Coldest Winter (song)
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Short description|2008 song by Kanye West}}
{{Infobox song|
| name = Coldest Winter
| cover =
| alt =
| type =
| artist = Kanye West
| album = 808s & Heartbreak
| released = {{start date|2008|11|24}}
| format =
| recorded = 2008
| studio =
- Glenwood (Burbank, California)
- Avex Recording (Honolulu, Hawaii)
| genre = Electropop
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=44}}
| label =
| writer =
- Kanye West
- Ernest Wilson
- Roland Orzabal
| producer =
- Kanye West
| misc =
{{External music video|type=song|{{YouTube|n6rjQ9VVLDI|"Coldest Winter"}}
}}
}}
"Coldest Winter" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song was produced by West, with co-production from No I.D. and Jeff Bhasker. The producers served as songwriters alongside Roland Orzabal, who received a writing credit as a result of music that he wrote being interpolated. In October 2008, the song was previewed via Power 106. An electropop number, it interpolates Tears for Fears' "Memories Fade". In the lyrics, Kanye mourns the death of his mother, Donda West.
"Coldest Winter" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who often commended its composition. Some focused their praise on West's performance, while numerous critics selected the song as an album highlight. It has been ranked among winter-related best songs lists by multiple publications, including NME and The Arizona Republic. Kanye West performed the song live in 2013 during The Yeezus Tour, frequently accompanying his performances by speaking about Donda's death. An accompanying music video premiered on February 22, 2010, which is soundtracked by a revamped version. Throughout the video, a bride is chased by Grim Reaper-style characters in a forest. Critics mostly gave the visual positive reviews, some of whom appreciated its dark style. Pentatonix covered the song in October 2016, before releasing a music video for the cover two months later.
Background and recording
File:Curt Smith 08 2.jpg member Curt Smith expressed a fondness for West's usage of the band's "Memories Fade" on the song.]]
Following the death of Kanye's mother Donda West, his mentor No I.D. was contacted by American rapper Malik Yusef, who told him to spend time with the artist.{{cite magazine | last=Hyman | first=Dan | title=No I.D. Q&A: Talks Almost Giving Up on Hip-Hop, Working With Kanye & More at Red Bull Music Festival | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8486238/no-id-red-bull-music-festival-interview-kanye-west-jay-z | magazine=Billboard | date=November 21, 2018 | access-date=April 7, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108203452/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8486238/no-id-red-bull-music-festival-interview-kanye-west-jay-z | archive-date=November 8, 2020 | url-status=live }} No I.D. initially rejected the decision due to their differing personalities, though later engaged in communication with Kanye West more after persuasion from Malik Yusef. West and No I.D. then travelled to Hawaii to work with rapper Jay-Z on his eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3 (2009), before the first of the three decided on transferring to working on 808s & Heartbreak in the state. The recording took place at Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii, and at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California. West produced "Coldest Winter", while No I.D. and frequent West collaborator Jeff Bhasker served as co-producers. The producers were credited for writing the song, alongside Roland Orzabal of English pop rock band Tears for Fears, who received credit due to the interpolation of "Memories Fade".
