On “Water,” Kanye West enlists the help of frequent collaborator Ant Clemons to discuss themes of purity, using water as a metaphor. In Judeo-Christian faiths, water plays a vital role in the ritual of Baptism, a rite that is symbolic of rebirth. The song’s theme bears similarities to those presented in his June 2018 collaborative project with Kid Cudi, titled KIDS SEE GHOSTS, such as the track “Reborn.”

Kanye and Ant have collaborated on several occasions prior to this song, namely on Ye’s June 2018 track “All Mine.” On the morning of Easter 2019, they debuted the song live at his Sunday Service Coachella event, with assistance from Ty Dolla $ign and the Sunday Service choir.