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.
Reminding Me
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reminding me of Sef what?
Fat fat thick booty what?
You say jack that big booty yo
He say oh oh
I heard the boy he said oh oh
The party people he said oh oh
Uh uh uh, oh oh check it check it
Driftin' on a memory brought forth
From a fifth of Hennesey as in times
Of eighty nine they envision me
Warm days and the cold beer chemistry
Eventually broken up by responsibilities and such
Sometimes this era mentally I reconstruct
High school I came out it
Cats with clout at graduation got they name shouted
Go to Great America, me and my lady rock the same outfit
My niggas be fucking girls that she hang out with
Round then Guy came out with, 'Piece of My Love'
Arguing over if he said, "Dumb bitch"
Everyday the same old with rainbow, watching the sun twist
Cool as a Mig Dry, that in the trunk shit
After parties in Wendy's parking lot, unfamiliar faces got marked a lot
Showing off for hoes in bricks and rows had us charged to box
That demo sorta stopped once A.C. got popped
It's reminding, mmm whoa yeah
It's reminding, hey yeah
Check it
Before these minds got a hold to some drugs
And start thinking they thugs
We'd be at the Bismarck, and the Racquetball club
Plugged with Gucci promotion so we got in free
Against the wall me and my guys formed a colony, Ron'll be beating
Saved my day, dancing on speakers
Flames snatched I was born this way
87th Street and Hyde Park was warring
Over gossip, Kenwood bras was pouring
Suited in three-quarter Jordan's, pro-models
And started coach out the back of Beauty Shop Sevalas
Buy the dope, put my name in they verse, EPMD
I would quote, stolen leathers I'd sell, like a child of broke
Behind the beat, I took my first shot of Henny
It hit me in the chest like when them marks shot Benji
Shame on the girl that left her Fendi around crew
I'da go through it or, take it, we was bound to
Traveling like Vice Lords, down to the taste
Not wanting to bring my lady around crew 'cause they would snake
House parties was the lick, behind bars we'd come up
At em' I did the Hooper dance with my thumbs up
It's reminding, mmm whoa yeah
It's reminding, hey yeah
There go the break
To get the break go, it go oh oh
Yeah, it go oh oh
You heard the people they go oh oh oh oh oh oh
Yo, check it, check it
Nowadays niggas is fake, like that party at McCormick Place
I don't draw with 'em, 'cause they was born to trace
At times I contemplate moving to a warmer place
Then the Lake and skyline, give me a warm embrace
Reminding me of the pointed parties Moe used to mace
Six deep in the Hyundai bumping Twilight Tone tapes
Come home late calling broads hang up on they mother
If it wasn't nowhere to scrap at then we would fight each other
Get a room at the Dunes having bakeouts
We'd eat, at Giadonno's and break out
Then everybody thought that they could spend
High rollers had the MCM blazer blend
Girbauds and Guess jeans we was taking in
Cranes and freight trains we was breaking in
Tim a be basin Mike down at I.I.T.
Remembering numbers depended on how high I'd be
It's a Deja-Brew, when I see bottles of Gill
My man Sef passed I feel hollow but still
It's reminding, mmm whoa yeah
It's reminding, hey yeah
The opening lines of the song Reminding Me by Common start off with a playful banter of words between friends. The lyrics then shift to reminiscing about past memories and events that occurred during high school, where Common reflects on his experiences with his group of friends. He paints a picture of a time before drugs and violence had taken over, where they frequented places like the Bismarck and Racquetball club. He talks about how they would attend house parties, dance on speakers, and have a good time.
The chorus featuring Chantay Savage repeating the words “reminding me” reinforces the theme of nostalgia and looking back on memories. The lyrics conclude with Common thinking about his friend Sef who had passed away, and how seeing bottles of Gill (a type of liquor) reminds him of his friend. This song is a tribute to the past and the memories that stick with us, even as we grow older and move on from those times.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah yeah what yeah
A casual exclamation to begin the song
Reminding me of Sef what?
Reflecting on memories of a deceased friend
Fat fat thick booty what?
A reference to a woman's physical attributes
You say jack that big booty yo
Bringing attention to the woman's rear end
He say oh oh
Referring to someone's reaction
I heard the boy he said oh oh
Recalling a past conversation and reaction
The party people he said oh oh
Recalling a past party and atmosphere
Check it check it
Drawing attention to what's being said
Driftin' on a memory brought forth
Reflecting on past memories
from a fifth of Hennessey as in times
A specific memory associated with a certain drink
of eighty nine they envision me
Recalling a specific time period
Warm days and the cold beer chemistry
A nostalgic and enjoyable memory
Eventually broken up by responsibilities and such
Acknowledging that life moves on and changes
Sometimes this era mentally I reconstruct
Reflecting on past events and reconstructing them in the mind
High school I came out it
Recalling high school and moving on from it
Cats with clout at graduation got they name shouted
Observing social hierarchies in high school
Go to Great America, me and my lady rock the same outfit
Going on a date and having matching outfits
My niggas be fuckin' girls that she hang out with
Acknowledging infidelity among friends
Round then Guy came out with, 'Piece of My Love'
Referencing a popular song from that time period
Arguin' over if he said, "Dumb bitch"
Discussing a disagreement about song lyrics
Everyday the same old with rainbow, watchin' the sun twist
Repeating the same activities and observing the sunset
Cool as a Mig Dry, that in the trunk shit
Enjoying a cool beverage and storing it in a car trunk
After parties in Wendy's parkin' lot, unfamiliar faces got marked a lot
Having after-party hangouts and marking unfamiliar cars
Showin' off for hoes in bricks and rows had us charged to box
Competing for attention with women and getting into fights
That demo sorta stopped once A.C. got popped
Stopping certain activities after a friend got in trouble
It's remind-ing,
Transitioning to the chorus
Check it
Drawing attention to the upcoming lyrics
Before these minds got a hold to some drugs
Addressing drug use among peers
and start thinkin' they thugs
Noticing a change in behavior among drug users
We'd be at the Bismarck, and the Racquetball club
Recalling locations and activities from the past
Plugged with Gucci promotion so we got in free
Getting free admission due to a promotional event
Against the wall me and my guys formed a colony, Ron'll be beatin'
Hanging out with friends and enjoying the music
Saved my day, dancin' on speakers
Finding enjoyment and fun on the dance floor
Flames snatched I was born this way
Feeling confident and comfortable with oneself
87th Street and Hyde Park was warrin'
Describing a neighborhood where there was conflict
Over gossip, Kenwood bras was pourin'
Describing a specific incident of gossip and conflict
Suited in three-quarter Jordans, pro-models
Wearing fashionable sneakers
and started coach out the back of Beauty Shop Sevalas
Buying items from a coach seller at a popular beauty shop
Buy the dope, put my name in they verse, EPMD
Having one's name mentioned in a rap song
I would quote, stolen leathers I'd sell, like a child of broke
Selling stolen clothing to make money
behind the beat, I took my first shot of Henny
Drinking alcohol behind the beat of a song
It hit me in the chest like when them marks shot Benji
Feeling the effects of alcohol quickly
Shame on the girl that left her Fendi around crew
Blaming a girl for leaving her expensive item around others
I'da go through it or, take it, we was bound to
Willfully taking something that was left behind
Travellin' like Vice Lords, down to the taste
Traveling around the city like a gang
Not wantin' to bring my lady around crew cause they would snake
Avoiding bringing one's girlfriend around untrustworthy friends
House parties was the lick, behind bars we'd come up
Having fun at house parties and making connections behind bars
at em' I did the Hooper dance with my thumbs up
Celebrating and dancing at a party
There go the break
Announcing the break in the song
To get the break go, it go OOH OH
Describing a sample for the song
Yeah, it go OOH OH
Repeating the sample
You heard the people they go oh oh oh-oh oh-oh oh-oh
Observing people's reactions to the song
Yo, check it, check it
Refocusing attention on the lyrics
Nowadays niggas is fake, like that party at McCormick Place
Noticing that people have become more fake over time
I don't draw with em, cause they was born to trace
Not engaging with fake people because they lack originality
At times I contemplate movin' to a warmer place
Thinking about moving to a different location
Then the Lake and skyline, give me a warm embrace
Feeling comfort from the familiar surroundings
remindin' me of the pointed parties Moe used to mace
A specific memory associated with a particular venue
Six deep in the Hyundai bumpin' Twilight Tone tapes
Driving around and enjoying music
Come home late callin' broads hang up on they mother
Not treating others with respect and being selfish
If it wasn't nowhere to scrap at then we would fight each other
Engaging in violence for entertainment and excitement
Get a room at the Dunes havin' bakeouts
Renting a hotel room and consuming cannabis
We'd eat, at Giadonno's and break out
Eating at a certain restaurant and leaving quickly
Then everybody thought that they could spend
Noticing a change in behavior among peers
High rollers had the MCM blazer blend
Noticing certain brands and styles of clothing
Girbauds and Guess jeans we was takin' in
Enjoying and wearing fashionable clothing brands
Cranes and freight trains we was breakin' in
Exploring and entering construction sites and abandoned trains
Tim a be basin Mike down at I.I.T.
Recalling specific people and events
Rememberin numbers depended on how high I'd be
Not being able to remember things due to intoxication
It's a Deja-Brew, when I see bottles of Gill
Referring to a feeling of nostalgia and familiarity
My man Sef passed I feel hollow but still
Remembering a friend who has passed away
It's remind-ing,
Repeating the chorus
It's remind-ing
Repeating the chorus for emphasis
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Anthony Khan, Lonnie Lynn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@violet2715
Yesss oh how I miss the real music of the 90's! Clean, fun and skillful lyrics! Common always kept it fresh!
@CarlaLinton-pj5jn
Carla Linton. This is one of my favorite old school jams back in the day by Common featuring Chantay called. Remind Me Of Self.
@daudidaudi
One of the most slept on common songs!
@GEYANK
Who listening in Dec 2021?
@OfftheChainz
@@GEYANK pfft June 2022
@theactivefoodie9997
@@GEYANK 2023 😂
@anthonyourbrother
Smooth, dope, satisfaction fresh...❤
@butterflylovenj7300
I agree. It's my favorite common song.
@jeusgarcia8597
CHI-BBOY HERE, COMMON WASN'T JOKING ABOUT THE STREETS IN THIS CUT...LOVE THE SAMPLE LOOP AND IT BRINGS AWESOME MEMORIES OF COOKOUTS, TOGETHERNESS, EVERYONE ENJOYING THEMSELVES WITHOUT STUPID ASS CELLPHONES.
IT'S NOT ABOUT BRINGING THE "GOOD 'OL DAYS BACK," IT'S ABOUT ENJOYING THE MEMORIES AND MOVING FORWARD -
MUSIC IS EVERYTHING, THE ONLY TIME MACHINE
@davidmcinnisjr
Man, this is such a classic slept on record from Common. My high School years in '97 in NYC!!