Time Travelin'
Common Lyrics


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Come on people
You've got to stop sleepin'
It's time to move on
We're time traveling
We're time traveling
We just want things to be right
So, we're time traveling
Come on people
You've got to stop sleeping (we're time traveling)




It's time to start moving (we're time traveling)

Overall Meaning

The song "Time Travelin'" by Common, Femi Kuti, Roy Hargrove, and Vinia Mojica is an introspective look at the journey of life and the experiences that shape a person's perspective. The lyrics reflect on the idea of time travel, moving through different spaces and places in life, and the lessons that are learned along the way. The song is essentially a contemplative piece about life's journey, with the title "Time Travelin'" underscoring the song's message of moving through time and experiencing the various stages of life.


The verses of the song present different snapshots of the artist's life, from being a piano player in a past life to writing rhymes and sipping wine in the present. There is a sense of nostalgia for the past and reflection on how the past has shaped who the artist is today. This is seen in the line "Under the bridge I wrote, some shit to stay afloat/And paint a picture, raw like the first coat," which highlights the struggles of the past and the resilience needed to overcome them.


The song also touches on societal issues such as domestic violence and the effect it has on individuals and communities. The lyrics suggest that there is a need for change in the way people live and interact with each other. The song's message is one of hope and positivity, presenting the idea that we can learn from the past and use those lessons to navigate the present and shape a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

Yo wassup world?
Hello world, what's going on?


Yo what's happening?
What's the latest news?


It's the C-double-O and I'm back again
I am back again, as the C-double-O.


Take this back and then, tell a friend
Pass this message along to a friend.


Spaces and places you been, time travelin
Reflecting on the different times and places I've experienced while traveling.


Time travelin
Continuing to reflect on the different times and places I've experienced while traveling.


Yo, I was a piano player in my last lifetime
In a past life, I was a pianist.


Now I write rhymes, sip white wine and let my light shine
Currently, I write music, drink white wine, and let my creativity shine.


Out the dark space, with the world on my mind like Scarface
From a place of darkness, with Scarface's world on my mind.


Though my sex drive like a car chase
My libido is strong and persistent like a car chase.


More than a uhh, it's the piece of mind I chase
I am searching for inner peace, not just a temporary thrill.


Stakes are high, like my uncle is
The stakes for me are high, just like they are for my uncle.


We both got problems, he never confronted his
My uncle and I both have issues, but he never confronted his.


Under the bridge I wrote, some shit to stay afloat
I wrote some music under a bridge to keep myself going.


And paint a picture, raw like the first coat
I created something raw and real, like a fresh coat of paint.


Send my old man a note to keep his phone on
I sent a message to my father to make sure he keeps his phone on.


My little cuz'll know cheap tricks are homegrown
My cousin knows that we don't need fancy tricks to succeed, we can do it with our own skills.


Travel to a place sweeter than home, listenin to Nina Simone
I traveled to a place that was even better than home while listening to Nina Simone's music.


Repeat this psalm, to the sky I'm keepin my palms
I keep my hands to the sky, repeating this psalm.


Facin the east, actions macin the beast
I am facing the east while taking on difficult challenges.


Embracin the streets, my guy caught a case cuz he beat
I am embracing my surroundings, but my friend got into trouble because he physically abused someone.


His lady down, it's two-thou
He physically abused his girlfriend, which is unacceptable.


That ain't the way we lay it down
We do not condone or support domestic violence in any way.


Souls get, found and lost at the roads they cross
People's lives can change dramatically at key crossroads in their lives.


Many paid dues, but few knew the costs
Many people have worked hard and made sacrifices, but not everyone fully understands the true cost of those sacrifices.


I ran through the Moss like Randy
I moved quickly and deftly through a difficult situation, like the football player Randy Moss.


Touching down with God, close friends, and family
I felt a strong connection to God, my close friends, and my family during this experience.


Recognize the voice in the wilderness
I am paying attention to the important voices that are often misunderstood or ignored.


Com Sense, '92 and I'm still in this
I'm still here and still involved, like the rapper Common who was active in the early 1990s.


Time travelin, took my time in hand
I'm reflecting on my journey through different times and places, taking control of my life and my choices.


My rhyme learn and plan
I am learning and planning as I continue to make music.


Jealousy, money and pride can burn a man
Jealousy, money, and pride can have a negative impact on someone's life and relationships.


Some walk but never learn to stand
Some people move through life without really finding their footing or achieving their goals.


Still, afraid to expand what they feel
Despite being afraid, some people need to open themselves up to new experiences and emotions.


I'm dealin wit, wakes, marriages
I am processing and dealing with important life events, like wakes and marriages.


ATM's, Ericsson's
I encounter modern technology like ATMs and Ericsson mobile phones in my daily life.


Loud niggas that whisper carelessness
I observe people who act very recklessly, but try to keep it quiet.


If we livin in Revelation
If we are currently living through the end times, as described in the Christian book of Revelation.


Why should the people of the sun have to run?
If we are in the end times, why are people of color still facing oppression and violence, being forced to flee their homes?


Come to Esau in a year, he'll have freedom
The artist is referring to South Africa, where apartheid-era leader F.W. de Klerk was making vague promises of change.


He ask why I hadn't been to see him
De Klerk was wondering why the artist had not come to visit him.


Really, I ain't have a good reason
The singer didn't have a solid reason for not visiting de Klerk.


He said, "Rah, give back what you receivin"
De Klerk requested that the singer give back whatever benefits or advantages he had received in South Africa.


In a race against time, I was caught
I felt like I was racing against time to achieve my goals, but got stuck along the way.


In the same game as you, but long live the sport
I am playing the same game as everyone else, but I still respect and appreciate the challenge and the art of it all.


It's time travelin
This is all about reflecting on my past and present experiences, and the passage of time.


It's the C-double-O and I'm back again
I'm back with a vengeance and with a new perspective.


Take this back and then, tell a friend
Pass the message along to others and share your own insights and experiences.


Spaces and places you been
Reflect on the different spaces and places that you have experienced in your own life.


Time travelin time travelin
Continuing to reflect on the passage of time and the different places and experiences it brings.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ahmir K. Thompson, James Dewitt Yancey, James Jason Poyser, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Michael D'angelo Archer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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