Blog Post #10

I chose Come Close, by Common, because I think it portrays Black culture on multiple levels. Both through the lyrics and in the music video, which accompanies the song, black culture is displayed through language and style. The song also discusses various aspects of black life, such as love, politics (when Common talks about changing the world), and popular culture. I've also really enjoyed this song because of it's setting (a man proposing to a woman on her front lawn). But when listening to the lyrics, there are a lot of other aspects to the song which I enjoy. Another thing that really stood out to me about Black culture in this song is the appearance of the characters in the music. Common typically has a type of "Afrocentric" style, and like him, the woman in the video does as well. I really like the way she is represented in particular, because she shows that beauty can be something natural and something black.

Here are the lyrics:
"Come Close"
by Common
(feat. Mary J. Blige)

[Intro]
[Common:] It's just a fly love song, what
[Mary J:] Mmmmm
[Common:] It's just a fly love song, what

[Verse: Common]
Are we living in a dream world?
Are your eyes still green girl?
I know your sick and tired of arguing
But you can't keep it bottled in
Jealousy, we got to swallow it
Your heart and mind baby follow it
Smile, happiness you could model it
And when you feel opposite
I just want you to know
Your whole being is beautiful
Im going to do the best I can do
Cause i'm the best when i'm with you

[Chorus: Mary J. Blige]
Come close to me baby
Let your love hold you
I know this world is crazy
What's it without you

[Verse: Common]
Put down your bags love
I know in the past love
Has been sort of hard in you
But I see the God in you
I just want to nurture it
Though this love may hurt a bit
We dealing wit this water love
You even give my daughter love
I want to build a tribe wit you
Protect and provide for you
Truth is I can't hide from you
The pimp in me
May have to die with you

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I know what you're thinking, you're on my mind
You're right, you're right, you're right
You promise so fast you just might take flight
Hope your not tired, tonight, tonight

[Verse: Common]
You help me to discovery me
I just want you to put trust in me
I kind of laugh when you cuss at me
The aftermath is you touching me
It's destiny to we connected girl
You and i we can affect the world
I'm tired of the fast lane
I want you to have my last name

[Chorus]

[Bridge (2x)]