"Work it, make it, do it, makes us harder, better, faster, stronger!"
[played in background, continuously:]
Work it harder, make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger - Vagueness is a present fallacy presented within the italicized lyrics. Vagueness occurs when the subject or verb of the sentence can have multiple meanings, and it is not indicated which meaning is intended. Kanye is making the argument that working “it” harder, making “it” better, and doing “it” faster will result in us becoming stronger. However, it is unclear what “It” exactly is. To make the lyrics less fallacious, They should be changed to: “work us harder, work us better, workout faster, makes us stronger.” By changing the vagueness of the word “it”, and giving it a subject, we are more clear of the meaning behind his lyrics.
[Chorus:] Na-na-na that that don't kill me, Can only make me stronger - False Dichotomy is a present fallacy presented in the italicized lyrics. False Dichotomy occurs when an argument only holds two options, saying that it is one way, or the other. It is or it is not. A black and white argument excluding any grey areas. Surprisingly, the original quote, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” was said by Nietzsche. Kanye’s version of this quote, as well as Nietzsche’s original, is presenting us with the argument that you are either dead, or made stronger by anything impacting your life that does not result in death. Kanye is limiting us with a false dichotomy, producing a possibility of only two circumstances. The lyrics should be changed to: “That that don’t kill me, may or may not have an impact on my life that could lead to me becoming stronger.”
Damn, they don't make 'em like this anymore. I ask 'cause I'm not sure, do anybody make real shit anymore? Bow in the presence of greatness - Inconsistency is a present fallacy depicted in the italicized lyrics. Inconsistency occurs when an argument is stated, and then is contradicted directly after. Kanye’s lyrics are questioning the quality of today’s music. He is claiming that nobody makes “real” music anymore. However, he contradicts his previous statement, as he tells us to bow in the presence of his greatness. To make the lyrics less fallacious, they should be changed to “Damn, they don't make 'em like this anymore. I ask 'cause I'm not sure. Do anybody but me make real shit anymore? Bow in the presence of greatness."
I know that God put you in front of me. So how the hell could you front on me?
- Equivocation is a present fallacy depicted in the italicized lyrics. Equivocation occurs when the same word or phrase experiences a change in meaning during a dialogue. While Kanye originally uses the word “front” to mean the physical placement or position of someone, as he puts them before himself, he soon changes the connotation of the term to it’s "slang" use, meaning, to insult or disrespect. To make the lyrics less fallacious, they should be changed to “But I know that God put you in front of me, so how the hell could you disrespect me?”