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.
Reminisce
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo
Just when I think that I've forgot you
I hear that thug that we used to rock to
Just When I think I'm gettin' on without you
Somebody Passed and asked me about you
Was in the back of the cab the other day
My heart rushed, my face flushed
Tell the driver hit the breaks slow the pace up
Wait up, It wasn't you
Realized it's a mirage I was running to
Damn, can the affects of Love and time
Cause the mind to trick the eye?
I wonder how you gettin' by
And all the stars still in your eyes
But you still just get the five
You break the bank to spend the time
I reminisce of shifting time, to when you was mine
[Bilal]
Years ago, in a mist of hallways and sliding doors
Missing links of family very obscure
Vision of you shine
But only for a short time
My mistake I didn't pick up on it till years down the
Line
Here now as I (reminisce) reminisce, will I ever see
Your face again?
(In-fect-ion)
Baby as I lay back (reminisce) will I ever see your
Face again.
(In-fect-ion)
As I reminisce (fect-ion)
As I reminisce (In-fect-ion)
[Bilal] (Common)
Hold still (uh)
The divine has placed us
In a small world (yes)
And thankfully so (Thank God)
Our paths cross once more
And to whose surprise but mine
Was 14th and 6th was the placed where we combine once
More
There at the front door of the cornor store you stood.
(reminisce)
I reminisce Infection
(In-fect-ion)
As I lay back (reminisce) will I ever see our face
Again
(In-fect-ion)
As I reminisce (In-fect-ion)
As I reminisce (In-fect-ion)
A happy story always ends
As it starts
But with few exceptions involved
We became an item
(Me For You)
Me for you and
(You For Me)
You for me
(Through Good Times and Bad Times)
Good times
(Sickness And Health)
Sickness and health
(Broke ass and richness)
Broke ass, and richness, baby we made it work
[Common]
Yes Sir
Yo I reminisce over this chick
Colder than a soda
Princess a soldier
Raised in Islamic culture
Sexy as the girl on the Jamaica poster
Men are over seas where there really don't be no
Sistas
Brought her on stage as Bilal sang "Soul Sista"
In body parts the blood was thicker
Sweet only tryna make sure it ain't the liquor
She was with a nigga come to find out
She and Sista backstage, conversation kissed her
Made me forget to remember that I pimp the dime
Put the pimpin' aside I see Kenya in her eye
Our connection lies in a life before
For us to meet again was devine law
So I can't describe how deep I dug her
Now only in memory can I hug her
I reminisce why'all
Oh my God
, the lyrics to Common's song Reminisce are powerful and emotional as they explore the themes of love, loss, and memory. The song features two artists, Mos Def and Bilal, who contribute their unique perspectives on how they remember a past love. The opening verse by Mos Def starts with him admitting that he thought he had forgotten about the love he lost until he hears music they used to listen to. He then recounts an incident where he thinks he sees her in the street and feels a rush of emotions. He wonders if love and time can cause the mind to trick the eye, and he ponders about how she is doing. The chorus, sung by Bilal, expresses his longing to see her again and hopes for a reunion. He also acknowledges that he missed an opportunity in the past to connect with her fully.
Bilal's verse adds another dimension to the story, as he recalls his memories of seeing her in a school hallway and feeling like he missed his chance with her. He then talks about meeting her again years later and feeling surprised and grateful that their paths crossed once more. He describes their love as enduring through good times and bad times, sickness, and health, and through their financial struggles. In Common's verse, he reminisces over the same girl, describing her as a soul sista, a strong woman raised in an Islamic culture. He recalls bringing her on stage during a performance and feeling like they had a deep connection. However, he also reveals that she was with another man and had a conversation with her "sista" backstage, which made him forget about her for a moment. He concludes his verse by acknowledging that he can only embrace her in his memory.
Overall, the song Reminisce is a bittersweet reflection on a past love that never quite fully fades away. It is a vivid portrayal of how we hold onto memories of love and try to seek closure, despite the passing of time. The chorus line "will I ever see your face again?" echoes the longing we have to recapture moments that are gone forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Just when I think that I've forgot you
I suddenly remember you, even though I thought I had forgotten you
I hear that thug that we used to rock to
I hear the same music we used to listen to, which reminds me of you
Just When I think I'm gettin' on without you
Just when I think I'm moving on from you
Somebody Passed and asked me about you
Someone asked me about you when I least expected it
Was in the back of the cab the other day
I was in the back of a taxi the other day
Swear to God I saw you walking passed the other way
I thought I saw you walking past the other way
My heart rushed, my face flushed
I became excited and nervous
Tell the driver hit the breaks slow the pace up
I asked the driver to slow down so I could get a better look
Wait up, It wasn't you
I realized that it wasn't you after all
Realized it's a mirage I was running to
I realized that it was just my imagination
Damn, can the affects of Love and time
Cause the mind to trick the eye?
