O' lost, and by the wi… Read Full Bio ↴Jay-Z ruminates on the old high of dealing drugs:
O' lost, and by the wind grieved, Ghost, Come back again!
This is Jay’s favorite Jay-Z song. He said so himself while performing it at the AMEX Sync show at SXSW on March 12, 2012.
Pharrell Williams explained how he wanted to give Jay an “emotional” record in the same vein as his two “Dead Presidents” cuts.
“With ‘Allure,’ I just wanted to hear him rhyme over something emotional, because he killed ‘Dead Presidents'… one and two, he’s crazy with a crazy sick night club record, but when he goes emotional, it’s unbelievable. It’s like he connects with a couple past lives.”
Allure
Jay-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was always too much for me to ever ignore
I've got a thing for the big-body Benzes, it dulls my senses
In love with a V-Dub engine
Man, I'm high off life, fuck it, I'm wasted
Bathing Ape kicks, Audemars Piguet wrist
My women friends get tennis bracelets
Trips to Venice, get their Winters replaced with
Man, it's just a game, I just play it to play it
I put my feet in the footprints left to me
Without saying a word, the ghetto's got a mental telepathy
My brother hustled so naturally
Up next was me but what perplexes me
Shit, I know how this movie ends! yet still I play
The starring role in "Hovito's Way"
It's just life, I solemnly swear
To change my approach, stop shaving coke
Stay away from hoes, put down the toast
'Cause I be doing the most, oh no
But every time I felt that was that, it called me right back
It called me right back, man it called me right back, oh no
I'm like a Russian mobster, drinking distilled vodka
Until I'm under the field with Hoffa, it's real
Peel the top up like a toupee
Mix the water with the soda
Turn the pot up, make a souffle
All of y'all can get it like group-page on your 2-way
I'm living proof that crime do pay
Say "hooray" to the bad guy, and all the broads
Putting cars in their name, for the stars of the game
Putting 'caine in their bras and their tomorrows on the train
All in the Name of Love
Just to see that love locked in chains and the family came
Over the house to take back everything that they claimed
Or even the worse pain is the distress
Learning you're the mistress only after that love gets slain
And the anger and the sorrow mixed up leads to mistrust
Now it gets tough to ever love again
But the allure of the game, keeps calling your name
To all the Lauras of the world, I feel your pain
To all the Christies in different cities and Tiffany Lanes
We all hustlers in love with the same thing
It's just life, I solemnly swear
To change my approach, stop shaving coke
Stay away from hoes, put down the toast
'Cause I be doing the most, oh no
But every time I felt that was that, it called me right back
It called me right back, man it called me right back, oh no
I never felt more alive than riding shotgun
In Klein's green 5, until the cops pulled guns
And I tried to smoke weed to give me the fix I need
What the game did to my pulse with no results
And you can treat your nose and still won't come close
The game is a lightbulb with eleventy-million volts
And I'm just a moth addicted to the floss
The doors lift from the floor and the tops come off
By any means necessary, whatever the cost
Even if it means lives is lost
And I can't explain why I just love to get high
Drink, "life!" smoke the blueberry sky, blink twice
I'm in the blueberry 5, you blink three times
I may not even be alive
I mean even James Dean couldn't escape the allure
Dying young, leaving a good-lookin corpse, of course
I solemnly swear
To change my approach, stop shaving coke
Stay away from hoes, put down the toast
'Cause I be doing the most, oh no
But every time I felt that was that, it called me right back
It called me right back, man it called me right back, oh no
The lyrics in Jay-Z's “Allure” showcase his complicated relationship with crime as well as the seductive power of the game to which he was drawn. Jay-Z begins by admitting that he is drawn to breaking the law—his desire is too strong to ignore, despite the fact that he knows it is wrong. The allure of the life of a criminal is further emphasized by his love for flashy and expensive luxury goods, including cars, watches and jewelry.
Jay-Z goes on to say that his life is marked by excessive behavior, including drug use, womanizing and violence. He acknowledges that he needs to change his approach, swearing to leave the life behind, but every time he tries, he is drawn back in, unable to resist the pull of the game.
The second verse shifts to an indictment of the criminal lifestyle, even as Jay-Z admits his continued attraction to it. He compares himself to a Russian mobster, highlights the fact that crime pays in very real ways, but also acknowledges the toll it takes on people's lives, causing the breakup of families and relationships. He recognizes that when you fall in love in this world, you are risking heartbreak as your significant other may be with one person today and another tomorrow. Despite everything, he cannot help himself, like a moth to the flame, he is addicted to the lifestyle, to the rush and allure of the game.
Line by Line Meaning
The allure of breaking the law
I am drawn to the thrill of doing illegal activities.
Was always too much for me to ever ignore
It was too tempting to resist.
I've got a thing for the big-body Benzes, it dulls my senses
I am attracted to expensive and flashy cars, it numbs my perception.
In love with a V-Dub engine
I am infatuated with Volkeswagen engines.
Man, I'm high off life, fuck it, I'm wasted
I am hyped up on the adrenaline of life, I don't care if I am intoxicated.
Bathing Ape kicks, Audemars Piguet wrist
I wear expensive designer clothing and jewelry.
My women friends get tennis bracelets
I buy my women friends expensive gifts.
Trips to Venice, get their Winters replaced with The sun, it ain't even fun no more, I'm jaded
I take trips to luxurious destinations and offer my friends an escape from their problems but it no longer brings me pleasure, I am disillusioned.
Man, it's just a game, I just play it to play it
I view life as a game and participate solely for the enjoyment of it.
I put my feet in the footprints left to me
I try to emulate those who've come before me.
Without saying a word, the ghetto's got a mental telepathy
I can understand the thoughts and motives of those who come from the same background as me without having to verbalize it.
My brother hustled so naturally
My brother was a natural at making money through shady means.
Up next was me but what perplexes me
I was next in line to follow in my brother's footsteps but I am unsure why I am drawn to this lifestyle.
Shit, I know how this movie ends! yet still I play
I am aware that this lifestyle will likely lead to negative consequences but I continue to engage in it anyway.
The starring role in "Hovito's Way"
I am the main character in my own life story.
To change my approach, stop shaving coke
I pledge to alter my behavior and refrain from using or selling drugs.
Stay away from hoes, put down the toast
I commit to avoiding promiscuous women and putting an end to violent behavior.
'Cause I be doing the most, oh no
I often go overboard with my actions, which is not a good thing.
But every time I felt that was that, it called me right back
Despite wanting to change, I keep getting pulled back into my old ways, unable to resist the temptation.
I'm like a Russian mobster, drinking distilled vodka
I am like a member of the Russian mafia, drinking strong alcohol to cope with my dangerous lifestyle.
Until I'm under the field with Hoffa, it's real
The danger of my lifestyle is all too real, and I could end up buried in a field like Jimmy Hoffa.
Peel the top up like a toupee
I am referring to opening a convertible car; it feels like a wig is being lifted off your head.
Mix the water with the soda, Turn the pot up, make a souffle
I am describing the process of cooking drugs.
All of y'all can get it like group-page on your 2-way
Everyone can get what I am selling, like a group message on a two-way pager.
I'm living proof that crime do pay
I am an example of someone who has profited from illegal activities.
Say "hooray" to the bad guy, and all the broads
Embrace the bad guy and all the women who are attracted to him.
Putting cars in their name, for the stars of the game, Putting 'caine in their bras and their tomorrows on the train
Women put expensive purchases in their name for their criminal partners, and also hide drugs in their clothing to transport them to other places.
All in the Name of Love
All of these actions are justified because they are for the sake of love.
Or even the worse pain is the distress
The most painful thing is finding out you were the mistress after the person you love is killed.
Learning you're the mistress only after that love gets slain
Finding out you were not the main love interest after that person dies.
And the anger and the sorrow mixed up leads to mistrust
Emotions are complicated, and a mixture of anger and sorrow can lead to not having faith or belief in someone.
Now it gets tough to ever love again
It becomes challenging to trust and love someone completely after being hurt in such a significant way.
But the allure of the game, keeps calling your name
Despite everything, the excitement and temptation of the criminal lifestyle continues to attract and entice me.
To all the Lauras of the world, I feel your pain
I acknowledge and empathize with all the women out there who have been hurt in a love triangle.
To all the Christies in different cities and Tiffany Lanes
I acknowledge and empathize with all of the women out there who are struggling to make ends meet and trying to keep up with a lavish lifestyle.
We all hustlers in love with the same thing
Regardless of our differences, we are all drawn to the same thing: the allure and excitement of the criminal lifestyle.
I never felt more alive than riding shotgun
I have never felt more alive than when I am a passenger in a car.
In Klein's green 5, until the cops pulled guns
In a green BMW 5 Series, until the police turned on their sirens and drew their guns.
And I tried to smoke weed to give me the fix I need
I looked to marijuana as a way to get the same high feeling that I get from my criminal lifestyle.
What the game did to my pulse with no results
The adrenaline rush I get from the criminal lifestyle is not the same as anything marijuana can offer.
And you can treat your nose and still won't come close
Even if you use cocaine, you will not experience the same level of excitement and euphoria that the criminal lifestyle provides.
The game is a lightbulb with eleventy-million volts
The criminal lifestyle is an intense and powerful force that is beyond both reason and control.
And I'm just a moth addicted to the floss
I am like a moth addicted to the attraction of the bright lights and flashy material possessions.
The doors lift from the floor and the tops come off
I am describing the luxurious feeling of opening the doors and having the roof of a fancy car come off.
By any means necessary, whatever the cost
I am willing to do whatever it takes to maintain the criminal lifestyle, no matter how much it may cost.
Even if it means lives is lost
Even if it means people may die as a result, I am still willing to engage in the criminal lifestyle.
And I can't explain why I just love to get high
I cannot explain the inexplicable, overwhelming attraction that I have to the criminal lifestyle and the high that it provides.
Drink, "life!" smoke the blueberry sky, blink twice
I indulge in drinking and smoking, using these vices to escape from reality for a while.
I'm in the blueberry 5, you blink three times
I am in a blue BMW 5 Series, and after only blinking three times, things have already changed significantly.
I may not even be alive
I may be living so recklessly that it puts my life at risk.
I mean even James Dean couldn't escape the allure
Even a Hollywood icon like James Dean was unable to resist the pull of the criminal lifestyle.
Dying young, leaving a good-lookin corpse, of course
James Dean's lifestyle and tragic death have come to define the allure and danger of the criminal lifestyle.
I solemnly swear
I make a sincere and solemn commitment to change.
But every time I felt that was that, it called me right back
Despite my best intentions, the criminal lifestyle continues to attract and tempt me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pharrell L Williams, Shawn Carter, Chad Hugo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind