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.
Last Poety Reprise
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walk to the store for the rose, talking straightforward to hoes
Got uncles that smoke, and some put blow up they nose
To cope with the lows, the wind is cold and it blows
In their socks and their soles, niggas holding they rolls
Corners leave souls opened and closed, hoping for mo'
With nowhere to go, niggas rolling in droves
They shoot the wrong way, cause they ain’t knowin' their goals
By the foes I was told, either focus or fold
Got cousins with flows, hope they open some doors
So we can cop clothes and roll in a Rolls
Now I roll in a Olds, with windows that don’t roll
Down the roads where cars get broken and stole
These are the stories told by Stony and Cottage Grove
The world is cold, the block is hot as a stove
On the corners
I wish I could give you this feeling
I wish I could give this feeling
On the corners niggas rob or kill
And dying just to make a living, huh?
We overstated, we underrated, we educated
The corner was our time when time stood still and
Gators and snakeskins and
Yellow and pink and profiles
Street lights and deep nights, cats trying to eat right
Riding no-seat-bikes, with work to feed hypes
So they can get sweet Nike's, they head and they feet right
Desires of street life, cars and weed types
It’s hard to breathe nights, days are thief-like
The beasts roam the streets, the police is Greek-like
Game at its peak, we speak and believe hype
Bang in the streets hats cocked left or deep right
It’s steep life, coming up where niggas is sheep-like
Rappers and hoopers, we strive to be like
G's with three strikes, seeds that need light
Cheese and recite, needs and BE strife
The corner, where struggle and greed fight
We write songs about wrong ‘cause it’s hard to see right
Look to the sky, hoping it will bleed light
Reality's a bitch, and I heard that she bites
The corner
I wish I could give you this feeling
I wish I could give this feeling
On the corners niggas rob or kill
And dying just to make a living, huh?
The corner was our magic, our music, our politics
Fires raised as tribal dances and war cries
Broke out on different corners
Power to the people
Black power
Black is beautiful
Black church services, murderers, Arabs serving burgers
As cats with gold permanents, move they bags as herbalists
The dirt isn’t just fertile, it’s people working and earning this
The curb getters go where the cash flow and the current is
It’s so hot that niggas burn to live
The furnace is, where the money moving, the determined live
We talk shit, play lotto, and buy German beers
It’s so black packed with action that's affirmative
The corners
I wish I could give you this feeling
I wish I could give this feeling
On the corners niggas rob or kill
And dying just to make a living, huh?
The corner was our Rock of Gibraltar, our Stonehenge
Our Taj Mahal, our monument
Our testimonial to freedom, to peace, and to love
Down on the corner
In the song "The Corner," Common and The Last Poets reflect on life on the street corners of Chicago. They bring to focus the different experiences and challenges that people face as they live their lives in the city. The song talks about the memories people make on the corners, both good and bad. Common talks about uncles who smoke and sniff cocaine to cope with their life's lows. The streets are unsafe because young people do not know the codes, and violence and drugs are rampant.
The artists also talk about how people try to make the most of their situation, with hopes of earning money and opening doors. They desire cars and designer clothes to better their lives and live on the edge of their reality. The song's chorus talks about wishing to give others the feeling of being on the street corner, despite the risks and inherent dangers.
Overall, "The Corner" reveals the complexities of life in the inner-city, reflecting on the harsh realities while contrasting it with an infectious desire for survival.
Line by Line Meaning
Memories on the corners with the fo's and the mo's
Remembering the past on street corners with friends and acquaintances
Walk to the store for the rose, talking straightforward to hoes
Buying flowers and having casual conversations with women
Got uncles that smoke, and some put blow up they nose
Family members who use drugs to cope
To cope with the lows, the wind is cold and it blows
Drug use as a way to deal with difficult situations
In their socks and their soles, niggas holding they rolls
Carrying money in socks
Corners leave souls opened and closed, hoping for mo'
The streets have the power to inspire or crush people's dreams
With nowhere to go, niggas rolling in droves
People with nowhere to be wandering in groups
They shoot the wrong way, cause they ain’t knowin' their goals
People make mistakes because they lack direction or a sense of purpose
The streets ain’t safe cause they ain’t knowing the code
The rules of the streets are not clear and can be dangerous
By the foes I was told, either focus or fold
Being advised to either stay focused or give up by those who don't support you
Got cousins with flows, hope they open some doors
Family members who are talented rappers with potential
So we can cop clothes and roll in a Rolls
Buying nice clothes and luxury cars as a symbol of success
Now I roll in a Olds, with windows that don’t roll
Driving an old, unreliable car
Down the roads where cars get broken and stole
Driving through high-crime areas where cars are often stolen
These are the stories told by Stony and Cottage Grove
Stories from specific streets in their neighborhood
The world is cold, the block is hot as a stove
The world can be harsh, and their neighborhood is especially difficult
I wish I could give you this feeling
Expressing a desire to share their experiences
On the corners niggas rob or kill and dying just to make a living, huh?
