Pedro Ferreira
Zeigler
Micro-Study Three
29 Apr 2014
Troublesome Phrases in “Touch the Sky” by Kanye West
“Phrases, by structure, are groups of words that do not make a sentence but, by function
and category, act as a single word would in a sentence: noun/noun phrase, verb/verb phrase,
adjective/adjective phrase, and adverb/adverb phrase. Phrases are named for the kind of word
around which they are constructed—(1) prepositional phrase, (2) participial phrase, (3)
infinitive phrase—or sometimes, according to their form and function—(4) gerund phrase, or (5)
absolute phrase. These phrases function in many ways that words do in sentences—such as,
noun/nominal, adjective/adjectival, adverb/adverbial (Zeigler).”
Many times however it is troublesome to find the true function of a phrase as it may
differ from what the headword normally suggests depending on the context. This study explains
and illustrates how these phrasal units function in an appropriate context using the lyrics of a
contemporary popular song. In effect it determines whether the lyrics avoid or revoice any of
these phrasal units. The study also assesses which and how these phrasal units influence
discourse.
One sample is the application of prepositional and infinitive phrases in a given context.
Both types can be used adjectively and adverbially. Both are components of the predicate. The
word “to,” is a preposition. A prepositional phrase would include a noun, pronoun, or adverb
after “to.” If a base form verb is attached after the preposition instead, then an infinitive phrase is
formed.
“Touch the Sky” contains a chorus (or hook) that is composed of mainly prepositional
and infinitive phrases.
I gotta testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
Fore the day I die, I'mma touch the sky
Gotta testify
I'm up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day I die, I'mma touch the sky
For example, the first line contains a predicate with an adverbial infinitive phrase. This
phrase is revoiced and combined to form the MVP “gotta.” This effect shrinks the statement
giving more emphasis to each morpheme. Another powerful infinitive phrase statement is the
title, “touch the sky.” Although the author has omitted the word “to” it is understood that he is
talking about the infinitive action. An example of a prepositional phrase in the hook is, “in the
spot.”
Gerund phrases and participial phrases both end with the “–ing” suffix. Both can be
modified. However gerund phrases function as nouns while participial phrases function
adjectively and adverbially. The phrase “lookin’ extra fly,” has an –ing verb and can be labeled
as a participial phrase because it functions as an adverb. While the phrase “having nervous
breakdowns,” (Bottom of second verse, Kanye West) is a gerund phrase because the –ing verb
introduces a noun phrase.
A phrasal verb is a two-word verb made up of a verb plus a particle. A verb phrase is a
verb or any group of words that can substitute for a verb. This does not mean the same thing.
An example of a phrasal verb in “Touch the Sky” is “come up.” The particle, “up”, is a
part of the jargon term “come up” which means to appear. It is not a preposition rather a verb
that means an action. As an antecedent to the prepositional phrase “in the spot” it sends the
message that the speaker is making an entrance.
Verb phrase examples from the song could be “gotta testify” and “I’mma touch the sky.”
“Gotta testify” is a revoiced infinitive phrase that is composed of the words: I have got to testify.
In this example, everything but the subject (I) is a part of the predicate and the verb phrase. So in
this case the phrase becomes the MVP though it contains a preposition verb in it. This is also the
case with “I’mma touch the sky.” The standard way to say it would be, “I am going to touch the
sky.” “I’mma touch” makes “I am going to touch” into a MVP because it is the action of the
object.
This study shows that the lyrics of “Touch the Sky” employ revoicing as a means to
condense the action into impactful main verb phrases such as “I’mma” and “gotta”. One of the
reasons for this technique is that it affects the emphasis of statements.
The discourse of the song is about reaching higher (or the highest) socioeconomic levels.
The author, Kanye West, employs the theme of “reaching for the sky” to illustrate this. The
music video portrays the rapper as an Evil Kanievel-type character who is prepping to be
launched in a rocket. He also employs a diction that supports this theme. The hook is composed
of morphemes such as “fly”, “sky” and “come up.” By condensing many of the components of
the respective actions into single succinct verb phrases the abstract ideas such as “looking extra
fly” and “sky” have a bigger resonance with the audience.
“Touch the Sky” by Kanye West
[Hook - Kanye West]
I gotta testify
Come up in the spot lookin' extra fly
‘Fore the day I die, I'mma touch the sky
Gotta testify
I'm up in the spot lookin' extra fly
'Fore the day I die, I'mma touch the sky
[Verse 1 - Kanye West]
Back when they thought pink Polos would hurt the Roc
Before Cam got the shit to pop
The doors was closed, I felt like Bad Boy's street team
I couldn't work the locks
Now let's go, take 'em back to the plan
Me and my momma hopped in that U-Haul van
Any pessimists I ain't talk to them
Plus I ain't have no phone in my apart-a-ment
... Let's take 'em back to the club
Least about an hour I stand on line
I just wanted to dance, I went to Jacob an hour
After I got my advance, I just wanted to shine
Jay favorite line: "Dawg, in due time!"
Now he look at me, like, "Damn, dawg! You where I am!"
A hip-hop legend, I think I died
In that accident, cause this must be heaven
[Hook]
Now let's take them hi-ah-igh-igh-igh-ighhhh(Top of the world baby)
(Top top of the world)
A-la-la-la-lah-la-lahhhhh(Top of the world baby)
(On top of the world)
[Verse 2 - Kanye West]
Back when Gucci was the shit to rock
Back when Slick Rick had the shit to pop
I'd do anything to say I got it
Damn, them new loafers hurt my pocket
Before anybody wanted K. West beats
Me and my girl split the buffet at KFC
Dog, I was having nervous breakdowns
Like "Man - these niggas that much better than me?"
Baby, I'm going on an airplane
And I don't know if I'll be back again
Sure enough, I sent the plane tickets
But when she came to kick it, things became different
Any girl I cheated on, sheets I skeeted on
Couldn't keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long
I'm trying to right my wrongs
But it's funny them same wrongs helped me write this song
[Verse 3 - Lupe Fiasco]
Guess who's on third?
Lupe steal like Lupin the 3rd
Here like ear 'til I'm beer on the curb
Peachfuzz buzz but beard on the verge
Let's slow it down like we're on the syrup
Bottle shaped body like Mrs. Butterworth
But, before you say another word
I'm back on the block like I'm laying on the street
I'm trying to stop "lion" like I'm Mumm-Ra
But I'm not lyin' when I'm laying on the beat
En garde, or touché, Lupe cool as the unthawed
But I still feel possessed as a gun charge
Come as correct as a porn star
In a fresh pair steps in my best foreign car
So, I represent the first
Now let me end my verse right where the horns are
[Outro]
We back at home, baby!
Sky high, I'm, I'm sky high!
Feels good to be home, baby girl!
Bibliography
Curme, George. English Grammar. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1947.
Klammer, Thomas P., Muriel Schulz, and Angela Della Volpe. Analyzing English Grammar.
New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004. Web.
West, Kanye. “Touch the Sky.” Late Registration. CD. Roc-a-fella Records. 2005.