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.
High Expectations
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unattached and calm sundaes and pills I palm
with intentions to make it to the league
Intrigued by two letter cars SE's and GS'ses
On the court niggaz I leave like messages
Plagued by this ball player exorcist
It's sort of foul how the world be reffin us
Kenny is our Moses in this five on five Exodus
Schools want me but the ghost of Manigault haunts me
Plus they want to crib me, way out in the country
I'm city like street lights and some games that be fights
Never worked on my left so it's hard to be right
Either rich poor or Mike is who I want to be like
Story of many black males that I refuse to rewrite
Yo, brothers opinions is Bias-ed, like Len
that I'll end up like Ben, Wilson, still some pretend to be friends
Beneath the grin I see the ?gin spoke up and assure a?
More so than my soul, my jump shot is purer
People play juror, I witness the fall of legends
Once was the joint now they restin got a God given present
My gallant talent is like a magic
trick turned by a chick with a bad habit
Opportunity to move I grab it
Me and my moms have static, now I wreak Hennesey and havoc
Man to man talks with Kenny, send me to a zone
Been on my own for so long, my vocal tone's grown
Competition gets blown like speakers
when I cross her like Jesus out of bleachers, broads and beepers
Yeah I boogey it's all good, but it could be better
Want to stay eighteen forever
But now I stay on point like Rod in this Strickland
If Brooklyn courts was the canvas, then I would be the big man
From thoughts that pennies bring, I assemble teams like the Kenny Kings
Think fast over breaks, dialect I'm dribbling
Remembering, night posters of Moses and the Supreme Court
Realizing, that rap and life are team sports
I follow deep thoughts
Moves never perceived thought lyrical Johnny Cochran
cause of the way I free thought
The system make a nigga think to make it that he need sports
or either to the tip he gotta resort
my seed'll be taught to start his own
In the, George Carter zone
Don't want to be a dope MC living in his momma's home
Or speaking to my fans in a starving artist tone
Unknown zones I roam with mind architechter
Spark the lecture, emphasizing to let God direct ya
In Common's song "High Expectations," he raps about his aspirations to become a successful basketball player and the challenges he faces as a black male in America. He describes himself as "unattached and calm," but with a burning desire to make it to the NBA. Common sees his jump shot as his ticket to success and is fascinated by the flashy cars that NBA players drive. He also acknowledges the pressure and temptation that come with being a young black male with fame and fortune, speaking about the "sundaes and pills" he palms and the ball player exorcist that haunts him.
Common expresses frustration with the bias and fake friendships he encounters on his journey, using the examples of Len Bias and Ben Wilson. He values his talent as a rapper and sees it as his way to make a difference and inspire others. Common emphasizes the importance of following one's own path and not getting caught up in societal expectations, urging his listeners to let God guide them.
Overall, "High Expectations" is a song about the struggles and dreams of a young black man, written with Common's characteristic thoughtful and introspective style.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo yo check it
Let me tell you what's on my mind
Unattached and calm sundaes and pills I palm
I am unaffected by drugs despite being surrounded by them
with intentions to make it to the league
I aim to succeed as a basketball player
Intrigued by two letter cars SE's and GS'ses
I'm fascinated by luxury cars
On the court niggaz I leave like messages
I am skilled and dominant on the basketball court
Plagued by this ball player exorcist
The pressure to succeed as a basketball player haunts me
It's sort of foul how the world be reffin us
The world is unfair in how it judges and evaluates us
Kenny is our Moses in this five on five Exodus
Kenny is our leader in basketball and helps us navigate difficult situations
For the game of life full courts ain't preppin us
Playing basketball doesn't prepare us for life outside of the court
Schools want me but the ghost of Manigault haunts me
I am haunted by the legacy of other great basketball players who struggled outside of the court
Plus they want to crib me, way out in the country
Colleges and universities are offering me scholarships to play basketball, but they are far from home
I'm city like street lights and some games that be fights
I feel at home in the city, where life is tough and competitive
Never worked on my left so it's hard to be right
I haven't practiced enough on my weaker side, so I struggle with balance and control on the court
Either rich poor or Mike is who I want to be like
I aspire to be like Michael Jordan, who is successful and iconic
Story of many black males that I refuse to rewrite
I refuse to conform to societal expectations of black men, and instead want to pave my own unique path
Yo, brothers opinions is Bias-ed, like Len
My peers have biased opinions, like those of sports commentator Len Bias
that I'll end up like Ben, Wilson, still some pretend to be friends
Some people pretend to support me, but deep down they fear I will meet the same tragic fate as other black athletes like Ben Wilson
Beneath the grin I see the ?gin spoke up and assure a?
I can see through people's fake smiles and detect their insincerity
More so than my soul, my jump shot is purer
My basketball skill is something I take great pride in
People play juror, I witness the fall of legends
People judge and scrutinize athletes, and I have seen many of them fail and fall from grace
Once was the joint now they restin got a God given present
Athletes who were once popular and successful are now retired and resting on their past accomplishments
My gallant talent is like a magic
I am proud of my talent and feel it is almost magical
trick turned by a chick with a bad habit
My talent is powerful, but can be negatively influenced by those around me
Opportunity to move I grab it
I seize opportunities as they come, eager to advance and succeed
Me and my moms have static, now I wreak Hennesey and havoc
I have disagreements with my mother, and as a result, I am now resorting to drinking and causing trouble
Man to man talks with Kenny, send me to a zone
Talking with my mentor, Kenny, helps me center myself and focus
Been on my own for so long, my vocal tone's grown
I have become independent and self-sufficient, and my voice now reflects that maturity
Competition gets blown like speakers
My competitors can't keep up with me and are ultimately defeated
when I cross her like Jesus out of bleachers, broads and beepers
I have success with romantic partners and am able to juggle multiple relationships
Yeah I boogey it's all good, but it could be better
I enjoy the moment and the success I have achieved, but know there is still room for improvement
Want to stay eighteen forever
I wish I could stay young and carefree forever
But now I stay on point like Rod in this Strickland
I am focused and determined, like basketball player Rod Strickland
If Brooklyn courts was the canvas, then I would be the big man
I am dominant and influential in the Brooklyn basketball scene
From thoughts that pennies bring, I assemble teams like the Kenny Kings
I use my creativity to bring people together and form winning teams
Think fast over breaks, dialect I'm dribbling
I am quick on my feet and able to think on my toes
Remembering, night posters of Moses and the Supreme Court
I recall seeing inspiring images of basketball player Moses Malone and the Supreme Court as a young man
Realizing, that rap and life are team sports
I recognize that success in both music and life require surrounding oneself with good people and working together as a team
I follow deep thoughts
I am introspective and thoughtful
Moves never perceived thought lyrical Johnny Cochran
My creative moves are unpredictable and unique, like the legal strategies of lawyer Johnny Cochran
cause of the way I free thought
My creativity and imagination allow me to think outside of the box
The system make a nigga think to make it that he need sports
The system often pushes young black men to believe their only escape from poverty is by becoming professional athletes
or either to the tip he gotta resort
If athletics don't work out, a black man may feel forced to resort to criminal activity to survive
my seed'll be taught to start his own
I will teach my children to become entrepreneurs and create their own success
In the, George Carter zone
My son will be raised to be independent and unique, like basketball player George Carter
Don't want to be a dope MC living in his momma's home
I don't want to be a struggling rapper living with my parents
Or speaking to my fans in a starving artist tone
I don't want to be apologizing for not being more successful to my fans
Unknown zones I roam with mind architechter
I am fearless and adventurous, and have a creative mind
Spark the lecture, emphasizing to let God direct ya
I encourage others to let their faith guide them through life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNEST DION WILSON, LONNIE RASHID LYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind