Snap Judgment: Kanye West's 'Flashing Lights' video

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50 Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 04:08 PM EST

this song SUCKS 50 Cent should've outsold this motherfucker

StevieY Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 10:51 PM EST

and by "well-known throughout history", you mean that it happened in To Kill a Mockingbird.... odd reference and even stranger conclusion.

RENAI Sat, Sep 6, 2008 at 03:52 PM EST

Maybe it is a warning to inform brothers to stop messing around with white girls. Throughout history to present, it's known that white girls flirt and tempt black men and as soon as they feel for the bait the white girls would cry rape and the brothers would be lynched or their houses would be burned down. Maybe Kanye was just showing a reminder from a historical perspective.

silvia Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 04:53 PM EST

hurray for curvy women! i know a lot of ppl that would say the chick in the video is way chunky but thats cuz they never seen a real women before. she looks like me! :)

marou3_@hotmail.com Mon, May 26, 2008 at 11:13 PM EST

I spoke to my friend last night about the video..about what he understood from it and all, and he said to me that ''fame killed him''. Fame killed Kanye. And that makes perfect sense cuz listen... whether it's the fame or the ''industry''(hip hop industry) that killed him, THAT killed him. Hip Hop now. If we watch closely, eveything in the video IS hip hop, the girl, sex, cars, money...eveything revolves around the different representations of what hip hop is today. everythings that supperificial. Its logical. and the girl (which is also hip hop) kills him in the back of the car (hip hop). I thought it made sense

shinphatman Sun, May 25, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

Umm...for some, stop thinking too little about it...for the others, stop thinking too hard about it. It's not dumb & all about kanye(even though the ego is definitely boosted), yet it's not all that complex on the 4th plane of the industry & sexuality & blah blah blah...listen to the song, watch the video - it's that simple. man, have we come that far from creating videos that make sense anymore? i agree it was definitely the craziest way to sum up the song, but it did what it was supposed to. better not mess with a psycho chick, or she will "take it this far" lol.

Nina Wed, May 21, 2008 at 08:18 PM EST

This video reflects that us women need to love ourselves first, because you can't count on what you want isn't always going to be what you'll get. I wish Obama would be president for decades, but we know that's impossible. Always remember the small things that keep you happy...until the next time something incredible comes around the corner. It will. But you've only got you in the meantime. You're awesome.

mamimundo Fri, May 2, 2008 at 10:05 PM EST

Some idiot wrote that he says "Oeur de Whopee"....dude, he says he "tried to hit ya w/ the Old Milwaukee, then I got snapped by the paparazzi..." He was lying to his girl about where he was...duh!

*Secret* Thu, May 1, 2008 at 03:32 AM EST

This video is a continuation from the end of a rock video, (I forget the bands name) the lady, also wearing a thong, heals and a huge mink, sees her man cheating, and seductively leads him to spend the night with her, in the middle of the night, she duck tapes his legs, arms and mouth shut, puts him in the trunk of a super fly car puts the huge weapon in the trunk next to him(the same tool in Yea's video), then drives off, that's the end of the video....Kanyes video begins with her (a black version of the white lady in the rock video) pulling up in the desert, and finishes the job....maybe its the same director? Maybe Kanye felt that video needed a continuation, who knows!!!

JOE Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 01:10 PM EST

WATCH THE PREQUEL TO FLASHING LIGHTS. AC FEAT TRIFE THE GOD -TRAPPED ON THE ISLAND (DIRECTED BY STEVEN TAPIA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnGRqW17JVA

WWW.THISISAC.COM

joe Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 01:09 PM EST

WATCH THE PREQUEL TO FLASHING LIGHTS. AC FEAT TRIFE THE GOD -TRAPPED ON THE ISLAND (DIRECTED BY STEVEN TAPIA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnGRqW17JVA

WWW.THISISAC.COM

Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 02:34 PM EST

We had this warmup on annalyzing the lyrics. and This was the coolest little metaphric video. I thought the girl should have kilt herself

td Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 06:42 PM EST

I hear there is another video for this track, anyone know if that's true?

Ty Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 09:28 PM EST

I think this video is outside the norm, well shot, and completely relevant to the song. A lot of people keep commenting on how short it is, when it may have been ruined if it were stretched just to fit the time. It's very dramatic, and the ending is jarring and abrupt to say the least. It's that shock he's trying to convey, and because he's telling the story the video ends when he does. People shouldn't dismiss something just because they're not used to it. To those of you that are too busy saying wtf and ONLY see a fat a**, watch it again...and think.

dexter Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 06:22 AM EST

yeah it`s aiit.
but chect out this LIVE BACKSTAGE AND TOUR CHANNEL:

http://www.kyte.tv/ch/18531-50centtour

peace !

