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.
Get 'Em High
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trying to catch the beat
I'm trying to catch the beat, uh, uh, uh
I'm trying to catch the beat
Now, thr-thr-throw your motherfucking hands (get 'em high)
All the girls pass the weed to your motherfucking man (get 'em high)
Now I ain't never tell you to put down your hands (keep 'em high)
N-n-n-now, my flow
Is in the pocket like wallets, I got the bounce like hydrolics
I can't call it, I got the swerve like alcoholics
My freshman year I was going through hell, a problems
Still I, built up the nerve to drop my ass up outta college
My teacher said I's a loser, I told her why don't you kill me
I give a fuck if you feel me, I'm gonna follow
My heart, and if you follow the charts, or to the plaques or the stacks
You ain't gotta guess who's back, you see
I'm so shy that you thought it was bashful but this
Bastard's flow will bash a skull and I will
Cut your girl like Pastor Tro'
And I don't, usually smoke but pass the 'dro
And I won't, give you that money that you asking fo'
Why you think, me and Dame cool, we assholes
That's why we here your music in fast fo'
Cause we don't want to here that weak shit no mo'
Now, thr-thr-throw your motherfucking hands (Get 'em high!)
All the girls pass the weed to your motherfucking man (Get 'em high!)
Now I ain't never tell you to put down your hands (Keep 'em high!)
And if ya losing yo' high than smoke again (Keep 'em high!)
Now now now now now who the hell is this
E-mailing me at 11:26, tellin' me that she 36-26,
Plus double D you know how girls on black planet be when they get bubble E
At NYU but she hail from Kansas,
Right now she just lamping, chilling on campus
Sent me a picture with a feeling on Candice
Who said her favorite rapper was the late great Francis
W-H-I-T, it's getting late mami, your screen saver say tweet
So you got to call me, and bring a friend for my friend
His name Kweli (You mean Talib, lyric sticks to your rib)
I mean (That's my favorite CD that I play at my crib)
I mean (You don't really know him, why is you lying)
Yo Kwe', she don't believe me, please pickup the line
She goin' think that I'm lying, just spit a couple of lines
Then maybe I'll be able to give her dick all the time, and get her high
Yeah, I can't believe this nigga use my name for picking up dimes but
Get 'em high, I need some tracks you trying to pull tracks out
And my rhymes as fitting to blow you trying to blow backs out
Well OK, you twisted my arm, I'll assist with the charm, hey yo
Ain't you meet that chick that got friends with yo moms
And she's the bomb, boy she got the bougie behavior
Always got something to say like a okay playa hater
Anyways, I don't usually fuck with the internet
Or chicks with birth control stuck to they arm like Nicorette
You really fucking that much, you trying to get off cigarettes
And she think it's fly, she ain't met a real nigga yet
I apologize if I come off a little inconsiderate
I got the bubble kush and a sister could get ahead of it
Get em high like noon, or the moon or room filled with smoke
A high filled with dope
Y'all assumed I was doomed, out of tune, but I still feel the notes
With real nigga quotes
Real rappers is hard to find, like a remote, control rap is out of
Used to but still got love, that's why I abuse you who are not thugs
Rock clubs like Tiger, Woods in the hood, to have my own reality show
Called Soul Survivor, I stole all liver, niggas in you
You'se a bitch I got ones that are thicker than you
How could I ever let your words affect me, they say Hip-Hop is dead
I'm here to resurrect me, mug is to sexy to even make songs like these
That's why the raw don't know your name, like Alicia Keys
To many featured emcees, and producers is popular
Twelve thousand spins, nobody got to copping her
Album, how come, you the hot garbager
The years clear your image and looped up
Label got you suped up, telling you you sick
Man you a dick with a loose nut
Video hard to watch like Medusa
Even your club record need a booster
Chimped up, with a pimp cup, illiterate nigga
Read the infa', red across your head I'm bread king like Simba
Bolder then Denver, I ain't a Madd Rapper just a emcee with a temper
You dancing for money like honey, I did this my way
So when the industry crash, I survive like Kanye
Spitting through wires and fires, emcees retiring
Got yo hands up, get them motherfuckers higher then
Now, thr-thr-throw your motherfucking hands (get 'em high)
All the girls pass the weed to your motherfucking man (get 'em high)
Now I ain't never tell you to put down your hands (keep 'em high)
And if ya losing yo' high than smoke again (keep 'em high)
The lyrics to Common's song Get 'Em High are an amalgamation of musings on various subjects that the rapper attempts to string together over a catchy beat. At its core, the song is about staying high and enjoying oneself, as evidenced by the repeated refrain to "keep 'em high," which encourages listeners to smoke more if they're feeling down. The first verse establishes this theme of catching the beat and getting high, and prompts the audience to throw their hands up and pass the weed around. The second verse is more introspective, as Common reflects on his early struggles and how he managed to overcome them. He also takes aim at his detractors, particularly teachers who doubted him, and asserts his belief in sticking to one's own path rather than following the crowd. The third verse, delivered by guest artist Kanye West, takes the song in a different direction, as he raps about his encounters with women on the internet and the music industry's penchant for throwing too many features and popular producers into songs. While the overall meaning of the song may be somewhat hard to pin down, it's clear that Common and his guests are advocating for living life on one's own terms and having a good time while doing it.
One interesting fact about Get 'Em High is that this song is the result of a collaboration between three different rap artists. Common, who is known for his poetic, socially-conscious lyrics, reached out to producer Kanye West when he was putting together his sixth studio album, Be. West not only produced this song, but also contributed a verse to it. The third verse was written and performed by another rapper, Talib Kweli, who was a close friend of both Common and West. The trio had previously worked together on other projects, and their friendship and creative chemistry shines through in this song.
Another interesting fact is that while the song was relatively successful, it was not released as a single in the United States, where it was only available as part of the Be album. However, it was released as a single in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 25 on the charts. This success may have been due in part to the catchy chorus and upbeat tempo of the song, which made it a favorite among club-goers and party people.
The lyrics of Get 'Em High are also notable for their use of slang and wordplay. For example, the line "I got the bounce like hydrolics" plays off the idea of hydraulic systems bouncing up and down, but also incorporates the word "hybrid" (which sounds like "hydrolic") to suggest that Common's flow is a unique blend of different styles. Similarly, the line "I'll assist with the charm, hey yo / Ain't you meet that chick that got friends with yo moms" is a clever way of suggesting that the woman in question is older and more experienced, as she is friends with the singer's mother.
Overall, Get 'Em High is a fun and catchy song that showcases the talent of three gifted rap artists. Its combination of catchy beats and thoughtful lyrics make it a standout track on the Be album and a favorite among hip hop music lovers.
Chords: Unfortunately, as this is a rap song, it doesn't have any official chords.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm trying to catch the beat, uh
I'm trying to find the rhythm of the music.
Now, thr-thr-throw your motherfucking hands (get 'em high)
Put your hands up in the air and get hyped.
All the girls pass the weed to your motherfucking man (get 'em high)
Ladies, share your marijuana with your partner and let's get high together.
Now I ain't never tell you to put down your hands (keep 'em high)
Don't stop getting hyped, keep your hands up.
And if ya losing yo' high than smoke again (keep 'em high)
If you're feeling less high, smoke more to keep it going.
My flow
Is in the pocket like wallets, I got the bounce like hydrolics
I can't call it, I got the swerve like alcoholics
My rap style is smooth and rhythmic, with a bouncy vibe like hydraulic suspensions. It's difficult to describe, but it's got a distinctive style like an alcoholic's swagger.
My teacher said I's a loser, I told her why don't you kill me
I give a fuck if you feel me, I'm gonna follow
My heart, and if you follow the charts, or to the plaques or the stacks
You ain't gotta guess who's back, you see
My teacher called me a failure, I didn't care and told her to just kill me. I'm going to do what I want anyway, and if I succeed and make it onto charts or win awards, you'll know it's me because of my unique style.
I'm so shy that you thought it was bashful but this
Bastard's flow will bash a skull and I will
Cut your girl like Pastor Tro'
And I don't, usually smoke but pass the 'dro
I may seem quiet and timid, but my style is powerful enough to hurt people. I'll even steal your girlfriend if I want to. Also, I don't normally smoke weed, but I'll take a puff if it's offered.
Now now now now now who the hell is this
E-mailing me at 11:26, tellin' me that she 36-26,
Plus double D you know how girls on black planet be when they get bubble E
Who is this woman emailing me late at night, boasting about her large breasts and curvy figure? She must be trying to impress me because she's on a dating website for black people.
You mean Talib, lyric sticks to your rib)
I mean (That's my favorite CD that I play at my crib)
I mean (You don't really know him, why is you lying)
Yo Kwe', she don't believe me, please pickup the line
She goin' think that I'm lying, just spit a couple of lines
Then maybe I'll be able to give her dick all the time, and get her high
You know Talib Kweli, right? He's my favorite rapper and his music is always playing in my home. But this woman doesn't believe that we're friends, so I need him to answer the phone and confirm it for her. Then, maybe she'll be impressed enough to have sex with me and get high.
Y'all assumed I was doomed, out of tune, but I still feel the notes
With real nigga quotes
Many people thought I wasn't cut out for the rap scene, that I wasn't in tune with the genre. But I still make good music and my lyrics come from the heart.
Real rappers is hard to find, like a remote, control rap is out of
Used to but still got love, that's why I abuse you who are not thugs
Good rappers are rare, it's hard to find someone with real talent. Those who can't rap well are just being used by the industry for money, which is why I'll use them too.
Video hard to watch like Medusa
Even your club record need a booster
Chimped up, with a pimp cup, illiterate nigga
Read the infa', red across your head I'm bread king like Simba
Your music video is unwatchable, like the mythological creature Medusa. Your club hits aren't doing well, and you dress like a monkey with a pimp cup like a stereotypical gangster. I'm the bread king like Simba, the one who rules the rap scene.
Spitting through wires and fires, emcees retiring
Got yo hands up, get them motherfuckers higher then
I'm spitting rhymes like they're jumping through wires and fires. Other rappers are retiring because they can't keep up with me. Get your hands up and let's get even more hyped.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Kanye Omari West, Talib Kweli Greene
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind