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
Letter to Hermione
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweeps the pillow clean
So rest your head and
Read a treasured dream
I care for no one else but you
I tear my soul to cease the pain
I think maybe you feel the same
What can we do?
So I've been writing just for you
They say your life is going very well
They say you sparkle like a different girl
But something tells me that you hide
When all the world is warm and tired
You cry a little in the dark
Well so do I
I'm not quite sure
What you're supposed to say
But I can see it's not okay
He makes you laugh
He brings you out in style
He treats you well
And makes you up real fine
And when he's strong
He's strong for you
And when you kiss
It's something new
But did you ever call my name
Just by mistake?
I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do
So I'll just write some love to you
In Robert Glasper feat. Bilal's song Letter To Hermione, the singer seems to be writing a letter to someone they care deeply about. The first verse suggests that this person is struggling in some way as the singer encourages them to rest their head and read a treasured dream. The singer then declares that they care for no one else but this person and that they are willing to tear their soul apart in order to ease this person's pain. The final lines of the verse suggest that the singer believes that this person may feel the same way but is unsure of what they should do.
The second verse seems to be directed towards the person's current partner or love interest. The singer has heard that this person's life is going well and that they seem to be happy, but they believe that this person is hiding something. They believe that this person cries in the dark, just like they do. The singer is not quite sure what to say or do but they can see that something is not okay. The final verse seems to be an acknowledgement of the fact that the person has moved on and found someone else. The singer recognizes that this person's current partner treats them well and makes them happy, but they can't help but wonder if this person ever thinks of them. The singer is unsure of what they should do, and so they decide to write a letter expressing their love.
Overall, the song Letter to Hermione is a poignant reflection on love, loss, and longing. It captures the complexity of human emotions and the ways in which relationships can be both beautiful and painful at the same time.
Line by Line Meaning
The hand that wrote this letter
The person who wrote this letter is the same one who is now clearing away their tears and pain to protect the person they care about.
Sweeps the pillow clean
They are wiping away their tears and emotions, so that the one they love can rest easily.
So rest your head and
Read a treasured dream
They are telling the person they love to let go of their worries and find solace in their dreams.
I care for no one else but you
The writer's love is purely for the addressed person, and nobody else.
I tear my soul to cease the pain
The writer is sacrificing their happiness to alleviate the pain of their loved one.
I think maybe you feel the same
What can we do?
The writer believes that their love might be returned, but they are unsure what actions to take next.
I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to do
So I've been writing just for you
The writer is unsure of how to proceed, so they express their feelings through written words.
They say your life is going very well
They say you sparkle like a different girl
The people around the addressed person believe that their life is perfect and happy.
But something tells me that you hide
When all the world is warm and tired
Yet, the writer senses that they are putting on a facade and hiding their true emotions, even when the world is at peace.
You cry a little in the dark
Well so do I
The writer empathizes with their loved one, as they both keep their sorrows hidden from the rest of the world.
I'm not quite sure
What you're supposed to say
But I can see it's not okay
The writer knows that something is bothering their loved one, but they don't know how to help.
He makes you laugh
He brings you out in style
He treats you well
And makes you up real fine
And when he's strong
He's strong for you
And when you kiss
It's something new
The addressed person's partner does everything to make them happy, including making them feel beautiful and desired.
But did you ever call my name
Just by mistake?
The writer wonders if their name ever comes to the addressed person's mind, even by accident.
I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do
So I'll just write some love to you
The writer continues to express their love through words, as they are unsure what else to do.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mamaziha79
"Letter To Hermione"
(feat. Bilal)
The hand that wrote this letter sweeps the pillow clean
So rest your head and read a treasured dream
I care for no one else but you, I tear my soul to cease the pain
I think maybe you feel the same, what can we do?
I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to do
So I've been writing just for you
They say your life is going very well
They say you sparkle like a different girl
But something tells me that you hide
When all the world is warm and tired
You cry a little in the dark, well so do I
I'm not quite sure what you're supposed to say
But I can see it's not okay
He makes you laugh, he brings you out in style
He treats you well, he makes you up real fine
And when he's strong, he's strong for you
And when you kiss it's something new
But did you ever call my name just by mistake?
I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to do
So I'll just write some love to you...
@alocintsruh
This is music GOLD to me! Bilal and Robert together...Priceless!!!
@DraiAKA
Bilal kills every time. if you've never seen him LIVE in concert, you're doing yourself a disservice.
@clbzone
Fa sho!
@jdee5673
TRUTH
@inannabadu8360
He sounds like a screeching cat in heat.
@robertgreen472
So true I grew up right around the corner from this in Germantown in Philly! Seen him live in Philly for the 1st born second album what a treat
@iamRanda
I've never heard Robert play a song the same way twice! I love his innovation!
@rodneykelly3755
A pure genius
@carlynherbert5523
I close my eyes listening to this and tears started to build.. Beautiful Live music. Wishing you all come to Barbados some day.
@edennard1
I feel ya..The Crescendo in the vamp of this timeless classic definitely had an effect on me as well. yon s’el lanmou to a beautiful woman of Barbados