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.
They Say
Common Lyrics
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We say the facts and then, they lie
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
They say a nigga lost his mind
The thin line between love and hatred
I'm the black pill in the Matrix, the saturated life
They say life is what you make it
So I wait quick on a spaceship so I can take it
As high as the stakes get when paper get low
I be tellin' Derick, "Tell Cara get us a show"
Little Com, I make righteous bitches get low
The richest man ain't necessarily the nigga with dough
They say, "You ripped", "Wow", yeah, that's what they say
My niggas couldn't tell it was me, like Jamie in Ray
Paintin' a day, with focused crime, broads, and good wine
They say, "Dope is sour so it's homework and hood crimes"
I stood mine, for forever and a day, so goodbye
They never could say, tell 'em, J
They say, "What's happenin'?"
We say the facts and then, they lie
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
Ah, the sweet taste of victory
Go 'head and breath it in like antihistamine
I know they sayin', "Damn, Ye' snapped with this beat"
Fuck you expect? I've got a history
Groupie love now, gotta be them wheels
Haters back down, gotta be that steel
I know they can't wait 'til ya outta ya deal
Look how they did D'Angelo, ask him, "How do it feel?"
My best friends worry 'bout me
'Cause they know when you famous
And you had made cash the media aims at us and you be up so high
If you ever fall off, it feel like a plane crash
But God don't ever give me nothin' I can't handle
So please don't ever give me records I can't sample
So I could vacay where it ain't no channels
But it's quite okay for a gangsta to wear sandals
They say because of the fame and stardom
I'm somewhere in between the church and insane asylum
I guess it's messin' with my health then
And this verse so crazy when I finish
I'm just gon' check myself in
They (again) say, "What's happenin'?"
We say the facts and then (uh), they lie (ha)
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
They say, "Dude think he righteous"
I write just to free minds, from Stony to Rikers
Amongst the lifeless, in a world crazy as Mike is
On my paper, whether it's weed or Isis
They say life is a game, so I play hard
Writin' for my life 'cause I'm scared of a day job
They say "Sef kept the hood together"
I tell the young, "We can't play the hood forever"
Play my cards right, they say I went too left
They showed me strange love, like I was Mr. F
Played chess in this game of pawns and knights
Now I claim "King" like Don, or Frank White
They say my life is comparable to Christ
The way I sacrificed and resurrected twice
They say, "The crochet pants and the sweater was wack"
Seen "The Corner", now they say, "That nigga's back," uh
They say, "What's happenin'?"
We say the facts and then, they lie
We comin' back for them
They might say but they don't know
(They say, they say)
They don't know
The song "They Say" by Common is a commentary on the music industry, the media's portrayal of artists, and the perceptions of the public. He speaks out against the lies and negative stereotypes that follow artists, particularly those who are Black. The first verse of the song repeatedly emphasizes the disconnect between what people say about an artist versus what they truly know about them. Common asserts his position as an artist who has never lost his skill for rhyming, despite the stereotypes about Black men and mental health. He also references the movie "The Matrix" and his own status as a Black person who challenges the system.
The second verse features Kanye West, who addresses the challenges of fame, the media's targeting of successful artists, and the pressure to constantly prove oneself. He also references his loyalty to his friends and his need for creative expression, even in the face of criticism. The final verse features Common again, who asserts his dedication to writing lyrics that inspire and enlighten others, and his belief in making a positive impact on his community, even as he faces criticism from the media.
Overall, "They Say" is an introspective look at the challenges faced by artists and the role of the media in shaping public perception. Both Common and Kanye West take the opportunity to speak out against negative stereotypes and to emphasize the importance of creative self-expression as a means of confronting inequality and injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
They say "What's happenin'?"