On October 16, 2008, West premiered an excerpt of "Coldest Winter" on Power 106 in Los Angeles.{{cite magazine |last1=Lakin |first=Max |last2=Sorrenti |first2=Mario |date=June 1, 2018 |title=Kanye West's Messy Album Releases: A Brief History From College Dropout to Ye |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/kanye-west-ye-album-release-history |magazine=W |location=New York City |access-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002141913/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/kanye-west-ye-album-release-history |url-status=live }} No I.D. recalled to Complex in December 2011 that he sat at home in Atlanta and changed his lifestyle to what he described as "Cocaine 80s"; this is where he derived the group of the same name from. He remembered sitting around and listening to 1980s music, discovering "Memories Fade" from Tears for Fears' 1983 debut album The Hurting and instantly thinking: "That's it. Right here."{{cite web |last1=Barber |first1=Andrew |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2011/12/no-id-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records/ |title=No I.D. Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records |website=Complex |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=December 23, 2011 |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810142849/https://www.complex.com/music/2011/12/no-id-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records/ |url-status=live }} No I.D. also said that he played "the whole section" to West, who proposed to change one word. However, No I.D. admitted to having "had no idea [West would] keep it as is", even though he realized the track was something special upon first listen. According to record producer 40, Canadian musician Drake "became crazily obsessed" with the melody on "Coldest Winter", which encouraged him to pay attention to the band. This ultimately led to Drake sampling fellow The Hurting track "Ideas as Opiates" on his third mixtape So Far Gone, released in 2009. Speaking to the Herald Sun in December 2017, Curt Smith of Tears for Fears saw it as "incredibly cool" and "very interesting" that West utilized work from the album despite him being of a "completely different genre" to the band.{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Cameron |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/tears-for-fears-on-famous-fans-lorde-kanye-west-don-henley-the-weeknd-and-subo/news-story/7add85c60b5a0425a1fcecc43b4f011b |title=Feuding 80s duo reunite |website=Herald Sun |access-date=June 19, 2021 |date=December 5, 2017 |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523174123/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/tears-for-fears-on-famous-fans-lorde-kanye-west-don-henley-the-weeknd-and-subo/news-story/7add85c60b5a0425a1fcecc43b4f011b |url-status=live }} Kanye West's interest in music had been encouraged by Donda since he was young; the artist said she "always kept me around music" and "was also my first manager".{{cite news |last1=Andrews |first1=Travis M. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/04/29/kanye-wests-mom-died-in-2007-judging-by-his-tweets-it-seems-to-still-haunt-him/?noredirect=on |title=Kanye West's mom died in 2007. Judging by his tweets, it seems to still haunt him. |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=April 28, 2018 |archive-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109011833/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/04/29/kanye-wests-mom-died-in-2007-judging-by-his-tweets-it-seems-to-still-haunt-him/?noredirect=on |url-status=live }} West had often paid tribute to her in his tracks prior to "Coldest Winter", especially on "Hey Mama" (2005). The song was recorded during the three week period that West worked on the entirety of the album in 2008.{{cite web|last=Macia |first=Peter |title=Fader 58: Kanye West Cover Story and Interview |website=The Fader |url=http://www.thefader.com/features/2008/11/25/fader-58-kanye-west-cover-story-and-interview |date=November 25, 2008 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202233800/http://www.thefader.com/features/2008/11/25/fader-58-kanye-west-cover-story-and-interview |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=dead }}
Composition and lyrics
Musically, "Coldest Winter" is a minimalist electropop number.{{cite web| title=808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West (Notes)| url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/808s-heartbreak/1441410287| publisher=Apple Music (US)| access-date=June 19, 2021| archive-date=September 11, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911170218/https://music.apple.com/us/album/808s-heartbreak/1441410287| url-status=live}} The production of the song is constructed around "Memories Fade" by Tears for Fears, written by Orzabal, while West delivers an interpolation of its vocal hook on the chorus.{{cite news |last1=Fu |first1=Eddie |url=https://genius.com/a/drake-s-love-for-kanye-west-s-coldest-winter-led-to-the-tears-for-fears-sample-on-lust-for-life |title=Drake's Love For Kanye West's 'Coldest Winter' Led To The Tears For Fears Sample On 'Lust For Life' |publisher=Genius |access-date=June 26, 2021 |date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035145/https://genius.com/a/drake-s-love-for-kanye-west-s-coldest-winter-led-to-the-tears-for-fears-sample-on-lust-for-life |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Unterberger |first1=Andrew |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7597342/tears-for-fears-samples-the-weeknd-starboy-secrets |title=Tears for Fears: 10 Best Samples |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=December 4, 2016 |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002143108/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7597342/tears-for-fears-samples-the-weeknd-starboy-secrets |url-status=live }} The song features tribal drums, which were created using the Roland TR-909 drum machine and appear on the chorus.{{cite web| author= McGuire, Colin| title= Hip-Hop's Heartbreak: Kanye West – 'Coldest Winter' and 'Pinocchio Story'| url= https://www.popmatters.com/145876-kanye-west-2495973869.html| work= PopMatters| date= August 8, 2011| access-date= June 26, 2021| archive-date= June 26, 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210626085149/https://www.popmatters.com/145876-kanye-west-2495973869.html| url-status= live}} It contains descending synths, mostly accompanying the verses. Keyboards are also included, contributed by Bhasker, while West utilizes Auto-Tune to sing throughout.
