West originally attempted to acquire legal clearance to sample the recording but due to various complications, the permission was withheld.

[3] West then called upon Syleena Johnson to re-sing the relevant vocal portions of "Mystery of Iniquity" which ended up in the final track.

Lyrically, "All Falls Down" examines the self-consciousness and insecurity within society, particularly the black community, and how these characteristics pertain to economic materialism.

[7] A performance of "All Falls Down" was included on West's 2006 live album Late Orchestration, which was recorded in 2005 at Abbey Road Studios in London.

The album's lyrical content is notable for containing complex societal issues, which West strives to advertently cover in ways relating to the Black American community.

Exploring the concept of insecurity and doubt, West tackles matters of excessive materialism and the surface-level aesthetics of affluence.

However, West scrutinizes this apparent subjugation and excessive materialism, ending with a claim that he recognizes his and others collective submission to such a lifestyle.

[19][20] Hip hop journalist Davey D wrote about the lyrics in his 2015 book, The Cultural Impact of Kanye West: "A number of Black pathologies including self-hate, drug abuse, and the worship of white wealth.