Play Your Cards Right
Common Lyrics

Every thing's gon' be alright
This line emphasizes that everything will be okay if one plays their cards right.

If you play your cards right
The phrase 'play your cards right' refers to making wise and strategic decisions to succeed in life.

It's do or die, your looking through the eye of a revolver
This line means that life is tough and unpredictable, and one needs to be prepared to face challenges and take risks.

I revolve around the world, a problem solver
Common states that he solves problems as he navigates through life, like the Earth revolving around the sun.

Alter your ego and the way your walkin'
The line means that one has to change their mindset and behavior to achieve success.

Talk to people, still I stay regal
Common communicates with people, but still maintains his dignity and class.

Read through the bullshit
This line refers to seeing through superficiality and deception in one's life.

Sometime to make peace, you need a full clip
Sometimes, to resolve an issue, one needs to be prepared for conflict or confrontation.

Roll dice with niggas who got bricks at a good price
He is referring to gambling with people who are skilled in their profession.

Talk shit, give good advice, rollin' through the hood right
He is rolling through the hood and is speaking sound advice while also speaking his truth.

It's the good life, like T.I. said
This line means that life is good if one lives it the right way, as T.I. has said.

Gettin' it, how could I not be fed
If one is 'gettin it,' they are making money and feeding themselves.

Get bread, get dough, get fed, get mo'
This line means that he gets money, will make more money, eats well, and will continue to have financial success.

In the old school Lincoln, thinking I sit low
He is driving a lowrider 1960s Lincoln car and feeling low and grounded.

Let problems burn slow away
This line suggests that Common should let his problems slowly fade away.

I yearn for the day that it won't go gray
He wants his life to be brighter with less grey days or troubles.

Remember we were kings, back in the day
Common reminisces about the past when Black people were kings and queens.

Still can be depending on the cards you play
He still believes that Black people can become kings and queens, but it depends on the choices they make.

I ain't playin' with a full deck
This line means that he is not entirely mentally stable.

The government won't let me get a full check
He is unable to get all the money owed to him by the government.

I'm taxin' marks, I got more heart than clubs
He is telling his competition that he is brave while they are cowardly.

The black spade, givin' 'em darker love
The black spade symbolizes African Americans, and Common is giving love to his people amidst a society that doesn't value their lives.

Make 'em strip like poker, poker mag in his face
Common is getting the attention of his opponents by getting them to focus on him and not on their cards.

You tried to smoke my ace
His enemy tries to sabotage his winning hand.

You know the stakes is high like the ace is
The stakes are high, and every move could have a significant impact—as if the ace card were at risk.

Get your squad face down like cards before they get a face lift
This line means that he will take down his opponents quickly and efficiently, leaving them face-down.

You get robbed, better yet jacked for diamonds
Common warns his competition that if they are not careful, he will take what is valuable to them.

Leave you victim less, like Jack in 'Shining'
If one is a victim of his crimes, then he will be stripped of everything and left to fend for themselves like Jack in the famous horror movie 'Shining.'

Blocked your bluff, now your respect is stolen
He is exposing his opponent's bluff and teaching them a lesson by taking away their respect from the other players.

Took your chips, led my guys in Texas Hold 'Em
He won the game and his team is powerful enough to conquer any challenge that they face.

Rolled the strips of Vegas with money boss players
Common and his friends gamble in Vegas with high-rollers.

Stacey Adams of different flavors, we major
They wear fashionable Stacey Adams shoes, and they are successful at what they do.

Gangstas and hustles, living movie star life
Common and his team are living an extravagant life of wealth and prosperity, just as movie stars do.

Dealt a bad hand but I played my cards right
He has faced difficulties in life but has managed to overcome them by making wise decisions.