I Used to Love H.E.R.

Common

About I Used to Love H.E.R.

"I Used to Love H. E. R." is a hip hop song by the Chicago-born rapper Common. Released on the 1994 album Resurrection, "I Used to Love H. E. R." has since become one of Common's best known songs. Produced by No I. D., its jazzy beat samples "The Changing World" by George Benson. A video directed by Chris Halliburton was made for this song. The song is also found on Common's greatest hits album, Thisisme Then.


Year:
1994
4:39
426 
#2

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Yes, yes, y'all and you don't stop
To the beat ya'll and you don't stop
Yes yes, y'all and you don't stop
1, 2, ya'll and you don't stop
Yes yes ya'll 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
And what I loved most she had so much soul
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, those studs was mic checking 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
Sitting on a bone, wishing 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 ya, I miss her

Yes, yes, y'all and you don't stop
To the beat ya'll and you don't stop
Yes yes, y'all and you don't stop
1, 2, ya'll and you don't stop
Yes yes ya'll and you don't stop
And to the beat Com sense'll be the sure shot
Come on

Now periodically I would see
Old girl at the clubs, and at the house parties
She didn't have a body but she started getting 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 stopping the violence
About my people she was teaching me
By not preaching to me, but speaking 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 expanding, so why should I stand in her way
She probably get her money in L.A
And she did stud, she got big pub but what was foul
She said that the pro-black, was going 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 that was good for her, she was becoming well rounded
I thought it was dope how she was on that freestyle shit
Just having fun, not worried about anyone
And you could tell by how her titties hung

Yes, yes, y'all and you don't stop
To the beat ya'll and you don't stop
Yes yes, y'all and you don't stop
1, 2, ya'll and you don't stop
Yes yes ya'll and you don't stop
And to the beat Com sense'll be the sure shot
Come on

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, looking rock and dressing hippie
And on some dumb shit, when she comes to the city
Talking about popping Glocks serving rocks and hitting switches
Now she's a gangsta rolling with gangsta bitches
Always smoking blunts and getting drunk
Telling me sad stories, now she only fucks with the funk
Stressing how hardcore and "real" she is
She was really the realest, before she got into showbiz
I did her, not just to say that I did it
But I'm committed, but so many niggas hit it
That she's just not the same letting all these groupies do her
I see niggas slamming her, and taking her to the sewer
But I'mma take her back hoping that the shit stop
Cause who I'm talking bout y'all is hip-hop

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


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: ERNEST DION WILSON, LONNIE RASHID LYNN

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Background and Release
"I Used to Love H.E.R." is an iconic song by American rapper Common. - The track was initially released as part of Common's 1994 album, "Resurrection". - The single was released under the label of Relativity Records.
Concept and Symbolism
H.E.R. in the title stands for Hip Hop in its Essence is Real, and the entire song acts as a metaphor where "H.E.R." is used to personify hip-hop. - The song is often viewed as Common's critique of the direction hip-hop was taking during that era.
Acclaim and Recognition
The track has been widely acclaimed and is listed as one of the 100 greatest hip-hop songs by Q magazine. - It's widely seen as one of Common's signature songs and is still celebrated for its creative and thoughtful lyrics.
Later References and Samples
Various artists, including The Game, Prodigy, and J. Cole, have referenced or sampled "I Used to Love H.E.R." in their work. - In 2008, VH1 used the song to promote their Hip Hop Honors program.
Impact on Hip-Hop Genre
"I Used to Love H.E.R." has sparked numerous debates within the hip-hop community about the genre’s real essence. - It is considered a thought-provoking track that tackles commercialism in hip-hop music at the time.
Music Video
The music video for "I Used to Love H.E.R." features a young woman (representing hip-hop), showing her transforming appearance and attitude over time, visually conveying the song's message about the changing face of hip-hop.
Critical Examination
This song is often used in college courses related to Africana studies and music to explore socio-political themes in hip-hop music.
Controversy
The song stirred a bit of controversy as it seemed to disapprove of West Coast gangsta rap, which led to a brief feud with rapper Ice Cube. The issue was later solved through discussions mediated by Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Discuss the I Used to Love H.E.R. Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "I Used to Love H.E.R. Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/309308/Common/I+Used+to+Love+H.E.R.>.

    Missing lyrics by Common?

    Know any other songs by Common? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    I Used to Love H.E.R.

    1.9M
    39,258     0

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "'Cause I still believe in your faithfulness, 'Cause I still believe in your ______"
    A spoof
    B youth
    C proof
    D truth

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Common's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Common tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!