How do you close one of the most abrasive albums in hip-hop history with a love song? Kanye did exactly that. “Bound 2” caught everyone off guard.
It sounded like Kanye at his most stripped-back and sincere. This blog covers where the track came from, what it meant for the album it closed
Whether you are a long-time fan or just getting started, this one is worth your time.
About Bound 2 by Kanye West
Not every Kanye track hits the same way. “Bound 2” does something none of the other songs on Yeezus do. It slows down, softens up, and gets personal.
The Bound 2 are warm, honest, and completely out of place on one of hip-hop’s most aggressive albums. That contrast is exactly what made it unforgettable.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Album | Yeezus (2013): Kanye’s sixth studio album |
| Track Position | Final track on the album: the only soul-inspired song on an otherwise industrial record |
| Samples Used | “Bound” by Ponderosa Twins Plus One (1971) and “Sweet Nothin’s” by Brenda Lee (1959) |
| Chart Performance | Peaked at No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100: certified Gold |
Closing a record full of noise with something quiet and soulful was a bold call, proved Kanye could still do both.
Fun Fact: Actors James Franco and Seth Rogen filmed a shot-for-shot parody of the “Bound 2” music video during downtime on their film The Interview. Kanye and Kim both said it was hilarious.
Bound 2 Lyrics by Kanye West (Full Song)
Intro
B-B-B-Bound to fall in love
Bound to fall in love
(Uh-huh, honey)
Verse 1
All them other niggas lame, and you know it now
When a real nigga hold you down, you supposed to drownBound (bound) to fall in love
B-B-B-Bound (bound) to fall in love
(Uh-huh, honey)What you doing in the club on a Thursday?
She say she only here for her girl birthday
They ordered champagne but still look thirsty
Rock Forever 21 but just turned 30
Chorus
I know I got a bad reputation
Walk-around-always-mad reputationLeave-a-pretty-girl-sad reputation
Start a Fight Club, Brad reputation
I turnt the nightclub out of the basement
I’ll turn the plane around, your ass keep complaining
How you gon’ be mad on vacation?
Dutty wining ’round all these JamaicansUh, this that prom shit
This that what we do, don’t tell your mom shit
This that red cup, all on the lawn shit
Got a fresh cut, straight out the salon, bitchI know you’re tired of loving, of loving
With nobody to love, nobody, nobody (uh-huh, honey)Close your eyes and let the word paint a thousand pictures
One good girl is worth a thousand bitches
Bound (bound) to fall in loveBound (bound) to fall in love (uh-huh, honey)
Verse 2
I wanna fuck you hard on the sink
After that, give you something to drink
Step back, can’t get spunk on the mink
I mean damn, what would Jeromey Romey Romey Rome think?Hey, you remember where we first met?
Okay, I don’t remember where we first met
But hey, admitting is the first step
And hey, you know ain’t nobody perfect
And I know, with the hoes I got the worst rep
But hey, their backstroke I’m tryna perfectAnd hey, ayo, we made it, Thanksgiving
So hey, maybe we can make it to Christmas
She asked me what I wished for on the wishlist
Have you ever asked your bitch for other bitches?
Maybe we could still make it to the church steps
But first, you gon’ remember how to forget
After all these long-ass verses
I’m tired, you tired, Jesus wept
Chorus
I know you’re tired of loving, of loving
With nobody to love, nobody, nobody
So just grab somebody, no leaving this party
With nobody to love, nobody, nobodyUh-huh, honey
Outro
Jerome’s in the house, watch your mouth
Jerome’s in the house, watch your mouth
Bound (bound) to fall in loveBound (bound) to fall in love
(Uh-huh, honey)
Similar Songs to Bound 2 by Kanye West
Bound 2 pulled you in; you love the warmer, soul-driven side of Kanye. These tracks carry that same feeling.
Other Kanye West Tracks With a Similar Tone
- “Slow Jamz” ft. Twista & Jamie Foxx (2003) : Smooth, soulful, and romantic. One of Kanye’s earliest and most beloved soft-side tracks.
- “All Falls Down” ft. Syleena Johnson (2004): Personal and reflective with rich soul sample. Shares Bound 2’s honest, emotional core.
- “Gold Digger” ft. Jamie Foxx (2005): Upbeat soul sample with sharp, witty lyrics about relationships. Same old-school flip technique as Bound 2.
- “Runaway” ft. Pusha T (2010): Vulnerable and raw. Critics often link it to Bound 2 as Kanye’s most personal work.
- “Good Life” ft. T-Pain (2007): Warm, feel-good production with a soulful lift. Closest in mood and energy to Bound 2.
Similar Artists Like Kanye West
You already know Kanye’s range. Bold production, soul samples, personal storytelling. These artists bring that same creative force.
- Jay-Z
- Genre: East Coast Hip-Hop
- Top Album:The Blueprint (2001)
- Kanye’s closest creative partner. Sharp lyricism, big production, and a career built on cultural impact.
- Kid Cudi
- Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop / Neo-Psychedelic
- Top Album:Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009)
- Signed to Kanye’s GOOD Music label. Shares the same introspective, emotionally open approach to rap.
- Pusha T
- Genre: Hardcore Hip-Hop
- Top Album:Daytona (2018)
- Long-time GOOD Music signee. Produced by Kanye — sharp, confident, and never chasing trends.
- Tyler, The Creator
- Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop / Neo-Soul
- Top Album:IGOR (2019)
- Shares Kanye’s habit of flipping genres and producing his own records. Both artists refuse to stay in one lane.
- Chance The Rapper
- Genre: Conscious Hip-Hop / Gospel Rap
- Top Album:Coloring Book (2016)
- Often called the next Kanye for blending joy, faith, and personal truth into his music.
- Kendrick Lamar
- Genre: Conscious Hip-Hop
- Top Album:To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
- Like Kanye, Kendrick uses albums as full artistic statements rather than just collections of songs.
- Lupe Fiasco
- Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop
- Top Album:Food & Liquor (2006)
- Even collaborated with Kanye in the supergroup Child Rebel Soldier. Shares the same love for layered, thought-provoking bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does “Bound 2” Refer To?
The title comes from the soul sample “Bound” by Ponderosa Twins Plus One. It also reflects the song’s core idea — being bound, or tied, to falling in love.
Why Is the Song so Popular?
It offered something Yeezus never did: warmth. The soulful beat, romantic theme, and contrast with the album’s harsh tone made it instantly stand out.
Why Did Kanye Write Bound 2?
Kanye wrote it as a tribute to his relationship with Kim Kardashian. The track captures his feelings for her at a time when their bond was new and genuine.
