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.
Breaker 1-9
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord have mercy, mercy mercy me
You see I'm trying to get the punani
But you just want to rock me ah eh eh ah eh eh
You see I'm trying to get the punani
But you just want to rock me ooh check it
So get your ride on ride the thundercloud and broom broom broom
So I can Bangkok better yet knock Italy
But raindrops keep falling on my couch, try to sit with me
Tampering up my program, so I play another slow jam
It's not an ancient Chinese secret, you should know man
But you insist on stay and playing Genesis
I gotta put an end to this, baldergash, haul ass
And don't come knocking my door, with the cockle-doodle-doo
I'm talking the his and his and hers, Three's Company too
So step to the step to the rear
And don't come back now, hear?
Ah to the break y'all (break y'all, yeah)
Ah to the break y'all (break y'all, made it!)
To the break y'all (break y'all, nah!)
To the break y'all (break y'all break, break!)
The CB's, the CB's, they're here!
I'm checking my mirror from the rear,
Locks are closer, than they appear
The time is near for you to drop your beer and get your nuts again
But ain't no haps your dick isn't there
You're thinking that, "Oops, I made a mistake"
You say, "Fuck Nell Carter, come on Jimmy, give me a break"
You made a mistake on the first take
Trying to break a leg for take two
You should of ate your Wheaties
and Petey might of made a breakthrough
You say to hope that things might bloom, so you assume position
Wishing he would listen, so you start to kissing
It's alive, and up goes, and up goes you're adrenaline
You aimed, you fired, there you go, limp figures
So you take and then play the role of friend and talk
Try to tell her it's her fault, when Jack your Been wouldn't Stalk
Baby Bubba youse a goner, ahh, you'se a goner
It's fucker up, when your dick is playing tricks on you
So you pop fizz, what a relief, beef stroke it up
My man, got your thing, in your hand, say, "I, I think I can!"
Damn this never happened before, yeah sure that's what they all say
Uh-oh you better get Maaco kid, cause old girl is saucy
What was sweet to eat, has now dried up and rotted
It's a pile of pew, pick up your glove and say, "Yo I got it!"
Hoping you won't drop you thought you had it made like Kay
What more could go wrong, you got the right one baby!
Uh-huh, let you tell it, everybody and their momma knows
that you came quick, quicker than a pizza, from Domino's
To the break y'all (break y'all, yeah)
To the break y'all (break y'all, maybe)
To the break y'all (break y'all, nah)
To the break y'all (break y'all, check it out)
The 1/9, the 1/9, the CB's, the break
The 1/9, the 1/9, the CB's, the break!
The 1/9, the 1/9, the CB's, the break!!
Break it up, break it up, break it up, break down!
Walking up and then down the strip
Looking for some hip so I can skip
I spotted this honey dip, and her friend tried to sell me a script
That they were in a rush to catch the bus, but that was the old Gus
So I'm getting a bus, as I thrill at the disgust
Since old girl was with this, I told her friend to kiss this
And listen physical fitness use your brain and mind your business
Dipping from a distance, in an instance I got the digits
and blew a kiss to her
That old stank hoe, was mad I didn't speak to her
I hooked up with the one that looked nice
Took her mind, like an ice!
'Til her friends gave her advice to think, twice
Before with me she slept, my rep was kinda ill
They told her to keep that booty still
I been through more hoes than the pill
Still I overcame cause I got game like a athlete
In less than a half week, she was with it to do the nasty (break)
The drawers dropped, the top off, and the boots was getting knocked
I heard the door unlock, it was her pop he was a cop
So I stopped dropped and rolled, so I wouldn't inhale a shell
Broke like a fingernail, on my trail was the smell of tail
Bailed back around the flat, to wash off the smell of cat
Like a belt, everything was strapped
'Til my homey asked, "What's up with that?"
The that was like dis G, I told him I got busy
This was the spy who dissed me cause he told it like a sissy
That was foul, I went to him lost in the mind now it's a dead end
The little wreck on that they locked the door and I can't get in
No more no more no more and now I know and now I know
Don't mess around with CB's, good buddy, ten-four
"Breaker 1/9" by Common Sense is a humorous and explicit take on the culture surrounding CB radios and truck drivers in the late 80s and early 90s. The song's lyrics begin with a nonsensical reference to turkeys and then segue into the main narrative: the singer is trying to score with a girl, but she is more interested in playing video games than engaging with him. The song takes a sharp turn, with the singer recounting a sexual encounter that is interrupted by the girl's father, who is revealed to be a police officer. Throughout the song, the singer takes on an irreverent and exaggerated tone, using slang and puns to create a playful, if explicit, story.
