The Top 10 Common Songs of All Time: The Crown Jewels in his Career Apr 19 '07 (Updated Jun 02 '07)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line I tried hard on this and I've been working on it for a long time...hope y'all enjoy the list. If you give Common Sense (aka Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr, named after his father) his fair respect that he deserves, in his case “MC” would stand for both master of ceremonies and most consistent. There’s not an album made by the guy I’d give less than 4.5 stars, and I sincerely doubt Finding Forever will let me down when compared to the past precedents he has set (especially since DJ Premier is now confirmed to be on the album!). He’ll still forever be underrated – goodness knows there are way too many people who just straight up forget about him when they’re talking about their favorite emcees, and many people including myself have disputed about his ultimate magnum opus. But, whatever, cause it’s Like Water For Chocolate whether you like it or not. But as swytchblade did with Canibus and gangstarrx with Nas, I found the urge to complete a list of Com’s best joints and/or performances being that he’s one of my favorite emcees, so I began to compile this list after procrastinating for a very long time. Now, there are very many things about this emcee that are unique characteristics in the rap game – Com, like Andre 3000 of OutKast, is a vegetarian who speaks often about his eating habits (in the title track on Resurrection, he explains how he’s trying to cut back on meat and I think on his fourth album he completely gave up on eating meat) and his flow and delivery may give off the unfortunate impression that he’s “soft”. Com proved he gets the last laugh there. The first one who got schooled thanks to this assumption was Ice Cube in the infamous diss “The B*tch In Yoo”...where he attacks Cube’s credibility, his assuming that Com would have the gall and/or stupidity to diss a whole coast, and like Jay-Z’s “Takeover” did to Nas, implying he only had one good album (his debut). All that – and he still kept to his regular style, only it was much more vicious and incisive than you would expect. Still, he’s also made some of the most moving songs in the history of the genre, which is of course his forte, but they always wind up being innovative and incredibly soulful, which is probably something Common Sense has more than any other emcee who’s making music right now. Not one of his albums has faltered (aside from his first, which I still haven’t heard) and judging by songs like “A Dream,” Com doesn’t plan on it. But what are his elite songs? Songs that inspire you, enrich your life with a gleam of hope the way all hip-hop should, or if not, just brighten your mood? The ones below surely should at least do the latter… *Note: This does not include performances on other artist’s albums, if so, tracks such as Black Star’s “Respiration” and Pharoahe Monch’s “The Truth” (as well as possibly The Roots’ “Act Too…Love of my Life”) would have most likely appeared on the countdown. Believe me, this list would’ve been THAT much harder had I done that. Still, I believe I fulfilled my goals at least partially here… 10. “Chapter 13 (Rich Man vs. Poor Man)” This is one of the best tracks you’ll find off of Resurrection, regarded as a great rap album for it’s distinction with its exceptional wordplay, and this song is probably the best example of Com’s amusing one-liners that sometimes go by so fast you miss ‘em. Here, Common and Ynot tell contrasting stories of their poverty and wealth, respectively (still, it’s actually a pretty upbeat song) and how it all culminates when they both meet at a store, where Com goes off on a very funny (even if it is a bit biased) tangent about the racial tension between the black man and the white man. No I.D. laces a fun, mellow jazz loops intervened with claps while the two steadily pace themselves while telling the story, but also while doling out some of the most humorous punchlines that aren’t in the veins of a Canibus or Chino XL – such as ”I’m Po’ as Edgar Allan/But I’m a poet wit a free style and” and the infamous (at least in my mind) Ynot line - ”that’s mucho dinero like Robert DeNiro, I rob the dinero, a hero like the sandwich!” (or something similar to that). Just classic. It stuck out immediately in my mind as a highlight of Resurrection the first time I heard it, and I still feel that way today. ALBUM: “Resurrection” 9. “The Light” Yeah, I can’t even estimate the number of people who are going to be ranting and raving in my comment section about how this song is blasphemously low – but truth is, it just didn’t grow on me quite as much as the rest of Like Water for Chocolate progressively did. Who knows, maybe I’ll get more into it if I ever develop a love life…ANYWAY, this song is still brilliant. J Dilla’s production is tranquil and very appropriate for the subject matter (it’s one of the most earnest rap love songs ever released, for all those not in the know) while Common talks about his love and his dedication to her in their relationship. It’s one of the most famous songs off the aforementioned “LWFC,” and there’s a soulful singer who does a chorus that’ll undoubtedly get stuck in your head. Common has always been one of the most sincere guys in hip-hop (as well, of course, as one of the most skilled) and right here he demonstrates it. ALBUM: “Like Water for Chocolate” 8. “Nag Champa (Afrodisiac for the World)” This has always been, to me, one of Common Sense’s most beautiful songs. It starts off very slowly, but