Gregory Porter was born in Sacramento and was raised in Bakersfield, California, where his mother was a minister. A 1989 graduate of Highland High School, he received a "full-ride" (tuition, books, medical coverage, and living expenses) athletic scholarship as a football lineman to San Diego State University (SDSU Aztecs), but a shoulder injury during his junior year cut short his football career.[3] At the age of 21, Porter lost his mother to cancer, but only after she entreated him from her death bed: "Sing, baby, sing!"
Porter moved to the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in 2004, along with his brother Lloyd. He worked as a chef at Lloyd's restaurant Bread-Stuy (now defunct), where he also performed. Porter performed at other neighborhood venues including Sista's Place and Solomon's Porch, and moved on to Harlem club St. Nick's Pub, where he maintained a weekly residency. Out of this residency evolved what would become Porter's touring band.[4]
Porter released two albums on the Motéma label together with Membran Entertainment Group, 2010's Water and 2012's Be Good, before signing with Blue Note Records (under Universal Music Group) on May 17, 2013. His third album, Liquid Spirit, was released on September 2, 2013, in Europe and on September 17, 2013, in the US.[5] The album was produced by Brian Bacchus.[6] The album won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.[7]
Liquid Spirit enjoyed commercial success rarely achieved by albums in the jazz genre, reaching the top 10 on the UK album charts. It was certified gold by the BPI, selling over 100,000 units in the UK.[8]
In August 2014 Porter released "The 'In' Crowd" as a single.[9] On May 9, 2015 Porter participated in VE Day 70: A Party to Remember, a televised commemorative concert from Horse Guards Parade in London, singing "As Time Goes By".[10]
His fourth album, Take Me to the Alley, was released on May 6, 2016.[11] In UK's The Guardian it was Alexis Petridis's album of the week.[12]
On June 26, 2016, Porter performed on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival 2016. Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCormick said, "The portly middle-aged jazzer may be the oddest pop star on the planet but he is a refreshing testament to the notion that the most important organ for musical appreciation should always be our ears. And Porter has one of the most easy-on-the-ear voices in popular music, a creamy baritone that flows thick and smooth across a rich gateaux of juicy melody. It's a voice that makes you want to lick your lips and dive right in."[13]
In September 2016 Porter performed at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park from Hyde Park, London. He would go on to perform in the annual BBC Children in Need show in November, a night dedicated to Sir Terry Wogan, who hosted it in previous years and was a fan of Porter.[14]
In January 2017 Porter performed the song "Holding On" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show.[15] In September 2017 he performed as part of the Later... with Jools Holland: Later 25 concert at the Royal Albert Hall.[16]
In October 2017 he performed the song "Mona Lisa" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show with Jeff Goldblum on piano.[17]
1960 What?
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, that ain't right
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all, that ain't right
There was a man, voice of the people
Standing on the balcony, of the Loraine Motel
Shots rang out, yes it was a gun
He was the only one, to fall down y'all
That ain't right, then his people screamed
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all
Whoo
Motor city is burning, y'all
Great God almighty! The motor city's burning
Ooh it's burning
Young man, coming out of a liquor store
With three pieces of black liquorice, in his hand y'all
Mister police man! Thought it was a gun, thought he was the one
Shot him down y'all, that ain't right
Then his momma screamed!
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning
Great God almighty it's, great God almighty it's burning
Can't put out the fire 'cause it's burning
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
The song "1960 What" by Gregory Porter is a social commentary on the events taking place in the United States during the 1960s. Specifically, the song references the riot that broke out in Detroit in July 1967, which left 43 people dead and more than 1,000 injured. The lyrics criticize the social and political injustices that led to this event and others like it, and call for action to be taken to create a better world.
The song opens with the repeated question "1960 what? 1960 who?" This line serves as a reminder that the problems faced by African Americans and other marginalized groups did not arise out of nowhere in the 1960s, but were instead the result of longstanding inequities and injustices. The line "the motor city is burning, that ain't right" is a direct reference to the riots that took place in Detroit in 1967, and is a commentary on the fact that these events were a symptom of deeper social problems.
The song goes on to recount stories of police brutality and racial violence, including the shooting of a young black man by a police officer, and the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. These events are presented as evidence of the need for action and change. The repeated lines "ain't no need for sunlight, ain't no need for moonlight, ain't no need for street light, 'cause it's burning really bright" suggest that there is a sense of urgency and crisis that demands immediate attention.