The song was released in 1991 and appeared on Common Sense's eponymous debut album. The song did not receive much commercial attention but gained a following among hip hop and alternative music fans in the years following its release. The song's title, "Breaker 1/9," is a reference to channel 19 on the CB radio, which was often used by truck drivers to communicate with one another. The use of CB radios was a popular cultural phenomenon in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s, and was frequently referenced in popular music and movies of the time.
In addition to its references to CB culture, "Breaker 1/9" also contains a number of references to popular culture from the time period, including to the television shows "Three's Company" and "Gimme a Break" and to the pizza chain Domino's. The song's lyrics are notable for their use of wordplay, slang, and sometimes nonsensical phrases, which contribute to the song's playful and irreverent tone. Despite its sometimes crude and explicit content, "Breaker 1/9" has been praised for its humor and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
A weeby weeby wobble gobble gobble do the turkey
I am doing a silly dance like a turkey
Lord have mercy, mercy mercy me
I am pleading to a higher power for help
You see I'm trying to get the punani
I am trying to have sex
But you just want to rock me ah eh eh ah eh eh
But you just want to be friendly and hang out
But raindrops keep falling on my couch, try to sit with me
But my plans keep getting ruined and I can't relax
Tampering up my program, so I play another slow jam
External forces are disrupting my attempt at romance
And don't come knocking my door, with the cockle-doodle-doo
Don't bother me in the morning with loud noises
So step to the step to the rear
Get out of my way, move aside
The CB's, the CB's, they're here!
The police are coming
You're thinking that, "Oops, I made a mistake"
You regret your actions
You made a mistake on the first take
You messed up the first attempt
So you pop fizz, what a relief, beef stroke it up
You are relieved and feeling great
Uh-oh you better get Maaco kid, cause old girl is saucy
You are flirting with danger
Walking up and then down the strip
I am strolling aimlessly
Looking for some hip so I can skip
I am searching for something fun to do
I heard the door unlock, it was her pop he was a cop
Her father, who is a police officer, has arrived
So I stopped dropped and rolled, so I wouldn't inhale a shell
I tried to avoid getting in trouble
The little wreck on that they locked the door and I can't get in
I am locked out of a place I want to enter
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ERNIE ISLEY, MARVIN ISLEY, O'KELLY ISLEY, RONALD ISLEY, RUDOLPH ISLEY, CHRISTOPHER JASPER, CHRISTOPHER H JASPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pride317
Lyrics
Check it for the record
Breaker 1/9 Breaker 1/9 mayday.
Why not. I gots to break y'all
No ID. He's got to break a.
Common Sense he's got to break like this
Check it
A weeby weeby wobble gobble gobble DO the turkey
Lord have mercy, mercy mercy me
You see I'm tryin to get the punani
But you just wanna rock me, ah-eh-eh, ah-eh-eh
You see I'm tryin to get the punani
But you just wanna rock me, oooh, check it
So get your ride on ride the thundercloud and broom broom broom
Because I gotta gotta get some, el, bow, room
So I can Bang-kok, better yet, knock Italy
But raindrops keep falling on my couch, try to sit with me
Tampering up my program, so I play another slow jam
It's not an ancient Chinese secret, you should know man
But you insist on stay and playin Genesis
I gotta put an end to this, baldergash, EEE haul ass
And don't come knocking my door, with the cockle-doodle-doo
I'm talking the his and his and hers, Three's Company too
So step to the step to the rear
And don't come back now, hear?
Ahh to the break y'all (break y'all, yeah)
Ahh to the break y'all (break y'all, made it!)
To the break y'all (break y'all, NAHH!)
To the break y'all (break y'all break, BREAK!)
The CB's, the CB's, they're here!
I'm checking my mirror from the rear -
Locks are closer, than they appear
The time is near for you to drop your beer and get your nuts again
But ain't no haps (UH-UH) your dick isn't there
You're thinking that, "Oops, I made a mistake"
You say, "Fuck Nell Carter, c'mon Jimmy, give me a break"
You made a mistake on the first take
Trying to break a leg for take two
You shoulda ate your Wheaties
And Petey mighta made a breakthrough
You say to hope that things might bloom, so you assume position
Wishing he would listen, so you start to kissing
It's alive, and up goes, and up goes you're adrenaline
You aimed, you fired, THERE YOU GO, limp figures
So you take ? and then play the role of friend and talk
Try to tell her it's her fault, when Jack your Been wouldn't Stalk
Baby Bubba youse a goner, ahh, youse a goner
It's fucker up, when Your Dick Is Playin Tricks On Ya
So you pop fizz, what a relief, beef stroke it up
My man, got your thing, in your hand, say, "I I think I can!!"
