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

Lola Crying
Robert Glasper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lola's all the rage
She's crying
Lola's all the rage
She's crying
Lola's all the rage
She's crying
Lola's all the rage
She's crying

Overall Meaning

These repetitive and poignant lyrics from Robert Glasper's song "Lola" convey a sense of inner turmoil and emotional distress. The repetition of the phrase "Lola's all the rage, she's crying" highlights the intensity of Lola's emotions and suggests that she is overcome with feelings of anger, frustration, or sadness. By emphasizing Lola's emotional state in this way, the lyrics evoke a sense of urgency and intensity, drawing the listener's attention to the depth of her pain and suffering.

The juxtaposition of "all the rage" with "crying" creates a powerful contrast, suggesting that Lola may be struggling with conflicting emotions or inner turmoil. The phrase "all the rage" typically connotes anger or intense emotion, while "crying" evokes vulnerability and sadness. This contrast suggests that Lola may be experiencing a complex mix of emotions, perhaps feeling both angry and vulnerable at the same time. The repetition of these contrasting phrases further emphasizes the intensity of Lola's emotional experience, underscoring the depth of her turmoil.

The use of repetition in these lyrics serves to emphasize the intensity and urgency of Lola's emotional state. By repeating the phrases "Lola's all the rage, she's crying," the lyrics create a sense of relentless emotion and escalating tension. The repetition reinforces the idea that Lola's emotions are consuming her, driving her to the brink of despair. Through this repetition, the lyrics immerse the listener in Lola's emotional turmoil, inviting them to share in her powerful and overwhelming experience.

Overall, these lyrics capture the raw and visceral nature of Lola's emotional state, painting a vivid picture of her inner turmoil and suffering. Through the repetition of the phrases "Lola's all the rage, she's crying," the lyrics convey a sense of urgency and intensity, drawing the listener into Lola's emotional world. By juxtaposing conflicting emotions and using repetition to underscore the depth of her turmoil, the lyrics evoke a powerful sense of empathy and connection, inviting the listener to witness and empathize with Lola's pain and despair.

Line by Line Meaning

Lola's all the rage
Lola is experiencing intense emotions that are difficult to contain and control

She's crying
She is expressing her overwhelming emotions through tears and visible sadness

Lola's all the rage
Lola's emotions are escalating and becoming increasingly intense

She's crying
She is continuing to release her emotions through tears and visible distress

Lola's all the rage
Lola's feelings are consuming her and causing her to be consumed by a strong emotion

She's crying
She is still shedding tears and experiencing profound emotional pain

Lola's all the rage
Lola is overwhelmed by her emotions and unable to contain her intense feelings

She's crying
She continues to show visible signs of emotional distress and turmoil

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Chris Dave, Pino Palladino, Robert Andre Glasper

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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