Light

Common

About Light

"The Light" is the Grammy-nominated second single from Common's 2000 album Like Water for Chocolate. It was produced by Jay Dee and features keyboards performed by James Poyser. It samples "Open Your Eyes" as performed by Bobby Caldwell and the drums from "You're Gettin' a Little Too Smart" by The Detroit Emeralds. Framed as a love letter, it is a confession of Common's love for a woman - specifically, his girlfriend at the time, Erykah Badu (in 2012, Common acknowledged via a video for the website RapGenius that the song was about her). Cynthia Fuchs of PopMatters describes it as a "charming, tender, and undeniably soulful declaration of affection and respect." A music video directed by Nzingha Stewart features Common, Erykah Badu and "recognizable sensual delights" including "a homemade Minnie Ripperton cassette, a mango, a pink lava lamp [and] a deeply green water-beaded leaf."The song was listed at #268 on Pitchfork Media's "Top 500 songs of the 2000s". 


Year:
2002
180 
#1

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I never knew a luh, luh-luh, a love like this
Gotta be something for me to write this
Queen, I ain't seen you in a minute
Wrote this letter, and finally decide to send it
Signed sealed delivered for us to grow together
Love has no limit, let's spend it slow forever
I know your heart is weathered by what studs did to you
I ain't gon' assault em cause I probably did it too
Because of you, feelings I handle with care
Some niggas recognize the light but they can't handle the glare
You know I ain't the type to walk around with matching shirts
If relationship is effort I will match your work
I want to be the one to make you happiest and hurt you the most
They say the end is near, it's important that we close
To the most, high
Regardless of what happen on him let's rely

There are times, when you'll need someone
I will be by your side
There is a light, that shines
Special for you, and me

Yo, yo, check it
It's important, we communicate
And tune the fate of this union, to the right pitch
I never call you my bitch or even my boo
There's so much in a name and so much more in you
Few understand the union of woman and man
And sex and a tingle is where they assume that it land
But that's fly by night for you and the sky I write
For in these cold Chi night's moon, you my light
If heaven had a height, you would be that tall
Ghetto to coffee shop, through you I see that all
Let's stick to understanding and we won't fall
For better or worse times, I hope to me you call
So I pray every day more than anything
Friends will stay as we begin to lay
This foundation for a family, love ain't simple
Why can't it be anything worth having you work at annually
Granted we known each other for some time
It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine

There are times, when you'll need someone
I will be by your side
There is a light, that shines
Special for you, and me

Yeah yo, yo, check it
It's kind of fresh you listen to more than hip-hop
And I can catch you in the mix from beauty to thrift shop
Plus you shit pop when it's time to, thinking you fresh
Suggesting beats I should rhyme to
At times when I'm lost I try to find you
You know to give me space when it's time to
My heart's dictionary defines you, it's love and happiness
Truthfully it's hard trying to practice abstinence
The time we committed love it was real good
Had to be for me to arrive and it still feel good
I know the sex ain't gon' keep you, but as my equal
It's how I must treat you
As my reflection in light I'mma lead you
And whatever's right, I'mma feed you
Digga-da, digga-da, digga-da, digga-digga-da-da
Yo I tell you the rest when I see you, peace

There are times, when you'll need someone
I will be by your side
There is a light, that shines
Special for you, and me

(I'll) take my chances before they pass
Pass me by, oh darling
You need to look at the other side
You'll agree

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Common

Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. (born March 13, 1972), better known by his stage name Common (formerly Common Sense), is an American rapper and actor. more »

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Written by: Lonnie Rashid Lynn, James Dewitt Yancey, Robert E. Caldwell, Norman Ray Harris, Bruce Malament

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Common," originally named Lonnie Rashid Lynn, is an American rapper, writer, actor, and social activist. He was born on March 13, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois.
Album Details
The song "Light" was released in 2000 as part of Common's 4th studio album, "Like Water for Chocolate." The album reached number 15 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
Collaborations
The song was produced by Jay Dee, also known as J Dilla, a famous American record producer and one of the influencers in the underground hip-hop scene.
Sample Usage
"Light" features a sample of "Open Your Eyes" by Bobby Caldwell, a popular American singer and songwriter.
Recognition
This song received positive reviews from critics and some even consider it as Common's signature song.
Fusion Style
With its soulful melodies, chic drums, and smooth rap delivery, 'The Light' is a blend of hip-hop and neo-soul genres which was quite unique and innovative at the time of its release.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song are a tribute to love and the important women in Common's life. It is said to be dedicated to his then-girlfriend, Erykah Badu.
Music Video
The music video for the song features actress Taraji P. Henson, who was relatively unknown at the time.
Acclaim
The song was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for Best Rap Solo Performance.
Influence
"The Light" is known as a pivotal track in the genre of conscious hip-hop, a subgenre that seeks to uplift listeners through thoughtful, social, or political subject matters.
Poetry Influence
The song features common reciting poetry that influenced the spoken-word style of rap, which became popular in the years following the release of this track.

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