Lyrically, "Coldest Winter" serves as Kanye West's tribute to Donda after he became depressed following her death. A call and response is featured when West sings certain lines, such as "On lonely nights, I start to fade / Her love's a thousand miles away". West also reminisces on memories that he made in "the coldest winter". On the chorus, he repeats the couplet "Goodbye my friend / Will I ever love again?" thrice. To close out the song, West sings the couplet with the alteration of the last line to "I won't ever love again".
Release and reception
On November 24, 2008, "Coldest Winter" was released as the eleventh track on West's fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak.{{cite web |last1=Kellman |first1=Andy |title=808s & Heartbreak – Kanye West |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/808s-heartbreak-mw0000802924 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=June 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326172545/https://www.allmusic.com/album/808s-heartbreak-mw0000802924 |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |url-status=live }} The song was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, mostly being praised for its composition. The staff of The Observer pointed to the song as one of the album's tracks to download, alongside comparing its "frosty synths" to raw Detroit techno.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/09/kanye-west-hip-hop-808s-heartbreak |title=CD: Urban review: Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreak |work=The Observer |access-date=June 25, 2021 |date=November 9, 2008 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201103614/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/09/kanye-west-hip-hop-808s-heartbreak |url-status=live }} Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork chose the song as one of the album's highlights, focusing particularly on the "909 and descending synth".{{cite web |last1=Plagenhoef |first1=Scott |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12498-808s-and-heartbreak/ |title=Kanye West: 808s and Heartbreak Album Review |website=Pitchfork |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=December 2, 2004 |archive-date=February 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212004509/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12498-808s-and-heartbreak/ |url-status=live }} Greg Kot from the Chicago Tribune detailed that on 808s & Heartbreak, West discovers "a hole in his life that keeps getting larger" until he reaches "Coldest Winter", which he dubbed as "a eulogy for his mother".{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|date=November 21, 2008|author-link=Greg Kot|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2008/11/kanye-west-turn.html|title=Kanye West turns '808s and Heartbreak' into his most personal album|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=June 25, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429052901/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2008/11/kanye-west-turn.html|archive-date=April 29, 2009}} Kot further remarked that West's voice "floats over tribal drums", describing the instrument as channeling "passion into a song that sounds like it's slowly bleeding to death". At The New York Times, Jon Caramanica offered that the "thunderous drums cut[ting] through an electro haze" on the song are suggestive of West's "old, oversize sound".{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/arts/music/25kany.html | access-date=June 25, 2021 | work=The New York Times | url-access=limited | first=Jon | last=Caramanica | author-link=Jon Caramanica | title=Kanye West, Flaunting Pain Instead of Flash | date=November 25, 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617215225/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/arts/music/25kany.html | archive-date=June 17, 2011 }} Andy Kellman from AllMusic noticed West "longs for his departed mother" on the song, while praising its usage of "the most desolate song" from Hurting.
Writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, Jim DeRogatis favored West's level of eloquentness on the song to that of fellow album track "Pinocchio Story", specifically acclaiming his lyrical content, as well as noting it as an instance of where West's Auto-Tune usage is "touching and very effective" on the album.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/music/2008/11/kanye_west_808s_heartbreak_roc.html |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |title=Kanye West, '808s & Heartbreak' (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam)
=Accolades=
"Coldest Winter" was listed by NME as the seventh greatest song about snow in 2018, with Jordan Bassett commenting that West's question of "Will I ever love again?" ends up having "a happy ending" due to him bonding with his then-wife Kim Kardashian's family.{{cite web |last1=Bassett |first1=Jordan |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/11-greatest-songs-snow-2250282 |title=11 of the greatest songs about snow |website=NME |access-date=June 26, 2021 |date=February 18, 2018 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426000117/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/11-greatest-songs-snow-2250282 |url-status=live }} The track was placed at the same position by the East Bay Times on their 2019 list of the top 25 songs for the winter season; Jim Harrington of the newspaper saw it as demonstrating West "at his heartbreaking best".{{cite web |last1=Harrington |first1=Jim |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/11/17/ultimate-california-winter-road-trip-top-25-songs-for-the-season/ |title=Ultimate California Winter play list: Top 25 songs for the season |website=East Bay Times |access-date=June 26, 2021 |date=November 17, 2019 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428012744/https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/11/17/ultimate-california-winter-road-trip-top-25-songs-for-the-season/ |url-status=live }} On a 2021 list of the best snow songs during the winter weather, Time Out ranked the song at number nine, and the magazine's Andrew Frisicano asserted that it "is a tragic, haunting thumper".{{cite web |last1=Frisicano |first1=Andrew |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/the-10-best-snow-songs |title=11 Best Snow Songs for Weathering Any Winter Storm |website=Time Out |access-date=June 26, 2021 |date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425003350/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/the-10-best-snow-songs |url-status=live }} Glamour writer Anna Moeslein selected the track as one of her favorite songs about winter in 2014, while Ed Masley from The Arizona Republic named it as among the classic songs about the season the following year.{{cite web |last1=Moeslein |first1=Anna |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/songs-about-winter |title=Songs About Winter: Music From Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Fleet Foxes, and More |website=Glamour |access-date=June 26, 2021 |date=November 25, 2014 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428014613/https://www.glamour.com/story/songs-about-winter |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Masley |first1=Ed |url=https://eu.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/12/16/winter-playlist-classic-songs-essential/77319872/ |title=Winter playlist: Classic songs about winter |website=The Arizona Republic |access-date=June 26, 2021 |date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711085025/https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/12/16/winter-playlist-classic-songs-essential/77319872/ |url-status=live }} In April 2020, GQ editor-in-chief Will Welch picked the song as one of the 50 greatest hits to listen to in self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Welch |first1=Will |url=https://www.gq.com/story/50-hits-of-the-self-isolation-era-playlist |title=The 50 Greatest Hits of the Self-Isolation Era |website=GQ |access-date=June 26, 2021 |date=April 22, 2020 |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425003350/https://www.gq.com/story/50-hits-of-the-self-isolation-era-playlist |url-status=live }}
Music video
=Background=
A music video for "Coldest Winter" was debuted via iTunes on February 22, 2010, and shared by American director Nabil Elderkin to his Vimeo page the next day.{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-wests-video-for-808s-track-coldest-winter-debuts-68379/ |title=Kanye West's Video for '808s' Track 'Coldest Winter' Debuts |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-access=limited |access-date=July 8, 2021 |date=February 23, 2010 |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711075940/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-wests-video-for-808s-track-coldest-winter-debuts-68379/ |url-status=live }} This release marked West's return to the public eye after his outburst at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, which came 15 months after 808s & Heartbreak had been released.{{cite magazine |last1=Nabavian |first1=Evan |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/959272/kanye-west-returns-with-coldest-winter-video |title=Kanye West Returns With 'Coldest Winter' Video |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=February 24, 2010 |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623111928/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/959272/kanye-west-returns-with-coldest-winter-video |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2010/02/wake-n-watch-kanye-west-coldest-winter-music-video |title=Wake N' Watch: Kanye West 'Coldest Winter' Music Video |website=Complex |access-date=July 8, 2021 |date=June 23, 2010 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184957/https://www.complex.com/music/2010/02/wake-n-watch-kanye-west-coldest-winter-music-video |url-status=live }} The visual was directed by Elderkin, who had previously worked with West on multiple occasions, including directing the videos for fellow album tracks "Welcome to Heartbreak" and "Paranoid". On the day of the former's release, Elderkin informed MTV that the video differed from any previous collaborations, confirming it is "pretty minimalistic", and "slow and very visual".