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.
Faithful
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, we got to be
(Faithful to thee)
Uh, I want to be
(Faithful to thee)
Yes, it's for the people (I'd like to be her very best friend)
God moves, yeah
What if God was a her?
Would I treat her the same? Would I still be runnin' game on her?
In what type of ways would I want her?
Would I want her for her mind or her heavenly body?
Couldn't be out gettin' bogus with someone so godly
If I was wit' her would I still be wantin' my ex?
The lies, the greed, the weed, the sex
Wouldn't be ashamed to give her part of my check
Wearin' a cross, I mean the heart on my neck
Her, I would reflect on the streets of the Chi'
Ride wit' her, 'cause I know for me she'd die
Through good and bad call on her like I'm chirpin' her
Couldn't be jealous 'cause other brothers worship her
Walk this earth for her, glory, I'm grateful
To be in her presence I try to stay faithful
(Faithful to thee)
(Faithful to thee)
(Faithful to thee)
(I'd like to be her very best friend)
He worked with her, she was his lady's best friend
Even if they don't try some ladies test men
And this was a test that was bigger than him
Some believe its the nature that is given to men
He had a good gig, a wife, a kid, a decent home
One reason or another couldn't find peace at home
She asked, "Why do men always have to stray?"
He said, "I'm bad, not as bad as Eric Benet"
"I used to take 'em out to eat but they wasn't really eatin'
Mighta got a little head but I wasn't really cheatin'"
It's hard when your lady don't believe what you say
And what you did in the past you gotta live with today
She asked if they could spend the night together
He thought, and said, "I'm tryna get my life together"
Went home to his lady, these were his confessions
"Baby, you a blessin' and my best friend"
(Faithful to thee)
(Faithful to thee) To you
(Faithful to thee)
(I'd like to be her very best friend)
Faithful to thee
Faithful to thee
I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be so faithful
I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be so faithful
So, so, so, so, so, so, so faithful
So, so, so, so, so, so, so faithful
So, so, so, so, so, so, so faithful
So, so, so, so, so
That's what I'm gonna do
Faithful to the end
That's what I'm gonna do
Faithful to the end
That's what I'm gonna do
Faithful to the end
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
In Common's song "Faithful," the artist explores the concept of faithfulness in relationships and toward a higher power. In the first verse, Common muses on how he would treat God if God were a woman. He questions whether he would still engage in the "game" of relationships or instead honor the divine nature of God. He views God as a symbol of purity, something so divine that he couldn't be "getting bogus" with her in the same way as other women he has been with. This verse brings up the idea of whether we would treat a loved one differently if we viewed them as pure and divine instead of as flawed human beings.
In the second verse, Common tells a story of a man who is tempted by his wife's best friend. The man has a good life with a family and a career, but he is struggling with finding peace at home. His wife begins to doubt his loyalty and trustworthiness, and he is faced with a decision. When his wife's best friend invites him to spend the night with her, the man contemplates whether he should pursue this temptation or stay faithful to his wife. Ultimately, he chooses his family and goes home to his wife. This verse illustrates the idea of being faithful in a practical sense and choosing the commitments we have made to the people in our lives over fleeting temptations.
Overall, "Faithful" is a song that explores the concept of faithfulness to loved ones and to a higher power. Common draws parallels between fidelity in romantic relationships and fidelity to the divine, suggesting that we can learn to be faithful to our partners by cultivating a sense of purity and divinity within ourselves through our beliefs and values. Additionally, the song suggests that staying faithful takes effort and sacrifice, as seen in the man's decision to stay loyal to his wife rather than giving in to temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, we got to be
We must remain loyal and devoted
Uh, I want to be
I desire to commit to being trustworthy
Yes, it's for the people
This song emphasizes the value of dedication and fidelity to a higher power or purpose for the benefit of others
God moves, yeah
God's presence and influence can be felt in the world and inspire us toward faithfulness
I was rollin' around, in my mind it occurred
I was contemplating a hypothetical scenario
What if God was a her?
If God was a woman, how would we react and interact with her?
Would I treat her the same? Would I still be runnin' game on her?
Would we behave differently toward a female deity, or still take advantage of her?
In what type of ways would I want her?
Would we want her primarily for physical beauty or her divine qualities?
If I was wit' her would I still be wantin' my ex?
If we were faithful to God, would we still be tempted by our past desires and attachments?
The lies, the greed, the weed, the sex
These are examples of worldly distractions and vices that can pull us away from faithfulness
Wouldn't be ashamed to give her part of my check
We should be willing to sacrificially give to God and honor her above our own material gain
Wearin' a cross, I mean the heart on my neck
This symbolizes a visible representation of our faith and devotion
Her, I would reflect on the streets of the Chi'
We would represent God's character and love to others in our daily lives
Ride wit' her, 'cause I know for me she'd die
God's commitment and loyalty to us should spur us toward the same level of devotion
Through good and bad call on her like I'm chirpin' her
In all circumstances, we should rely on God and communicate with her regularly
Couldn't be jealous 'cause other brothers worship her
We should not feel competitive or resentful when others are committed to God, but celebrate and encourage it
Walk this earth for her, glory, I'm grateful
We recognize that God is the reason for our existence and we live for her glory
To be in her presence I try to stay faithful
We strive to maintain faithfulness so we can continue to fellowship with God
He worked with her, she was his lady's best friend
He had a working relationship with a woman who was also close to his wife
Even if they don't try some ladies test men
Women may try to tempt or test men's faithfulness, even unintentionally
And this was a test that was bigger than him
The temptation to be unfaithful was especially challenging and difficult for him
Some believe its the nature that is given to men
Some people believe that men are naturally inclined toward infidelity
He had a good gig, a wife, a kid, a decent home
He had a prosperous and stable life with a family and home
One reason or another couldn't find peace at home
Despite his blessings, he struggled internally and found little peace
She asked, "Why do men always have to stray?"
His female colleague questioned why men often cheat or wander from their commitments
He said, "I'm bad, not as bad as Eric Benet"
He acknowledged his imperfections and how they compared to a famous example of infidelity
"I used to take 'em out to eat but they wasn't really eatin'
He wasted money and energy on women who didn't truly care for him or his faithfulness
Mighta got a little head but I wasn't really cheatin'
He rationalized his behavior by saying he didn't go all the way with these women
It's hard when your lady don't believe what you say
His wife did not trust his actions or words anymore
And what you did in the past you gotta live with today
He realized the consequences of his previous choices and how they impacted his current situation
She asked if they could spend the night together
His colleague made a tempting proposal to him
He thought, and said, "I'm tryna get my life together"
He briefly considered the offer but ultimately realized he needed to prioritize his faithfulness and personal growth
Went home to his lady, these were his confessions
He opened up to his wife about his temptations and struggles
"Baby, you a blessin' and my best friend"
He acknowledged his wife's value and support, and committed to being faithful to her
I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be so faithful
This repetition emphasizes his determined commitment to remain loyal
So, so, so, so, so, so, so faithful
He is extremely devoted to being faithful to his higher purpose or belief
That's what I'm gonna do
He is resolute in his decision to prioritize fidelity
Faithful to the end
He will continue to be loyal until the very end
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
This affirmation expresses his enthusiasm and dedication to faithfulness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: D.J. Rogers, John Stephens, Kanye West, Lonnie Rashid Lynn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind