"Cold World" is a song by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member GZA, released on November 28, 1995, as the second single from his second studio album Liquid Swords (1995). It features fellow Wu-Tang member Inspectah Deck and singer Life. The song contains samples from "In The Rain" by The Dramatics, "Plastic People" by The Mothers of Invention and the film Shogun Assassin, as well as interpolations from "Rocket Love" by Stevie Wonder and "Love Me In A Special Way" by DeBarge.
Background
In regards to his writing approach to the song, GZA stated "Normally, when I hear a beat, I already know where to go with it. I can picture the track and just vibe off it. As soon as I heard the beat to 'Cold World,' I knew it would be another inner-city story."[1]
Composition
The song opens with dialogue excerpt from Shogun Assassin.[2] It features gritty and surreal lyrics, while the production uses a simple musical variation, with the beat containing a strong bassline, crispy drums and hi-hats, in addition to occasional plucked guitars echoing eerily and the sound of a snowstorm howling into the background.[3][4] The chorus is sung by Life and takes lyrics from Stevie Wonder's "Rocket Love".[5] Lyrically, the song narrates a tale of murder on New Year's Eve.[2]
Critical reception
Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews wrote of the song, "The instrumental alone is a Wu-banger, but when hearing Inspectah Deck provide the guest verse following GZA's it not only solidifies the dopeness of the cut but damn near upstages GZA's reputation as the tightest lyricist in the Clan".[3]
Remix
The song later received a remix, in which Life's feature was replaced by American singer D'Angelo.[2][3][4]
