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.
Windows
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open eyes when you're cold
If your dreams keep you warm in night
Baby just keep 'em closed
If your eyes are the window
I can sneak in at night
In your eyes I can see your soul
Staring back into mine
She was a beautiful rose
From the concrete and heat she grows
In the dark room her life was exposed
Her picture of men, we walk on all fours
Heart opened and heart closed
Every now and then she Sparkles
You can tell she was hurt by the words that she chose
I'm thinking like Lauryn, a rose is still a rose
Even when the door close, there grows a new one
I told her it's some good men, she asked me if I knew one
Her daddy left a hole because she never really knew him
Ok sometimes from commitment, we do them
Rocking Lou Vuitton, said she focused on the Christian
I'm speaking to her trying to enhance her vision
But not to be married with kids she was wishing
Shhh, 'til your soul just listen
If your eyes are the window to your soul
Open eyes when you're cold
If your dreams keep you warm in night
Baby just keep 'em closed
If your eyes are the window
I can sneak in at night
In your eyes I can see your soul
Staring back into mine
She said daddy take me ice-skating
Looking at the rear-view, life's waiting for her
Gotta be there to support her
Can't really wait for a court order
She got the type of aura that's fun and vibrant
A lot of love inside, got to help guide it
Daddy will protect it, God will provide it
We all will be there so your soul ain't divided
Man, how quick she grows
Looking like her momma but she got my toes
I suppose it's the age that she really really need me
A lot of girls without, they become needy
"C'mon dad, I'm too old for the back seat
Can you come and get me, are you coming to my track meet?"
As she begins the race of life and love I told her
"I can't run it for ya, but God know's I'mma coach ya"
In Common's song "Windows," the rapper uses the metaphor of eyes as windows to the soul to convey a message about entering into another person's life to know them intimately. Common starts by stating that if someone's eyes are the windows to their soul, then they should open their eyes when they feel cold, and if their dreams keep them warm at night, then they should keep them closed. He then talks about how if someone's eyes are the windows to their soul, he can sneak in at night, and in their eyes, he can see their soul staring back into his. This part of the song emphasizes how someone's eyes reflect their inner self and how they are vulnerable to invasion if their eyes are regarded as windows to their soul.
Common then goes on to tell the story of a woman who was like a beautiful rose growing in the concrete and heat. He reveals that she was exposed in a dark room and that she had a skewed image of men. However, even amidst her struggles, she sparkled beautifully. Common uses Lauryn Hill's line "a rose is still a rose" to show that no matter what happens, the woman is still beautiful and valuable. He then encourages the woman, saying there are good men out there and that he will enhance her vision. The song ends with Common talking about his daughter and how she is growing, requiring him to be there to support and guide her.
Overall, "Windows" is a beautiful metaphorical song about seeing someone's soul through their eyes and being there to guide and support someone through their struggles. It highlights vulnerability and the need to understand and be present for the people around us.
Line by Line Meaning
If your eyes are the window to your soul
The state of your soul is reflected in your eyes.
Open eyes when you're cold
When you feel empty, look within yourself to find warmth.
If your dreams keep you warm at night
Your dreams can comfort you during difficult times.
Baby just keep 'em closed
Hold on to your dreams, even if it means keeping your eyes closed.
If your eyes are the window
Your eyes reveal what's inside you.
I can sneak in at night
I can connect with you on a soulful level.
In your eyes I can see your soul
By looking into your eyes, I can sense your true self.
Staring back into mine
Our souls are in harmony when we connect.
She was a beautiful rose
She had a unique beauty despite facing hardships.
From the concrete and heat she grows
She emerged strong and resilient despite her environment.
In the dark room her life was exposed
Her hardships were revealed in the struggles she endured.
Her picture of men, we walk on all fours
Her perspective on men was distorted from past experiences.
Heart opened and heart closed
Her heart was open, but she was afraid to let anyone in.
Every now and then she Sparkles
Despite the pain, she has moments of joy and optimism.
You can tell she was hurt by the words that she chose
Her words reflected the pain she felt from past relationships.
I'm thinking like Lauryn, a rose is still a rose
Like a rose, she is still beautiful and valuable despite the challenges she faces.
Even when the door close, there grows a new one
Even when opportunities seem lost, new ones will emerge.
I told her it's some good men, she asked me if I knew one
Despite her past hurts, good men exist and can be found.
Her daddy left a hole because she never really knew him
Her father's absence left a gap in her life and identity.
Ok sometimes from commitment, we do them
People sometimes make commitments even if they are not ready for them.
Rocking Lou Vuitton, said she focused on the Christian
She had a balance between materialism and spiritualism.
I'm speaking to her trying to enhance her vision
I'm trying to help her gain a positive outlook on her life.
But not to be married with kids she was wishing
Despite societal expectations, she desired a fulfilled life without getting married or having kids.
Shhh, 'til your soul just listen
Quiet your mind and listen to your soul's desires.
She said daddy take me ice-skating
She desired her father's presence and guidance in her life.
Looking at the rear-view, life's waiting for her
Her future is ahead of her and she should look forward.
Gotta be there to support her
As a father, it's his responsibility to be there for his daughter.
Can't really wait for a court order
He shouldn't rely on legal methods to be a part of his daughter's life.
She got the type of aura that's fun and vibrant
Her energy and personality are contagious and enjoyable.
A lot of love inside, got to help guide it
As a father, he should nurture and guide his daughter's love and emotions.
Daddy will protect it, God will provide it
He will protect and provide for his daughter, with God's help.
We all will be there so your soul ain't divided
The family will support and help keep her soul intact.
Man, how quick she grows
Time passes quickly as his daughter grows up.
Looking like her momma but she got my toes
His daughter resembles her mother, but has some of his traits as well.
I suppose it's the age that she really really need me
As she grows older, his daughter requires his guidance more than ever.
A lot of girls without, they become needy
Girls without supportive fathers often become emotionally needy.
"C'mon dad, I'm too old for the back seat
His daughter is growing up and wants to be independent.
Can you come and get me, are you coming to my track meet?"
She still desires her father's presence and support in her life.
As she begins the race of life and love I told her
As his daughter enters new phases of life, he offers her advice.
"I can't run it for ya, but God know's I'mma coach ya"
He can't live life for her, but he will offer guidance and support.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: JAMES EDWARD FAUNTLEROY II, STEVE WYREMAN, ERNEST DION WILSON, LONNIE RASHID LYNN, KEVIN LAMONT RANDOLPH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
carlos vasquez
Beautiful song right here, been going through something with the mother of my daughter. The last few bars....they really hit me you know. Thank you Common
Vince Gray
DOPENESS 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 LOVE THIS SONG!!!
Bruno Marius
Love & Love for this song... mais ❤❤❤
Rich Royce
The guitar part.......3:10
DubG9
OMG AMAZING!
zeroswings2
awesome song... except, the way he says the girl feels about guys in this song in the 1st verse is kinda the way I feel about girls... go figure.
Justin Polaris
heard em say?