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.
All Night Long
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Want to feel the vibe want to feel the vibe!
Want to what? Yeah
Want to what? Uh yeah (come on)
Every body come on uh
Yo yo (all night long)
During divine hours I use mind power to refine
Get they minds off acrylic nails and the rap world
It's a lot you can find in the lost black girl
Made signs built in lodges, we be in garages
Discussin' who we boned and who God is
Pro-black like Craig Hodges with my dashikis in the cleaners
I kick it for the Chevy riding head to backstreet leaners
All (uh) night (yeah yeah what?)
All (huh, uh) night (whatcha say now B, what?)
All (yeah, yeah yeah) night (Ow! Ow)
(To freak it with the) All (now let me get a piece of this)
(Let me get a piece B) Night
Check it, check it
I was born underwater with three dollars and a cocktail
Trying to make the Garden of Eden, out of Auckdale and Rockwell
Locked in this Grid like a Tupac tale
While her-on rock smells make the cops tail
My third eye is my rail, on this Illa-thought
With afro-centric stamps I'm mailing thoughts
To my Gods held in court
I dwell where rebellion's taught, and emotions seldom walk
I try to Walk Like an Egyptian, with Hieroglyphics spelled in chalk
I guess the hustling is the unspoken Gospel
Love that I'm an apostle, feel the holy spirit of Chicago
E Bottom, here's the bottle
I think I, need a cup of a tea, because I'm novel
(Come on baby) Bust it
I just want to rock you
All night long
All (come on baby)
All night long, all night long
All night long, on and on and on and on (come on baby)
I just want to rock you (all night long)
All night long (all night long)
All (on and on and on and on)
I (all night long) just want to rock you (all night long)
All night long (all night long)
(What? Yo-yo, yo-yo yo-yo check it, check it)
On and on and on and on
A portrait of the Artist, formerly known as Sense
The brain-wash, with my vocal tones I rinses
This opportunity and the beat knocks
Women, give me rhythm like beat box, but it's the year
Of completion, I want a Queen to complete Rash'
Who's flavored from stacks, to Reeboks
Send blessings to the family of Ice Mike
Shit like that, don't help me write right, but I got sight
Like a destruction worker, when it's time to build
Get off like Sam Jack' in it's "Time to Kill"
In perseverance I'm a find a meal, and provoke
My Gramps used to trick off big papers at the Riverboat
It go
All, night, all night
All, night, you got it goin' all night
All, night, y'know, y'know it all night
All, night (yeah, yeah)
I just want to rock you (one more time)
All night long (ebb in feelings)
I just want to rock you (I ain't sleeping)
All night long (all night long)
On and on and on and on
Check it
I walk downtown to tempos and never lose the beat
Some people got ignorance confused with bein' street
On the, street of desire my body and soul meet
Arguing over thick broads and meals with no meat
Had the cold feet for a second
Mega-niggas in my box throwing suggestions
Had me checking myself and double checking, I popped in "Resurrection"
In the mirror I only heard my reflection
Let me hold mics, while you hold dicks and CD collections
And at MusicLand and Coop's, we can make connections
I meditate with confidence, to not chomp on cents
Outspoken like 30's but yet I guard my lips
Writing niggas with stripes, I hold posture with
Popping shit to fat broads, wearing ostrich
Giving 'em voice mail, tracks are like County
To them I voice-jail, if you believe in Heaven
Why is the choice Hell? Why is this choice Hell?
Why is this choice Hell?
All night long (keep going)
I just want to rock you (keep going, keep going, keep on)
(And don't you give up) All night long (ah keep on, ah keep on)
(Ah keep on, ah keep, ah don't you give up)
I (all night long) jus' want to rock you (all night long)
All night long (if you want it you can have it lay upon my rest)
On and on and on and on (keep it going baby)
(If you want it you can have it lay upon my rest)
I just want to rock you (all night long)
All night log (if you want it you can have it lay upon my rest)
(All night long) On and on and on and on
All (if you want it you can have it lay upon my rest) night
All (and if you want it you can have it lay upon my rest) night
All night
All night
All night
All (don't stop now) night (no no no, no, uh-uh)
All (you bet' not stop) night
All night
Yeah, Common Sense, and Badu
The lyrics to Common Feat. Erykah Badu & The Roots's song All Night Long reflect the artists' desires to feel the vibe, have fun, and connect with their communities in meaningful ways. Common opens the song with a line about using mind power to refine and empower black women, shifting their focus from superficial things like acrylic nails to more meaningful experiences. He continues to describe his life experiences, from being born underwater to meditating with confidence, and pondering why the choice between heaven and hell exists. Badu's vocals echo Common's sentiments, expressing her desire to rock someone all night long and keep the energy going.
Throughout the song, there are references to black culture and history, including the mention of Craig Hodges, an NBA player known for his pro-black activism, and Hieroglyphics, an ancient Egyptian writing system. Common also mentions the Riverboat, a popular gambling destination in Chicago that his grandfather used to enjoy. These references showcase the richness and depth of black culture and history.
