Robert Glasper was raised in Houston, Texas. His mother was his first and s… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Glasper was raised in Houston, Texas. His mother was his first and strongest musical influence. Mrs. Glasper not only played piano and sang gospel music in the family's church, she led a band that worked the city's jazz and blues club circuit as well. By the age of twelve, young Robert was playing piano in that church. "Gospel music is built on emotion and spirituality; you go to church and leave crying," he smiles. "It definitely just gave me that sensitivity and knowing how to reach people and knowing how to be in tune with your feelings and the emotion of the music. My thing is, it helps me relate to the audience 'cause they're gonna give you what you give them. When you bring the crowd into your world, you can do anything you want."

By the time he reached adolescence, Robert knew his destiny was to be a jazz musician. He was accepted to the Houston's famed High School for the Performing Arts ("Jason Moran went there before me."). Post-graduation, Glasper enrolled at New School University in Manhattan. Soon after arrival, he hooked up with future bandmember Reid and vocalist Bilal, an old schoolmate. As an undergrad, Glasper gigged with Christian McBride, Russell Malone and Kenny Garrett. Professional life after the New School was even sweeter: stints with Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, and Carly Simon.

The Bilal connection brought the pianist back to hip-hop. Glasper's contributions to Bilal's debut and subsequent tour brought him to the attention of Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest). "Tip would come hang out at my shows, and one day he called me and said, ‘I'm doing this tour and I need you to play keys. Can you do it?’” He's also since played with Mos Def, and is featured prominently on Bilal's forthcoming sophomore release.

In 2003, Glasper's first album Mood was released on indie label Fresh Sound New Talent, and two years later, Blue Note came calling. At Blue Note, Glasper joins a jazz piano legacy that stretches back to 1939, beginning with Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis, and continuing through Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jacky Terrasson, Jason Moran and Bill Charlap. Undaunted, Glasper reflects, “I’m just happy to be a part of the Blue Note family and its rich history.”

-- From Glasper's Official Website

Bright Lights
Robert Glasper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Lost for words, I'm impatient
Oh no, my, I can't fake it
Out of lies, yeah
Girl, you're always on my mind

Ain't it great, yeah
I upgrade ya
You shine like constellation

I adore ya, appreciate ya, yeah, yeah

Ooh, you used to say
You wouldn't trust yourself
Found ways to run away, oh

Every time you wear that dress, you fuck with my head, fuck with my head
Those bright lights, shining on you standing there
I just wanna give you all of my attention, you're my obsession
Those bright lights, love the way they make you shine, psh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Told him that you needed space
Said you need some time to think
You're looking for a peace of mind
Tired of crying all the time

He left you standing in the dark
Playing games with your heart
He don't deserve you, no
I'll catch you when you're falling down

Ooh, you used to say
You wouldn't trust yourself
Found ways to run away, oh

Every time you wear that dress, you fuck with my head, fuck with my head
Those bright lights, shining on you standing there
I just wanna give you all of my attention, you're my obsession
Those bright lights, love the way they make you shine, psh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

You tryna find the words to make you stay, to make you stay
When you just wanna run away, run away, you wanna run away
You tryna find the words to make you stay, to make you stay
When you just wanna run away, run away, you wanna run away

Every time you wear that dress, you fuck with my head, fuck with my head
Those bright lights, shining on you standing there
I just wanna give you all of my attention, you're my obsession
Those bright lights, love the way they make you shine, psh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics describe the singer's infatuation with a woman who is constantly on his mind. He's lost for words around her and can't fake his feelings. He adores and appreciates her, considering himself lucky to upgrade her. The woman used to have trust issues and would run away, but the singer wants to give her all his attention. The bright lights shining on her make her stand out and he loves the way she shines.

The second verse talks about the woman needing space and time to think. She's tired of crying all the time and playing games with someone who doesn't deserve her. The singer promises to catch her when she falls down. In the chorus, the singer talks about how the woman wearing a dress messes with his head. He wants to give her all of his attention because she's his obsession. The bright lights continue to symbolize her shining presence.

The song is likely about a romantic relationship, but it could also be interpreted as a platonic friendship. The bright lights could represent success or fame for either the woman or the singer. Overall, the lyrics are about infatuation and the desire to give someone your full attention and appreciation.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Robert Andre Glasper, Terrace Martin, Tyrone William Jr. Griffin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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