./Flashing Lights
Kanye West Lyrics

Flashing lights (lights, lights)
The flashing lights in this song are a symbol of fame and the price that comes with it.

She don't believe in shootin' stars, but she believe in shoes and cars
The woman in this song values material possessions over romantic notions like shooting stars.

Wood floors in the new apartment, Couture from the store's department
The woman's new apartment is upscale and stylish, with high-end items bought from department stores.

You more like 'love to start shit', I'm more of the trips to Florida
The artist is more interested in relaxing and enjoying life, while the woman is combative and argumentative.

Order the hors d'oeuvres, views of the water, Straight from a page of your favorite author
The artist enjoys the finer things in life, like fine dining and scenic views, as well as literature.

And the weather so breezy, Man, why can't life always be this easy?
The singer is enjoying an easy, carefree life and wonders why life can't always be this way.

She in the mirror dancing so sleazy, I get a call like, 'Where are you Yeezy?'
The woman is dancing suggestively while the singer receives a phone call from someone referring to him by his nickname, Yeezy.

And try to hit you with the ol-wu-wopte, 'Til I got flashed by the paparazzi ('razzi)
The artist is being pursued by someone who is trying to take advantage of him, but is interrupted by flash photography from the paparazzi.

Damn, these niggas got me, I hate these niggas more than the Nazi
The artist is angry at the paparazzi and those trying to exploit him, and uses controversial language to express his frustration.

As I recall, I know you love to show off (off), But I never thought that you would take it this far (far), What do I know? Flashing lights (lights, lights), What do I know? Flashing (know) lights (lights, lights)
The chorus reflects the artist's surprise at how far the woman will go to show off her material possessions, and how the flashiness of it all has come to symbolize the negative side of fame.

I know it's been a while, sweetheart, We hardly talk, I was doing my thing
The singer acknowledges that he and the woman haven't talked in a while, as he has been focused on his own pursuits.

I know I was foul, baby, Ay, babe lately you been all on my brain (brain)
The artist admits that he has done wrong by the woman, but can't stop thinking about her.

And if somebody would've told me a month ago, Fronting, though, yo, I wouldn't wanna know
The singer admits that he was putting up a front and wasn't ready to confront his true feelings a month ago.

If somebody would've told me a year ago, It'll go, get this difficult (difficult)
The singer reflects on how difficult his life has become since his rise to fame, and how he never could have predicted it a year ago.

Feeling like Katrina with no FEMA, Like Martin with no Gina, Like a flight with no Visa
The singer compares his struggles to natural disasters and being without support, to the TV show Martin without its main character, and to international travel without proper documentation.

First class with the seat back I still see ya, In my past, you on the other side of the glass, Of my memory's museum
The artist remembers being with the woman in first class, but now only sees her as a memory from the past.

I'm just saying, hey, Mona Lisa, Come home you know you can't Rome without Caesar
The artist addresses the woman as Mona Lisa, and asks her to come back to him as he is like Caesar, and she needs him to succeed.

As you recall, you know I love to show off (off), But you never thought that I would take it this far (far), What do you know? Flashing lights (lights, lights), What do you know? Flashing (know) lights (lights, lights)
In the second part of the chorus, the singer reflects that the woman knows he loves to show off, but didn't expect him to take it this far, and wonders what she thinks of his fame.

Flashing lights (lights, lights), Flashing lights (lights, lights, lights), Lights, lights, lights, lights, Lights, lights, lights, lights, Lights, lights, lights, lights
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the symbol of flashing lights to represent the darkness of fame.