 2009 through Kanye West's blog. On October 18th, “We Were Once a Fairytale” was leaked to the Internet and posted on Mr. West’s official Web site, kanyeuniversecity.com. Mr. Jonze said the film was accidentally leaked from the postproduction studio of a friend, and that Mr. West did not realize that it was not meant to be circulated yet. “I think he was like: ‘Oh, it’s out. I’ll link to it,’ ” Mr. Jonze said. On October 19th the video was removed from the blog site, with only a message left from West saying "SORRY I HAD TO TAKE IT DOWN : (". The video, however, can still be found on various video sharing websites and is now available through iTunes.
Chart positions
| Chart (2008) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
21 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop 100 Pop 100 The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009... |
27 |
| Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
22 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
111 |
Personnel
Information taken from 808s & Heartbreak liner notes.- Songwriters: Kanye West, Ernest Wilson, Jeff Bhasker, Dwayne Carter
- Producers: Kanye West, No I.D.
- Recorders: Andrew Dawson, Anthony Kilhoffer
- Keyboards: Jeff Bhasker
- Strings arrangements: Larry Gold.
- Violins: Emma Kummrow, Igor Szwec, Luigi Mazzochi, Gregory Teperman, Olga Konopelsky, Charles Parker
- Viola: Davis Barnett, Alexandra Leem.
- Cello: James J. Cooper, III, Jennie Lorenzo.
- Bass: Miles Davis
- Mixer: Manny Marroquin
- Engineer: Jeff Chestek
- Assistant engineers: Montez Roberts, Rick Friedrich, John Stahl