Onthereal Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 02:42 AM EST

This is Kanye's mentally unstable idea to create controversy over himself once again cause he thinks everyone should be kissin his ass. He's needs to get over himself. Can't believe they air this garbage given the already dark and morbid minds of the MTV crowd out there bringin guns to school, killing off there parents etc. And we wondering why we're losing control of these kids cause of S*** like this that influence there thinking.

LAyDiiE K Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 10:25 PM EST

Flashing Lights’ is about a superstar who is caught cheating with another woman while traveling on business. He tries to apologize to his girlfriend by telling her how much he cares about her, but is unsuccessful.

The video shows us just how unsuccessful the superstar was as we see his girlfriend killing him in the trunk of her car.

Kanye begins the song by saying: “She don’t believe in shooting stars.”

This shows that the woman does not care if her man is a superstar or not, and that nothing will excuse his actions.

He goes on to say, “but she believes in shoes and cars.”

Her ‘belief’ in shoes and cars is shown by her stripping down and burning her clothing, but never taking off her shoes. Also, rather than turning some of the gasoline she possessed on the car, and burning her boyfriend alive inside, she chose to kill in the trunk and keep her car intact.

Later in the song, Kanye spits: “I get a call like where are you Yeezy Try to hit you with a ‘Oeur de Whopee’ Ti

SIXX Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 04:11 PM EST

and kanye is more of layback dude. [I'm more of the, trips to Florida Order the h'orderves, views of the Water And the weather so breezy, man why can't life always be this easy] so while he in florida(miami) he cheat on is girl (I get a call like where are you Yeezy) is girl call him while he with the next girl..but he try to lie (Try to hit you with a 'Oeur de Whopee') he try to be slick. But he got caught by the FLASHING LIGHT, (Till I get flashed by the paparazzi) kanye got busted.

SIXX Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 04:09 PM EST

Dis iz one of my favorite song of his album...I know most of y'all said da song & video doesn't make sense but you got to listen to the lyric & read between da line. [As I recall, I know you love to show off] kanye girl is model is a material chick, he said [she believe in shoes & cars Wood floors in the new apartment, couture from the store's department].

SIXX Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 04:07 PM EST

Dis iz one of my favorite song of his album...I know most of y'all said da song & video doesn't make sense but you got to listen to the lyric & read between da line. [As I recall, I know you love to show off] kanye girl is model is a material chick, he said [she believe in shoes & cars Wood floors in the new apartment, couture from the store's department]. and kanye is more of layback dude. [I'm more of the, trips to Florida Order the h'orderves, views of the Water And the weather so breezy, man why can't

Dave Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 12:44 AM EST

Well, after READING the sequence of events in the video in your review, a couple of ideas popped into my head:

Beginning at the end, maybe the song is cut prematurely because it signifies that people 'kill' him (write him off) in judgment before his career is even over, or before his statement as an artist has been fully presented. The woman in the video, perhaps, is like an ungrateful lover of his who turns on him (fame?) in his 'prime'. At first his career was lauded and built up by the media, now they pick him apart and try to tear him down.
Twilight normally refers to the end of something - a day, an era, a life. Is he another Tupac, prophesying his own demise?

ariane Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 05:46 PM EST

um...wow, the song is great put the video a little...how can i put this, well no words can discribe it...but i love any ways

angela Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 10:47 PM EST

okay....so I came upon a website that explains the whole video...basically the video is the aftermath of what's really in the story line behind the song which indicated that kanye was caught by the media cheating, tried to apologize to his girl, and in the end it doesn't work....and this is where the video comes to play....it's her just bashing kanye's brain's out because he cheated....if you want THERUNDOWN.TV breaks it down lyric by lyric. You have to look up "flashing lights" in the search box because it's an article, plus it's pretty legthy but it really ends the mystery behind what the video really means...

hope I helped some of you

angela Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 10:47 PM EST

okay....so I came upon a website that explains the whole video...basically the video is the aftermath of what's really in the story line behind the song which indicated that kanye was caught by the media cheating, tried to apologize to his girl, and in the end it doesn't work....and this is where the video comes to play....it's her just bashing kanye's brain's out because he cheated....if you want THERUNDOWN.TV breaks it down lyric by lyric. You have to look up "flashing lights" in the search box because it's an article, plus it's pretty legthy but it really ends the mystery behind what the video really means...

hope I helped some of you

ATLJAY Thu, Feb 28, 2008 at 11:55 AM EST

"YEAH I SAID IT" Get a life. it's not his job to empower women. That was cold what you said about his mom. How do you know those aren't her's?

Megan Tue, Feb 26, 2008 at 07:51 PM EST

Check out the "All Falls Down" video as well...relateable

Megan Tue, Feb 26, 2008 at 07:42 PM EST

I've been a Kanye West fan ever since I saw the "Through the Wire" video...He had immediately caught my attention with his story of having his mouth wired shut, and the fact that he put it in his first video...defenitely set him apart from all the other dime-a-dozen rappers...A lot of my friends dislike him because he uses samples in pretty much all of his song..but really...isn't that what rap music is?

I first heard this song when the CD first came out and really thought nothing of it...until the video I didn't really take the song seriously or really look to far into the meaning.

I saw the "Flashing Lights" video this morning for the first time...I loved the warning at the beginning... and I was completely in LOVE with the abstract idea as i watched the video.

I'd like to possibly relate it to Eminem's "Kim"...anyone else have any thoughts on that?

And as far as the video ending half way through the song...I WANTED MORE!!! any other thoughts on this?

Chris Mon, Feb 25, 2008 at 02:35 AM EST

OK people the lyrics state it all... the flashing lights define the good and the bad in his life... she enjoys the money aspect of the life... but the life ultimately got him in trouble... he went to florida... got loose and cheated on his girl... she called and he lied to her and the flashing lights caught him (got flashed by the paprazzi) so he tries to explain why he cheated on her in the second verse and tells her how hard it is... he says at the end of the verse that she cant roam without ceasar which is basically telling us she left him... he says he loves to show off and she never thought he would take it that far(cheating) she burns her clothes cuz it was all a part of the life and she kills him for cheating on her... thats the video people

Dan Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 11:02 PM EST

Kanye is notorious for creating videos that compel thought. Kanye released 2 alternate videos for Jesus walks and higher that were abstract and reminiscent of his eclectic influences (I mean Pam Anderson and Evil Knevil?). I thought the video wasn't that layered and pretty straight forward, its a video of a woman scorned taking revenge, reflecting of the warning signs Ye details in his lyrics. "She don't believe in shooting stars, but she believe in shoes and cars." When the scene opens we see the woman get out of the car and disrobe from almost everything of value but her shoes and set them on fire. The things she sets on fire could have sentimental value things Ye got her to own her.

Jamie Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 04:38 PM EST

I think the woman's supposed to be Britney- dun dun dun! She looks very similar to Britney at the infamous VMA performance and part way through when she's walking back toward the car is reminiscent of the dance routine of the performance. I don't know what the reasoning behind it would be but it looks to me as though we're supposed to somehow subliminally process the clip as Britney-related and the lyrics relate a little to the whole fallen star concept. Any thoughts on this?...

Anon007 Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 03:31 AM EST

This is the typical cliche scenario of a video. Guy gets caught up in the life of fame, money and pretty women. Women always say (usually joking) that if we caught our man cheating, we would kill him. He's just really playing it out in the video. The burning clothes was taken from "Waiting to Exhale". And the stripping down to the thongs..let's be honest, that was just to keep the men's attention.

I don't care for Kanye, but I love the song..and for some odd reason I'm feelin the video a little.

Lollie Sat, Feb 23, 2008 at 07:42 PM EST

The way she lovingly caresses his face, kisses him so tenderly - then pummels him to death so violently... Disturbingly beautiful.
There's a thin line between love and hate....

yeah i said it Sat, Feb 23, 2008 at 07:27 PM EST

SELL OUT = LOSS OF RESPECT

WTF!? Kanye...what the hell is your problem?! You're promoting the same "Big booty Big Boobs" ideology that is partly responsible for your mothers death.

Yeah its sad, and my condolenses go out, but think about it.

And come on...you think its okay to blur out a can of gasoline, but not a woman's bare ass? Don't even get me started on how her face is cleaverly hidden behind a large wig.

And to think...you want the Grammy's to show your punk ass some respect...with this stunt do you really think you deserve respect?

I thought you would have been classy and tried to raise the bar for women's empowerment...but I see you've learned nada!

Thanks for nothing you sell out.

