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.
i used to love her
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the beat, y'all, and you don't stop
Yes, yes, y'all, and you don't stop
A-one, two, y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
And to the beat Com Sense'll be the sure shot, come on
I met this girl when I was ten years old
She was old school when I was just a shorty
Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me
On the regular, not a church girl, she was secular
Not about the money, them studs was mic-checkin' her
But I respected her, she hit me in the heart
A few New York niggas had did her in the park
But she was there for me, and I was there for her
Pull out a chair for her, turn on the air for her
And just cool out, cool out, and listen to her
Sittin' on bone, wishin' that I could do her
Eventually if it was meant to be, then it would be
'Cause we related, physically and mentally
And she was fun then, I'd be geeked when she'd come around
Slim was fresh, yo, when she was underground
Original, pure, untampered, a down sister
Boy, I tell you, I miss her
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
To the beat, y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
A-one, two, y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
A-Com Sense y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
UAC, yo, we gotta be the sure shot
Now periodically I would see
Ol' girl at the clubs, and at the house parties
She didn't have a body, but she started gettin' thick quick
Did a couple of videos and became Afrocentric
Out goes the weave, in goes the braids, beads, medallions
She was on that tip about stoppin' the violence
About my people she was teachin' me
By not preachin' to me but speakin' to me
In a method that was leisurely, so easily I approach
She dug my rap, that's how we got close
But then she broke to the West Coast, and that was cool
'Cause around the same time, I went away to school
And I'm a man of expandin', so why should I stand in her way?
She probably get her money in LA
And she did stud, she got big pub, but what was foul
She said that the pro-black was goin' out of style
She said, "Afrocentricity was of the past"
So she got into R&B, hip-house, bass, and jazz
Now black music is black music and it's all good
I wasn't salty she was with the boys in the hood
'Cause I was due for her, she was becomin' well-rounded
I thought it was dope how she was on that freestyle shit
Just havin' fun, not worried about anyone
And you could tell by how her titties hung
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
To the beat, y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
A-one, two, y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
And to the beat Com gotta be the sure shot
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
If you don't check it, mm-mm, bust it, bust it
I might've failed to mention that this chick was creative
Once The Man got to her, he altered her native
Told her if she got an image and a gimmick
That she could make money, and she did it like a dummy
Now I see her in commercials, she's universal
She used to only swing it with the inner-city circle
Now she be in the burbs, lookin' rock and dressin' hippie
And on some dumb shit when she comes to the city
Talkin' about poppin' Glocks, servin' rocks and hittin' switches
Now she's a gangsta rollin' with gangsta bitches
Always smokin' blunts and gettin' drunk
Tellin' me sad stories, now she only fucks with the funk
Stressin' how hardcore and real she is
She was really the realest, before she got into showbiz
I did her, not just to say I did it
But I'm committed (girl, he's committed)
But so many niggas hit it
That she's just not the same lettin' all these goofies do her
I see niggas slammin' her and takin' her to the sewer
But I'ma take her back, hopin' that the shit stop
'Cause who I'm talkin' about, y'all, is hip-hop
To the beat, y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
Mainframe, yo, they gotta be the sure shot
A-yes, yes, y'all, and you don't stop
To the beat, y'all, and you don't stop
A-yes, yes y'all, and you don't stop
A-one, two, Com Sense is gonna drop, haha
Mmm, mmm
Uh, uh
I used to love H.E.R.
Uh-uh, uh, uh
I used to love H.E.R.
Uh-uh, uh, uh
I used to love H.E.R.
Uh-uh, uh, uh
I used to love H.E.R.
Uh-uh, uh, uh
I used to love H.E.R.
Uh-uh, uh, uh
I used to love H.E.R.
Went and fucked up all the shit, y'all
"You ain't got your woman in check, man?"
"I think you're overstepping your bounds just a little bit"
"I can't do this anymore
I can't do this anymore"
In "I Used to Love H.E.R.", Common Sense tells the story of his love for hip-hop music. He first met and fell in love with hip-hop when he was a child and was enamored with its authentic, soulful style. As he got older, he watched as hip-hop evolved and changed, becoming more commercial and mainstream. He laments the loss of the old-school, pure form of hip-hop and how it has been corrupted by the pursuit of money and fame. He compares hip-hop to a woman, using "H.E.R." as a metaphor for the genre, and how she has been mistreated by those who seek to profit from her.
The song is a commentary on the state of hip-hop in the 90s, when the genre was becoming more commercialized and its origins in African-American culture were being diluted. It is a call for hip-hop to return to its roots and be true to its original form. The lyrics also touch on issues of race, gender, and class, as Common Sense highlights the differences between the black inner-city culture that gave birth to hip-hop and the predominantly white suburban culture that was beginning to co-opt it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, yes, y'all and you don't stop
Let's keep the music going with this catchy beat
To the beat ya'll and you don't stop
Keep dancing and moving to the music
1, 2, ya'll and you don't stop
Counting in rhythm to the music
Yes yes ya'll and you don't stop
Keep the music playing and enjoy the flow
And to the beat Com sense'll be the sure shot
I'll rap on beat and make sure I sound great
Come on
Let's get started
I met this girl, when I was ten years old
I met hip-hop when I was young and fell in love instantly
And what I loved most she had so much soul
Hip-hop had raw emotion and powerful influence
She was old school, when I was just a shorty
Hip-hop had been around for a while, while I was still young
Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me
I didn't realize how much hip-hop would mean to me in the future
On the regular, not a church girl she was secular
Hip-hop wasn't always about religion, it was more inclusive
Not about the money, those studs was mic checking her
Hip-hop was more about the music rather than chasing wealth
But I respected her, she hit me in the heart
I had a deep admiration for hip-hop because it touched me emotionally
A few New York niggas, had did her in the park
Some people in hip-hop had already made it big in New York
But she was there for me, and I was there for her
Hip-hop was always something I could turn to whenever I needed it
Pull out a chair for her, turn on the air for her
I wanted to care for and protect hip-hop
And just cool out, cool out and listen to her
Sometimes all I wanted to do was sit back and enjoy the music
Sitting on a bone, wishing that I could do her
I wanted to be part of hip-hop and create music too
Eventually if it was meant to be, then it would be
If my passion for hip-hop was strong enough, I would become a part of it
Cause we related, physically and mentally
I felt like I had a deep connection with hip-hop and the culture
And she was fun then, I'd be geeked when she'd come around
I was always excited to listen to and create more hip-hop music
Slim was fresh yo, when she was underground
Hip-hop was at its best when it wasn't mainstream
Original, pure, untampered, a down sister
Authentic, true to its roots, and connected to the community
Boy I tell ya, I miss her
I miss the old ways of hip-hop and the culture surrounding it
Now periodically I would see
Hip-hop was still present in my life, although it was changing
Old girl at the clubs, and at the house parties
Hip-hop was still popular at parties and events, but it was evolving
She didn't have a body but she started getting thick quick
Hip-hop was growing in popularity and influence rapidly
Did a couple of videos and became Afrocentric
Hip-hop gained a political dimension, focusing on African-American culture and issues
Out goes the weave, in goes the braids beads medallions
Hip-hop fashion changed to reflect African-American styles and trends
She was on that tip about stopping the violence
Hip-hop began to focus on ending violence in the African-American community
About my people she was teaching me
Hip-hop was teaching me about African-American history and culture
By not preaching to me, but speaking to me in a method that was leisurely
Hip-hop didn't lecture, but shared its message through entertainment and creativity
So easily I approach
I was always comfortable and welcomed in the hip-hop community
She dug my rap, that's how we got close
I connected with hip-hop through my own music and style
But then she broke to the West coast, and that was cool
Hip-hop expanded to the West coast, creating new sounds and styles
Cause around the same time, I went away to school
I left to pursue my own education and career
And I'm a man of expanding, so why should I stand in her way
I had to grow and explore my own talents, and not hold hip-hop back
She probably get her money in L.A
Hip-hop was able to earn money and become more mainstream in Los Angeles
And she did stud, she got big pub but what was foul
Hip-hop was able to gain popularity and fame, but at a cost to its authenticity
She said that the pro-black, was going out of style
Hip-hop was moving away from its political and cultural roots in favor of more mainstream themes
