To be able to view the complete lyrics of the song please follow the link,
http://www.lyrics007.com/Common%20Lyrics/The%20People%20Lyrics.html
Acclaimed to be one of Common's favorite tracks from his album Finding Forever, and also the album's first single, "The People" was positioned at #29 of Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. The song's music has a mix from other songs. Some of the vocals in the song come from Mountain's "Long Red". The beats also include a mix of "We Almost Lost Detroit" by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson.
With a reputation for his strong lyrics about the "struggle" of minorities, Common does it once again in this single as he distinguishes the "white people" and the ones on "the low end". The lyrics of this song are full of examples of people struggling and how they are being suppressed.
In his first verse Common speaks about music being like "liquor for the fallen soldier". With this exceprt Common could have been comparing lyrics in his music having the same effect on those struggling as the liquor that soldiers drink when they are injured to help ease their pain. He could have also meant that by him speaking of the people struggling, it was a sort of tribute to them, like when liquor is poured for a person that has died. With that interpertation, Common would have also be reffering to those who have died selling drugs to survive as the "soldiers".
In the second verse of the song, Common speaks of himself and the obstacles and struggles that he had to go through to make "it". Part of the verse reads, "Nobody believe, until I believe me", an obstacle that many minorities have to endure as they are trying to make something out of themselves. This verse could also be an allusion to the real life of many people struggling to make ends meet. Another allusion in "The People", was when Common says "Can't leave rap alone, the streets need me". This is from Jay-Z's "Izzo(H.O.V.A)". He meant that the streets need him because he is a source of inspirations to those who read or listen to his lyrics and are inspired to do better.
2 comments:
Dear Gary,
‘I found the new primo’ what does primo mean? Is it a cousin or something else? ‘With lovers under dope, experiment to discover hopes’ I do believe that people are under too much drugs, but people are still faithful that it might end. ‘a voice of a martyr’ what does that line mean? ‘Lyrics are like liquor for the fallen soldiers’ people that are struggling and trying to keep what they barley have for themselves need inspiration, so music is a thing they go to. ‘Law we ain’t trustin them’ that is true not many people believe the law anymore, they have no respect towards it as well. ‘Inside peace mixed with beast seem to breed me’ this sounds really deep , but I think I don’t understand it much. ‘Sometimes we find peace in beats and breaks’ I think it means we find peace maybe within ourselves or with someone else, but yet there always something to break that peace. I would of like your interpretation on this song.
I downloaded this song and listened carefully to the lyrics. I felt that the song like you said was dedicated to all those in the lower end. Those who struggle every day to survive. He talks about the struggle and how everyday is a new mission to stay alive. I really enjoyed this song even though i hadnt heard it before. I would like to suggest more lyrically world conscience songs, they have a lot to say.
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