![]() Both he and the woman are driven by frivolity and admitted insecurity they remain “so self-conscious” despite their flashy distractions. Yet even though he can spend “25 thou’” on jewelry, he does so before he buys a home (“And I’d do it again”). The second verse features Kanye name-dropping designer watches and coveting Versace goods. Kanye, a proud college dropout himself, appears to empathize with her for both of them, “the concept of school seems so secure,” but it nonetheless left them lost. The first is about a nameless, aimless, “single Black female addicted to retail” who leaves college because “that major that she majored in don't make no money.” She stays in town to “do hair,” which earns her just enough to buy “a few pairs of new Airs,” though not enough to purchase a car (“so she named her daughter Alexus”). The song expresses this through parables. ![]() “All Falls Down,” then, is a song not just about vanity in the sense of arrogance or pride, but also one about emptiness and futility-a dirge for the limits of earthly acclaim. It might also complement the song’s message about the duality of success: every high point is a reminder of how far we could fall. This contrast might reflect Kanye’s own emotional conflicts-then and now, both in and out of the public eye. Sung on “All Falls Down” by Syleena Johnson, the refrain replicates Hill’s soulful, even mournful melody, which is layered with a catchy, clapping, drum-machine beat that invites listeners to nod along. The song’s title and memorable hook are borrowed from Lauryn Hill’s bluesy, acoustic ballad “Mystery of Iniquity,” an interesting sample choice in retrospect given the reclusive Hill’s own struggles with money and stardom. “ All Falls Down,” the third single off his 2004 debut album, The College Dropout, reflects the themes of aspiration and disappointment that run through much of his earlier work. Editor's note: Our free Pop Psalms ebook, featuring all 12 essays in one place, is available here.
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