Vertigo
The Alchemist (feat. Action Bronson) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Vertigo, a feeling of dizziness
A swimming in the head
This shit spooky
Creepin'
Creepin' around the corner
Yeah

Michelle, how come every time we argue
It always gotta be about the money?
When I was with Steady B, I had it all
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, gold, Liz Claiborne, I had it all
You ain't giving me nothing

Tap water for a basic bitch (drink up)
Seen the come up looking at me, probably need to get your Lasik fixed
You need to focus better
We own the deeds to the lot
You get evicted, hit with a thirty-day notice letter
You never catch me slipping on the slight
Better chance of getting struck by lightning twice
I'm in a cinnamon-colored vintage smoking spice
Cop a low price (I know people)
Pop wheelies on motorbikes
And get down on one knee, squat and throw the dice
I'm head cracking, dodging hail and raindrops in a lead jacket
Victory lap and saw the finish line and sped past it
With flying colors, hit the gas and burn the tires rubber
And play a boat for the entire summer
In Portofino they call me Sergio
Suede slippers cost a thirty ball
Stare too long and get vertigo
This more than any man can see
I organically push a button and open the door up mechanically
Then peel the skin off of a mandarin, get some extra vitamin C
I'm drippy, I'm a Saks Fifth window mannequin
Tried to stencil the manuscript
Impossible, my face is that of an ancient god etched in an amulet
When I go to break down a beat I dismantle shit

Uh-huh (it's me)
Got the game on a leash like six special kids with helmets on
Tumble out of limos with leopard on
Bring my own homemade food in a Tupperware to the restaurant
And practice various wrestling moves on a leprechaun
Nothing better you could spend your shekels on
Thug bitches in Peyton Manning jerseys
She took a bump, now she's chirpy
And then I had to stop the car 'cause she had to take a dump, mother mercy
Shit, she must've had the turkey
Thug bitches in Peyton Manning jerseys
Uh, lifted F150's
The way I hit the corner, bitches calling him Ricky
Say "Baklava" three times in the mirror, man, this shit can get tricky
They'll never find you amongst the hickory

Yeah
Yeah, his body's probably washed out on the Wilshire Canyon somewhere
Send out a search party (no)
No, what's this?
Baklava
You see, the universe is like a giant baklava
You see, the universe is like a giant baklava




You see, the universe is like a giant baklava
You see, the universe is like a giant baklava

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Alchemist and Action Bronson's song "Vertigo" touch on various themes and ideas, creating a surreal and introspective atmosphere. The opening lines, "Vertigo, a feeling of dizziness, a swimming in the head, this shit spooky," set the tone for the song, evoking a sense of disorientation and unease. The repetition of "creepin'" creates a sense of lurking danger or darkness, adding to the overall eerie atmosphere.


The next verse addresses a character named Michelle, who seems to be in a tumultuous relationship with Action Bronson. The constant arguments revolving around money suggest that material possessions have become a source of tension between them. Action Bronson reminisces about his past, when he had everything, from high-end fashion brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton to luxury items like gold. He laments that Michelle doesn't contribute to his lifestyle, expressing his disappointment in the line "You ain't giving me nothing."


The following lines shift focus to a broader commentary on society and personal resilience. Action Bronson contrasts himself with a "basic bitch" drinking tap water, suggesting that he is on a higher level of personal and artistic development. He asserts his ownership of the "deeds to the lot," implying that he possesses control and security in his life. He also highlights his agility and ability to navigate through life's obstacles by mentioning his skill at avoiding slip-ups, even comparing it to the chances of being struck by lightning. The use of vivid imagery, such as being in a "cinnamon-colored vintage smoking spice," adds a richness to his self-portrayal.


The song then transitions into a description of Action Bronson's lavish lifestyle and the power he derives from it. He mentions being admired in Portofino, a luxurious Italian destination, and references his expensive suede slippers. The line "Stare too long and get vertigo" suggests his opulence can overwhelm and disorient observers. He further displays his confidence and ostentation by peeling the skin off a mandarin fruit to consume extra vitamin C, metaphorically showcasing his supremacy and health. Action Bronson compares himself to a Saks Fifth window mannequin, emphasizing his fashion-forward and stylish persona. He describes his insurmountable skills as he breaks down beats, metaphorically dismantling obstacles and challenges in his path.


In the final verse, Action Bronson showcases his unique personality and humorous wordplay. He boasts about having the game under his control and the ability to manipulate situations, likening it to controlling six special kids on leashes while wearing helmets. The absurdity of his statements adds a playful tone to the lyrics. He also demonstrates his unconventional behavior, bringing homemade food to a restaurant and even practicing wrestling moves on a leprechaun. This imagery illustrates his disregard for societal norms and his ability to surprise and entertain.


The song concludes with a dialogue exchange where the universe is compared to a giant baklava, a sweet pastry. This metaphor implies that the universe is a delicate and intricate creation, filled with layers of experiences and interconnectedness. It suggests that, like a baklava, the universe is both intricate and delicious, highlighting the wonder and beauty of existence. Overall, "Vertigo" combines elements of introspection, surreal imagery, and playful wordplay to create an engaging and thought-provoking piece of music.


Line by Line Meaning

Vertigo, a feeling of dizziness
A sensation of dizziness and imbalance


A swimming in the head
A disorienting sensation in the mind


This shit spooky
This situation is eerie and unsettling


Creepin'
Moving stealthily and cautiously


Creepin' around the corner
Sneaking around discreetly


Michelle, how come every time we argue
Michelle, why does our every argument


It always gotta be about the money?
Always revolve around financial matters?


When I was with Steady B, I had it all
During my time with Steady B, I possessed everything


Gucci, Louis Vuitton, gold, Liz Claiborne, I had it all
Including luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, gold, and Liz Claiborne


You ain't giving me nothing
You aren't providing me with anything


Tap water for a basic bitch (drink up)
Ordinary water for an unexceptional woman (drink it all)


Seen the come up looking at me, probably need to get your Lasik fixed
When success approached me, you probably need to correct your vision


You need to focus better
You should improve your concentration


We own the deeds to the lot
We possess the property ownership documents


You get evicted, hit with a thirty-day notice letter
If you get evicted, you'll receive a notice letter with a thirty-day deadline


You never catch me slipping on the slight
You'll never catch me being careless about small details


Better chance of getting struck by lightning twice
Greater probability of being struck by lightning twice


I'm in a cinnamon-colored vintage smoking spice
I'm dressed in a classic, cinnamon-colored outfit with a unique style


Cop a low price (I know people)
Purchase at a discounted rate (I have connections)


Pop wheelies on motorbikes
Perform tricks by lifting the front wheel of motorcycles


And get down on one knee, squat and throw the dice
Kneel down, squat, and roll the dice


I'm head cracking, dodging hail and raindrops in a lead jacket
I'm skillfully avoiding obstacles, like hail and rain, while wearing a protective jacket


Victory lap and saw the finish line and sped past it
Completed a celebratory lap, saw the end point, and surpassed it quickly


With flying colors, hit the gas and burn the tires rubber
With great success, accelerate and make the tires' rubber smoke


And play a boat for the entire summer
Enjoy a luxurious boat for the entire summer season


In Portofino they call me Sergio
In Portofino, I'm known by the name Sergio


Suede slippers cost a thirty ball
Expensive suede slippers cost thirty thousand dollars


Stare too long and get vertigo
If you gaze for too long, you'll experience dizziness


This more than any man can see
This exceeds what any person can comprehend


I organically push a button and open the door up mechanically
I effortlessly activate a button and mechanically open the door


Then peel the skin off of a mandarin, get some extra vitamin C
Subsequently, I remove the peel from a mandarin fruit to obtain additional vitamin C


I'm drippy, I'm a Saks Fifth window mannequin
I'm stylish and fashionable, like a mannequin displayed in Saks Fifth Avenue's window


Tried to stencil the manuscript
Attempted to duplicate the manuscript using a stencil


Impossible, my face is that of an ancient god etched in an amulet
It's impossible since my face resembles that of an ancient deity carved on an amulet


When I go to break down a beat I dismantle shit
When I analyze and deconstruct a musical rhythm, I do it skillfully


Got the game on a leash like six special kids with helmets on
I have complete control over the industry, just like six children with special needs wearing helmets


Tumble out of limos with leopard on
Emerge clumsily from limousines wearing leopard print


Bring my own homemade food in a Tupperware to the restaurant
I carry my own homemade meal in a Tupperware box to a restaurant


And practice various wrestling moves on a leprechaun
Engage in wrestling techniques with a leprechaun


Nothing better you could spend your shekels on
There's no better thing to spend your money on


Thug bitches in Peyton Manning jerseys
Aggressive women wearing Peyton Manning's football jerseys


She took a bump, now she's chirpy
She snorted drugs and became talkative


And then I had to stop the car 'cause she had to take a dump, mother mercy
I had to abruptly halt the car because she urgently needed to defecate


Shit, she must've had the turkey
She must have eaten something that upset her stomach


Lifted F150's
Raised Ford F150 trucks


The way I hit the corner, bitches calling him Ricky
The skillful manner in which I turn corners makes people compare me to Ricky, a renowned driver


Say 'Baklava' three times in the mirror, man, this shit can get tricky
Utter the word 'Baklava' thrice while looking in the mirror, it can become confusing


They'll never find you amongst the hickory
They'll never locate you amidst the hickory trees


Yeah, his body's probably washed out on the Wilshire Canyon somewhere
Yes, his corpse likely ended up in the Wilshire Canyon


Send out a search party (no)
Initiate a search operation (no)


No, what's this?
No, what's happening here?


Baklava
Baklava (a Middle Eastern pastry)


You see, the universe is like a giant baklava
You see, the cosmos resembles a colossal baklava


You see, the universe is like a giant baklava
You see, the universe can be likened to an immense baklava


You see, the universe is like a giant baklava
You see, the vastness of the universe is comparable to a giant baklava




Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: Daniel Alan Maman, Ariyan Arslani

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@213byron

I hope Alchemist lives forever . Dudes a music God

@oliverbranch7686

I agree

@moisesmacias360

Legends never die

@SadDad01

If anybody else made this track, everybody would call it trash 🤷‍♂️

17 More Replies...

@Commieslowj4ms

Action Bronson on an alchemist beat is always a treat

@Bronzecafekids

Forevermore

@81Orka

Always

@DATSUN-zo1bv

Alchemist rapping on an Alchemist beat🔥

@Tkdawickedwizardofthenorth74

@@DATSUN-zo1bvmore of what I was thinking lol

@al-Bismillah

10-4.
Agreed!

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