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.
Rewind That
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should it be, can it be simple
Life is like the tempo of a No I instrumental
Things that we been through define who we are now
Since "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" Ooh I'm a star now
I'm coming from Chi-town, we was the first to do it
Me, No I.D., Twilite Tone on the music
Throw our tapes in the crowd, they throw 'em right back
But we stayed on track, they stayed on the tracks
I stayed on the raps 'til we made it on the map
By then, No I was my main guy
He and I was like Chi-town's Gang Starr
We had came far together, with a long way to go
Seeing a bigger picture, but now from different angles
Tangle of the hustling, survival in the game
Felt I had to leave home to be a household name
Show money low, needin' to stack fast
City did have my back, now it's a backlash
Was I a slave to the cash and wanting it so bad?
I just became a dad, rap was all I had
So I moved to New York, to make it pop
Did "Like Water for Choc", that album changed a lot
But my man who I started with, wasn't a part of it
And his presence I didn't even acknowledge it
Knew I was wrong, he shoulda at least had a song
It wouldn't be me without No I.D., and Twilite Tone
Wishin' I could get that time back
Oh I care, yo man, rewind that
Me and Dion back in the zone, I'm doing shows with Tone
For the future of the Chi we gon' bring it back home
Rewind that and we could do it again
No I.D., Twilite Tone, where the story begin
Rewind that one time please
This one's for my man J Dilla
As I say these words, my eyes fill up
Cuz wasn't non' realer than James Dewitt Yancey
So I'mma dedicate this to Dilla and his family
In Q-Tip's basement, I first met JD
I still remember the first beat he played me
He came to the Chi late three that was crazy
Didn't even know me and gave 'em to me for free
I got the the D, "peace yo, big love"
Cook up some hot shit, then go to the strip club
Then we made "The Light" and times got brighter
I said "turn it up" J'll take it higher
One day, I noticed he was tired quick
That's when I found out, JD was real sick
Things got worse before they got better
I said, "come to L.A for peace and good weather"
We got an apartment just so we could spark it
MP in the front room, records in the closet
The beats got iller, but the sickness was still there
I'm wishin', I could wheel him out of his wheelchair
It was hard for me to come home every day
And see my homie J's life fade away
I stayed away some times, in other words I ran
Til one day J brought me this TV stand
It was a gift so I couldn't refuse it
It came from his heart, I regret I didn't use it
The lupus got worse and, for what it's worth
I wanted him to have a grammy before he left this earth
Wishin' we could have that time back
Oh we can, yo man, rewind that
You never gone, you live forever through song
I feel it when I seem 'em with them Dilla shirts on
I know you're still shining, from heaven you watch me
Watch me put this Grammy on the stand you got me
In Common's song "Rewind That," he reflects on his life journey and the mistakes that he has made along the way. The chorus of the song features Common pleading to rewind certain moments of his life, to go back and fix his mistakes. He begins by reflecting on the simplicity of life and how the experiences that he has gone through have shaped him to be the person he is today, referencing his rise to fame with his fellow Chicago musicians No I.D. and Twilite Tone back in the day when they were just the opening acts, and how they have come a long way by being true to their music.
Common then reflects on his departure to New York, leaving his hometown Chicago, and trying to make it big in the music industry. He recalls how he lost touch with his former partners in Chicago and wished he were more loyal to No I.D. and Twilite Tone, who were the people that helped him get there. The rapper talks about doing shows in different places, meeting different people, and trying to expand his career, while acknowledging he was a slave to money and wanted it so bad but eventually realized that he was a father and needed to do better for the sake of his son.
The second half of the song is dedicated to J Dilla, another talented musician that Common was close with, who suffered from Lupus, a disease that eventually took his life at the age of 32. Common reflects on their time in Q-Tip's basement, where he initially met him, and how J Dilla gifted him beats for free, which ended up becoming some of his iconic tracks. He talks about how their relationship grew to be more than just music but one that was like family, and how J Dilla's illness caused him to disappear from the music scene. Common reflects on how he regrets not using the TV stand that J Dilla gifted him and recalls how he felt it was not enough to properly show his gratitude. The song ends with Common's reflection on J Dilla's legacy, how he lives through the music, and how he will forever be remembered.
Line by Line Meaning
Rewind that one time please
Asking someone to go back and do something over again.
Should it be, can it be simple
Wondering if things should or could be easier than they are.
Life is like the tempo of a No I instrumental
Comparing life to the rhythm of a certain kind of music.
Things that we been through define who we are now
Our past experiences shape who we are at present.
Since "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" Ooh I'm a star now
Reflecting on the moment when someone became famous.
I'm coming from Chi-town, we was the first to do it
Proudly stating where one comes from and what was achieved there.
Me, No I.D., Twilite Tone on the music
Naming the people who were involved in creating the music.
The city on our back, we was the opening act
Remembering a time when someone and their collaborators were the opening act in their hometown.
Throw our tapes in the crowd, they throw 'em right back
Recalling a moment when physical copies of music were thrown into the audience.
But we stayed on track, they stayed on the tracks
Continuing to follow their dreams while others stayed in their comfort zones.
I stayed on the raps 'til we made it on the map
Continuing to focus on making music even when success was not certain.
By then, No I was my main guy
Pointing out that one collaborator became the most important person in the project.
He and I was like Chi-town's Gang Starr
Comparing their musical partnership to another successful duo.
We had came far together, with a long way to go
Reflecting on the progress made, but acknowledging that there is still a long way to go.
Seeing a bigger picture, but now from different angles
Realizing that although they are still working together, their perspectives have slightly shifted over time.
Tangle of the hustling, survival in the game
Reminding the listener that the music industry is a tough place to succeed.
Felt I had to leave home to be a household name
Thinking that moving from one's hometown is necessary to achieve fame.
Show money low, needin' to stack fast
Feeling the pressure to make money quickly.
City did have my back, now it's a backlash
Feeling betrayed by one's hometown after achieving success.
Was I a slave to the cash and wanting it so bad?
Questioning whether the desire for money and fame was all-consuming.
I just became a dad, rap was all I had
Realizing that as a new parent, music was one's only source of income.
So I moved to New York, to make it pop
Relocating to a new city to try to further one's career.
Did "Like Water for Choc", that album changed a lot
Reflecting on the impact of one's album on their life and career.
But my man who I started with, wasn't a part of it
Feeling regretful that an original collaborator was not involved in the recent project.
And his presence I didn't even acknowledge it
Realizing that one did not give proper credit or recognition to a past collaborator.
Knew I was wrong, he shoulda at least had a song
Admitting fault and feeling remorse for not including someone on a project.
It wouldn't be me without No I.D., and Twilite Tone
Realizing that one's collaborators are an essential part of their work and identity.
Wishin' I could get that time back
Feeling regretful about the past and wishing it could be changed.
Oh I care, yo man, rewind that
Expressing a desire to redo the past.
Me and Dion back in the zone, I'm doing shows with Tone
Remembering past collaborations and performances.
For the future of the Chi we gon' bring it back home
Dedicating oneself to support and promote one's hometown in the future.
Rewind that and we could do it again
Believing that redoing the past could lead to the same level of success in the future.
No I.D., Twilite Tone, where the story begin
Remembering where one's musical journey started and who was involved in it.
This one's for my man J Dilla
Dedicating the upcoming words to a particular person.
As I say these words, my eyes fill up
Expressing strong emotion while talking about someone important.
Cuz wasn't non' realer than James Dewitt Yancey
Praising the person being discussed as genuine and authentic.
So I'mma dedicate this to Dilla and his family
Formally dedicating the upcoming portion of the song to someone and their loved ones.
In Q-Tip's basement, I first met JD
Describing the setting of where one met the person being discussed.
I still remember the first beat he played me
Recalling one's first experience of the person's musical talent and skill.
He came to the Chi late three that was crazy
Recalling a time when someone did something unexpected and impressive.
Didn't even know me and gave 'em to me for free
Receiving something valuable from someone despite not having a previous relationship with them.
I got the the D, "peace yo, big love"
Receiving a friendly message from someone.
Cook up some hot shit, then go to the strip club
Sharing a memory of one's activities with the person being discussed.
Then we made "The Light" and times got brighter
Remembering a moment when one's career got a significant boost.
I said "turn it up" J'll take it higher
Recognizing someone else's musical talent and encouraging them to continue improving.
One day, I noticed he was tired quick
Realizing that someone was struggling in life.
That's when I found out, JD was real sick
Learning that someone was dealing with a serious health issue.
Things got worse before they got better
Acknowledging that life can be difficult and painful.
I said, "come to L.A for peace and good weather"
Providing a suggestion to someone in a difficult situation.
We got an apartment just so we could spark it
Finding a specific location where one can relax and enjoy certain activities.
MP in the front room, records in the closet
Describing the layout of a particular living space.
The beats got iller, but the sickness was still there
Noticing that despite good things happening, there was still a problem that needed solving.
I'm wishin', I could wheel him out of his wheelchair
Feeling powerless to help someone who is physically limited.
It was hard for me to come home every day
Expressing emotional difficulty in everyday life while dealing the pain of one's friend.
And see my homie J's life fade away
Acknowledging that someone important is dying and there is no solution.
I stayed away some times, in other words I ran
Avoiding emotionally difficult situations by avoiding them altogether.
Til one day J brought me this TV stand
Receiving an unexpected gift from someone despite the hardships they are facing.
It was a gift so I couldn't refuse it
Accepting a kind gesture from someone who is suffering.
It came from his heart, I regret I didn't use it
Regretting not recognizing the value of something given by someone who is dying.
The lupus got worse and, for what it's worth
The medical condition a friend was struggling with got worse.
I wanted him to have a grammy before he left this earth
Desiring that someone be honored with an award before they pass away.
Wishin' we could have that time back
Feeling regretful about the past and wanting to change it.
Oh we can, yo man, rewind that
Believing that a redo of the past could lead to a different outcome.
You never gone, you live forever through song
Remembering someone who is gone but whose music lives on.
I feel it when I seem 'em with them Dilla shirts on
Feeling a connection to someone who is gone when someone wears merchandise with their name on it.
I know you're still shining, from heaven you watch me
Believing that someone who has passed away is still present and watching over others.
Watch me put this Grammy on the stand you got me
Honoring the memory of someone by placing an award on a stand they gave as a gift.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: LONNIE RASHID LYNN, JAMES JASON POYSER, N UNKNOWN WRITER, ERNEST WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind