In 2018, the song debuted at number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking the first time a track with Prima appeared on the Hot 100 since 1961 and thus breaking Bobby Helms' record. The song further reached the top 50 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It has since been certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
On June 26, 2020, "4th Dimension" was used as the soundtrack for a preview of Kids See Ghosts' Takashi Murakami-directed animated show of the same name. The clip features the characters Kanye Bear and Kid Fox, who are voiced by West and Kid Cudi, respectively. In the clip, the characters are sucked into a different dimension, where they successfully manage to escape a cemetery. Kids See Ghosts performed the song live at the 2018 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.
The staff of Complex reached out to the Gia Maione Prima Foundation's attorney Anthony Sylvester in June 2018 to find out how Prima became featured, which Sylvester explained by saying:
"It all happened very quickly, within the last week. Kanye and his people were gracious with sharing the recording with us, and acknowledging the contribution of Louis Prima to the song. They were very, very receptive to the idea that, for all intents and purposes, Louis was featured. I don't know if they had it in their minds before, or if it was simply something that we thought on our side. I didn't really expect [the idea of Louis being a featured artist] to go anywhere. And then the next day, there it was. It really speaks to the graciousness of Kanye and his people, I must say."
Sylvester elaborated as he recalled that West and his people told him "what their plans were" and "how excited they were," with him feeling "equally excited" after becoming aware of their plans and he admitted "a lot of good things" happened very quickly. He revealed that he was surprised they wanted to sample a holiday song, not remembering any sample requests for "What Will Santa Claus Say? (When He Finds Everybody Swingin')" ever before and Sylvester confirmed his "jaw dropped." According to Sylvester, it was him who approved the sample and he assumed "royalties are paid" to the foundation as a result of Prima receiving a writing credit as a writer while expressing the feeling that the sample request "won't be the last now." "4th Dimension" was produced by West, with additional production being handled by Dean alongside Noah Goldstein. Prior to sampling gospel singer Shirley Ann Lee's "Someday" on the song, West had sampled the recording for "Ghost Town", with the sample showing continuity of the track. The connection between the track and Kids See Ghosts is also evident from the album being titled as such, as well as it featuring the sequel "Freeee (Ghost Town, Pt. 2)". Originally, "Ghost Town" was slated for release as the fourth track on the album.
4th Dimension
Kids See Ghosts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With his great big smile
And you'll find that even the kiddies
Are swingin' in the latest style
Oh, oh, oh
What is Santa bringing?
Oh, oh, oh
Bought her alligator, I ain't talkin' Lacoste
Made me say, "Ugh, huh"
Like a mix of Master P and Rick Ross (uh, uh)
She seem to make me always feel like a boss (uh, uh)
She said I'm in the wrong hole, I said I'm lost (uh, uh)
She said I'm going too fast, I'm exhausted
Now drop to your knees for the offerin'
This the theme song, oh something wrong
Might need a intervention for this new dimension
That's too new to mention, or fit in a sentence
If I get locked up, I won't finish the sent
Oh, oh, oh
What is Santa bringin'?
Oh, oh, oh
Gettin' loose while I'm on the deuce, see me roll out
Watch you surf, hit the coast, and this feelin', I got
Plenty adventures for the evening, we go journey, we off
From the light to guide us home, we in the moment oh oh
Such a lost boy, caught up in the darkest I had
What's the cost, boy? Losin' everything that I had
She been on me, boy, unless you got somethin' to tell
Sittin', waitin' for me slippin', yeah, I'll see you in hell
Tell the cougar get up off me, no, my soul ain't for sale
All the evils in the world, they keepin' on me for real
I really hope the Lord won't hurt me, we all live in sin
Kids see ghosts off the ropes, Ric Flair on your bitch
Now this the theme song, this the theme song
Now put the beams on, get your, get your dream on
But you don't hear me though, drama we let it go
Watch the guitars roll, now let your friends know
Oh, oh, oh
What is Santa bringin'?
Oh, oh, oh
Just do that and then let me the music do something, then do that again
That'd be enough for a record
I mean, you only want two and a half minutes if you can get it
You know, three minutes max
The opening lines of "Fourth Dimension" by Kids See Ghosts describe the arrival of Santa Claus, bringing joy and happiness along with him. However, the song quickly veers off into more salacious themes, with Kanye West rapping about his sexual exploits in vivid detail, referencing Master P and Rick Ross to assert his status as a wealthy, successful artist. The song also deals with themes of lost youth and the pressures of fame, with Kid Cudi describing himself as a "lost boy" caught up in the darkness of his own fame.