{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Jayson |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1632384/kanye-wests-new-coldest-winter-video-is-haunting-director-says/ |title=Kanye West's New 'Coldest Winter' Video Is 'Haunting,' Director Says |publisher=MTV |access-date=October 29, 2018 |date=February 22, 2010 |archive-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035356/http://www.mtv.com/news/1632384/kanye-wests-new-coldest-winter-video-is-haunting-director-says/ |url-status=dead }} He opened up about "want[ing] to catch the vibe of the song" without being too literal, deciding on this due to the lyrics' heavy closeness to West and how they "go much deeper than the video" through their emotion. The video treatment was written by Elderkin, who called it "a boundary-pushing effort" compared to his past work with West. He further affirmed the two tried a new style for the visual medium that challenged him more especially, as West missed the editing process and only saw the final version. Elderkin also admitted in another MTV interview that West not appearing in the video was funnily his own decision, nor did he want to put him in. The director confirmed West lacked interest in being in the visual for "Paranoid" too and had more appearances until parts were removed, further saying West was fine at the time "with putting out visuals that fit the song" no matter if he is present. Concluding, Elderkin stated that "he's in that place in his life where right now he just wants to make art", and insisted the music video is intentionally open for interpretation.{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Jayson |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1632584/kanye-west-didnt-want-to-be-in-coldest-winter-video/ |title=Kanye West Didn't Want To Be In 'Coldest Winter' Video |publisher=MTV |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=February 24, 2010 |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002180519/http://www.mtv.com/news/1632584/kanye-west-didnt-want-to-be-in-coldest-winter-video/ |url-status=dead }}
The visual features a slightly revamped version of "Coldest Winter", similarly to how a new mix of "Paranoid" was used for its music video.{{cite news |last1=Dombal |first1=Ryan |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/37989-video-kanye-west-coldest-winter/ |title=Video: Kanye West: "Coldest Winter" |website=Pitchfork |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=February 23, 2010 |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002180550/https://pitchfork.com/news/37989-video-kanye-west-coldest-winter/ |url-status=live }} Elderkin defined the version as "more of a haunting one" due to being a remix of sorts, assuming that nobody has heard it before. The director recalled how West "did some really amazing sound work" to the version, revealing he was more involved in its production than that of the original. Rolling Stone{{'}}s Daniel Kreps said the mix is "gloomier and more foreboding" than the original, while Stereogum writer Gabe Delahaye asserted that it shows "[t]otal beat wraith" from West, who adopts an attitude of "one beat to rule them all!"{{cite web |last1=Delahaye |first1=Gabe |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1771309/kanye-wests-coldest-winter-is-maybe-even-too-cold/vg-loc/videogum/ |title=Kanye West's 'Coldest Winter' Is Maybe Even Too Cold! |website=Stereogum |access-date=October 29, 2018 |date=February 23, 2010 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029112402/https://www.stereogum.com/1771309/kanye-wests-coldest-winter-is-maybe-even-too-cold/vg-loc/videogum/ |url-status=live }}
=Synopsis=
A purple color palette is used for the music video, which begins with shots of a bride dressed in white and Grim Reaper-style characters interspersed by ones of a dark, winter forest.{{cite web |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2010/02/22/video-kanye-west-coldest-winter/ |title=Video: Kanye West – 'Coldest Winter' |work=Rap-Up |access-date=July 11, 2021 |date=February 22, 2010 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918132329/https://www.rap-up.com/2010/02/22/video-kanye-west-coldest-winter/ |url-status=live }} Various shots in the video depict her running through the forest, being pursued by the characters.{{cite magazine |last1=Vozick-Levinson |first1=Simon |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/02/23/kanye-west-coldest-winter/ |title=Kanye West weathers the 'Coldest Winter': Watch his chilly new video here |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 11, 2021 |date=February 23, 2010 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125174451/http://www.ew.com/article/2010/02/23/kanye-west-coldest-winter |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/06/ranking-all-42-of-kanye-wests-music-videos/ |title=Ranking All 43 of Kanye West's Music Videos |website=Complex |access-date=July 11, 2021 |date=June 8, 2018 |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419080823/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/06/ranking-all-42-of-kanye-wests-music-videos/ |url-status=live }} The same actions are shown in slow motion as the video progresses, with the woman also looking in varying directions at points. She later falls over but quickly stands back up and looks around herself, before running from the Grim Reapers again. The bride continues to run away until she leaps off a cliff, being absorbed by dark forces.
