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

Lemonade
Robert Glasper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How many times do we need to plead our case
This is crazy
Despite all efforts to crush, we stay amazed
Lemonade

Something so sour
Make it so sweet
Oh, baby

Lemonade, please
Something so sour
Make it so sweet
Oh, baby
Lemonade, please

Stacked against us
We stay winning
Lemonade, lemonade
Try to stop us
Try to block us
We'll still make
Lemonade

Something so sour
Make it so sweet
Oh, baby
Lemonade, please
Something so sour
Make it so sweet

Oh, baby
Lemonade, please

Overall Meaning

In the song "Lemonade" by Robert Glasper and PJ Morton, the lyrics convey a message of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. The opening lines, "How many times do we need to plead our case, This is crazy, Despite all efforts to crush, we stay amazed," speak to the frustrations and challenges experienced by the individuals or communities the song represents. Despite facing obstacles and being constantly undermined, they remain amazed and unfazed by the attempts to bring them down.

The repetition of the phrase "Lemonade" throughout the song represents their ability to transform something sour into something sweet. It symbolizes their ability to find joy and positivity even in the most difficult circumstances. This concept of making lemonade out of lemons is a metaphor for resilience, strength, and the refusal to be defeated. The lyrics suggest that no matter how stacked the odds may be against them, they continue to win and create something beautiful out of the sourness of life.

Line by Line Meaning

How many times do we need to plead our case
Despite repeated attempts, we must continue to defend ourselves

This is crazy
The situation is unbelievable or absurd

Despite all efforts to crush, we stay amazed
Despite facing opposition, we remain astonished

Lemonade
Finding positivity or making the best out of a difficult situation

Something so sour
An unpleasant or challenging experience

Make it so sweet
Transforming the negative into something enjoyable or favorable

Oh, baby
An affectionate or endearing term

Lemonade, please
Requesting the ability to find positivity or make the best out of a difficult situation

Stacked against us
Facing overwhelming odds or adversity

We stay winning
Maintaining success or triumphing despite challenges

Lemonade, lemonade
Finding positivity or making the best out of a difficult situation

Try to stop us
Attempting to hinder or prevent our progress

Try to block us
Attempting to obstruct or impede our path

We'll still make
We will continue to create or achieve

Lemonade
Finding positivity or making the best out of a difficult situation

Something so sour
An unpleasant or challenging experience

Make it so sweet
Transforming the negative into something enjoyable or favorable

Oh, baby
An affectionate or endearing term

Lemonade, please
Requesting the ability to find positivity or make the best out of a difficult situation

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chris Dave, Paul Sylvester Morton Jr., Pino Palladino, Robert Andre Glasper

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Eighteenth Street

1y↑5

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