[Verse 1: Common] It's funk to rhythm and punk to rock loud like shot that come from a glock Pick up your mind, run from the spot Revolution jumping in the parking lot Shit is so hot that the sun watch Children by the window with the gun cocked they could get robbed and stop the luck (?) Monkeys dance around for MTV spots I lock into a.... rock into a rhythm of street and ancient wisdom Experiment in stereo loud so crank the system For the humble on the path I paint a vision How far will a nigga go just for attention And to be remembered, you forgot the mission Listen!
[Chorus: Laetitia Sadier] All traces of life in our gats we carry that's used to dress humanity ([Common:] it's a New Wave, Come on!)
[Sung in French] All traces of life in our gats we carry that's used to dress humanity ([Common:] it's a New Wave, Dig it!)
[Sung in French] This life is precious it's goddamn? marvelous before it ever ends ([Common:] it's a New Wave, Come on!)
This life is precious it's goddamn? marvelous before it ever ends ([Common:] Come on! Come on!)
[Verse 2: Common] I lay terror in this era like Che Guevera for the people to make or wait it's better in a room called real I stay forever Everyday I lose something I gain forever Meditate on how I can change the weather My brainstorm for some it's like (?) umbrella where bullets and lies both spray together My mind scream like Al Green "Let's Stay Together" How could a nigga be so scared of change That's what you hustle for, for the currency exchange Ya'll rich, we could beef curry in the game out your mouth, ain't nobody hurrying my name You seen what happened when the Com go BANG Wouldn't have a shot, even at a gun range Seen hype become fame against the grain become main-stream It all seems mundane in the scope of thangs
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Common] From a land of shit talk, boy stars and pitch forks didn't really see white until I went North Getting bent on backyards, wishing in the air for a black god Where people fix cars and clap hard and look to the stars for rap jobs I walk through the black fog with reflectors on my boots smelling war near, I'm connected with the troops that master anger and ain't afraid to shoot through poured liquor fallen angels they salute (Whew! Whew!) Feel the wind blow A new wave- people with their hair trimmed low It's two ways living in this world of techno This age can't really save the ghetto I pause for the rebels who rock heavy metals and tell them that they're pharoh so let go Come on!