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.
Punch Drunk Love
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or was you givin' me the eye?
You said maybe? (Yea) Well, you crazy
Because I know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly (You hype!)
Already know I'm too fly
Yeah, I know what you like
Right now I'm off the wine, wine, we can take our time, time
So much I want to punch spill the bump when we grind
My uh is in ya body, my uh is in ya mind
Check my dictionary, that ass is so divine
It slippery when it's wet girl, I can read the signs
I knock and I knock, uhh, can I come inside?
I knock and I knock, girl, can I come inside?
I feel like it's home when I'm in between ya thighs
It's the joy and the pain and the bites and the brain
What make it feel so good, that type of stuff you can't explain
I do, what I do, to do, to make it rain
You got the invite tonight and I'm so glad ya came
Cause you the type of danger we gain in yo
Mic check like the way I begin my show
Girl I come from chica' so in I 'go
Turn around, it's about to be a TKO
Ay baby, am I crazy?
Or was you givin' me the eye?
You said maybe? (Yea) Well, you crazy
Because I know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly (You hype!)
Already know I'm too fly
Yeah, I know what you like
Some call me Com (Com), some call me the Red (Red)
You can call me daddy, I'mma put ya to bed
An appetite for seduction and it gotta be fed
This sexual eruption gotcha hittin ya head
On the board and, knock, you screamin, "Oh Lord"
We exchange like students cause I study a broad
And listen to ya body and, low key party and
I keep pushin and pushin, you pump the vol-i-ume up
We the type to make lovin we up
We take a ride down south cause you need to re-up
Girl you call me Big Bank like I was savin it up
I'm the doctor, I can hold it 'til patience is up
Ah, ah, ah-ah - I make, I make I make it hot baby
Ah, ah-ah - I know, I know, I know ya spot baby
When we do it like we don't want it to end
It's three PM we gon' do it again
Ay baby, am I crazy?
Or was you givin' me the eye?
You said maybe? (Yea) Well, you crazy
Because I know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly (You hype!)
Already know I'm too fly
Yeah, I know what you like
C'mon girl, let's go
To distant lands unknown
We can fly on air
If love is every where for you and me
C'mon girl, let's go
To distant lands unknown
We can fly on air
If love is every where for you and me
Ay baby, am I crazy?
Or was you givin' me the eye?
You said maybe? (Yea) Well, you crazy
Because I know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly
Already know I'm too fly (You hype!)
Already know I'm too fly
Yeah, I know what you like
C'mon girl, let's go
To distant lands unknown
We can fly on air
If love is every where for you and me
In Common's song "Punch Drunk Love," he starts off asking his love interest if he's crazy or if she's giving him the eye. He's already aware that he's too fly and that what she wants. The song then goes on to describe the sexual tension between them as he describes what he wants to do to her. He wants to take his time and punch the bump when they grind. He also says that his "uh" is in her body and mind, emphasizing how in sync they are during this encounter. When he's knocking on her door, he's referencing his desire to enter her and feel like he's home, in between her thighs. It's a feeling he can't explain but is a mixture of joy, pain, bites, and brains that make it feel so good. As they continue to do "it," they make each other get to that point of no return, pushing each other to their limits.
The chorus is a repetition of Common's confidence in himself and what he can do. This leads to the second verse where he introduces himself with different titles, including "Com" and "The Red." He also mentions his ability to make girls scream, most likely from the pleasure he gives them. Common describes this pleasure as a sexual eruption that's got them hitting their heads, suggesting that the pleasure is too intense to handle. He raps about how they keep pushing and partying, setting the tone for a never-ending sensual experience that they'll relive again and again.
The chorus repeats itself, emphasizing Common's self-confidence before transitioning into the bridge. In the bridge, Common invites his love interest to go to distant lands, implying some kind of romantic getaway. He's asking her to come with him and explore new places, to escape reality and find love wherever they go.
Overall, "Punch Drunk Love" describes a passionate and intense relationship between two people in the midst of a sexual encounter. Common captures the physical and emotional aspects of this encounter, showcasing his lyrical talent and ability to convey depth in meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay baby, am I crazy?
Questioning if the other person is interested in him
Or was you givin' me the eye?
Wondering if there was any flirting going on
You said maybe? (Yea) Well, you crazy
Assuming that the other person is crazy to say maybe
Because I know I'm too fly
Feeling confident in himself
Right now I'm off the wine, wine, we can take our time, time
Suggesting taking things slow and enjoying the moment
So much I want to punch spill the bump when we grind
Expressing that he is so excited to be intimate with the other person
My uh is in ya body, my uh is in ya mind
Referring to his sexual energy being a part of the other person's body and mind
Check my dictionary, that ass is so divine
Praising the other person's body
It slippery when it's wet girl, I can read the signs
Knowing when the other person is ready
I knock and I knock, uhh, can I come inside?
Asking to physically enter the other person
I feel like it's home when I'm in between ya thighs
Feeling comfortable and at home in the other person's space
It's the joy and the pain and the bites and the brain
Exploring the different sensations that come with intimacy
What make it feel so good, that type of stuff you can't explain
Expressing that pleasure cannot be fully explained
I do, what I do, to do, to make it rain
Doing what he needs to do to make the experience enjoyable for both parties
You got the invite tonight and I'm so glad ya came
Excited that the other person showed up
Cause you the type of danger we gain in yo
Referring to the excitement in the other person's presence
Mic check like the way I begin my show
Comparing intimacy to a performance
Girl I come from chica' so in I 'go
Referencing his history and past sexual experiences
Turn around, it's about to be a TKO
Using a boxing reference to imply victory
Some call me Com (Com), some call me the Red (Red)
Referring to his stage names
You can call me daddy, I'mma put ya to bed
Being dominant in the situation
An appetite for seduction and it gotta be fed
Describing his strong sexual desire
This sexual eruption gotcha hittin ya head
Referring to the intense feelings and sensations from intimacy
On the board and, knock, you screamin, "Oh Lord"
Expressing pleasure through imagery
We exchange like students cause I study a broad
Comparing sexual activity to learning and studying
And listen to ya body and, low key party and
Being mindful of the other person's needs and preferences
I keep pushin and pushin, you pump the vol-i-ume up
Keeping the energy and momentum going
We the type to make lovin we up
Proud of the intimacy experience
We take a ride down south cause you need to re-up
Going for another round of intimacy
Girl you call me Big Bank like I was savin it up
Referencing his wealth and status
I'm the doctor, I can hold it 'til patience is up
Taking charge and leading the situation
Ah, ah, ah-ah - I make, I make I make it hot baby
Expressing the intensity of the experience
Ah, ah-ah - I know, I know, I know ya spot baby
Being familiar with the other person's preferences
When we do it like we don't want it to end
Savoring the experience
It's three PM we gon' do it again
Looking forward to repeating the experience
C'mon girl, let's go
Encouraging the other person to come with him
To distant lands unknown
Exciting adventure and exploration
We can fly on air
Exploring new heights and possibilities
If love is every where for you and me
Believing that love is possible between them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LONNIE RASHID LYNN, CHAD HUGO, KANYE OMARI WEST, PHARRELL L. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind