Kanye West Details His Relationship With Kim Kardashian On “Lord I Need You”

Kanye West’s new album, DONDA, features plenty of heart-wrenching lyrics about everything from his mother to his children to thoughts of suicide, but perhaps no song on the album is more emotional and self-reflecting than “Lord I Need You.” On the track, Kanye raps about his relationship with his now-estranged wife Kim Kardashian. While he does not mention Kardashian by name, the Chicago rapper’s song is filled with references that are clearly about her.

Produced by E*Vax, Ojivolta, FnZ, BoogzDaBeast, Wheezy, and Kanye himself and featuring the Sunday Service Choir, “Lord I Need You” features one lengthy verse of Kanye rapping. From the start, it’s clear he’s talking about his wife:

When you said give me a ring, you really meant a ring, huh?
Turned out to be more than just a fling, huh?

Kanye and Kim began officially dating in April 2012 and were married by May 2014. Their relationship has been the subject of widespread media coverage. This past February, Kardashian filed for divorce.

Despite their impending divorce, Kanye still delivers endearing lyrics about Kim. However, he also alludes to issues in their relationship—including his problems with alcoholism:

You know you’ll always be my favorite prom queen
Even when we in dad shoes or mom jeans
Too many complaints made it hard for me to think
Would you shut up? I can’t hear myself drink

Kanye notes other deteriorating aspects of their relationship—like cursing her out while arguing about custody—but he also claims Kim still loves him while recalling better times:

But you came here to show that you still in love with me
Startin' to feel like you ain’t been happy for me lately, darlin'
‘Member when you used to come around and serenade me, woah

The line suggests the song was recorded recently, as Kim attended all three DONDA listening sessions—including the final one when she wore a wedding dress on stage. As Genius has previously noted, other DONDA cuts like “Jesus Lord” and “Donda” were clearly being worked on in recent weeks.

Kardashian has supported DONDA by posting several tracks (including “Lord I Need You”) to her Instagram Stories, although fans were quick to point out she was listening on mute.

Whether or not Kim and Kanye follow through with their divorce remains to be seen, but in addition to sharing four children together, the power couple clearly still shares some level of affection.

Read all the lyrics to Kanye West’s “Lord I Need You” on Genius now.