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

Smells Like Teen Spirit
Robert Glasper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Load up on guns, bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over-bored and self-assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word

Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low

Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now; entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now; entertain us

I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end

Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now; entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now; entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
Yeah, hey

And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard; it's hard to find
Oh well, whatever, never mind

Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now; entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now; entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now; entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious

Here we are now; entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido

Overall Meaning

Robert Glasper's version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a jazz-infused interpretation of Nirvana's 1991 hit song. The lyrics speak to the feelings of teenage angst and rebellion, with the idea that it's exciting and fun to lose and pretend. The line "She's over-bored and self-assured, oh no, I know a dirty word" could symbolize a sense of boredom and dissatisfaction with society's rules and expectations. The repeated line "Hello, hello, hello, how low" could represent a sense of emptiness or despair.

The chorus, "With the lights out, it's less dangerous, here we are now, entertain us, I feel stupid and contagious, here we are now, entertain us," could be seen as a commentary on entertainment culture and the way it can distract from real-life issues. The idea that "with the lights out, it's less dangerous" could suggest that people feel more comfortable being entertained in the dark because it allows them to forget about their problems or concerns.

The line "a mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido" is a direct quote from Kurt Cobain's original lyrics and has been interpreted in various ways, including as a play on words or a commentary on race. Overall, Glasper's interpretation of the lyrics adds depth and complexity to the already iconic song, showcasing its enduring relevance.

Line by Line Meaning

Load up on guns, bring your friends
Come prepared for a wild ride and bring your buddies to join in on the fun

It's fun to lose and to pretend
Sometimes it's enjoyable to act carefree and let go of inhibitions

She's over-bored and self-assured
She's feeling restless and unchallenged, but still confident in herself

Oh no, I know a dirty word
I'm aware of something risqué or taboo

Hello, hello, hello, how low
A repeated greeting to someone who may be feeling down or depressed

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
When the lights are off, the risks are lower and we can let loose more freely

Here we are now; entertain us
We're here for a good time and expect to be amused

I feel stupid and contagious
I feel foolish and like my temporary happiness is spreading to others

I'm worse at what I do best
Even though I may be skilled at something, it's not always the most fulfilling

And for this gift I feel blessed
Despite my shortcomings, I still appreciate my talents and the opportunities they bring

Our little group has always been
Our close companionship has remained consistent over time

And always will until the end
Our bond will endure until the very end

A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
A diverse and eclectic mix of beings, including myself and my desires

And I forget just why I taste
I can't recall why I enjoy certain things, but they still make me happy

Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
After taking a moment to recollect, I remember why certain things bring me joy

I found it hard; it's hard to find
Searching for something can be exhausting and time-consuming

Oh well, whatever, never mind
Despite the struggle to find it, I've given up caring too much about the outcome

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Novoselic, David Grohl, Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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