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
Invitation
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All over my street
Putting up a sign in the window seat
I'm telling everyone
All the people I meet
I'm ready, willing to receive
(Ready, willing to receive)
Ooh, it almost kept me down (ooh, it almost kept me down)
I've drifted around like a log in the ocean
But now I'm on solid ground
Ooh love, ooh love
Here is your destination
Ooh love, ooh love
This is an invitation
Well, I'm leaving my number door to door (ooh)
And I'm searching in the lost and found
Putting signs up at the local store, mm
Just to let them know I'm back around (back around)
'Cause been at the bottom, hopeless and broken
Love almost got the best of me (love almost got the best of me)
I've picked up my pieces and found my devotion
And now that I am complete
Ooh love, ooh love
Here is your destination (ooh, here is your destination)
Ooh love, ooh love
This is an invitation (ooh, this is an invitation)
Ooh love, ooh love
Here is your destination (ooh, here is your destination)
Ooh love, ooh love
This is an invitation (ooh, this is an invitation)
Ooh love, ooh love (yeah)
Here is your destination (ooh, here is your destination)
Ooh love, ooh love (ooh love)
This is an invitation (it's an invitation)
In the first verse, the songwriter describes their actions of reaching out and communicating with others. They use the metaphor of handing out letters and putting up a sign in the window seat, symbolizing their openness and readiness to engage with people. The chorus repeats the phrase "ready, willing to receive," emphasizing their desire to connect with others and be open to love and opportunities.
The next part of the song reflects on the songwriter's past experiences. They talk about being at the bottom, feeling hopeless and broken. It almost kept them down, meaning that they were close to giving up or losing hope. The imagery of drifting like a log in the ocean suggests a lack of direction or purpose. However, the songwriter states that they are now on solid ground, implying that they have found stability and strength.
The chorus comes back, emphasizing the invitation to love. The lyrics express that love is the destination the songwriter seeks - a place where they can find happiness and fulfillment. It portrays love as a transformative force that can bring them to a better place. The repetition of "ooh love" reinforces the strong desire for love and connection.
In the final verse, the songwriter continues their pursuit of love. They mention leaving their number door to door, indicating their efforts to reach out and connect with others. They search in the lost and found, suggesting a willingness to find what they have lost or missed out on. The signs at the local store indicate their return, signaling that they are back in the game and ready to embrace the opportunities that come their way.
The chorus repeats once again, reaffirming the invitation to love. The lyrics show that the songwriter has faced challenges and difficulties in their journey but has overcome them. They have picked up their pieces and found their devotion, suggesting a newfound sense of self and dedication. Now that they feel complete, they extend an invitation to love, implying a readiness to embrace love and all the positive experiences it brings.
Overall, the song "Invitation" by Emily King is about the songwriter's readiness to receive love and their determination to seek it out, despite past hardships. It conveys a message of resilience, growth, and a desire for connection. The lyrics emphasize the transformative power of love and the importance of being open and willing to embrace it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm handing out letters
I'm distributing messages to inform
All over my street
Throughout the entire neighborhood
Putting up a sign in the window seat
Displaying a notice in a visible location
I'm telling everyone
I'm sharing with all individuals
All the people I meet
Every person encountered
I'm ready, willing to receive
I'm prepared and open to accepting
'Cause been at the bottom, hopeless and broken
Because I've experienced rock bottom, feeling without hope and shattered
Ooh, it almost kept me down (ooh, it almost kept me down)
It nearly held me back, almost defeated me
I've drifted around like a log in the ocean
I've aimlessly wandered like a floating log in the vast sea
But now I'm on solid ground
But now I have stability and firm footing
Ooh love, ooh love
Oh, my dear love
Here is your destination
This is where you belong
This is an invitation
Consider this a request to join
Well, I'm leaving my number door to door (ooh)
I'm providing my contact information to each household I visit
And I'm searching in the lost and found
I'm seeking in the repository of lost items
Putting signs up at the local store, mm
Posting notifications at nearby shops
Just to let them know I'm back around (back around)
Just to inform them of my return
Love almost got the best of me (love almost got the best of me)
Affection nearly conquered me
I've picked up my pieces and found my devotion
I've collected my broken fragments and discovered my dedication
And now that I am complete
And now that I am whole
This is an invitation (ooh, this is an invitation)
Consider this a request to join
Ooh love, ooh love (yeah)
Oh, my dear love (yeah)
This is an invitation (it's an invitation)
Consider this a request to join
Ooh love, ooh love (ooh love)
Oh, my dear love
Here is your destination (ooh, here is your destination)
This is where you belong
Ooh love, ooh love (ooh love)
Oh, my dear love
This is an invitation (ooh, this is an invitation)
Consider this a request to join
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Emily Margaret Beatrice Cowings, Robert Andre Glasper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@inspectah2342
If you love this one I know you have excellent taste in music. This one of them ones.
@emmanuel_n_keys
Mr Robert Glasper, Sir, can I, just say that you are a huge inspiration to millions that have had a chance to listen to your music, myself included. In fact I am a musician myself, with a similar sound and texture of music as yours, from the jazz, to the neosoul and all the way to hiphop and it's only out of love and inspiration I got from listening to your music.. and I thank God that he blessed you with the team that you've worked with and still working with to give us this sound of healing.. I hope to meet you one day, or better yet, share the stage with you.😅
Thank you✌🏾
Emmanuel N
from South Africa 🇿🇦
@luneparadox
Emily never misses 🔥🔥🔥Go head Ms. King!!!
@Coly698
I've been in love with both of these artists forever...So glad they've hopped on a track together♥️
@markwallace1677
My goodness this woman’s voice is heavenly and this particular sound within this song is so nostalgically Prince 👑 I could definitely hear him crooning this song with beautifull purple life and love💜🎶✨✨✨✨🦋🌞✨🙏🏽✨
@makgatimakgatho6247
This song is AMAZING ❤️❤️❤️❤️ on repeat 🙂
@Nikkiole84
My brother your music is so beautiful. Blessings my soul for so many years ❤️🖤
@a.lynette
Dream team right here ❤
@Writtenbytruth
This song is magical. ❤
@MOAMtarot
This is how you know music is powerful. This is a song about healing and feeling confident enough to live and love again after pain. So beautiful. I was lead to this song at the right time while I’m going through my healing process. This is why I want to make music because it’s about the frequencies you put out. I want to heal and help others.