Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. (born March 13, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois), better … Read Full Bio ↴Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. (born March 13, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name Common (previously Common Sense), is a Grammy award winning rapper, author and actor known for lyrics that focus on love and spirituality. Signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, many people describe him as being a conscious hip hop artist who makes songs that send a message. He debuted in 1992 with the album Can I Borrow a Dollar? and maintained a significant underground following into the late 90s, after which he gained notable mainstream success through his work with the Soulquarians.

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.

Car Horn
Common Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm the see O to the double M O to the N
You heard motherfucker? Well boy I hit ya again
Official bald nigga from the City of Winds
Stay doing it doing it I am doing it (Repeat 2x)

What the fuck is going down? Nigga you sound
Like a real bitch right now the pound
I gave you I knew I shouldn't have gave you

Before you was a hoe now you think the money made you
A slave to the rhythm indentured servant to wisdom
Clinton is the pres but I voted for Shelly Chisom
In a poetical prison, I'm visiting self
For hours, coward niggas get shanked for kicking
Pussy raps, radio is like CO's they try to push me back
I rip cats out of they suits, give them they hoodies back
I from the hood we stack back fist
"Ooh ohh ahh" is the sound of blackness
These new school cats is classless, influenced by rap shit
Front money, but hustle backwards
I break bread with broads that got they masters
And hypes the blaster, lawyers that work faster than young ghetto bastards
Became childlike with the way I style right
And act, because children naturally react
Respond, to the Com as a poet I'm a last like a Don
Cause I'm like that yo, a phenom without shit on my arm
You can't coherse a verse
I'm a rhyme when I want to get up and rhyme
Some say I space like John Glenn because of the places I've been
I breaks about spin, been through cases of Heinekin
Return to orbit off some shit that's anti-Corbin in the Wild Style
On to gain rappers is getting tortured for tossing salads
You imbalanced, you rap about violence too much
I go on blind dates with my estates and gold dust
And at my shows a lot shows up, they think it's a hold up
So many hands go up, but with the band I cold up
Money folder, you want a fresh style let me show you

I'm the see-O to the double M O to the N
You heard, motherfucker? Well boy I hit ya again

Official bald nigga from the City of Winds
Stay doing it, doing it, I am doing it (Repeat 2x)

Overall Meaning

The song "Car Horn" by the American rapper Common, released in 1994, is a lyrical masterpiece that showcases the artist's unparalleled rhyming skills and social commentary. The song starts with Common introducing himself, calling himself "The see O to the double M O to the N." He boasts about his lyrical prowess and warns his opponents that he can hit them again if they dare to mess with him. He is proud of his roots in the City of Winds, the nickname for Chicago, and emphasizes his resilience and tenacity as an artist.

In the second part of the verse, Common takes a dig at his rivals who have sold out to the music industry and the mainstream media. He says that they have become "slaves to the rhythm" and "indentured servants to wisdom," implying that their music lacks authenticity and substance. He is critical of the politicians who run the country and states that he voted for Shelly Chisholm, the first black woman to run for president in the United States. He also calls out the radio industry for trying to push him back and soil his reputation.

The song's chorus refers to the sound of car horns that are a constant presence in the city and serve as a metaphor for the noise and chaos of urban life. Common's lyrics reflect the challenges and struggles of growing up in a city that is rife with violence, poverty, and social inequality. He shows how he has managed to overcome these obstacles and become successful without losing touch with his roots. The song is a powerful commentary on the state of urban America in the 1990s, and its message is still relevant today.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm the see O to the double M O to the N
I am Common - one of the greatest MCs of all time, with impressive rapping talent and meaningful lyrics

You heard motherfucker? Well boy I hit ya again
I am confident and not afraid to put haters in their place

Official bald nigga from the City of Winds
I am a bald and official rapper from Chicago, the Windy City. I am proud of my roots.

Stay doing it doing it I am doing it (Repeat 2x)
I am constantly creating new music and producing meaningful art that resonates with my audience

What the fuck is going down? Nigga you sound
You sound like a weak and powerless person right now. What’s happening?

Like a real bitch right now the pound
You sound like a coward dog that just barks but doesn't bite

I gave you I knew I shouldn't have gave you
I gave you a chance, but I regret ever trusting you.

Before you was a hoe now you think the money made you
You used to be a nobody, and now that you have some money, you act like you're a big shot

A slave to the rhythm indentured servant to wisdom
You are trapped by the rhythm of your life, and your dreams are limited to traditional wisdom

Clinton is the pres but I voted for Shelly Chisom
I have my own political opinions and vote based on what I believe is right, not just what the mainstream media tells me

In a poetical prison, I'm visiting self
I am in a poetic prison of my own making, and I am struggling to find my way out

For hours, coward niggas get shanked for kicking
Weak, cowardly people who talk trash get what they deserve, and I won't hesitate to put them in their place

Pussy raps, radio is like CO's they try to push me back
The radio is trying to censor me and limit my creative voice, but I won't back down

I rip cats out of they suits, give them they hoodies back
I am authentic, and I don't care about societal status. I will give you back your true identity and help you be yourself.

I from the hood we stack back fist
I come from the hood, and we support each other through thick and thin.

"Ooh ohh ahh" is the sound of blackness
The black experience is multifaceted, and our culture has a deep and rich history.

These new school cats is classless, influenced by rap shit
Newer rappers don't respect the history or culture of hip hop, and they make empty music that lacks soul.

Front money, but hustle backwards
They put up a facade of wealth and success, but they are actually moving backwards in their lives.

I break bread with broads that got they masters
I respect women and their intellectual accomplishments, and I enjoy breaking bread and working with empowered women.

And hypes the blaster, lawyers that work faster than young ghetto bastards
I surround myself with people who are intelligent and motivated, and we work together to achieve great things.

Became childlike with the way I style right
I am in touch with my inner child and use that part of myself to create music that is imaginative and inventive.

And act, because children naturally react
Children react honestly and genuinely to the world around them, and I try to bring that same level of authenticity to my art.

Respond, to the Com as a poet I'm a last like a Don
I am the leader and the last word when it comes to hip hop poetry

Cause I'm like that yo, a phenom without shit on my arm
I make amazing music without needing flashy jewelry or other material possessions

You can't coherse a verse
You can't control my art or manipulate my lyrics. I am my own artist

I'm a rhyme when I want to get up and rhyme
I create music when I am inspired and have something meaningful to say.

Some say I space like John Glenn because of the places I've been
I have been to many different places and have a wide range of experiences that inform my music.

I breaks about spin, been through cases of Heinekin
I have a sharp tongue and can spit rhymes about anything, including my experiences with alcohol.

Return to orbit off some shit that's anti-Corbin in the Wild Style
I will defy the norms and expectations of society and be true to myself, despite the consequences.

On to gain rappers is getting tortured for tossing salads
Fake rappers will be exposed and ridiculed for acting inauthentic.

You imbalanced, you rap about violence too much
You are out of control and focus too much on violence in your music.

I go on blind dates with my estates and gold dust
I am not focused on material wealth or status, but rather on creating meaningful relationships and experiences.

And at my shows a lot shows up, they think it's a hold up
Lots of people come to my shows and are blown away by the power of my performance.

So many hands go up, but with the band I cold up
I am cool under pressure and always in control of my performance.

Money folder, you want a fresh style let me show you
I have a wealth of talent and style to offer, and I am happy to share it with anyone who is willing to listen.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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