We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: 2020 was a muthaf***a. Between COVID, 45 and trying to convince people that Black Lives Matter, we couldn’t catch a break. But there were some beautiful things that came out of that dreary time, and we’re not talking stimulus checks and working from home. We’re talking about things like music that inspires, like Common’s new single “Imagine” featuring PJ. “I wrote ‘Imagine’ at a time when we were all going through a lot,” he shared via press release. “But something kept telling me to focus on the good and the things I wanted to see in the world.”
Common gives us his wishlist for a better world on "Imagine." Lyrics like, “Imagine life that bring us Lauryn Hill type of singers,” “Clean water coming out of Flint’s faucets” and "Imagine you could turn water to your favorite wine," have us nodding our heads in agreement to the beat, which samples Rene & Angela's 1981 slow jam "Imaginary Playmates." The grand scope of his vision is complemented by the vocals of PJ, his new favorite R&B partner in crime. Her vocals flutter effortlessly and intoxicatingly across the track.
While Common is giving us blue sky imagery in his lyrics, the video for “Imagine” is more down to Earth as it takes the viewer through a day in the life of Mr. Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. The clip starts with Com waking up, putting on his make up and saying a little prayer for the world. He vibes with PJ on his doorstep before they hit the beach. Next, he takes a trip to the hood to check on his peoples. It's a simple execution that makes us wonder if a better world is as simple as waking up and doing what's best for those around us.
“Imagine” is Common's latest single since recently joining Cordae on "What's Life" from The Undefeated's Liberated / Music For The Movement Vol. 3 a few weeks ago. We're not sure if this song will show up on Common's follow-up to last year's A Beautiful Revolution (Pt.1), but we know one place it's definitely going to show up: our next playlist.