Can love and time have such an effect on the mind that it creates illusions?
I wonder how you gettin' by
I wonder how you are doing
And all the stars still in your eyes
But you still just get the five
You break the bank to spend the time
I reminisce of shifting time, to when you was mine
You still have that special spark, but you settle for less; you spend a lot of money to be with someone, but I remember a time when we were together and time seemed to stand still
Years ago, in a mist of hallways and sliding doors
Missing links of family very obscure
Vision of you shine
But only for a short time
My mistake I didn't pick up on it till years down the
Line
Years ago, I had a brief glimpse of you in a crowded place, but I didn't recognize you until much later
Here now as I (reminisce) reminisce, will I ever see
Your face again?
(In-fect-ion)
Baby as I lay back (reminisce) will I ever see your
Face again.
(In-fect-ion)
As I reminisce (fect-ion)
As I reminisce (In-fect-ion)
As I remember you, I wonder if I will ever see you again, as the memories are like an infection that I can't shake off
Hold still (uh)
The divine has placed us
In a small world (yes)
And thankfully so (Thank God)
Our paths cross once more
And to whose surprise but mine
Was 14th and 6th was the placed where we combine once
More
There at the front door of the cornor store you stood.
Fate has brought us together again in a small world, and I was surprised to see you again at 14th and 6th, where we first met. You were standing at the front door of the corner store.
A happy story always ends
As it starts
But with few exceptions involved
We became an item
(Me For You)
Me for you and
(You For Me)
You for me
(Through Good Times and Bad Times)
Good times
(Sickness And Health)
Sickness and health
(Broke ass and richness)
Broke ass, and richness, baby we made it work
Our love story was happy, and though there were a few bumps along the way, we worked through them together, whether we were happy or struggling financially, and we made it work.
Yes Sir
Yo I reminisce over this chick
Colder than a soda
Princess a soldier
Raised in Islamic culture
Sexy as the girl on the Jamaica poster
Men are over seas where there really don't be no
Sistas
Brought her on stage as Bilal sang 'Soul Sista'
In body parts the blood was thicker
Sweet only tryna make sure it ain't the liquor
She was with a nigga come to find out
She and Sista backstage, conversation kissed her
Made me forget to remember that I pimp the dime
Put the pimpin' aside I see Kenya in her eye
Our connection lies in a life before
For us to meet again was devine law
So I can't describe how deep I dug her
Now only in memory can I hug her
I reminisce why'all
I remember a girl I knew who was strong and independent, raised in a culture different from mine. She was beautiful and attracted the attention of men overseas, but I brought her on stage with me. We had a special connection beyond anything physical. We were meant to meet again, and though we can't be together now, I still cherish the memories we made.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RASHID LONNIE LYNN, BILAL S OLIVER, DANTE SMITH, JAMES DEWITT YANCEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@melissaafernandes902
An era of soulful music. Feels like it's dead now. Can only return to early 2000s for that real upliftment. Not saying it doesn't exist today in music but it's a rare gem, but when I'm looking for soulfulness, outside myself in music, I always come back to this era of hip hop and soul.
@melissaafernandes902
@Goog Googleman stay positive, its not impossible. Keep the faith 👍
@Rock4ification
J dilla poured a piece of his soul on all his beats...IN MY OPINION BEST HIP HOP PRODUCER OF ALL TIMES..
@KingWillie76
Rock4ification Ever!!!!!!!
@brownstonecustomcabinetry5309
That's why he is still here with us. If you truly put a little of yourself in your work, you live on though it. It's
the difference between working hard and hardly working. Think about that the next time you start something.
@v1leye708
that's not your opinion, that's a fact..
@shawnyglass12
Almost by a long shot
@sharonthompson8335
Mos and Common lyrical kings...Dilla the greatest hip hop producer to ever live, and Bilal master vocalist crafter=artistry at its best!
@pookeyblow
This beat sounds very much like something Pete Rock could have made. When Dilla finally met Pete Rock he told him “I was trying to be you.”
@reeseereece
"Can the effects of love and time, cause the mind to trick the eye?" DAMN... That's some goooooood writin'...