Damn this never happened before, yeah sure that's what they all say
Uh-oh you better get Maco kid, cause old girl is saucy
What was sweet to eat, has now dried up and rotted
It's a pile of pew, pick up your glove and say, "Yo I got it!"
Hoping you won't drop you thought you had it made like ?Kay?
What more could go wrong - you got the right one baby!
Uh-huh, let you tell it, everybody and their momma knows
That you came quick, quicker than a pizza, from Domino's
To the break y'all (break y'all, YEAH)
To the break y'all (break y'all, MAYBE)
To the break y'all (break y'all, NAHHH)
To the break y'all (break y'all, check it out)
The 1/9, the 1/9, the CB's, the break
The 1/9, the 1/9, the CB's, the break!
The 1/9, the 1/9, the CB's, the break!!
Break it up, break it up, break it up, BREAK DOWN!
Walking up and then down the strip
Lookin for some hip so I can skip
I spotted this honeydip, and her friend tried to sell me a script
That they were in a rush to catch the bus, but that was the OLD Gus
So I'm getting a bus, as I thrill at the disgust
Since old girl was with this, I told her friend to kiss this
And listen physical fitness use your brain and mind your business
Dipping from a distance, in an instance I got the digits
And blew a kiss to her
(THAT OLD STANK HOEEEE) was mad I didn't speak to her
I hooked up with the one that looked NICE
Took her mind, like an ICE
Till her friends gave her advice to think, twice
Before with me she slept, my rep was kinda ill
They told her to keep that booty still
I been through more hoes than the pill
Still I overcame cause I got game like a athlete (UHH)
In less than a half week, she was with it to do the nasty (BREAK)
The drawers dropped, the top off, and the boots was getting knocked
I heard the door unlock, it was her pop he was a cop
So I stopped dropped and rolled, so I wouldn't inhale a shell
Broke like a fingernail, on my trail was the smell of tail
Bailed back around the flat, to wash off the smell of cat
Like a belt, everything was strapped
Till my homey asked, "WASSUP WIT DAT?"
The dat was like dis G, I told him I got busy
This was the spy who dissed me cause he told it like a sissy
THAT WAS FOUL, I went to him lost in the mind now it's a dead end
The little wreck on that they locked the door and I can't get in
No more no more no more and now I know and now I know
Don't mess around with CB's, good buddie, ten-fo'
(Ha hah, yeah, ahh break it..)
@MJBThePeacekeeper
An old freestyle to this beat. Don't care if you talk smack....
'The Runner' or 'The Peacekeeper' ain't nobody's dummy
neither low class or stuck up and don't slave for money
not gifted or capable with the skill of omniscience
never stoop to the level of intolerable inscience
intrigue y'all with some philosophical intellectualism
droppin' basic knowledge or just some general wisdom
y'all don't know the math to count the mics I grip
eleven squared minus 120 what answer do you get?
calculating digits you rookies can't mess with me
numerically, algebraically, geometrically, trigonometrically
technically I'm not a math whiz
I just try my hardest in the subject that's how it mostly is
I'ma make this conversation short and sweet
I'm not gonna be multiloquent on this here beat
the old saying states "knowledge is power"
if ignorant ones get a taste of this they'll instantly cower
@mont5702
Had this album in 93 when I was 14. Version is a little different than album version. Loved that album. Common is a legend
@onesheisty
IMO Album version is better. Still have this is rotation.
@staygold9798
Reppin Chicago .. Reppin Real Hip Hop .. Thank You Common Sense for all you have done for Hip Hop
@acesoul1689
When hip hop was true and real🎵🎤🎧🔥🔥👑🎹🎶🎤💯💯
@a.d.whetstone9945
Finally a clear version of this classic video! Vintage Common at his best...just dope!🎤🎧🔥🔥
@jaythomas3224
Common Sense
@dougdusty
Classic !!! I love Common!
@thunderscorpion770
The dance from 3:34-3:37🔥🔥🔥. I remember this coming on the radio while playing Madden. I was like 13 when this joint came out
@JUiceSTaINs
Yooo You must have had a way different childhood than I did if you be remembering dances from the radio😂 jfwu
@psychesoap
I was 12...still cool.