The harsh realities of the streets where people resort to desperate measures just to survive
The corner was our time when time stood still
The corner was a place where time seemed to move slower and they could escape their problems temporarily
Gators and snakeskins and yellow and pink and profiles
Describing the fashion and style of the people in their neighborhood
Street lights and deep nights, cats trying to eat right
The streets are alive with activity at night, as people try to find food to eat
Riding no-seat-bikes, with work to feed hypes
Using a bike without a seat, trying to make money to sustain an addiction
So they can get sweet Nike's, they head and they feet right
Working to afford nice sneakers as a status symbol
Desires of street life, cars and weed types
Longing for the lifestyle that comes with making money on the streets through drug sales and other illicit activities
It’s hard to breathe nights, days are thief-like
Difficult to find peace and security at night, and the daytime is filled with stealing and crime
The beasts roam the streets, the police is Greek-like
The streets are filled with dangerous people and the police are viewed as a foreign power imposing their will
Game at its peak, we speak and believe hype
The competition among those trying to make money on the streets is intense, and people believe in the importance of hype
Bang in the streets hats cocked left or deep right
Street fashion and style characterized by the tilt of hats
It’s steep life, coming up where niggas is sheep-like
Growing up in an environment where people are easily manipulated or controlled
Rappers and hoopers, we strive to be like
People look up to successful rappers and basketball players as role models
G's with three strikes, seeds that need light
People with three felony convictions and young people in need of guidance
Cheese and recite, needs and BE strife
Working hard to make money and attain success despite obstacles
The corner, where struggle and greed fight
The corner is a place characterized by the conflict between people trying to get ahead and those who want more
We write songs about wrong ‘cause it’s hard to see right
Their music is a reflection of the harsh reality they live in where it's difficult to see hope or positivity
Look to the sky, hoping it will bleed light
Hoping for a sign of hope or inspiration from above
Reality's a bitch, and I heard that she bites
The truth can be harsh and unforgiving
The corner was our magic, our music, our politics
The corner was a place where unique culture and political ideas emerged
Fires raised as tribal dances and war cries
Describing the intense passion and energy of the people on the streets
Broke out on different corners, power to the people
Rebellious movements and calls for power and freedom from the people
Black power, black is beautiful
Embracing black culture and identity
Black church services, murderers, Arabs serving burgers
Describing the diverse people and activities that make up their neighborhood
As cats with gold permanents, move they bags as herbalists
Describing the variety of jobs and ways people make money on the streets
The dirt isn’t just fertile, it’s people working and earning this
The environment may be harsh, but people are working and making a living in creative ways
The curb getters go where the cash flow and the current is
People who are resourceful and find ways to make money follow the flow of cash
It’s so hot that niggas burn to live
The struggle is so intense that people are pushed to their limits
The furnace is, where the money moving, the determined live
Places where money is made are where determined people thrive
We talk shit, play lotto, and buy German beers
Relaxing and indulging in small pleasures despite the struggles
It’s so black packed with action that's affirmative
The environment is full of energy and activity that affirms black culture and identity
The corners
A central location where all these experiences take place
I wish I could give you this feeling
Expressing a desire to share their unique experiences with others
On the corners niggas rob or kill and dying just to make a living, huh?
The harsh realities of the streets where people resort to desperate measures just to survive
The corner was our Rock of Gibraltar, our Stonehenge
Describing the significance of the corner as a cultural landmark and source of stability
Our Taj Mahal, our monument
The corner held symbolic value as a monument of their unique culture and experiences
Our testimonial to freedom, to peace, and to love
The corner had meaning beyond just physical space, it represented ideals such as freedom and love
Down on the corner
The closing line of the song, referring once again to the significance of the corner as a central location
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ABIODUN OYEWOLE, KANYE OMARI WEST, LEON MOORE, LONNIE RASHID LYNN, UMAR BIN HASSAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind