All Falls Down ft. Syleena Joh
Kanye West Lyrics


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Oh, when it all (yeah)
It all falls down (this the real one, baby)
I'm tellin' you all (uh)
It all falls down (Chi-Town, stand up)
Oh, when it all (Southside, Southside)
It all falls down (we gon' set this party off right)
I'm tellin' you all (Westside, Westside)
It all falls down, oh, when it all (we gon' set this party off right)

Man, I promise, she's so self-conscious
She has no idea what she doin' in college
That major that she majored in don't make no money
But she won't drop out, her parents'll look at her funny
Now, tell me that ain't insecurr
The concept of school seems so securr
Sophomore, three yurrs, ain't picked a carurr
She like, "Fuck it, I'll just stay down hurr and do hair"
'Cause that's enough money to buy her a few pairs
Of new Airs, 'cause her baby daddy don't really care
She's so precious with the peer pressure
Couldn't afford a car, so she named her daughter Alexis
She had hair so long that it looked like weave
Then she cut it all off, now she look like Eve
And she be dealin' with some issues that you can't believe
Single black female addicted to retail, and well

Oh, when it all, it all falls down (uh)
And when it falls down, who you gon' call now?
I'm tellin' you all (c'mon, c'mon)
It all falls down
And when it falls down, oh, when it all (and when it all falls down)

Man, I promise, I'm so self-conscious
That's why you always see me with at least one of my watches



Rollies and Pashas done drove me crazy
I can't even pronounce nothin', pass that Ver-say-see
Then I spent four hundred bucks on this
Just to be like, "Nigga, you ain't up on this"
And I can't even go to the grocery store
Without some Ones that's clean and a shirt with a team
It seem we livin' the American Dream
But the people highest up got the lowest self-esteem
The prettiest people do the ugliest things
For the road to riches and diamond rings
We shine because they hate us, floss 'cause they degrade us
We tryna buy back our 40 acres
And for that paper, look how low we'll stoop
Even if you in a Benz, you still a nigga in a coupe

Oh, when it all (c'mon, c'mon)
It all falls down (and when it falls down, who you gon' call now?)
I'm tellin' you all (come on, come on)
It all falls down, oh, when it all (and when it all falls down)

I say, "Fuck the police," that's how I treat 'em
We buy our way out of jail, but we can't buy freedom
We'll buy a lot of clothes, but we don't really need 'em
Things we buy to cover up what's inside
'Cause they made us hate ourself and love they wealth
That's why shorty's hollerin', "Where the ballers at?"
Drug dealer buy Jordan, crackhead buy crack
And the white man get paid off of all of that
But I ain't even gon' act holier than thou
'Cause fuck it, I went to Jacob with twenty-five thou
Before I had a house and I'd do it again
'Cause I wanna be on 106 & Park, pushin' a Benz
I want to act ballerific like it's all terrific
I got a couple past-due bills, I won't get specific
I got a problem with spendin' before I get it
We all self-conscious, I'm just the first to admit it

Oh, when it all (yeah, c'mon, c'mon)
It all falls down (and when it falls down, who you gon' call now?)
I'm tellin' you all (c'mon, c'mon)
It all falls down (and when it falls down)
Oh, when it all (Southside, Southside)
It all falls down (we gon' set this party off right)
I'm tellin' you all (Westside, Westside)
It all falls down (we gon' set this party off right)
Oh, when it all (Chi-Town, Chi-Town)
It all falls down (We gon' show 'em how we get down)
I'm tellin' you all (Now, Syleena, you just like a safe belt)
It all falls down (you saved my life, c'mon)
Oh, when it all, it all falls down
I'm tellin' you all, it all falls down

I's can't keep workin' like this
This grave shift is like a slave ship

Overall Meaning

In "All Falls Down," Kanye West explores themes of materialism, insecurity, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The song begins with the repeated refrain, "Oh when it all, it all falls down," which serves to reinforce the idea that the lifestyle and values which the singer and his subjects are chasing are ultimately unsustainable and damaging. The first verse centers on a young woman who is insecure about her position in college and feels pressure to present a certain image to the world, even if it means sacrificing her education or well-being. The second verse shifts the focus to the singer's own struggles with self-consciousness and obsession with material possessions, to the point where he is willing to go into debt to maintain his image and status.


What makes "All Falls Down" so powerful is the way it touches on topics that many people can relate to regardless of their background or experiences. By describing the pressures and anxieties that come along with trying to fit in and succeed in a world that values superficial qualities like wealth and brand names, Kanye West connects with his listeners on a visceral level. Additionally, the song's use of a soulful, melodic chorus sung by Syleena Johnson mixes with the hip-hop beats and lyrics to create a uniquely versatile sound that appeals to fans across genres.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh when it all, it all falls down
The singer is warning that everything can collapse.


I'm telling you oh, it all falls down
The singer is emphasizing the urgency of this warning.


Man I promise, she's so self conscious
The singer introduces a young woman who lacks self-confidence.


She has no idea what she's doing in college
The woman is unsure of her educational choices.


That major that she majored in don't make no money
The woman's chosen field of study does not lead to a lucrative career.


But she won't drop out, her parents will look at her funny
Despite these concerns, the woman feels pressure to stay in school to please her family.


Now, tell me that ain't insecure
The singer recognizes that this behavior is driven by insecurity.


The concept of school seems so secure
The idea of staying in school feels like a safe choice, despite its potential pitfalls.


Sophomore three years aint picked a career
The woman is in her third year of college and has yet to choose a career path.


She like fuck it, I'll just stay down here and do hair
The woman gives up on finding a more fulfilling career and decides to do hair for a living.


Cause that's enough money to buy her a few pairs of new Airs
Hairdressing provides a modest income for luxury purchases.


Cause her baby daddy don't really care
The father of her child is not a reliable source of support.


She's so precious with the peer pressure
The woman feels pressure from her peers to live up to certain standards.


Couldn't afford a car so she named her daughter Alexus
The woman's financial struggles influenced her child's name.


She had hair so long that it looked like weave
The woman's long hair was so striking it looked like a wig.


Then she cut it all off now she look like Eve
The woman drastically changed her appearance by cutting off her hair.


And she be dealing with some issues that you can't believe
The woman faces personal struggles that are hard to understand.


Single black female addicted to retail and well
The woman obsessively spends money shopping and trying to look good.


Man I promise, I'm so self conscious
The singer admits to feeling very self-conscious and insecure.


That's why you always see me with at least one of my watches
The artist uses material possessions to boost his self-esteem.


Rollies and Pasha's done drove me crazy
The artist's expensive watches cause him stress and anxiety.


I can't even pronounce nothing, pass that versace!
The artist buys designer items he can't even pronounce or appreciate.


Then I spent 400 bucks on this
The singer admits to frivolous spending habits.


Just to be like nigga you ain't up on this!
The artist feels a need to impress others with his possessions.


And I can't even go to the grocery store
The singer feels unable to do everyday tasks without dressing extravagantly.


Without some ones thats clean and a shirt with a team
The singer feels the need to dress in expensive clothes even when going to the grocery store.


It seems we living the american dream
The singer acknowledges that he appears to be living a successful life.


But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem
The wealthiest and most successful people often suffer from low self-esteem.


The prettiest people do the ugliest things
Beautiful people often engage in unsavory behavior to maintain their status.


For the road to riches and diamond rings
People will do anything to obtain wealth and expensive possessions.


We shine because they hate us, floss cause they degrade us
Minorities use material possessions as a way to prove their worth in a society that devalues them.


We trying to buy back our 40 acres
The artist alludes to the historic injustices faced by black Americans.


And for that paper, look how low we a'stoop
People will compromise their values and stoop low to earn money.


Even if you in a Benz, you still a nigga in a coop/coupe
Regardless of material possessions, black people still experience racism and discrimination.


I say fuck the police, that's how I treat em
The singer expresses frustration and anger towards law enforcement.


We buy our way out of jail, but we can't buy freedom
Wealth can provide temporary solutions, but true freedom is priceless.


We'll buy a lot of clothes when we don't really need em
Material possessions do not necessarily fulfill real needs or desires.


Things we buy to cover up what's inside
Material possessions are often used as a band-aid to conceal deeper personal issues.


Cause they make us hate ourself and love they wealth
Consumerist culture feeds insecurities and reduces self-worth to material possessions.


That's why shortys hollering "where the ballas' at?"
People look to wealthy individuals as a source of status and admiration.


Drug dealer buy Jordans, crackhead buy crack
People will prioritize spending money on drugs and luxury items, even to the detriment of their wellbeing.


And a white man get paid off of all of that
White people profit from the financial struggles and addiction of minority communities.


But I ain't even goin' act holier than thou
The singer admits to his own flaws and weaknesses.


Cause fuck it, I went to Jacob with 25 thou
The artist admits to spending a large sum of money on jewelry.


Before I had a house and I'd do it again
The artist prioritizes material possessions over financial stability.


Cause I wanna be on 106 and Park pushing a Benz
The artist desires to appear wealthy and successful on television.


I wanna act ballerific like it's all terrific
The singer wants to project a confident, care-free image of wealth.


I got a couple past due bills, I won't get specific
The artist acknowledges financial struggles, but does not elaborate on the extent of his debt.


I got a problem with spending before I get it
The singer admits to impulsively spending money he doesn't have.


We all self conscious I'm just the first to admit it
The singer recognizes that everyone struggles with insecurity and self-doubt, but is willing to openly acknowledge it.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lauryn Hill, Kanye West

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@saqib7965

Being creative and not being scared on taking risks making hit records that also have that classic feel to them and on top of that..having a real message is what makes kanye west a genius. Not many artist in music history have 10 classic albums 7 of his own and 3 as a producer for the rappers albums below..

Jay z - the blueprint

Common - Be

Pusha T - Daytona

kanye has 84 platinum songs out of 184 songs

75 Grammy nominations.. the 4th most ever kanye won 24 Grammy's in total.


Classics 🎖
Mainstream success 🎖
Critically acclaimed 🎖

All huge achievements it's super rare and kanye has influenced pretty much everyone we listen to. You can hate the man but you can't deny his one of a kind legendary career.



All comments from YouTube:

@ckhid

Top 5 Hip-Hop Song of All-Time. Hate it or Love it. The message is everything we keep living, generation after generation. To me it's this and 2pac "Changes" . The end.

@O.I.S-20ois10

Well said.🥲

@paqlallaqldifi122_7

Botting likes on a comment is crazy

@_arnauu.martiinez_

the best

@Randomaccount9470

PREACH!

@YahwehYireh

Watching his documentary really is a eye opener, seeing him believe so much in himself when others doubted him is truly inspiring.

@EasyWayMel

YURRRRR SHIT crazy shit makes me feel like fighting for something. Kanye West is a fucking genius.

@courtneyhartwell3461

Just finished it myself. What a great documentary. I cannot wait for the next two episodes.

@Lilnyhsg

Exactly

@rdupiton9592

He gave us everything he had in him and it’s like we shunned him almost, look what he turned to and he gets ALL the attention. Who’s really to blame?

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