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
Thinkin Bout You
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another night another show
No matter where I go
People ask and wanna know
Where is my mind?
'Cause when I'm there
My thoughts are really elsewhere
But nothing matters and I don't care
Most of the time
From New York, L.A
Every single day
I'm thinking about you, thinking about you
In Japan, U.K
And every other way
I'm thinking about you, thinking about you
Think about you when I breathe
Even when I bleed
Tomorrow, girl, it's gonna be the same damn thing
I'm thinking about you
Thinking about you, thinking about you, yeah
Every dime that I earn
And every mile that I burn
As far as I am concerned
Girl it's for you, yeah
So why deny if I'm yours
I've never been so sure
That you are all I hoped for
And this is why
From New York, L.A
And every single day
I'm thinking about you, thinking about you
In Japan, U.K
And every other way
I'm thinking about you, thinking about you
Think about you when I breathe
Even when I bleed
Tomorrow, girl, it's gonna be the same damn thing
I'm thinking about you
Thinking about you, thinking about you, yeah
I'm thinking about you
I'm thinking about you
I'm thinking about you
I'm thinking about you
Thinking about you
Thinking about you
Thinking about you
I'm thinking about you
Thinking about you
Thinking about you
Think about you when I breathe
Even when I bleed
Tomorrow, girl, it's gonna be the same damn thing
I'm thinking about you
Thinking about you
From New York, L.A
Japan, U.K
New York, L.A
Japan, UK
Thinking about you
I'm thinking about you
The song "Thinkin Bout You" by Robert Glasper Experiment is a song about how the singer can't let go of their thoughts about someone, no matter where they are or what they're doing. Despite the distractions of touring and performing, the singer's mind is always wandering back to this person. The lyrics convey a sense of obsession and longing that is fueled by the memory of their connection. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is willing to sacrifice everything for this person, including their time, money, and energy.
The repetition of the phrases "Thinking about you" and "I'm thinking about you" emphasizes the singer's difficulty in letting go of their thoughts. The use of first-person point of view also adds a personal touch to the lyrics, allowing the audience to connect more deeply with the emotions being conveyed. The song's slow and almost melancholy tone further conveys the sense of longing and desperation.
One possible interpretation of the lyrics is that the song is about a past lover who still holds a powerful sway over the singer's thoughts and emotions. Despite the passage of time and the distance between them, the singer still can't help but think about this person. This interpretation is supported by the line "You are all I hoped for," which seems to suggest that the relationship was a positive one despite its end.
Line by Line Meaning
Another night another show
I’ve been performing every night, but my mind is elsewhere
No matter where I go
Regardless of where I travel to
People ask and wanna know
People are curious and inquire about my thoughts
Where is my mind?
Where are my thoughts?
'Cause when I'm there
When I'm physically present
I'm not there
My mind is elsewhere
My thoughts are really elsewhere
My mind is occupied with something else
But nothing matters and I don't care
I don't care about anything else
Most of the time
This happens most of the time
Every single day
Every day without fail
From New York, L.A
From one side of the country to the other
I'm thinking about you, thinking about you
I can't stop thinking about you
In Japan, U.K
Even when I'm traveling abroad
And every other way
No matter what I'm doing or where I am
Think about you when I breathe
Even breathing makes me think of you
Even when I bleed
Even in moments of pain and suffering
Tomorrow, girl, it's gonna be the same damn thing
This cycle of thinking about you won't change
Every dime that I earn
All the money I earn
And every mile that I burn
No matter how many miles I travel
As far as I am concerned
In my opinion
Girl it's for you, yeah
It's all for you
So why deny if I'm yours
Why pretend I'm not yours if I belong to you?
I've never been so sure
I've never been more certain
That you are all I hoped for
You are everything I ever wanted
And this is why
This is the reason why I can't stop thinking about you
Thinking about you
My mind is consumed with thoughts of you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Robert Andre Glasper, Derrick Anthony Hodge, Muhammad Ayers, Derrick Hodge, Louis Celestin, Robert Glasper, Talib Kweli
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Bold
This song is beautiful in its own way!
Earthling Swing
I really like roberts voice on this. Having someone "sanging" on this might have taken away from the mix. His vocals just give me this laid back vibe. Doesn't matter how good singing is if it comes from the heart.
Tracy Allen
I’m just now hearing this for the first time and was wondering who was singing. I see in the comments that it’s actually Robert himself… I love it!!🙌🔥 I see some criticism for using autotune but I love it! Robert is so talented and brings so much to the table… Let him have a little fun! Thank you Robert Glasper🙏🏾🥰❤️💞😎
Isis1769
I've such an appreciation for your work. Love your colabos with everybody you choose to team up with! May your creative powers continue to propel you onward and upward!
JoeyJoeJoe JuniorShabadoo
Love the 80's arcade vibe.
Emi Okada
Love it!
Kouame Matthieu Nguessan
Well done Robert Glasper Experiment! I really love your music. Such beautiful and inspirational.
Brien Golden
another dope album!! on steady repeat along with Black radio 1 & 2 !! #salute #greetingsfromOhio
Rory Sharrock
Can't wait to hear them groove at the Atlanta Jazz Festival this Memorial Day weekend! Robert Glasper is the illest on the piano. I truly hope the next album is titled Black Radio 3. Love that whole theme.
Michael Keane
Robert Glasper has taken over the number one spot in jazz. The new Miles.