The Light

Common

About The 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:
2000
4:21
2,642 
#4

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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 »

0 fans

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


10 facts about this song

Release and Reception
"The Light" was released in 2000 as the first single from Common's album “Like Water for Chocolate.” It’s widely considered as one of his best songs by fans and critics alike.
Grammy Nomination
The song was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2001, demonstrating its impact in the music industry.
Production
The track was produced by the famous hip-hop producer Jay Dee, also known as J Dilla who sampled a song called "Open Your Eyes" by Bobby Caldwell for the beat.
Lyrics
Common wrote "The Light" as a love letter to his then-girlfriend Erykah Badu. It serves as a testament to their relationship, filled with respectful and affectionate words towards Badu.
Music Video
The music video of "The Light" was unique for its time, presenting a simple and straightforward storyline contrasting with the more elaborate narrative often seen in rap music videos in early 2000s.
Cultural Impact
"The Light" has been praised for its positive portrayal of love and relationships, which is considered a departure from the usual themes often seen in the genre of rap.
Remix
A remix was also released featuring Erykah Badu and produced by Canadian producer Kaytranada.
Cover
Coeur De Pirate, a Quebec singer-songwriter, released a cover of "The Light" in 2015 on her album "Roses".
Critically Acclaimed
The song ranked on the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll at the 55th position in 2000, showing its recognition among professional critics.
Sampling
The song has been sampled numerous times by different artists proving its lasting impact in the music world.

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    The Light

    9M
    116.4K     3,024

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2000

    Billboard #44


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