I Wonder

This samples "My Song" by Labi Siffre, which is a track on his 1972 Crying Laughing Loving Lying album. The title track from Siffre's album and "It Must Be Love" were both Top 20 hits in the UK. The latter became an even bigger hit in 1981 when Madness covered it, peaking at #4 in the UK and 2 years later #33 in the US.

Kanye West told Concrete Loop about his favorite songs from the album: "My favorite three songs are: 'Flashing Lights,' 'Homecoming' and 'I Wonder.' Now, 'I Wonder' is more of an emotional pull. 'I Wonder' and 'Homecoming' are very emotional, but 'I Wonder' has that stadium thing to it and that has one of my favorite pieces of music - the third verse, the breakdown, when the strings come in that Larry Gold did."

When West unveiled Graduation at a Manhattan movie theater, he told the packed house about how "I Wonder," was inspired by the U2 track "City Of Blinding Lights": After opening for the Irish band, he would watch them perform "City of Blinding Lights" to rapturous crowds and he'd think to himself, "I want some of that!"