Overall, the song celebrates life, love, and black culture, encouraging people to connect with their communities and enjoy the moment. It is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and uplift them, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Durin divine hours I use mind power to refine
During spiritual hours, I use the power of my mind to improve myself
Flour/flower girls and make em feel like black pearls
I empower women and make them feel special
Get they minds off acryllic nails and the rap world
I help women focus on their true worth, not just their appearance or the culture around them
It's a lot you can find in the lost black girl
There are many valuable lessons and insights to be learned from women who feel lost or overlooked
Made signs built in lodges, we be in garages
I create symbols and messages in secret, anywhere from private gatherings to everyday places
Discussin who we boned and who God is
In our conversations, we mix the profane with the sacred, discussing everything from our sexual exploits to our beliefs about the divine
Pro-black like Craig Hodges with my dashikis in the cleaners
I am fiercely proud of my black identity, even as I strive to keep my clothing clean and well-maintained
I kick it for the Chevy ridin head to backstreet leaners
My music is enjoyed by people from all walks of life, from those who ride in luxury cars to those who hang out on the streets
Allllll.. (uhh) niiiiiight.. (yea yea, what?) [HAH]
I want to feel the vibe and connect with my audience all night long
Allllll.. [HUH, UHH] niiiiiight.. (whatcha say now Bee, what?)
My music creates a hypnotic, enduring atmosphere that draws people in
Allllll.. (yeah, yeah yeah) niiiiiight.. [AOW! Aoww-owwww]
Throughout the night, I want to keep the energy high and the crowd engaged
(to freak it with the) Allllll.. (now let me get a piece of this) (let me get a piece Bee) niiiiiight..
I want to have fun and enjoy the moment, even as I continue to connect with the audience
I was born underwater with three dollars and a cocktail
I was born into difficult circumstances, with very little money and a lot of obstacles
Tryin to make the Garden of Eden, out of Auckdale and Rockwell
Despite the challenges, I am determined to create a beautiful world for myself and those around me
Lock'd in this Grid like a Tupac tale
Like Tupac, I feel trapped in a grid or system that limits my opportunities and creativity
While her-on rock smells make the cops tail
The smell of marijuana attracts unwanted attention from law enforcement
My third eye is my rail, on this Illa-thought
My intuition is my guide, helping me navigate difficult or unconventional situations
With afrocentric stamps I'm mailin thoughts
I am sharing my ideas and perspectives, which are deeply influenced by my African heritage
To my Gods held in court
My music is a tribute to the artists and thinkers who came before me, many of whom were persecuted or oppressed
I dwell where rebellion's taught, and emotions seldom walk
I surround myself with people who challenge authority and conventional wisdom, even as I struggle to express my true feelings
I try to Walk Like an Egyptian, with Hieroglyphics spelled in chalk
I draw on the ancient wisdom of Egypt and other cultures, using symbols and language to convey my message
I guess the hustlin is the unspoken Gospel
In my world, hustling or striving to succeed is often seen as a higher calling than religion or spirituality
Love that I'm an apostle, feel the holy spirit of Chicago
I see myself as a spiritual leader, bringing new ideas and energy to my city
I think I, need a cup of a tea, because I'm novel
Even as I focus on my creative work and my place in the world, I also appreciate the simple pleasures of life
Iahhhhh jus' want to rock you Alllllll night looooong
My music is about connection and intimacy, creating a vibe that lasts all night long
A portrait of the Artist, formerly known as Sense
I am constantly evolving and changing as an artist and as a person
The brain-wash, with my vocal tones I rinses
My music has the power to wash away negative thoughts or emotions, creating a sense of clarity or catharsis
Opportunity and the beat knocks
With each new opportunity and each new beat, I am inspired to create and to push myself further
Women, give me rhythm like beatbox, but it's the year
In this moment, women are my inspiration and my source of energy, just like the beat of a drum
Of completion, I want a Queen to complete Rash'
I am looking for a partner who can support me, challenge me, and help me grow as a person
Who's flavored from stacks, to Reeboks
My ideal partner has a diverse range of experiences and interests, spanning everything from financial success to fashion
Send blessings to the family of Ice Mike
I am grateful for my life and my opportunities, even as I acknowledge the struggles and losses of those around me
Shit like that, don't help me write right, but I got site/sight
Inspiration can come from anywhere, even from mundane or difficult situations
Like a destruction worker, when it's time to build
My music is about breaking down barriers and creating something new and powerful
Get off like Sam Jack' and it's +Time to Kill+
I channel the anger and frustration of the oppressed, using it as fuel to create something transformative
In perseverence I'ma find a meal, and provoke
Even in difficult times, I stay focused on my goals and use my creativity to push against the status quo
My Gramps used to trick off big papers at the Riverboat
My grandfather was a gambler and a risk-taker, shaping my family's legacy and my own approach to life
On and on and on and onnnn
My music is eternal and boundless, continuing to inspire and connect with new generations
A portrait of the Artist, formerly known as Sense
As an artist and a person, I am always evolving and changing, shedding my old identity and taking on new challenges
The brain-wash, with my vocal tones I rinses
With my voice and my music, I am able to inspire and uplift my audience, freeing them from negativity and stress
Women, give me rhythm like beatbox, but it's the year
In this moment, I am focused on creating music that empowers and celebrates women, who are the source of my creativity and inspiration
Allllll.. niiiiiight.. all night
Throughout the night, I am fully immersed in my music, creating a magical and unforgettable experience for my audience
Allllll.. niiiiiight.. you got it goin all night
My music is about creating and sustaining momentum, keeping the party going all night long
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Erica Wright, Ahmir K Thompson, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, James Jason Poyser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind