Common Knowledge
Asher Roth Lyrics
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Go against the law, might get a bit risky
No offense to y'all, but I feel a bit gifted
So I think my odds are about 50/50, crispy
O.K. Corral, we about to put it down
Take 10 and turn around, go and pull your pistols out
But what is this about, all these grenades and handguns
Magnús Ver Magnússon, strong set of hands, son
Strong arm Lance so scared that he can't run
'Cause when a man comes face to face with his fears
He gets weird, he can't hear, he can't see things clear
I be sincere, yes dear, guests here
Press gear, dress queers, fresh in my neck beard
Next year, net year, jet Leer, get near
Top tier, drop tears, no way not here
'Cause there's no crying in baseball, and that's that
"There'll always be a case called when Ash rap
Bars will take your face off, no cat scratch
Go ahead, ask Wreck racks on racks, yea that
For a pat on the back after I black
Tackle and straddle a calf without impactin' my breath
Climb the ladder of success, skipping and missing a step
New edition of spittin', you should've listened to Flex, it's like
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know, oh, no
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know, oh, no
Slick Dickies, no one can stick with me
Spit it out quick, as soon as the shit hits me
Kill swiftly, been ill since Stick Stickley
Double dip dibs, I dibble and bust quickies
Nifty little shit, I do it while dressed thrifty
Pricks just stiff, my stick is so shifty, sick
Fred McGriff with the hits coming lefty
Used to be for free, now the seats never empty
It's elementary, yeah I heard it in assembly
Principal was telling me I'd better go ahead and read
Never be a better me, better off dead or me
Not really a better, but I'm betting that I'll better be
Better with the rhetoric, set it up and let it rip
Aw better forget it man, kid's a fucking lunatic
Looney Toon, lunar eclipse
Every blue moon, might see a few shooting strips
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know, oh, no
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know
I try to tell them but they don't know, oh, no
The lyrics of Asher Roth's song "Common Knowledge" present a message of self-assurance and a focus on the future. In the opening lines, Roth asserts that he feels gifted and acknowledges the risks involved in going against established norms. He then moves on to a kind of Old West shootout-type metaphor, in which he triumphs over his adversaries due to his superior skills and bravery. However, the lyrics also reveal his self-awareness, as he admits that he can be a "fucking lunatic" at times.
In the second verse, Roth continues to showcase his talents as a rapper, using wordplay and allusions to pop culture, such as the children's TV show host Stick Stickley and baseball movie A League of Their Own. He also touches on the topic of self-improvement and overcoming challenges, reflecting on his own growth as an artist through experience and learning from others.
Overall, "Common Knowledge" is a song about confidence, hard work, and the importance of forging one's own path. Roth's lyrics combine clever wordplay and cultural references with a message of self-assurance and a refusal to conform to expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
They say that if it works, don't fix it
People advise that if something is already efficient, there's no need to improve it
Go against the law, might get a bit risky
Breaking rules could be dangerous
No offense to y'all, but I feel a bit gifted
Not to offend anyone, but I believe I have particular talent
So I think my odds are about 50/50, crispy
I am convinced that my probability of success is fifty-fifty
O.K. Corral, we about to put it down
We are ready to start and get this done
Take 10 and turn around, go and pull your pistols out
Give ten paces and get firearms ready
But what is this about, all these grenades and handguns
I'm confused by the use of explosives and firearms
Magnús Ver Magnússon, strong set of hands, son
I'm referencing Magnús Ver Magnússon, who has great strength
Tall, dark, handsome, holding y'all for ransom
A reference to a good-looking person holding others hostage
Strong arm Lance so scared that he can't run
Lance is intimidated and can't escape
'Cause when a man comes face to face with his fears
When a person confronts their fears, they get scared
He gets weird, he can't hear, he can't see things clear
Fear causes disorientation, someone can't hear or see well
I be sincere, yes dear, guests here
I am hospitable and authentic when I have guests
Press gear, dress queers, fresh in my neck beard
I dress fashionably and have a well-groomed beard
Next year, net year, jet Leer, get near
Planning for the future, looking for opportunities to excel
Top tier, drop tears, no way not here
I am one of the best, and no one can stop me from achieving success
'Cause there's no crying in baseball, and that's that
A famous quote from a movie saying that showing weakness does not belong in sports
"There'll always be a case called when Ash rap
When I rap, people will pay attention
Bars will take your face off, no cat scratch
My rhymes are powerful and can make others shocked
Go ahead, ask Wreck racks on racks, yea that
My skills are so impressive, and people should ask others to confirm
For a pat on the back after I black
I need some recognition for having success
Tackle and straddle a calf without impactin' my breath
I can remain calm even in difficult situations
Climb the ladder of success, skipping and missing a step
I have setbacks, but I'm still climbing the ladder of success
New edition of spittin', you should've listened to Flex, it's like
I have improved and changed my style, people should take notice
I try to tell them but they don't know
I'm attempting to educate others, but they're not listening
Slick Dickies, no one can stick with me
I am too fast for others to keep up with me
Spit it out quick, as soon as the shit hits me
I react quickly when faced with a challenge
Kill swiftly, been ill since Stick Stickley
I am skilled in quickly and efficiently taking out competitors
Double dip dibs, I dibble and bust quickies
I am a master of my craft and can quickly complete tasks
Nifty little shit, I do it while dressed thrifty
I am resourceful and can make use of what I have
Pricks just stiff, my stick is so shifty, sick
Others may be inflexible, but I am adaptable and impressive in what I do
Fred McGriff with the hits coming lefty
A reference to Fred McGriff, a baseball player with powerful hits from the left side
Used to be for free, now the seats never empty
I was once lesser-known, but now I have a large following
It's elementary, yeah I heard it in assembly
My success is fundamental, I've known it since I was young
Principal was telling me I'd better go ahead and read
Someone in charge advised me to improve my knowledge
Never be a better me, better off dead or me
I strive to be the best version of myself, even if it means starting from scratch
Not really a better, but I'm betting that I'll better be
I may not be better now, but I have confidence in my future improvement
Better with the rhetoric, set it up and let it rip
I have improved in my speaking skills and am ready to impress
Aw better forget it man, kid's a fucking lunatic
I am a passionate and intense individual
Looney Toon, lunar eclipse
I'm being figurative in describing myself as potentially unstable but nevertheless intriguing
Every blue moon, might see a few shooting strips
I am unique and not always recognized, but once in a while, people see my potential and success
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Asher Paul Roth, Jonathan Paul Keller, Richard Neville Parry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind