As well as music, Common has worked as an actor, on films such as 'Smokin' Aces' (as Sir Ivy) 'American Gangster' (as Turner Lucas), 'Wanted', and 'John Wick: Chapter 2'. He may also be seen in cameo roles in films such as 'Brown Sugar'.
His debut was the 1992 album Can I Borrow A Dollar, but he achieved little critical or commercial success until 1994's Resurrection, an instant classic. He produced several more albums, notably Like Water For Chocolate and the highly experimental Electric Circus, before releasing the Kanye West and J Dilla-produced Be in 2005, which was his first album to receive widespread mainstream appeal and radio playtime.
Common is considered a "cred" artist, which has lead him to collaborations with the likes of De La Soul, Jadakiss, T.I, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Kanye West, Lily Allen, Erykah Badu, and Fort Minor.
The 2007 album Finding Forever was produced mainly by long-time collaborator, Kanye West. Common released his eighth album Universal Mind Control in 2008, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album but lost to the Eminem album Relapse. He released his ninth album The Dreamer/The Believer in 2011. Nobody's Smiling, his tenth album, was released in 2014. The concept of the album was inspired by his troubled hometown of Chicago.
A Dream
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) That one day
(That one day) I'm a look deep within myself, I gotta find a way
(I have a dream)
My dream is to be free
My dream is to be
My dream is to be
My dream is to be free
In search of brighter days, I ride through the maze of the madness
Struggle is my address, where pain and crack lives
Gunshots coming from sounds of blackness
Given this game with no time to practice
Born on the black list, told I'm below average
A life with no cabbage
That's no money if you from where I'm from
Funny, I just want some of your sun
Dark clouds seem to follow me
Alcohol that my pops swallowed bottled me, no apology
I walk with a boulder on my shoulder
It's a cold war, I'm a colder soldier
Hold the same fight that made Martin Luther the King
I ain't using it for the right thing
In between lean and the fiends, hustle and the schemes
I put together pieces of a dream, I still have one
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) That one day
(That one day) I'm a look deep within myself, I gotta find a way
(I have a dream)
My dream is to be free
My dream is to be
My dream is to be
My dream is to be free
The world see me lookin' in the mirror
Images of me, gettin' much clearer
Dear self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul
If I don't express it, then forever I hold
Inside, I'm from the side where we out of control
Rap music in the hood play the fatherly role
My story like yours, yo it gotta be told
Tryna make it from a gangsta to a godlier role
Where it scrolls and stow slaves, and Jewish people in cold cage
Hate has no color or age
Flip the page, now my race became freedom
Write dreams in the dark, they far but I can see 'em
I believe in heaven more than hell, lessons more than jail
In the ghetto, let love prevail with a story to tell
My eyes see the glory, and well
The world waiting for me to yell "I Have a Dream"
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(That one day) We gonna work it out
(I have a dream) I got a dream
(That one day) That one day
(That one day) I'm a look deep within myself, I gotta find a way
(I have a dream)
My dream is to be free
My dream is to be
My dream is to be
My dream is to be free
The song "A Dream" by Common featuring Will.I.Am is a powerful message of hope amidst the struggles and injustices of life. The lyrics reference Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech, using the repetition of the phrase "I have a dream" to emphasize the importance of holding onto one's dreams and aspirations in difficult times. Common's personal experiences growing up in poverty and facing discrimination are evident in the verses, as he describes the struggles of those born on the "black list" with "no money." The chorus serves as a powerful declaration that one day, we will work it out and be free, and encourages the listener to look deep within themselves and find a way to make their own dreams a reality.
The imagery in the song is especially powerful, as Common uses metaphors like "struggle is my address, where pain and crack lives" and "I walk with a boulder on my shoulder" to convey the weight of the struggles faced by marginalized communities. The theme of unity and the hope for a better world is also prominent, as Common references Jews and people of all ages and races in his call for love and freedom to prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
(I have a dream) I got a dream
I have a strong desire to achieve something.
(That one day) We gonna work it out
Someday, we will resolve our issues.
(That one day) We gonna work it out
Someday, we will come together and find a solution.
(That one day) We gonna work it out
Someday, we will overcome any obstacles in our way.
