Thisisme Then: The Best of Common is a compilation album by the American rapper Common, released November 27, 2007, on Relativity Records. It covers material from his early rap years, spanning 1992 to 1997, and contains singles from Common's first three albums as well as "High Expectations" from the Soul in the Hole soundtrack. The album's title is borrowed from the song "Thisisme", a track that was originally featured on Resurrection and that is featured on Thisisme Then. It was released on LP on January 8, 2008, six weeks after the CD release.
This album excludes his more recent material made during his membership in Soulquarians and his work with Jay Dee, later known as J Dilla.
Track listing #TitleLengthPerformer(s)Producer(s)WritersNotes1"Take It EZ"4:10Common Lenny Underwood (keyboards) Tony Orbach (saxophone)2 pc. DRKLonnie LynnContains samples from "Kissing My Love" by Al Jarreau Contains samples from "Kool is Back" by Funk, Inc. Contains samples from "When Will the Day Come" by Rasa Contains samples from "A Crazy Mixed-Up World" by Sonny Stitt Contains samples from "Breezin'" by George Benson Contains samples from "Girls" by The Beastie Boys 2"Breaker 1/9"4:03CommonImmenslopeLonnie LynnO'Kelly IsleyChris JasperMarvin IsleyRonald IsleyRudolph IsleyContains samples from "Amen" by Rotary Connection Contains samples from "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers Contains samples from "Get Out of My Life, Woman" by Lee Dorsey Contains samples from "The Boogie Back" by Roy Ayers 3"Soul by the Pound"4:21CommonImmenslopeLonnie LynnContains samples from "Feelin' It" by Ultramagnetic MC's Contains samples from "A Chorus Line" by Ultramagnetic MCs (Vocals by Tim Dog) Contains samples from "Sneakin' in the Back" by Tom Scott Contains samples from "I Like It" by DeBarge4"Charms Alarm"4:31CommonImmenslopeLonnie LynnContains samples from "Side by Side" by Earth, Wind & Fire Contains samples from "Don't Change Your Love" by The Five Stairsteps Contains samples from "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume5"Heidi Hoe"4:31CommonThe BeatnutsLonnie Lynn6"I Used to Love H.E.R."4:40CommonNo I.D.Lonnie LynnContains sample from "The Changing World" as performed by George Benson7"Book of Life"5:06CommonNo I.D.Lonnie LynnContains sample from "N.T." by Kool and the Gang Contains sample from "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" as performed by Roy Ayers8"Resurrection"3:48CommonNo I.D.Lonnie LynnContains sample from "The Signs Pt. II" as performed by David Axelrod Contains sample from "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?" as performed by Whatnauts Contains sample from "Help Is on the Way" as performed by Whatnauts Contains sample from "Dolphin Dance" as performed by Ahmad Jamal Contains sample from "Sorcerer of Isis" as performed by Power of Zeus Contains sample from "Ice" as performed by Spirit9"Thisisme"4:55CommonNo I.D.Lonnie LynnContains sample from "Build and Destroy" as performed by Boogie Down Productions Contains sample from "Power of Love" as performed by Alton McClain & Destiny Contains sample from "Momma Miss America" as performed by Wings10"Retrospect for Life"5:24Common Lauryn Hill Vere Isaacs (bass)James Poyser No I.D.Lonnie LynnJames PoyserErnest WilsonStevie WonderSyreeta WrightContains samples from "A Song for You" by Donny Hathaway Contains samples from "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" by Stevie Wonder11"Reminding Me (Of Sef)"4:56Common Chantay Savage Spike Rebel (keyboards)YnotLonnie LynnAnthony CraigLarry BrowneeGus RedmondLowrell SimonFred SimonContains samples from "Reminding Me" by Patrice Rushen Contains samples from "Mellow Mellow Right On" by Lowrell12"All Night Long"5:48Common Erykah BaduThe RootsLonnie LynnJames PoyserAhmir ThompsonE. WrightContains re-sung elements from "Don't Stop the Music" by Yarbrough and Peoples13"G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition)"4:48Common Cee Lo GreenNo I.D. Spike RebelLonnie LynnThomas BurtonCornell NewbillErnest Wilson14"Stolen Moments, Pt. 3"2:32Common Q-TipNo I.D.Lonnie LynnErnest WilsonContains samples from "Superstition" by Melvin Van Peebles15"High Expectations"6:47CommonNo I.D.Lonnie LynnErnest WilsonJerry RagovoyAaron SchroederContains samples from "Move Me No Mountain" by Chaka Khan16"Communism"2:20CommonNo I.D.No I.D.Contains samples from "The Surest Things Can Change by Freddie Hubbard Contains samples from "Knocking 'Round the Zoo" by James Taylor and The Flying Machine Contains samples from "Brigitte: by Freddie Hubbard
Chart positions Chart (2007)Peakposition U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums62U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums23U.S. Billboard Independent Albums34
References