All Of The Lights
Kanye West ft. Rhianna & Fergie Lyrics

All of the lights (all of the lights)
The brightness and extravagance of this moment.

(Lights, lights) all of the lights
The visual stimulation of the surroundings.

Turn up the lights in here baby
Increase the intensity of the lighting.

Extra bright, I want y'all to see this
Highlight the importance of what is happening.

Turn up the lights in here, baby
Again, increase the intensity of the lighting.

You know what I need
Acknowledging that the singer has certain requirements.

Want you to see everything
Inviting the audience to witness everything that's happening.

Want you to see all of the lights
Asking the audience to pay close attention to the visual elements around them.

Fast cars, shooting stars
The fast-paced and exciting lifestyle they lead.

(All of the lights, all of the lights)
All of the brightness and visual stimulation around them.

Until it's Vegas everywhere we are
The opulence and excitement of Las Vegas replicated wherever they go.

(All of the lights)
Again, emphasizing the visual stimulation of their surroundings.

If you want it you can get it for the rest of your life
Celebrate the ability to live their lavish lifestyle forever.

Something wrong
Acknowledging that something is not right.

I hold my head
Feeling distressed.

M.j. Gone, our nigga dead!
Mourning the loss of Michael Jackson.

I slapped my girl, she called the feds
Admitting to a violent act towards his partner, which led to legal consequences.

I did that time and spent that bread
Serving the punishment and paying for the legal fees.

I'm heading home, I'm almost there
Returning home after being away for some time.

I'm on my way, headed up the stairs
Going to his destination, which is on a higher level.

To my surprise, a nigga replacing me
Discovering that someone has taken his place.

I had to take 'em to that ghetto university (all of the lights)
Introducing the person who replaced him to a life of danger and hardship.

Cop lights, flashlights, spotlights
Describing different types of lights that may be present in a chaotic situation.

Strobe lights, street lights
Describing other types of lights present in the surroundings.

(All of the lights, all of the lights)
Again, emphasizing the visual stimulation of the surroundings.

Fast life, drug life
Describing the dangers and temptations of living fast and recklessly.

Thug life, rock life
Describing other lifestyles that come with their own difficulties and dangers.

Every night (all of the lights)
Emphasizing that these dangers and temptations are present every night.

Restraining order
Referencing a legal order of protection.

Can't see my daughter
Being barred from spending time with his child.

Her mother, brother, grandmother hate me in that order
Describing the level of dislike from his former partner's family.

Public visitation
Being allowed to visit his child publicly.

We met at Borders
Recalling a past encounter at a bookstore.

Told her she take me back
Asking for forgiveness and a second chance to be with his partner.

I'll be more supportive
Promising to be more helpful and understanding as a partner.

I made mistakes
Taking responsibility for past wrongdoings and mistakes.

I bumped my head
Acknowledging that things have not gone according to plan.

Courts suck me dry
Losing a lot of money due to legal battles.

I spent that bread
Spending all the money he had.

She need her daddy
Acknowledging the importance of being there for his child.

Baby please,
Begging for forgiveness and another chance.

Can't let her grow up in that ghetto university (all of the lights)
Promising to protect his child from the dangerous lifestyle and hardship he's been dealing with.

Getting mine, baby
Asserting the importance of working hard for what he has.

Gotta let these niggas know, yeah
Announcing to others his success and the hard work he's put in.

Get right, ay
Advising others to get their own success and work hard for their goals.

You should go and get your own
Encouraging others to pursue their own success and not rely on someone else.

Unemployment line, credit card declined
Describing the struggles of not being able to pay bills due to unemployment and financial issues.

Did I not mention I was about to lose my mind? (My mind, my mind, my mind)
Showing the mental toll of these struggles and challenges.

And also was about to do that line (line, line, line)
Acknowledging the temptation to turn to drugs in times of difficulty.

Okay, okay, you know we going all the way this time (time)
Determined to succeed no matter what.

We going all the way this time (time)
Reiterating the determination and drive to succeed.

Whoa, whoa, oh
Expressing emotional depth and intensity.

I tried to tell you but all I could say is oh
Struggling to articulate the depth of emotion and experience being felt.