(I have a dream) I got a dream
I have a strong desire to achieve something.
(That one day) That one day
At some point in the future.
(That one day) I'm a look deep within myself, I gotta find a way
I will introspect and find a solution.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be free
My ultimate goal is to experience freedom.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be
My aspiration is to achieve something significant.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be
I have a strong desire to achieve my goal.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be free
I desire to experience freedom above all else.
In search of brighter days, I ride through the maze of the madness
I navigate through a difficult and confusing world in pursuit of a better life.
Struggle is my address, where pain and crack lives
I live in a place full of hardship, addiction and suffering.
Gunshots coming from sounds of blackness
The sounds of my community are filled with violence and danger.
Given this game with no time to practice
Life has given me many challenges with no time to prepare or learn.
Born on the black list, told I'm below average
I was born into a society that considers me inferior.
A life with no cabbage
I have no financial security.
That's no money if you from where I'm from
Where I come from, that amount of money is not enough to live on.
Funny, I just want some of your sun
I seek a better life, full of opportunity and success.
Dark clouds seem to follow me
I am plagued by misfortune and difficulty.
Alcohol that my pops swallowed bottled me, no apology
My father's addiction to alcohol has negatively affected me and he never apologized for it.
I walk with a boulder on my shoulder
I carry a great burden with me.
It's a cold war, I'm a colder soldier
I am fighting a difficult battle and must be tough to survive.
Hold the same fight that made Martin Luther the King
I continue to fight for justice and equality, like Martin Luther King Jr.
I ain't using it for the right thing
I have not yet been able to use my fight for justice effectively.
In between lean and the fiends, hustle and the schemes
I am caught between drug addiction and criminal activity, and hope for a better life.
I put together pieces of a dream, I still have one
Despite the difficulties I face, I am still striving to achieve my dream.
The world see me lookin' in the mirror
The world sees me reflecting on my life and circumstances.
Images of me, gettin' much clearer
I gain a clearer understanding of myself and my situation.
Dear self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul
I reflect on my own thoughts and emotions in an attempt to grow and improve.
If I don't express it, then forever I hold
If I don't share my feelings, I will be negatively affected forever.
Inside, I'm from the side where we out of control
Inside, I come from a place where things are chaotic and difficult.
Rap music in the hood play the fatherly role
Rap music is a guiding force for many people in my community.
My story like yours, yo it gotta be told
My story, like many others, deserves to be heard and understood.
Tryna make it from a gangsta to a godlier role
I aspire to move away from my criminal past and towards a more virtuous life.
Where it scrolls and stow slaves, and Jewish people in cold cage
I come from a place with a history of slavery and prejudice.
Hate has no color or age
Prejudice and discrimination can affect anyone, regardless of race or age.
Flip the page, now my race became freedom
I have transformed my racial identity from a burden to an opportunity for freedom.
Write dreams in the dark, they far but I can see 'em
I dream of a better life, even when it feels difficult to achieve.
I believe in heaven more than hell, lessons more than jail
I prefer to seek wisdom and learning over punishment and confinement.
In the ghetto, let love prevail with a story to tell
Even in a difficult and impoverished environment, love can thrive and stories can be made.
My eyes see the glory, and well
I see a brighter future and have hope for a better life.
The world waiting for me to yell "I Have a Dream"
The world is waiting for me to declare my aspirations and to strive towards achieving them.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be free
My ultimate goal is to experience freedom.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be
My aspiration is to achieve something significant.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be
I have a strong desire to achieve my goal.
(I have a dream) My dream is to be free
I desire to experience freedom above all else.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Lonnie Lynn, Will Adams, Martin Luther King Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheeItalianStalian
This song isn’t on spotify & that ANGERS me. I’m constantly coming back here
@jaroncloetens6421
bro i feel you
@sfxdlwsrs
This makes me A N G R Y, arrrghh
@TheeItalianStalian
@I Love Halloween idc about all that man, sometimes you find new music you end up loving because of spotifys randomness
@ellapolman492
FELT
@kookiiekream8677
Omg same!!
@T-mack56
This makes me want to watch Freedom Writers again.
@JasdeepSingh-xw9mw
I just did LOL
@Morena113
Me too
@JoseFailsWims
Anisykes . Same.