MELROSE Lyrics – Kanye West

MELROSE Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]
Kanye is reflecting on advice from his mother, who warned him not to trust people. Despite that, he feels like he was still blind to betrayal. He talks about how society tries to control or suppress people like him, but he refuses to be held down. The repeated question about believing in light could symbolize hope or truth in a world full of struggles. The “fight” and “night” references suggest a constant battle he faces in his life and career.

[Chorus]
Kanye is back on Melrose, a famous street in Los Angeles, after spending a fortune trying to get home, which could symbolize the high cost of fame. A woman in his life wants to go back to Rodeo Drive, a luxury shopping district, but at the same time, she looks down on his background, calling him “too ghetto.” This highlights the tension between his success and his roots.

[Verse 2]
Playboi Carti describes the wild, reckless lifestyle that comes with fame. He talks about smoking a lot, feeling like he needs more protection (“ammo”), and embracing his rockstar persona while still carrying the toughness of his hood upbringing. The “gun and rose” could symbolize the mix of danger and luxury in his life. He mentions being surrounded by women but also dealing with drama when one of them caused issues. Every day, he remains confident in himself, while women try to manipulate their way into his life, wanting access to his wealth and lifestyle. He also talks about wanting money to be brought to his house before taking someone shopping, showing how business-minded he is even in relationships.

[Chorus]
Kanye repeats the theme of returning to Melrose after spending a ridiculous amount of money just to get home, possibly referring to the extravagant costs of fame. The same woman wants to go back to Rodeo Drive, but at the same time, she looks down on his background, calling him “too ghetto.” This contrast between luxury and judgment highlights the struggle of being a successful Black artist while still facing class and racial stereotypes.

[Verse 3]
Ty Dolla $ign starts by mentioning his mother’s warning about women, implying that many are only after his wealth. He knows that women spend money on themselves but still act like they need him. He also talks about casual relationships, acknowledging that other men have been with the same women he has. He’s aware that some women fake love for their own benefit, but he enjoys the attention anyway. The “foreign” references highlight his luxurious lifestyle, both in terms of women and travel. He brags about his success, selling out stadiums and being surrounded by beautiful women. The lines about an actress suggest how people in the industry use each other for status or gain. In the end, he mentions Melrose again, reinforcing the theme of being in the middle of wealth, fame, and the struggles that come with it.

[Chorus]
Kanye repeats the same struggle of trying to get home after spending so much money, reinforcing the idea that fame and luxury come at a price. The woman he’s dealing with wants to return to Rodeo Drive, the land of high-end shopping, yet she still criticizes him for being “too ghetto.” This contrast between luxury and judgment is a recurring theme in the song, showing how no matter how much success he achieves, people still see him through the lens of his past.