She said, Afrocentricity, was of the past
Hip-hop was losing its focus on African-American culture and moving towards broader entertainment trends
So she got into R&B hip-house bass and jazz
Hip-hop expanded its influences and began to include other genres of music
Now black music is black music and it's all good
Hip-hop was beginning to blend with other types of black music, creating exciting new sounds
I wasn't salty, she was with the boys in the hood
I wasn't upset that hip-hop was becoming more mainstream and popular with other audiences
Cause that was good for her, she was becoming well rounded
Hip-hop was able to evolve and grow, making it even more influential and relevant
I thought it was dope how she was on that freestyle shit
I enjoyed how hip-hop was still spontaneous and improvisational
Just having fun, not worried about anyone
Hip-hop was still about creating great music and having fun, without worrying about fame or fortune
And you could tell by how her titties hung
Hip-hop was still a culture embraced by many people, as seen by the diversity of artists and fans
I might've failed to mention that this chick was creative
Hip-hop was full of innovative and imaginative artists
Once the man got to her, he altered her native
Once hip-hop became more commercialized, it lost some of its originality and authenticity
Told her if she got an image and a gimmick
Hip-hop was becoming more focused on having a specific look and sound
That she could make money, and she did it like a dummy
Hip-hop was becoming more about making money rather than the art itself, which was a mistake
Now I see her in commercials, she's universal
Hip-hop became more mainstream and commercial, expanding its reach to a wider audience
She used to only swing it with the inner-city circle
Hip-hop used to be more focused on the African-American community and its struggles
Now she be in the burbs, looking rock and dressing hippie
Hip-hop became more diverse and inclusive, with artists from all backgrounds and styles
And on some dumb shit, when she comes to the city
Hip-hop had become more commercialized and lost some of its artistic and cultural value
Talking about popping Glocks serving rocks and hitting switches
Hip-hop became more focused on violence and drugs, which was disappointing
Now she's a gangsta rolling with gangsta bitches
Hip-hop became more focused on gang violence and criminal activity, which was a shame
Always smoking blunts and getting drunk
Hip-hop had become more focused on drugs and alcohol, which was not healthy
Telling me sad stories, now she only fucks with the funk
Hip-hop had become more focused on partying and having fun, losing some of its originality and social commentary
Stressing how hardcore and "real" she is
Hip-hop had become more focused on trying to prove its authenticity and toughness
She was really the realest, before she got into showbiz
Hip-hop was much more authentic and original before it became more commercialized
I did her, not just to say that I did it
I loved hip-hop for its music and culture, not just to be part of it
But I'm committed, but so many niggas hit it
I loved hip-hop for its music and culture, even though many others had become more focused on the fame and fortune
That she's just not the same letting all these groupies do her
Hip-hop had changed and lost some of its originality, becoming more focused on commercialism and fame
I see niggas slamming her, and taking her to the sewer
Hip-hop had lost some of its cultural value and was becoming more focused on negative behavior and themes
But I'mma take her back hoping that the shit stop
I still loved hip-hop and hoped that it could regain some of its originality and relevance
Cause who I'm talking bout y'all is hip-hop
This whole song is about how hip-hop has evolved over time, but it's still an important part of our culture
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ernest Dion Wilson, Lonnie Rashid Lynn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@derekt.miller2924
It was an honor and privilege to assist in directing this classic video alongside director Chris Halliburton. Forever a Hip hop classic. Salutes Rashe aka Common Sense
@ziontownsend1318
Thank you bro
@rima7286
Thank you
@derekt.miller2924
@Zion Townsend very welcome!
@derekt.miller2924
@Rima very welcome ☺️💪
@adv.vinaya.k3026
Props to you for directing a classic
@chrisSVT
This isn't rap... it's poetry. It's August of 2021 and I still play this all the time. It's nice to know I'm not alone.
@teknul89
Rap is poetry too
@teknul89
@@CalleOcho0830 based on those you wrote i assume you are big fan of trap Music
@MISTERKIC
Almost 2024❤