=Reception=
The music video was met with mostly positive reception from critics. The staff of Rap-Up branded West's absence as "haunting", elaborating that the video is "equally chilling" to the gloomy song. Ryan Dombal from Pitchfork called the visual "equally bleak" to "Coldest Winter", which he saw as the "starkest track" from 808s & Heartbreak. Furthermore, he compared certain visual features to TV series Baywatch and Tim Burton's film Sleepy Hollow (1999). Reviewing for Idolator, Becky Bain branded the video "awesomely cool". She felt the depiction of West's "own mug" being replaced with "a cleavage-baring, Leona Lewis look-a-like in the spooky, surreal vid" was a smart strategy from him.{{cite web |last1=Bain |first1=Becky |url=https://www.idolator.com/5419122/kanye-wests-coldest-winter-video-is-awesomely-cool |title=Kanye West's 'Coldest Winter' Video Is Awesomely Cool |website=Idolator |access-date=July 11, 2021 |date=February 23, 2010 |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711085106/https://www.idolator.com/5419122/kanye-wests-coldest-winter-video-is-awesomely-cool |url-status=live }} Expressing a more critical sentiment, Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Simon Vozick-Levinson found the music video to be slightly "underwhelming"; he showed a preference for West to release new music instead.
Live performances and other usage
West opened his appearance at Cirprian Wall Street in New York City for G-Shock's Shock the World 2009 campaign with a performance of "Coldest Winter", wearing a black face mask for the performance.{{cite web |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2009/08/06/kanye-west-shocks-the-world/ |title=Kanye West 'Shocks the World' |work=Rap-Up |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=August 6, 2009 |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811050827/http://www.rap-up.com/2009/08/06/kanye-west-shocks-the-world/ |url-status=live }} For Kanye's kickoff show of The Yeezus Tour at Seattle's KeyArena on October 20, 2013, he performed "Coldest Winter" as his 11th track.{{cite web |last1=Rogulewski |first1=Charley |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/kanye-west-opens-yeezus-tour-incredible-visuals-talks-jesus-187151/ |title=Kanye West Opens Yeezus Tour With Incredible Visuals; Talks To Jesus |work=Vibe |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=October 20, 2013 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203011/https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/kanye-west-opens-yeezus-tour-incredible-visuals-talks-jesus-187151/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.factmag.com/2013/10/21/kanye-wests-tour-features-a-mountain-and-a-jesus-impersonator-and-looks-incredible/ |title=Marvel at footage of Kanye West's Yeezus tour, featuring a mountain and a Jesus impersonator |work=Fact |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=October 20, 2013 |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804050400/http://www.factmag.com/2013/10/21/kanye-wests-tour-features-a-mountain-and-a-jesus-impersonator-and-looks-incredible/ |url-status=live }} Kanye transitioned into performing from sharing a story about the moment he had got off a plane and discovered Donda had died: "They told me that my mother was no longer here and I could never speak to her again."{{cite web |last1=Ortiz |first1=Edwin |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/kanye-west-yeezus-concert-review/ |title=10 First Impressions from Opening Night of the 'Yeezus' Tour |website=Complex |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=October 20, 2013 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628155632/https://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/kanye-west-yeezus-concert-review/ |url-status=live }} During the performance, his triangular center stage elevated and fake snow fell down. On October 26, 2013, Kanye sang the song in Auto-Tune as part of a concert at Staples Center in Los Angeles on the tour, with him lying on the edge of a fake silver mountain cliff at the stage's edge.{{cite news |last1=Weiss |first1=Jeff |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-kanye-west-kendrick-651143/ |title=Concert Review: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar at Staples Center |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=October 27, 2013 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202429/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-kanye-west-kendrick-651143/ |url-status=live }} As he performed and outstretched his arm over the cliff, the fake sky went dark and mock snow came down.{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=Mariecar |url=https://www.presstelegram.com/2013/10/27/kanye-west-uses-yeezus-tour-to-smite-critics/ |title=Kanye West uses Yeezus tour to smite critics |work=Press-Telegram |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=October 27, 2013 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211503/https://www.presstelegram.com/2013/10/27/kanye-west-uses-yeezus-tour-to-smite-critics/ |url-status=live }} Kanye also stated that he wrote the song for Donda. He performed the song as the 12th number of his concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York for the tour on November 20, 2013, while lying atop the peak of a mountain and watching lake-effect snow fall down that was made out of bubbles.{{cite web |last1=Kamer |first1=Foster |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kanye-west-yeezus-concert-review-brooklyn-new-york |title=Live Review: Kanye West as Yeezus Christ Superstar in Brooklyn |website=Complex |access-date=June 21, 2021 |date=November 20, 2013 |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413135927/https://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kanye-west-yeezus-concert-review-brooklyn-new-york |url-status=live }} At the same time, a Yeti with glowing red eyes lurked around the mountain and Kanye was surrounded by bright lights.{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kanye-west-yeezus-show-reviews/ |title=Best Show Ever? 8 Complex Staffers Recall Their Collective Yeezus Experience |website=Complex |access-date=June 19, 2021 |date=November 25, 2013 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202039/https://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kanye-west-yeezus-show-reviews/ |url-status=live }} Kanye accompanied the performance by explaining to the crowd that he wrote the song after Donda died. The artist delivered a performance of the song for The Yeezus Tour's stop at Madison Square Garden on November 24, 2013, during which he told the story of how he wrote the song after Donda's death.{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Keith |url=https://www.vibe.com/gallery/15-thoughts-kanye-wests-defiant-and-nuts-madison-square-garden-yeezus-show/ |title=15 Thoughts On Kanye West's Defiant (And Nuts) Madison Square Garden Yeezus Show |website=Vibe |access-date=October 29, 2018 |date=November 25, 2013 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203013/https://www.vibe.com/gallery/15-thoughts-kanye-wests-defiant-and-nuts-madison-square-garden-yeezus-show/ |url-status=live }}
File:Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak @ The Hollywood Bowl - Night 1 (09-25-15) (21549056328).jpg on September 25, 2015.|Kanye sat on a large staircase and strongly memorialized Donda West during his performance of the song at the 2015 Hollywood Bowl.]]
