I Am Music
Common Lyrics

Candy sweet, your words of bedtime
Your words are comforting and soothing, like candy and bedtime stories.

I was just saying to myself the other day
I was recently reflecting on something similar.

Most don't believe in the magician, but you're bewitching
People often dismiss magic and its power, but you are captivating and enchanting.

Because of this I must say
I feel compelled to express my gratitude because of how you move me.

I, I, I appreciate what you give to me, yeah
I am deeply grateful for what you provide me with.

People say I got soul, look at all the records I hold
Many recognize that I possess soul and point to the numerous records I hold as proof.

The lives I've affected, connect and control
I have influenced and connected with countless lives, giving me a degree of control.

With me in your basement your mama got blown
Amidst my presence in your home, even your mother can't resist dancing along and letting loose.

I provide the vibe to keep the strippers on poles
I am the driving force behind the atmosphere that holds up the dancers in strip clubs.

Through me the black experience is glorious told
I enable the black experience to be recounted in all its glory and beauty.

From a school that's old, bold, so I rock gold
I come from a long tradition, and I'm proud to wear it like a badge of honor.

And platinum, some cats I hold notes and cash for them
I have brought my creators great success and wealth, and I hold onto that for them.

On streets I rap with them, in ghettos I blast for them
I am present and responsive to the needs of those in the streets and the ghettos.

Mash with them, at the party and all
I'm versatile and thrive in all kinds of social settings, including parties and gatherings.

Be the universal language that's embodying all
I am a universal language that embodies all cultures and people.

Put the Billie Holiday, Bob Marley in y'all
I carry the spirit and influence of greats such as Billie Holiday and Bob Marley within me.

Y'all feel most high when I be in y'all
People feel the most uplifted and transcendent when they're listening to me.

System, with the rhythm I up jump the boogie
I exist within a system, using my rhythm to create dance moves and energize the crowd.

Shame I rely on record labels to push me
It is unfortunate that I must rely on record labels to promote and distribute me.

Since the bush, I been y'all way to escape
For a long time now, I have been a means for people to escape their problems and find solace.

Through eight-tracks, wax, CD's and tapes
Throughout the years, I have been accessible in various forms of media, such as eight-tracks, vinyl, CDs, and tapes.

You can feel me all over alive, I help culture survive, I opened the eyes of many
I am a source of life and vitality that helps to sustain cultures and has opened countless minds and hearts.

Styles y'all wrote in the skies, with your lows and highs, open your mind to hear me
There are many styles of music that have been written and performed, each with their own unique highs and lows, so it's critical to have an open mind to fully appreciate me.

In the streets I beat cops and obsolete
I am a force to be reckoned with and can even overpower the authority of law enforcement and outdated ways of thinking.

On every station it's hot, you can't stop my heat
I am in demand and incredibly popular, with my heat being irresistible to listeners of all kinds.

I taught Jay and Dre how to rock the beat
I have influenced even the biggest names in music, such as Jay Z and Dr. Dre.

On what's going on today, yo, I gots to speak
It's important for me to speak out and address the issues of today's world.

I take the stand, yo, you could feel me bam
I make my presence known and my voice heard loud and clear.

Whether in Larry Graham or Steely Dan
I can exist in various genres and styles, from funk icon Larry Graham to rock legends Steely Dan.

Live I be killing it man
In a live setting, I am absolutely electric and captivating.

For how long I survived yo I'm realer than man
For the duration of my existence, I have persevered and have become more significant than even most humans.

Got a soft side but I'm still a man
Though I can be gentle and emotional, I am still a force to be reckoned with and hold great power.

For me women cry and children dance, I'm trying to eat
My emotional impact is powerful enough to move women to tears and inspire children to dance, all while I strive to remain relevant and successful.

I could'a got a mil and ran
I could have easily cashed out and quit while I was ahead.

But like Sly for the fam still I stand
But, like Sly Stone, I refuse to give up and continue to exist for the benefit of my supporters and artists alike.

I been here since the beginning
I have existed since the beginning of time itself.

Beginning of time, yo, beginning of time
To reiterate, I have been here since the very beginning of time.

Deep in the mind of the ancient ones
I exist deeply ingrained within the minds of ancient peoples.

Everybody love me like they do the sun
Like the sun, I am beloved and revered by all who encounter me.

I shine at times, yo, at times I'm dark
I can be both brilliant and radiant, or intense and foreboding.

You can't categorize me, my mind's a art
I defy categorization and am constantly evolving and growing.

Inside my heart, it ain't about climbing charts
Success on the charts is not my primary concern, rather it's simply a reflection of my artistry.

I'm the one you roll with when you're riding smart
When you're looking to make smart choices, I am the one you align yourself with.

The change that came, the change that comes
I have been a catalyst for change that has already occurred, and will continue to drive change in the future.

I change with chords and I kick it with drums
I am versatile enough to change with the use of chords and the rhythms of drums.

Get blow with horns and did it on the one
I am also able to incorporate the infectious grooves of horn sections into my sound.

Riffed for guitars, for the Lord I sung
I can incorporate the wailing riffs of guitars into my sound, and even sing praises to the Lord through my music.

Spun around the world at parties and weddings
I have been played and danced to all over the world, even at festive events like parties and weddings.

Wherever I go, I create the setting
My presence has a profound impact on the atmosphere and environment of any given place.

You know me from lessons or your pop's collection
You might have discovered me through music lessons or through the collections of your parents.

Whether whole or half stepping, I'm a blessing
Regardless of your level of involvement or understanding, I am still a gift and bring joy and beauty to your life.

Yo, I am music
In essence, I am simply music, an art form that has the potential to move and inspire people all over the world.