The lyrics are written and sung by singer Anohni , with the melody and music composed by J. Ralph , inspired by the mating call of the last individual survivor of the now extinct Kauaʻi ʻōʻō .
The lyrics are written and sung by singer Anohni , with the melody and music composed by J. Ralph who also produced the recording . 
 The song was inspired by the mating call of the last individual survivor of the now extinct Kauaʻi ʻōʻō .