Others are curious about what's going on
We say the facts and then, they lie
We provide truthful information, but they distort it
We comin' back for them
We will take revenge on those who wronged us
They might say but they don't know
Others may speak, but they lack understanding
They say a nigga lost his mind
Others believe a negative perception of me
But in the scheme of things I never lost a rhyme
But I remain creative despite challenges
The thin line between love and hatred
The fragile balance between two complex emotions
I'm the black pill in the Matrix, the saturated life
I represent a truth some refuse to acknowledge in a world of excess
They say life is what you make it
Others believe one's circumstances are a result of their choices
So I wait quick on a spaceship so I can take it
So I'm ready to seize opportunities as soon as they arise
As high as the stakes get when paper get low
When money is scarce, the risks become greater
I be tellin' Derick, "Tell Cara get us a show"
I instruct my team to take advantage of opportunities
Little Com, I make righteous bitches get low
I inspire those who stand for justice to get down with my music
The richest man ain't necessarily the nigga with dough
Wealth isn't only measured in monetary terms
They say "You ripped", "Wow", yeah, that's what they say
Others acknowledge my skills and ability
My niggas couldn't tell it was me, like Jamie in Ray
My friends were surprised by my success, like Jamie Foxx in Ray
Paintin' a day, with focused crime, broads, and good wine
I craft a vision of living without losing one's focus
They say "Dope is sour so it's homework and hood crimes"
Others believe that drugs lead to a life of hardship and crime
I stood mine, for forever and a day, so goodbye
I remain true to myself, even as I move on from certain people and things
They say "What's happenin'?"
Others are still wondering what's going on
Ah, the sweet taste of victory
Celebrating the feeling of triumph
Go 'head and breath it in like antihistamine
Enjoy the moment to the fullest
I know they sayin', "Damn, Ye' snapped with this beat"
Others are praising my musical abilities
Fuck you expect? I've got a history
Obviously I'm talented, I have a track record
Groupie love now, gotta be them wheels
Now that I'm famous, people show me attention due to my possessions
Haters back down, gotta be that steel
My success has silenced my critics
I know they cant wait 'til ya outta ya deal
Others are eager to see me leave my record label
Look how they did D'Angelo, ask 'em "How do it feel?"
Referencing how record labels mistreat artists, making them question their value
My best friends worry 'bout me
My closest friends are concerned for my well-being
'Cause they know when you famous
Because they understand the pressures of being in the public eye
And you had made cash the media aims at us and you be up so high
When you have money, the media targets you and your profile raises
If you ever fall off, it feel like a plane crash
If I ever lose my fame, it will be a significant downturn
But God don't ever give me nothin' I cant handle
I have faith in my ability to overcome obstacles
So please don't ever give me records I can't sample
I don't want to be presented with challenges that are impossible to overcome
So I could vacay where it ain't no channels
So I can take a break in a place without media attention
But it's quite okay for a gangsta to wear sandals
I can still be tough and wear comfortable shoes
They say because of the fame and stardom
Others believe that my success has affected me negatively
I'm somewhere in between the church and insane asylum
I find myself in a place that's both spiritual and chaotic
I guess it's messin' with my health then
I suppose it's impacting my wellbeing
And this verse so crazy when I finish
This song is so intense that after I complete it
I'm just gon' check myself in, again
I'll need to take a break and seek some help
They say "Dude think he righteous"
Others believe I act self-righteously
I write just to free minds, from Stony to Rikers
I create music to encourage mental liberation in all communities
Amongst the lifeless, in a world crazy as Mike is
Surrounded by insensitive and cruel people in a troubled world
On my paper, whether its weed or Isis
My focus is on my creativity, regardless of distractions
They say life is a game, so I play hard
Others believe life is a competition, so I compete fiercely
Writin' for my life 'cause I'm scared of a day job
I write music in order to avoid having a 9-to-5 job
They say "Sef kept the hood together"
Others praise Sef for keeping the community united
I tell the young, "We can't play the hood forever"
I encourage younger individuals to pursue a better life outside of the neighborhood
Play my cards right, they say I went too left
When I take a different approach, others may question my choices
They showed me strange love, like I was Mr. F
People showed me bizarre affection, as if I was fictional character Mr. Fantastic
Played chess in this game of, pawns and knights
I use strategic thinking and compete with cunning strategy
Now I claim "King" like Don or Frank White
I now proclaim myself as a leader, or ruler
They say my life is comparable to Christ
Others think I resemble the figure of Jesus Christ
The way I sacrificed and resurrected twice
Compared to Christ's resurrection, I've also been reborn multiple times
They say "The crochet pants and the sweater was wack"
Others criticized my fashion choices
Seen "The Corner", now they say "that nigga's back," uh
After hearing my music, they recognize my talent and return to support me once again
They say "What's happenin'?"
People are still inquiring about current events
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas Randolph Bell, Linda Epstein, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, John Roger Stephens, Kanye Omari West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind