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

Maiden Voyage
Robert Glasper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everything
Everything
Everything
Everything

In its right place
In its right place
In its right place

In its right place

Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon
Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon
Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon
Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon

Everything
Everything
Everything

In its right place
In its right place
In its right place
Right place

There are two colors in my head
There are two colors in my head
What is that you tried to say
What is that you tried to say

Tried to say
Tried to say
Tried to say
Tried to say
Tried to say

Everything

Everything
Everything

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robert Glasper feat. Bilal's song "Maiden Voyage" are a good example of the abstract, impressionist poetry that is common to jazz and neo-soul music. The repeated phrase "everything in its right place" serves as a sort of mantra that emphasizes the importance of finding balance and order in life. The phrase "yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon" can be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling bitter or discontent, while the mention of "two colors in my head" suggests a struggle between conflicting emotions or perspectives. The repetition of "tried to say" towards the end of the song implies a difficulty in finding the right words or expressing oneself clearly.

Overall, the lyrics to "Maiden Voyage" are evocative and thought-provoking, inviting the listener to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. The combination of abstract imagery and repetition gives the song a dream-like quality that is characteristic of jazz and neo-soul music.

Line by Line Meaning

Everything
The totality of things or all possible things.

Everything
All things considered, nothing left out.

Everything
The whole of something.

Everything
All that is relevant or significant in a given context.

In its right place
Situated or located correctly or appropriately.

In its right place
The way things should be, fitting perfectly where it belongs.

In its right place
An ideal condition where things are arranged in a suitable way.

In its right place
A state or position of equilibrium and harmony.

Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon
A feeling of disappointment, bitterness, or sourness after waking up.

Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon
An unpleasant or unexpected event that causes discomfort or pain.

Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon
Starting the day on a bad note or with a negative mindset.

Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon
Experiencing a sour taste in one's mouth or attitude towards life.

There are two colors in my head
Two opposing thoughts or emotions that affect one's mindset.

There are two colors in my head
Contrasting perspectives or ideas that create inner conflict.

What is that you tried to say
Asking for a clearer or more straightforward explanation.

What is that you tried to say
Questioning the accuracy or sincerity of someone's words.

Tried to say
Attempting to express oneself, but struggling to find the right words.

Tried to say
Making an effort to communicate effectively.

Everything
The culmination of all the aforementioned contexts and sentiments.

Everything
A universal reminder of balance and order.

Everything
The interconnectedness of all experiences, emotions and thoughts.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN CHARLES GREENWOOD, EDWARD JOHN O BRIEN, JONATHAN RICHARD GUY GREENWOOD, PHILIP JAMES SELWAY, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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