Despite the seemingly incongruous mix of Santa Claus and explicit sexual content, "Fourth Dimension" can be seen as a kind of twisted Christmas carol, with the upbeat, festive melody and lyrics about gift-giving undercut by the darker, more sinful themes. Overall, the song seems to grapple with the contradictions and complexities of modern life, blending lighthearted holiday imagery with the grim realities of fame, fortune, and the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the chimney, he will come
Santa Claus is coming to town and going down the chimney to deliver Christmas presents
With his great big smile
Santa is known for his jolly and cheerful demeanor
And you'll find that even the kiddies
Children are excited for Santa's arrival and eagerly await their presents
Are swingin' in the latest style
The kids are rejoicing and celebrating in their own unique way
What is Santa bringing?
Everyone is excited to see what gifts they will be receiving from Santa
It feels so good it should cost
The feeling of joy and happiness is priceless
Bought her alligator, I ain't talkin' Lacoste
He bought his partner a luxury item, an alligator skin product
Made me say, 'Ugh, huh'
The purchase was impressive and left him speechless
Like a mix of Master P and Rick Ross (uh, uh)
The feeling he gets from his wealth and success is reminiscent of rap icons Master P and Rick Ross
She seem to make me always feel like a boss (uh, uh)
His partner helps him feel successful and powerful
She said I'm in the wrong hole, I said I'm lost (uh, uh)
There was a miscommunication or misunderstanding during their intimacy
She said I'm going too fast, I'm exhausted
Her partner was moving too quickly and it was tiring her out
Now drop to your knees for the offerin'
He is commanding his partner to perform a sexual act
This the theme song, oh something wrong
The main track represents the overall theme, but there seems to be some underlying issues or problems
Might need a intervention for this new dimension
The situation is so unique and unfamiliar, it may require an intervention or outside help to navigate it
That's too new to mention, or fit in a sentence
The situation is too complex or unusual to explain easily
If I get locked up, I won't finish the sent
If he gets in trouble, he won't be able to complete the work he's currently doing
Gettin' loose while I'm on the deuce, see me roll out
He's letting loose or having fun while he's doing something else, such as driving
Watch you surf, hit the coast, and this feelin', I got
He's witnessing someone else do something impressive and it's giving him a similar feeling of power or success
Plenty adventures for the evening, we go journey, we off
There are many possibilities for excitement or fun during the rest of the day/evening
From the light to guide us home, we in the moment oh oh
In this moment or experience, they are focused on the present and enjoying it
Such a lost boy, caught up in the darkest I had
He feels like he's lost and struggling in something he believed in or cared about
What's the cost, boy? Losin' everything that I had
He's questioning the price he's paying for his losses, and if it's worth it
She been on me, boy, unless you got somethin' to tell
Someone has been bothering him and wants him to confess something
Sittin', waitin' for me slippin', yeah, I'll see you in hell
Someone has been waiting for him to fail or mess up, and he's determined to prove them wrong
Tell the cougar get up off me, no, my soul ain't for sale
He's telling someone older to stop pursuing him; he won't compromise his values or principles for anyone
All the evils in the world, they keepin' on me for real
He feels like all the negative aspects of life are affecting him directly
I really hope the Lord won't hurt me, we all live in sin
He's hoping for forgiveness or grace from a higher power since everyone makes mistakes or has flaws
Kids see ghosts off the ropes, Ric Flair on your bitch
The artists are like unstoppable wrestlers or powerful performers who are taking control of the situation (especially with someone else's partner)
Now put the beams on, get your, get your dream on
Turn up the energy or excitement and pursue your goals or desires
But you don't hear me though, drama we let it go
There may be conflict or issues, but they choose to ignore or move past them
Watch the guitars roll, now let your friends know
Enjoy the music and share the experience with others
Now this the theme song, this the theme song
This track represents the main or recurring theme of the album
Now put the beams on, get your, get your dream on
Turn up the energy or excitement and pursue your goals or desires
But you don't hear me though, drama we let it go
There may be conflict or issues, but they choose to ignore or move past them
Watch the guitars roll, now let your friends know
Enjoy the music and share the experience with others
What is Santa bringin'?
Everyone is excited to see what gifts they will be receiving from Santa
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cydel Young, Dexter Mills, Jahmal Gwynn, Kanye Omari West, Louis Prima, Mike Dean, Noah Goldstein, Patrick Reynolds, Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, Shirley Lee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind