Flashing Lights
Kanye West ft. Lil Wayne & Jay-Z Lyrics

Flashing lights
Repeated phrase that represents the constant attention and scrutiny of fame and the paparazzi.

She don't believe in shootin' stars
The girl in question does not believe in the fanciful, unrealistic aspects of life, but rather values material possessions like shoes and cars.

But she believe in shoes and cars
Continuation of previous line, highlighting the girl's emphasis on materialism.

Wood floors in the new apartment
The artist is living a luxurious lifestyle, as evidenced by the expensive material of their apartment floors.

Couture from the store's departments
The artist is wearing high-end fashion brands, likely purchased from expensive stores.

You more like love to start shit
Addressing someone who enjoys creating drama or conflict in their life.

I'm more of the trips to Florida
The singer prefers to escape to a relaxing location, such as Florida, instead of creating drama like the previous line's subject.

Ordered the hors d’oeuvres, views of the water
Continuation of the previous line, describing a luxurious and relaxing vacation in Florida.

Straight from a page of your favorite author
The setting is so beautiful and ideal that it could be straight out of a favorite book or story.

And the weather's so breezy
The weather is beautiful and easy to enjoy, adding to the feeling of relaxation and luxury.

Man, why can't life always be this easy?
Reflecting on the desire for a life that is constantly beautiful and easy, like being on a perfect vacation in Florida.

She in the mirror dancin' so sleazy
A woman is dancing in front of a mirror, perhaps showing off or trying to feel good about herself.

I get a call like, 'Where are you, Yeezy?'
The singer's name is Yeezy and someone is calling to ask where he is.

And try to hit you with the ol' wopty
Someone is trying to deceive or trick Yeezy to their advantage using an old trick or scheme.

Till I got flashed by the paparazzi
Yeezy was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of paparazzi or photographers trying to get a picture of him.

Damn, these niggas got me
Yeezy is disgruntled or upset with the paparazzi's sudden intrusion and lack of privacy.

I hate these niggas more than a Nazi
Yeezy despises the paparazzi to the same extent that someone might hate a Nazi or a historical figure recognized for their cruelty and evil actions.

As I recall I know you love to show off
Referring to the girl previously mentioned, as someone who enjoys displaying her wealth and material possessions to others.

But I never thought that you would take it this far
The singer did not expect the girl's love for material things to be as extreme as it is now, perhaps bordering on obsession.

But what do I know
Expressing uncertainty or doubt about the situation and what the artist knows about it.

(Flashing lights)
Repetition of chorus, emphasizing the constant attention and scrutiny of fame and the paparazzi.

I know it's been a while, sweetheart
Addressing someone the artist has not spoken to in some time using a term of endearment.

We hardly talk, I was doin' my thang
Acknowledging that the singer has been preoccupied with their own life, causing them to not talk to the person they are addressing very often.

I know it was bad, baby
Admitting fault in the situation or relationship, using a term of endearment to express remorse or apology.

Aye babe, lately you been all on my brain
Acknowledging that the person they are addressing has been on their mind recently, perhaps hinting at a desire to rekindle their relationship.

And if somebody woulda told me a month ago
If someone had told the singer something one month ago, they would not have believed it to be true.

Frontin' on, yo, I wouldn't want to know
The singer expresses disdain or dislike for those who pretend or front in order to seem impressive or important.

If somebody woulda told me a year ago
If someone had told the artist something one year ago, they would not have believed it to be true.

It'd go get this difficult
The situation has become more complicated or difficult than the artist could have predicted.

Feelin' like Katrina with no FEMA
The singer feels helpless or stranded, like victims of Hurricane Katrina who did not receive help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Like Martin with no Gina
Similar to the previous line, the singer feels helpless without the comfort and support of a significant other, like the fictional characters Martin and Gina from the TV show 'Martin.'

Like a flight with no visa
Feeling trapped or unable to escape a situation, like not having the proper visa to travel or leave a particular location.

First class with the seat back, I still see ya
The artist is attempting to move forward in their life, but still sees or remembers the person they are addressing despite their efforts to compartmentalize or forget them.

In my past, you on the other side of the glass
The person they are addressing is in the artist's past, separated by a figurative glass wall that acts as a barrier to their current relationship or interaction.

Of my memory's museum
Using a metaphor to describe the person as an artifact or relic of their past, preserved and displayed in the singer's memory.

I'm just sayin', hey Mona Lisa, come home
Addressing the person they are talking to as the Mona Lisa, a reference to the famous Da Vinci painting, in an effort to convince them to return home or to their former place in the artist's life.

You know you can't Rome without Caesar
Using wordplay with the verb 'roam' and the name of the capital city in Italy, Rome, the singer implies that the person they are addressing needs the singer in order to find their place in life.

As I recall I know you love to show off
Repeating previous lines regarding the person's love for showing off their material possessions.

But I never thought that you would take it this far
Repeating previous lines about how extreme the person's love for material possessions has become.

But what do I know
Repeating earlier line's expression of uncertainty or lack of knowledge about the situation.

(Flashing lights)
Repetition of chorus, emphasizing the constant attention and scrutiny of fame and the paparazzi.

As you recall you know I love to show off
Reversal of previous line's subject, with the singer now acknowledging their own love for showing off their wealth and material possessions.

But you never thought that I would take it this far
Acknowledging that the person they are addressing did not expect the singer's love for material possessions and showing off to become as extreme as it has.

But what do you know
Repeating earlier line's expression of uncertainty or lack of knowledge about the situation, but directed at the person they are addressing.

(Flashing lights)
Repetition of chorus, emphasizing the constant attention and scrutiny of fame and the paparazzi.

Flashing lights
Final repetition of chorus, emphasizing the constant attention and scrutiny of fame and the paparazzi.