White Z Sat, Feb 23, 2008 at 01:49 AM EST

To answer the question, the video twists on the whole "video ho" conform to show an empowered, beautifully gifted woman hand it to raps biggest name. the song debuts and we all expect a flashy ass video, but instead we get a video ho's sweetest revenge. the vid also plays on the song's hook of a girl obssessed with the fame, driven wild she kills yeezy on her own psychosematic ladder to stardome. aszucker@gmail.com

Rachaelesha Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 05:02 PM EST

Song, video and artist (if you can call him one) all S.U.C.K....

tempted Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 10:05 AM EST

Well, i must say its definetly eye catching! I had to watch it three times. But I feel like what he means by flashing lights, is like a warning. I think he drove the female in the video to do what she did, but he didnt realize cause he didnt see the signs... but this video is really creative and i love it!!!!!!!!!!

elbow Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 02:38 AM EST

if you dont get the video....

LISTEN TO THE LYRICS. people LISTEN TO THE LYRICS. LISTEN TO THE LYRICS. people LISTEN TO THE LYRICS.LISTEN TO THE LYRICS. people LISTEN TO THE LYRICS.LISTEN TO THE LYRICS. people LISTEN TO THE LYRICS.LISTEN TO THE LYRICS. people LISTEN TO THE LYRICS.

Hinhanska Tue, Feb 19, 2008 at 02:50 PM EST

I read that Rita G said this video is abstract and it means whatever you want it to mean. This has been my favorite Kanye song for a while, and seeing the video was a pleasant surprise. Although I liked Stronger, it didn't have the underlying vibe that I felt he wanted to convey. With the success of his albums and videos, I think he felt it's time he could make a video that was truly a piece of art for him.
To me, it isn't exactly about a woman scorned, or his helplessness toward women. He is a person that willingly makes bold decisions. Flashing Lights symbolizes his choice to follow the lure of something that my not be the right thing to do. When he's in the trunk, he almost appears willing. He doesn't attempt an escape, he just kind of lets it happen. He seems to have tapped into something that few artists are expressing right now, and he has the means to make something that will fly over the heads of most, but will sink with some. It's the thinking man's video, which is rare.

Brian Tue, Feb 19, 2008 at 12:01 AM EST

I was watching this video with my girl and at first it threw me off. Of course, I had to use my DVR, rewind and take a 2nd look. I hate to say it, but most hip hop heads, are not into "lyrical content" any more. If you'd ask the average person how they's picture or imagine this video, before viewing this clip, I'd bet the average responce would be some fluffed up imagage of Ye' (Kanye) up in a club, surrounded by flashing light, with flashbacks to various sceens and interactions with a female...Wrong! Flashing Lights is...a parallel to Neon Signs, Writing's On The Wall, Tell Tell Signs, Smoke Signals...I could go on with more antecdotes...This video is perfect. If you truly listen, this is the issh that going through his mind while in the truck..."As I recall, I know you love to show off but I never thought that you would take this far, but what do I know?" ...These are all the thoughts that every guy had had after dealing with a crazy chick. "Why did I ignore the FLASHING LIGHTS?"...

Bill Jones Sat, Feb 16, 2008 at 01:11 AM EST

Sorry to tell you but it is a simple rip off! I know you people do not watch classic movies, because you did not see that it was stolen from the opening of the movie Goodfellas. How simple are people today? In the industry, it called "recycling". It is not original when you lift it from a known number one classic hit movie. P.S that man has serious issues with women.

Anthony Fri, Feb 15, 2008 at 03:07 PM EST

I was really surprised by this video. I thought it was awesome.. didn't expect him to not do the whole song though. But it's perfect. That's all it needed.

For those curious about the girl... Fri, Feb 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM EST

...this is her: http://www.rita-g.com

hidden Fri, Feb 15, 2008 at 12:15 PM EST

cool video. already been done though.
reminds me A LOT of Axelle Red's "Rester femme".

Fatima Fri, Feb 15, 2008 at 01:05 AM EST

Sally- I would have to agree! She certainly has the intimidating beauty to be like them. Not to mention the chest!

I just really hope this makes more popular artists put more effort into making lasting videos. Yeah, Kanye's had some really fun and cool videos as of late (MUCH better than mosts artists), this is the one that will be sticking with me. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, Kanye has never had a bad video! But this one is much more exciting to me.

RayT Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 11:21 PM EST

I absolutely love this video! To me, this is like Kanye's mea culpa for the ridiculously overdone circus act videos he's done like "Touch the Sky" and "Stronger." It's great that he and Spike realized less is more: in this case, all they needed was a car, a shovel, and only 3 camera shots. The first thought that came to my mind as well was that the woman was getting revenge for every woman ever featured in a rap video (kind of like Madonna's infamous "What It Feels Like For a Girl" video from a few years back). So far this video and Feist's "I Feel It All" are my favorite of '08.

SallyinChicago Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 10:53 PM EST

Thank you Fatima....but doesn't she look like a young Pam or Tamara?

Nate Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 07:52 PM EST

Total Genius Simple New Awesome Powerful Deep Cool Can't wait to see what everyone else thinks of the video

Brent Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 07:03 PM EST

Just because a car is dusty doesn't mean that it is "beat-up." That is a new Ford Mustang.

soulman Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 06:04 PM EST

Good point, Nick. Well said. Spike Jonze makes great music videos, though. Look at the vids that he's done with Björk if you want proof.

nick Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 05:46 PM EST

Its well done but derivative. Much like the rest of the album it just rips of late 90s dance music, albeit really well. If this were a video for anything other than hiphop no one would think twice.
Not to be a hater, I love Kanye, and am glad he has influences outside of hiphop.

Fatima Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 05:34 PM EST

I hate to be a know it all, but Tamara Dobson was Cleopatra Jones and Pam Grier was Coffy/Foxy Brown. I know, they're hard to tell apart:)

daft Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

it's just a music video, dont know what all the fuss is about. One other thing, why censored the part where she is pouring the gasoline???

Sally in Chicago Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 04:34 PM EST

let me quantify myself. I'm not rap artist lover, I can't understand half of what they say...blame my generation or my age, whatever....I'm just now getting around to KW and while he's a little cocky, his cockiness has gotten him this far so it doesn't bother me...about the video...intriguing...I kept asking -- how did she get that body? Who is she? not -- what's the video about? It looked like a young Pam Greer from her Cleopatra Jones days....anyway, I think it's just a part one of a longer story...he'll probably do a R.Kelly and do a sequel...but it is gloriously photographed...you can guess I'm into film.

Phil Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 04:22 PM EST

I had originally thought the video was taking so long because he intended to give us a great deal of lighting & special effects due to the nature of the song's title. But then when the clip popped up online last night, I'm like its ONLY 2:50? Where is Kanye at the 1:25 mark? Where's Dwele? And then when she pops the trunk, I'm like WHOA. But seriously, this video doesn't look like it took long to film or even write, so did he wait BECAUSE he announced his Glow In The Dark Tour dates? Or did he scrap whatever video treatment he originally had and went with this because he was in a darker place after the death of his mother? I mean, I'm sure we'll never know, but due to the grisly nature of this video, I DOUBT Mtv will be nominating it for a Video Of The Year Award like they did for "Stronger" last year. I'd LOVE to know the story behind the concept though. Hopefully, things will be brighter for the next clip for "Homecoming" with Chris Martin.

Fatima Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 04:13 PM EST

Dan - Um, yes in fact he has. Maybe he's never been totally "sane" but he has done plenty of stuff that goes beyond the exterior surface and continues to be one of the most intelligent people in music right now. So to dismiss him of any deeper meaning is not fair to me

I'm totally getting obsessed as I was first disappointed but now I find the whole thing to be fantastically creepy. I don't know what I think! But it is exciting that a music video has got this reaction from me. I'm just sad the song had to get cut so much since it is one of the best on the album

Aneya Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 04:09 PM EST

I thought Kanye was trying to convey what's it like to have a demanding girl in his life and how he literally feels trapped in his life...definitely an original idea for a video, and it makes people talk, which is exactly what he wants!

Chris Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 03:59 PM EST

Is this a teaser? Kanye has this posted on his blog also, so I'm guessing no. What happened to the last minute of the song? Also, the preview picture he offered up months ago is nowhere in this video.

If this really is the entire thing: 1 - There's nothing spectacular about it! 2 - I do give him props for, I'm certain, going against what the studio wanted.

Bethany Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 03:56 PM EST

Nobody has commented yet? I saw the video earlier today, and frankly, I like it. I was no West fan, but no one can deny the likability of "Stronger."

Back on topic, though... the video is a brilliant interpetation of the lyrics, where West describes all the things his girl likes, how much she likes to show off, and then apparently humiliate him by leaving after all he has done for her.

Frakly, in a world of rapidly declining CD sales and slashed budgets at traditional labels, putting a video like this brazilliamce by Jonze is genius.

Kinda arty, kinda poppy, all pubby.

A definite thumbs up from this gal, hip-hop purists be darned.

Dan Daoust Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 03:53 PM EST

Has Kanye ever said anything that made you say, "That guy's got a head on his shoulders"? You're overthinking it. Catchy riff on the synthesizer, though.