For Kanye's two night concert of 808s & Heartbreak in full at the 2015 Hollywood Bowl in September, he performed the song as the set's 11th track.{{cite web |last1=Trammell |first1=Matthew |last2=Nocito |first2=Jason |url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/09/26/kanye-west-808s-and-heartbreak-hollywood-bowl-live-review |title=Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak Live Show Is Proof Fam' Can't Kill Him |website=The Fader |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=September 26, 2015 |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723230752/https://www.thefader.com/2015/09/26/kanye-west-808s-and-heartbreak-hollywood-bowl-live-review |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hendicott |first1=James |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-255-1222730 |title=Kanye West performs 808s & Heartbreak in full for the first time – watch |website=NME |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=September 26, 2015 |archive-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927165111/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-255-1222730 |url-status=live }} He rocked loose garments in white and off-white shades while performing, being backed by a small band and a medium-sized orchestra.{{cite web | author=Caramanica, Jon | title=Review: Kanye West Shines Light on His Darkest Hour | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/arts/music/review-kanye-west-shines-light-on-his-darkest-hour.html | work=The New York Times | url-access=limited | date=September 28, 2015 | access-date=June 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131140/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/arts/music/review-kanye-west-shines-light-on-his-darkest-hour.html |archive-date=November 8, 2020 }} At the start of the performance, numerous women dressed in ivory sheaths and hijabs wheeled out a slab depicting a woman in repose to conduct her funeral. Fake snow fell from above the audience that quickly melted in the local heat, simultaneously with Kanye sitting on a large staircase and heavily memorializing Donda.{{cite web |last1=Ali |first1=Lorraine |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-review-kanye-west-ressurects-808s-heartbreak-at-the-hollywood-bowl-20150926-story.html |title=Can we talk about Kanye West's uncharacteristically endearing '808s' show at the Hollywood Bowl? |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=September 26, 2015 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000413/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-review-kanye-west-ressurects-808s-heartbreak-at-the-hollywood-bowl-20150926-story.html |url-status=live }} Once the performance reached its closing violins, Kanye West exited the stage.{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2283318/kanye-west-808s-heartbreak-live/ |title=I Saw Kanye West Perform 808s Live And The Only Heartbreak Is That It's Over |access-date=June 22, 2021 |author=Roth, Madeline |date=September 27, 2015 |publisher=MTV |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414204934/http://www.mtv.com/news/2283318/kanye-west-808s-heartbreak-live/ |url-status=dead }} "Coldest Winter" was covered by a cappella group Pentatonix for their fifth studio album A Pentatonix Christmas in October 2016, with them using their voices as instruments and delivering harmonies.{{cite news |last1=Brelsford |first1=Eric |url=https://news.onecountry.com/entertainment/pentatonix-coldest-winter/ |title=Pentatonix's Chilling Cover of Kanye West's 'Coldest Winter' May Make You Cry |website=One Country |access-date=October 2, 2018 |date=December 14, 2016 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211020/https://news.onecountry.com/entertainment/pentatonix-coldest-winter/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Khosla |first1=Proma |url=https://mashable.com/2016/12/10/coldest-winter-video/ |title=Cozy up with a snowman in Pentatonix's 'Coldest Winter' video |publisher=Mashable |access-date=June 22, 2021 |date=December 12, 2016 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030084000/https://mashable.com/2016/12/10/coldest-winter-video/ |url-status=live }} Two months later, the group released an accompanying music video that sees a snowman taking a journey through love in the holidays.
Credits and personnel
Information taken from 808s & Heartbreak liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |others=Kanye West |title=808s & Heartbreak |year=2008 |publisher=Roc-A-Fella Records |id=0-06025-1791919-8}}
Recording
- Recorded at Glenwood Studios (Burbank, California) and Avex Recording Studio (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Personnel
{{Div col}}
- Kanye West{{spaced en dash}} songwriter, producer
- No I.D.{{spaced en dash}} songwriter, co-producer
- Roland Orzabal{{spaced en dash}} songwriter
- Jeff Bhasker{{spaced en dash}} co-producer, keyboards
- Andrew Dawson{{spaced en dash}} recorder
- Anthony Kilhoffer{{spaced en dash}} recorder
- Chad Carlisle{{spaced en dash}} assistant recorder
- Isha Erskine{{spaced en dash}} assistant recorder
- Gaylord Holomalia{{spaced en dash}} assistant recorder
- Christian Mochizuki{{spaced en dash}} assistant recorder
- Manny Marroquin{{spaced en dash}} mix engineer
- Christian Plata{{spaced en dash}} assistant engineer
- Erik Madrid{{spaced en dash}} assistant engineer
{{Div col end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Kanye West songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Music videos directed by Nabil Elderkin
Category:Song recordings produced by Jeff Bhasker
Category:Song recordings produced by Kanye West
Category:Song recordings produced by No I.D.
Category:Songs written by Kanye West
Category:Songs written by No I.D.