moves into this very peaceful beat from the aforementioned Dilla – and progresses from there. Mr. Lynn said he named the song what he did because of a type of incense named nag champa incense was often burning in the studio when he and Jay Dee were recording, and he proceeded to make this emotional track that would rank among his best in introspection, and overall. I’ve always felt a strange connection to some of the lines on this song…it’s a song that’ll have you memorizing it’s lines in no time, especially over THIS type of beat, which I’d have to say is one of Dilla’s magnum opuses. It really is a wondrous song…with Com spitting lines like ”My verse depth is that of a baby’s first step, or an old lady who died and the nurse wept, I invite you and your’s to my openness, shows allow me to cop range like a vocalist”. That’s always been one of my favorite bars from the song, and it’s one of my favorite songs to just chillout to during the night time, whenever you’re feeling particularly thoughtful or meditative. ALBUM: “Like Water for Chocolate” 7. “It’s Your World (Parts 1 & 2)” Ever since copping Be, my first Common record back on May 27, 2005, this song has always touched and moved me. It’s in all honesty, breathtaking…at first, Common gives us a somewhat mournful retrospection on his years as a kid, life with his family, etc…and he ends it all on an optimistic note, never forgetting that it’s his world no matter what. The second verse is just as amazing, although it winds up being more pessimistic, about a girl who resorts to prostitution after realizing her dreams are unattainable – and Com adds in his own narrative on how he views that. Damn, Greg explained the beat here best…it’s majestic and pristine, and the original beat switches to some carefree piano playing as Pops comes in with his own words of wisdom on, to keep with the album, everyone should try to be. And Pops’ last line here was most likely an enormous inspiration for Com’s seventh album title, Finding Forever. ALBUM: “Be” 6. “G.O.D (Gaining One’s Definition)” This is another priceless track from Com Sense, only this time Cee-Lo helps him out, singing in his memorable tone in the chorus and actually taking the reigns as an MC in the second verse (which is odd in today’s standards, considering he’s mainly brought in for hooks – even Gnarls Barkley’s album had only about 8% of rap on there.) It’s perfectly fitting that the initials of GOD stand for gaining one’s definition, as that’s one of the most important goals a satisfied human being must fulfill during their time on Earth – and Common talks about the influence that religion and spirituality has had on him, and how the two are not interchangeable (at least in his definition of the word). The piano-based beat is beautifully melodic, and it just winds up being one of the best tracks on Common’s third album, One Day It’ll All Make Sense, which is where he capitalized off of his introspective style moreso than in the preceding “Resurrection”. It's also been kind of anthemic for me in the past year, especially in the chorus where Cee-Lo aches for satisfaction of being himself. It pained me to keep out the album’s battle track, “Making A Name For Ourselves” (although I’ll be the first to say Canibus kinda outshined him) but that’s another story. ALBUM: “One Day It’ll All Make Sense” 5. “The 6th Sense” Yep, this is probably Com’s best-known track, of course highlighted by the summery instrumental by venerable producer DJ Premier, which would feel incomplete without the signature scratches n’ samples in the chorus – and, of course, everyone remembers the fact that it’s “real hip-hop from the soul, y’all”. I can’t disagree. It’s also a bit different from most of the tracks I’ve included on this list – of course, it’s as thought-provoking as the next Com song, but it’s much more upbeat than most of the downtrodden tunes I’ve let you know of thus far. Still, Premo & Common collaborate FANTASTICALLY on this…they have unlimited chemistry, and Com’s verses display his adeptness at ripping it up no matter what the topic, although he stays conscious on here as usual. One of his best songs, which is why it makes the Top 5. ALBUM: “Like Water for Chocolate” 4. “Between Me, You & Liberation” Usually, when Com is introspective, he’s assertive yet soft-spoken, and he pretty much chooses the latter option when it comes to this gem from his 2002 album, Electric Circus. Of course, you’ve all heard of the album’s reputation…the experiments that Com did on the album were way too scattershot and erratic for an emcee of his standard, and the effort that Com put in could’ve easily landed him another classic album instead of doing what he stuck to try in the first place. Is it Com’s worst major-label album? Yeah (no, I have not heard “Can I Borrow A Dollar?”), but it’s far from being wack – as a matter of fact, 4 to 4.5 stars is very fair. But everyone who heard that album came to the same conclusion regardless of the different inspirations Com had – he still had his lyrical strengths. And here, he takes all of his most thought-provoking stories and puts them together on a song on it, arguably the best on the LP. It’s stunning, Common describes all the turmoil people go through that prevents them from reaching confidence and, more importantly, liberation of self, and he goes through examples such as a woman who’s promiscuity is due to her being raped by her father, Common’s aunt getting a life-threatening diagnosis, and a friend of his who’s ashamed of his homosexuality and distraught about the process of coming out to his