Ressurection
Common Lyrics


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I stagger in the gathering possessed by a patter-in
That be scattering
Over the global my vocals be traveling unraveling my abdomen
It's slime that's babbling grammatics that are masculine
I grab the men, verbally badgering broads
I wish that Madeline was back on Video LP
I went against all odds and got a even steven
Proceed to read and not believing everything I'm reading
But my brain was bleeding, needing feeding and exercise
I didn't seek the best of buys, it's a lie to textualize
I analyze where I rest my eyes
And chastise the best of guys with punchlines
I'm Nestle when it's crunch-time
For your mind like one time
If poetry was pussy I'd be sunshine
Cause I deliver like the Sun-Times
Confined in once-mines on dumb rhymes I combine
I'm hype like I'm unsigned, my diet I un-swine
Eating beef sometimes -- I try to cut back on that shit
This rap shit is truly outta control
My style is too developed to be arrested
It's the freestyle, so now it's out on parole
They tried to hold my soul in a holding cell so I would sell
I bonded with a break and had enough to make bail
A Mr. Meaner fell on his knee for the jury
I asked No for his ID and the judge thought there was two of me
Motion for a recess to retest my fingerprints
They relinquished Sense, cause I was guilty in a sense

I ride the rhythm like a Schwinn bike when in dim light
I use insight to enlight devices hit the skin tight
Words of wisdom wail from my windpipe, imagination's in flight
I send light, like Ben's kite I've been bright
Get open like on gym nights and in fights I send rights
Don't hook with skins my friends like I spend nights up in dykes
In spite, I've been indicted as a freak of all trades
I got it made
I bathe in bass lines, rinse in riffs, dry in drums
Come from a tribe of bums hooked on Negro and mums
Had to halt with the malt liquor
Cause off the malt liquor, I fought niggas, now my speech and thoughts quicker
Cruising Southside streets with no heat and no sticker
UAC got my back and we don't get no thicker
UAC got my back and we don't get no thicker
UAC got my back and we don't, now check it
I'm a ho but not a ho nigga, ain't scared of no nigga




But it's my turn to go I gotta go
And I'm gone with the storm

Overall Meaning

In Common's song Resurrection, the lyrics revolve around his personal journey as a rapper, his style of music, his life's struggles and his accomplishments. The opening lines of the song describe the intense energy that drives Common's music as he strolls in the gathering, overwhelmed by the rhythm of his own voice. He regards his lyrics as a global force that travel worldwide, revealing the essence of his talent. He spits rhymes with a masculine grammatical structure and badgers his critics, flaunting his poetic prowess. In the second verse, Common acknowledges the flaws in his behavior but insists on the need for constant self-improvement. He reflects upon the consequences of his past and expresses a desire to distance himself from negativity. Common poetically touches on a range of societal issues such as injustice, discrimination, and poverty by paralleling his own challenges to these struggles. Throughout the song, he delves into the nuances of his personality, unwavering confidence, and commitment to his art.


Line by Line Meaning

I stagger in the gathering possessed by a patter-in
I arrive at the event feeling uneasy and anxious, caught up in my own thoughts and worries.


That be scattering
These thoughts and worries are causing me to feel scattered and unable to focus.


Over the global my vocals be traveling unraveling my abdomen
My music reaches people all over the world, hitting them in the gut and touching their emotions.


It's slime that's babbling grammatics that are masculine
The words I'm speaking are rough and tough, with a bit of arrogance, as if coming from a slimy creature.


I grab the men, verbally badgering broads
I challenge men with my words and make them think, while also attacking women in a way that is not respectful.


I wish that Madeline was back on Video LP
I long for the good old days when things were simpler and I was more carefree.


I went against all odds and got a even steven
Despite the odds stacked against me, I managed to achieve balance in my life.


Proceed to read and not believing everything I'm reading
I am cautious and critical when reading the news, not blindly believing everything I see.


But my brain was bleeding, needing feeding and exercise
My mind is overwhelmed and needs to be nourished with knowledge and challenged through exercise.


I didn't seek the best of buys, it's a lie to textualize
I'm not chasing material possessions or trying to portray a fake image through my lyrics.


I analyze where I rest my eyes
I am constantly observing my surroundings and trying to make sense of the world around me.


And chastise the best of guys with punchlines
I criticize even those who are considered great and successful with clever wordplay.


I'm Nestle when it's crunch-time
I am at my best when things get tough and difficult decisions need to be made.


For your mind like one time
My music is meant to stimulate the mind and make people think deeply.


If poetry was pussy I'd be sunshine
If poetry was easy and inviting, I would be the one to deliver it with energy and enthusiasm.


Cause I deliver like the Sun-Times
My delivery is strong, reliable, and consistent, like a daily newspaper.


Confined in once-mines on dumb rhymes I combine
I used to be limited by my own narrow-mindedness, but now I combine different perspectives and ideas in my music.


I'm hype like I'm unsigned, my diet I un-swine
I am still incredibly passionate and energetic, even though I'm no longer struggling to get signed. I also try to eat healthier.


Eating beef sometimes -- I try to cut back on that shit
I am aware of the impact meat has on the environment and try to eat less of it to do my part.


This rap shit is truly outta control
The music industry is becoming more and more chaotic, with commercialism and greed taking over.


My style is too developed to be arrested
My music is too powerful and unique to be held back or controlled by the industry or law enforcement.


It's the freestyle, so now it's out on parole
My music is unconstrained and free, like someone who has just been released from prison on parole.


They tried to hold my soul in a holding cell so I would sell
The industry and corporations tried to control and exploit me for profit, but I refused to give in.


I bonded with a break and had enough to make bail
I found strength in my own struggles and experiences, and was able to break free from the industry's grasp.


A Mr. Meaner fell on his knee for the jury
Someone who was once mean and hateful is now pleading for mercy in front of a jury.


I asked No for his ID and the judge thought there was two of me
I spoke up and defended myself in court, surprising the judge with my confidence and assertiveness.


Motion for a recess to retest my fingerprints
There is doubt and confusion surrounding my identity, and I challenge the court to take another look at the evidence.


They relinquished Sense, cause I was guilty in a sense
People gave up trying to understand my music and message because it was too difficult to decipher, even though I wasn't actually guilty of any wrongdoing.


I ride the rhythm like a Schwinn bike when in dim light
I am a master of controlling the rhythm and flow of my music, like riding a bike in low light conditions.


I use insight to enlight devices hit the skin tight
My music is not just entertainment, but a means to enlighten and inform, touching people on a deep level.


Words of wisdom wail from my windpipe, imagination's in flight
My lyrics are full of wisdom and insight, coming from a place of deep imagination and creativity.


I send light, like Ben's kite I've been bright
My music is uplifting and inspiring, like a kite soaring through the sky on a sunny day.


Get open like on gym nights and in fights I send rights
I am open and honest in my music, not holding back any punches, and am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in.


Don't hook with skins my friends like I spend nights up in dykes
I don't sleep around with just anyone, but prefer to spend time with close friends and people I trust, even if they are not the norm.


In spite, I've been indicted as a freak of all trades
Despite society's judgment and criticism, I have managed to succeed and thrive in many different areas and professions, which some may consider freakish or unconventional.


I got it made
I am content and happy with where I am in life, regardless of others' opinions or expectations.


I bathe in bass lines, rinse in riffs, dry in drums
Music is my lifeblood, and I am constantly surrounded by it, nourishing myself in different sounds and rhythms.


Come from a tribe of bums hooked on Negro and mums
I come from a poor and struggling background, where my family and community find comfort in music and traditions rooted in African American culture.


Had to halt with the malt liquor
I realized the negative impact alcohol was having on my life and decided to quit drinking it.


Cause off the malt liquor, I fought niggas, now my speech and thoughts quicker
Drinking made me more prone to violence and made me think and speak more slowly, but now that I've quit, I can think and express myself more clearly and intelligently.


Cruising Southside streets with no heat and no sticker
I am from a rough neighborhood where crime and poverty are rampant, and drive around with no insurance or protection.


UAC got my back and we don't get no thicker
I have the support of my friends and community, who stick by my side through thick and thin.


UAC got my back and we don't get no thicker
I have the support of my friends and community, who stick by my side through thick and thin.


UAC got my back and we don't, now check it
I am proud of the people who support me and want to show them off.


I'm a ho but not a ho nigga, ain't scared of no nigga
I am not afraid to stand up for myself and challenge anyone, but I am also not someone who sleeps around indiscriminately.


But it's my turn to go I gotta go
I have places to be and things to do, and it's time for me to move on to the next thing.


And I'm gone with the storm
I leave with the same energy and intensity as a storm passing by, ready for whatever comes next.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNEST DION WILSON, LONNIE RASHID LYNN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@blaccseedthechildoflife431

The video is everything. Black America, the 90's, the inner city, Chicago. Raps videos just ain't the same nowadays

@80sports20

This was Common’s breakthrough song, how in the heck does this not even have 1 million views?????? This is a hip hop classic!

@oblivion_007

Scratches elevate a song to legendary status

@BSKILLZ3000

Scratch hooks for the win.

@mikeyz1080

Nothing like that mid-late 90s east coast production. Premo was the soundtrack of my teen years .lol

@facksvillain2296

Grandmaster Mista Sinista, getting busy on the cuts!!!

@byanymeansnecessary9329

It ain't Hip-hop unless there is scratching

@Slipknott9641

Hip hops lost art form needs to be reintroduced to the new Era

1 More Replies...

@YouDontWantItWithMe

Pure Chicago. Shout out to the all the Folks and the Peoples. GD till the world Blow up

@dabadguy312

PML MEMBA ✡️🔱

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