Despite sounding light-hearted, the subject matter of "Heard 'Em Say" is dreary and bitter. The introspective lyrics of the melancholic song express a gentle lamentation on poverty and income inequality. It follows a brooding political path, and the lyrical content harbors thought-provoking moral soliloquies that touch on social issues. The song's pair of stream-of-conscious verses are conceptually written from the perspective of an afflicted, impoverished American quietly bemoaning fallacies of society and questioning the ways of the world. His rhymes address a wide range of topical subjects, including minimum wage, AIDS, cigarettes, religion, drug trafficking, incarceration, and the false hope of lotteries. The song also highlights the condition of destitute inner-city youth watching images of rappers flaunt their material goods on television, deluded into thinking that wealth and fame are closer than they actually are, (when the real rock stars in their neighborhoods are the drug dealers). Essentially, it is a "mournfully contemplative" number which "talks about being honest with yourself in a world that is not." With vulnerable lyricism, West laments socioeconomical issues plaguing the African-American community as he reminds listeners to be grateful for the present. He reflects on inequitable realities while promoting optimism as a counter, as he preaches, "Nothing's ever promised tomorrow, today." West himself displays humility and appreciation throughout the relatively subdued track, rapping with a sense of acknowledgment that the success he achieved from his acclaimed debut album can be fleeting. As the opening track, "Heard 'Em Say" reiterates themes established by West's debut studio album "The College Dropout" (2004), including his gratitude for still being alive, brutal honesty, and faith in God.