Profound Hip Hop Quote #48: A Blue Sky is “Common” Where I’m From

“Day light beams, night light schemes
This is my Inception, I’m writing my dreams
Immortal view of a star doing what I’m born to do
I see the blue sky, say the Lord’s coming through “

—“Blue Sky” by Common (Featuring Makeba on vocals)

Most people are happy to hear the meteorologist say, “Today is going to be sunshine and blue skies” when they check the weather forecast, and the reason is obvious.  People tend to associate blue skies with good weather or even beautiful weather for that matter because it usually means that there will be no clouds, rain, snow or any storm brewing on the horizon.  With blue skies, it is very seldom necessary to cancel outdoor plans such as picnics in the park, a sporting event or just simply sitting outside and enjoying some fresh air.

Figuratively speaking, there is something awe inspiring about the blue sky.  I correlate it with a higher power,  hope and dreams, as does Common in his song entitled “Blue Sky” off of his ninth studio album, “The Dreamer/The Believer.”  Have you ever thought about how some areas of the world have blue skies a minimum of ninety percent of the time while others are lucky if they experience a blue sky with no precipitation ten percent of the time?  Common presents this juxtaposition of worlds, “daylight beams, night light schemes” which can be interpreted on multiple levels.  Someone else’s daylight is another person’s night light.  Also, to beam is to radiate and reflect the light.  Whereas schemes can be underhanded actions covertly done with the intention of accomplishing something in an unscrupulous way.  Furthermore, we all have our moments when the “blue sky” is shrouded in darkness, but it is pertinent to remember that the blue sky is still present, and we can still scheme through the night, in a positive way, to reach our goals by day light.

Have you ever been so busy or consumed with your daily routines that you don’t stop to admire the beauty of the blue sky and breathe in the fresh air of the day?  I love to just daydream and look up at the sky as I think about all of my aspirations as I reach for the sky.  In wonderment, I reflect about life and if I’m on the right path and if I’m doing what I’ve been called to do.  “This is my Inception, I’m writing my dreams,” Common proclaims.  Looking up to the sky is just the initial step; it is when we come to the realization that we write our own dreams, and each day, with the blue sky above us, from the inception of those dreams, we must think about what we have done, are doing or plan to do make them a reality.

We are all immortal views of stars.  Our actions today will have a impression on the people of tomorrow.   The problem is that many of us are to searching for what we were born to do.  What’s wonderful about the figurative blue sky is connects us to God.  When we are unsure, when our faith begins to waver, when we just need our hope and determination in our dreams restored, we can look up to the blue sky and be reminded that life is beautiful and that we are not alone.

Please feel free to share your thoughts

~Anonomz aka Tanya H. Franklin

Bonus English Lesson:
When it comes to figurative language, Common is as adept as they come.  To select one example, Common using an allusion when he says, “This is my Inception.”  He is making a reference to the movie Inception and employs an extended metaphor where the blue sky represents God.

Tags: 2000s Hip Hop, Anonomz, Blue Sky, Common, Dreamer, Rap, Tanya Harris Franklin