family. All three of them are in scary scenarios in their life…and Com details how they freed themselves from what they were facing, in his usual in-depth and pensive way. Cee-Lo sings the chorus and ties up everything terrifically as usual…but it’s no doubt that the show is Common’s. The stories are interwoven with such maturity, and the slow-moving beat in the background only complements it, bringing listeners such as me peace on the hardest of days. Even if you hate Com’s fifth album, go back and give this one a chance just for your own sake. This song is here because it’s never failed to move me, plain and simple. ALBUM: “Electric Circus” 3. “A Song For Assata” I e-mailed several people when I started this list, and they put in their choices as to who would make their own list – and I’m still shocked no one brought this one up. Granted, you could be cynical and say this is a “predictable” decision for Common’s Top 3 best songs, but don’t give me BS like that – there’s no reason this shouldn’t make the list. This is a real and poignant portrayal of Assata Shakur (who isn’t technically related to 2Pac, but is his godmother) after she was suspected of multiple murders and the ruthless way she was treated by the FBI because she was a suspect. This is one of the most real songs Common has ever wrote – and the heartfelt content in his lyrics are just one of the reasons that make this emcee undeniably great. It’s hands-down, the best track off of “LWFC,” (and that’s a feat) and Common is sympathetic throughout the song – over it’s heartrending production and Cee-Lo’s tender chorus, as he weaves together the elements of freedom that she had to discover in order to get out of the turmoil of her life (unfortunately, she had to resort to escaping to Cuba – and she’s still wanted by America and has been treated as a domestic terrorist for almost 2 years now). And his story is so detailed, he stretches it out over five minutes and not one of them is wasted - it’s really a gripping song. And you can’t forget those last two contemplative lines at the end of each verse (which Keelen pointed out in a W/O entry he did)…which has Com wondering if that was him in her shoes. ALBUM: “Like Water for Chocolate” 2. “Retrospect For Life” Oh, wow…this is often spectated (Microsoft’s spellchecker doesn’t consider this a word, apparently, but screw it) as one of Common’s best works PERIOD. It brings up the subject of abortion, probably in the top 5 most debated issues right now along with the War in Iraq, stem cell research, etc. And a rapper like Lonnie Lynn would of course use his emotional resonance and sensitivity in dealing with the pros and cons of abortion, one verse which he details his own feelings, and one which he dedicates to the would-be mother. Lauryn Hill does the chorus for this one, and that automatically moved “The Score” and her miseducationed debut up on my “to-buy” list of albums – her strength as a vocalist is absolutely remarkable. He seems regretful that he and his to-be child have to go through this, and he says he laments having to ”turn this woman’s womb into a tomb” but they don’t have the financial, or mental and physical support that they’d need to prioritize for their child at that point in time. A very sad story, that many Americans have had to go through thanks to their youth, the prospects of their future, and many other reasons. If this problem ever encounters you in your life someday, through you or your loved one’s or friends, it’ll remind you instantly of this song. ALBUM: “One Day It’ll All Make Sense” 1. “I Used To Love H.E.R” This is always discussed as Common’s best song – one of the landmarks of hip-hop to metaphorically compare and contrast hip-hop’s stunted growth with a man’s relationship with a woman. Many, many rappers have used this formula now, some to honor Common and some to merely take the concept and run with it, but it’s a monumental track in his discography – and how the song develops is just as compelling as the actual track itself. No I.D.’s faint jazz loop is actually somewhat somber and reserved, and it fits perfectly for this track while Com Sense shows how she evolved from a child to an adult who was hanging out with the wrong crowd and the major themes that were intertwined in her life at the time. And, of course, it all revolves around the culture of hip-hop in the 80’s and 90’s, and so many people, including myself, agree it’s still relevant in this time period where hip-hop’s growth has been stunted by lousy artists who don’t represent the genre like they should. It’s a masterwork of hip-hop, without a doubt. ALBUM: “Resurrection” Honorable Mentions (not in any order): “Be (Intro)” “Reminding Me (Of Sef)” “Dooinit” “The B*tch In Yoo” “Making A Name For Ourselves” (featuring Canibus) “Star *69 (PS With Love) (featuring Bilal & Prince) “Heaven Somewhere” - I wanted to include this one, as it's absolutely beautiful in it's serene nature especially when Com speaks in the beginning about his friend, but since he doesn't rap on it, I decided not to. It also features about thirty-four R&B artists, as well as another wise (and rather succinct) outro from Pops. I know I've used too many adjectives for "great" and "beautiful" here, but I needed them to describe Com Sense songs! Anyway, that's about it - that's the biggest description I can give on why I think those are Common's best tracks in his career - and the honorable mentions above cover only a tiny FRACTION of his practically flawless and infinitely consistent catalog. snik1

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