[ Home | Interviews | Song Analysis ]

Interviews

Calvin Bender Age 19, Race: Black >From San Diego, CA Normally listens to: Gospel, Hip-hop, R&B, Alternative, and Rock

GOD: "The lyrics were powerful; they spoke of black people and religion and the influences that religion has on peoples lives. It doesn't matter whether it is Christianity, Islam or another faith, but rather how people live and use religion. I also thought the song was about realizing who you are, and growing to religion. The line that stuck out to me was how white people know more about black history than black people do. I thought that was how a lot of people think."

I Used To Love Her: "Whatever he is talking about, he appreciates it. I think he used a woman to show another thing, another example. He talked about church, about how something was secular, outside the religious world, but how he felt really connected to it. When he talked about how "she" went to the west coast that stood out to me because he talked about how he didn't really miss her; but to me that said that he still sticks with her because his reasons for liking her won't change. I think he is really talking about hip-hop; he speaks about how it changed but still the same ideas and new ways and methods. I think it is the same with the church; it has expanded and changed and is not so old fashioned, everything has to move forward. But on the woman/hip-hop metaphor, I think he still loves it; the beats, the flow and poetic nature of the music won't change and he will always appreciate it."

Nora Youssef Age 18, Race: Egyptian >From Los Angeles, CA Normally listens to: Hip-hop, R&B, Rap

GOD: "Its mostly about religion. The line about how "the devil is white and God is black, and how the devil is wrong and God is right" stood out to me. I also thought that he was talking about how religion should be a natural way of life, not just an emblem. Another line that I thought was wrong was about how white people know more about black history than black people. But that says a lot about racist comments. White people try to pretend that they know more about other races; I have had racist things said to me, and its offensive because they try to assume things about your race or religion. Also, is God white or black? That is in the Bible and race is an issue for some religions."

I Used To Love Her: "This says a lot about women as sex objects. The rapper is referring to body parts and how women "put out" to men; sort of like that is their purpose. It also sounded like he twisted words around so that the woman needed different men because she was unstable. But I think the woman in the song started falling in love with more than the guys. But the words are derogatory to women; usually if I like the rhythms and beats I don't pay attention to the lyrics. However a lot of times, the lyrics are sexist and demeaning to women-especially this song! The music was good, but I do not want to be classified like that. Its really more that the rappers do not talk about men like they do about women; when they do, sleeping around is a good thing; but when women do it they are whores, and that says a lot about the music."

Charlie Levine and Scott Stein Ages 19 and 21, Races: Caucasian From: Boston and Chicago Normally listen to: House, Electronic, Hip-hop, Jazz, Rock, Blues, and Hardcore (they both listen to similar things although Charlie also listens to Reggae)

GOD: Charlie: "The black history comment about how white people know more about black history than black people stood out to me. But about religion, I think Common was saying that whatever religion you are, whether its Christian, Islam or other, just know that there is a higher being." Scott: "I think he is also talking about thug life and how he came from the streets. The gangster trope is an example. But I think that is how he learned and grew; not only in religion but also how he grew up to be who he is; like the street taught him."

I Used To Love Her: Charlie had already heard the song, so he knew the connotations to the lyrics, but Scott was new to the song. Scott: "The song is tight. At first I thought it was just about some girl, but then as it went on and he talked about how it evolved and changed, I realized it was more. For example he talked about how "she" went west and got involved in different things like gangster rap and I could tell that he was talking about more than a woman and more about the history of hip-hop. So I think that is what the song is trying to talk about." Charlie: "I picked up on lyrics like how he knew "niggas did her in the park" and how that really meant free styling in the park. Also I understand ghetto words and what phrases mean like 'slide out of mouth' so its easier to interpret the song."

Jack Rowles Age 18, Race: Caucasian From: Nantucket, MA Usually listens to: Rock, Classic Rock, Techno, Rap, and Oldies

GOD: "The song talked a lot about finding self and having a strong religious influence. He talked about using religion to find who you are but not completely accepting everything you hear and blindly following without understanding and questioning. He also rapped about different religions and how he dealt with problems. Lyrics that I remember are about racism and feelings towards whites. Like what is right to feel and how do you cope with racism? I think he tried to deal with problems in more spiritual ways and to overcome difficulties that way."

I Used To Love Her: "The song seemed to be about a woman; he met her, liked her, became committed to her and was not bothered by the things that he did not like about her. Then he talked about how they split up and went separate ways because they were pursuing different careers and lifestyles. But when they saw each other again she had changed a lot and maybe changed in ways that he did not like. He was upset about the changes because he was protective of her and he thought men are not treating her right. Ultimately, he just wanted her back even though she was not who she used to be when he first loved her; but he still cared about her a lot and his feelings were not affected by the changes she had gone through. There is a romantic undertone kind of like, things may change, but his feelings won't."

For a formal interview with Common go to: Click here

Amanda Sher Age: 21 Gender: Womyn Ethnicity: Caucasian Musical Taste: Reggae Residence: St. Louis

G.O.D. I liked this song a lot. I think it touches on a lot of important points about religion. Not only how many people follow it without question, but how "white" it can be, as well as how "white" our society can be. I do have a problem with part of it though, and this just might be reflective of my issues with religion: when cee-lo talks about searching for the answer, he finally finds it when he goes to the church; just a personal problem with that one.

I USED TO LOVE HER WHAT??? Ok, so I started to like this song, talking about a nice girl and a nice guy and how they learn nice things from each other and have a nice relationship. And just as I was thinking that there weren't any lyrics about her being a typical "chick", I heard the line about her saggy tits. Oy-vay. And then the second part of the song, going off about how she got mixed up with the wrong crowd and started having more sex with random guys, and how he lost respect for her. And then the last line of the song- this about hip-hop. Again, I must reiterate, WHAT???

Mia Floisand Age: 21 Gender: Female Ethnicity: White Musical Taste: Techno Residence: U.K.

G.O.D. I think that this song is generally positive. However, I feel that its hard for me to judge someone else's experience with religion, which in a way is opposite from what the song says. While I think that its good that the song speaks out against putting a color on god and the concept of the devil, I still think that the song needs to focus less on color divides and more on unity, not, again, white versus black, evil versus good. Also, the song takes for granted that the audience is an inherently Christian, which I have problems with.

I USED TO LOVE HER At first I thought that the song was portraying women in a very positive way, well except mentioning her sexual exploits as her downfall, but then when he started mentioning her 'titties', the song lost its potency for me. When the rapper again started talking about how 'she' was corrupted by letting others have sex with her I started tuning out, until I realized that he was talking about hip hop using the metaphor of a woman. Ok, now why did he have to use the metaphor of a woman to portray the downfalls of hip hop? Why not anything else? Why a sexually active female-I don't get it.



Waverley17@hotmail.com
Copyright 2001 by Wendy Van Wagner, Rose Levinson, Patrick Moore, Liz Heinz