Overall, "1960 What" is a powerful reflection on the social and political issues that have shaped American history, and a call to action for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
1960 what? 1960 who?
Questioning what happened in 1960 and who is responsible.
1960 what? 1960 who?
Continuing to question what happened in 1960 and who is responsible.
19, hey! The motor city is burning, that ain't right
Expressing disbelief and disapproval that the Motor City (Detroit) is on fire.
1960 what? 1960 who?
Repeating the questions, still seeking answers.
1960 what? 1960 who?
Continuing to repeat the questions, still seeking answers.
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all, that ain't right
Reiterating that the burning of Detroit is wrong.
There was a man, voice of the people
Introducing the character of a man who spoke up for the people.
Standing on the balcony, of the Loraine Motel
Describing where the man was standing when he was shot.
Shots rang out, yes it was a gun
Clarifying that the sound of gunfire was indeed from a gun.
He was the only one, to fall down y'all
Emphasizing the tragedy of the man being the only one to die.
That ain't right, then his people screamed
Expressing further disapproval and noting that the man's loved ones reacted strongly.
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Suggesting that the events are so major that daylight is no longer necessary.
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Suggesting that the events are so major that moonlight is no longer necessary.
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
Suggesting that the events are so major that streetlights are no longer necessary.
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Stating that the fire is burning so strongly that light sources are not needed.
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
Indicating that there may be a call for action and resistance.
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
Reinforcing the idea that what happened is wrong.
1960 what? 1960 who?
Posing the questions yet again.
1960 what? 1960 who?
Repeating the questions once more.
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all
Noting again that the city is on fire.
Whoo
Exclaiming in response to the intensity of the situation.
Motor city is burning, y'all
Reiterating that the city is on fire.
Great God almighty! The motor city's burning
Calling on a higher power to take notice of the situation.
Ooh it's burning
Reacting to the situation with distress and concern.
Young man, coming out of a liquor store
Introducing another character, a young man who was minding his own business.
With three pieces of black liquorice, in his hand y'all
Describing what the young man was carrying.
Mister police man! Thought it was a gun, thought he was the one
Commenting on how the police mistook the liquorice for a gun.
Shot him down y'all, that ain't right
Expressing outrage that the young man was killed.
Then his momma screamed!
Noting the emotional reaction of the young man's mother.
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Repeating the sentiment that the events have caused daylight to be unnecessary.
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Repeating the sentiment that the events have caused moonlight to be unnecessary.
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
Repeating the sentiment that the events have caused streetlights to be unnecessary.
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Reiterating that the fire continues to rage strongly.
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
Further suggesting that some may be ready to take action.
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
Reinforcing the idea that the situations and events are unjust.
1960 what? 1960 who?
Posing the questions again, in disbelief and urgency.
1960 what? 1960 who?
Continuing to pose the questions in search of answers.
19, hey! The motor city is burning
Returning to the situation at hand, expressing disbelief.
Great God almighty it's, great God almighty it's burning
Repeating the call for a higher power to intervene and take notice.
Can't put out the fire 'cause it's burning
Noting that the fire is too strong to be extinguished.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Adding emphasis and urgency to the situation.
That ain't right
Concluding with a repeated statement of disapproval and injustice.
That ain't right
Repeating the same statement of disapproval, leaving the question unanswered.
That ain't right
Continuing to repeat the same statement, driving home the point that justice still needs to be served.
That ain't right
Repeating the statement one final time, underscoring the tragedy and injustice that was experienced.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@licelotdiaz7902
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, that ain't right
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all, that ain't right
There was a man, voice of the people
Standing on the balcony, of the Loraine Motel
Shots rang out, yes it was a gun
He was the only one, to fall down y'all
That ain't right, then his people screamed
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning, y'all
Whoo
Motor city is burning, y'all
Great God almighty! The motor city's burning
Ooh it's burning
Young man, coming out of a liquor store
With three pieces of black liquorice, in his hand y'all
Mister police man! Thought it was a gun, thought he was the one
Shot him down y'all, that ain't right
Then his momma screamed!
Ain't no need for sunlight! (Ain't no need for sunlight)
Ain't no need for moon light! (Ain't no need for moon light)
Ain't no need for street light (ain't no need for street light)
'Cause it's burning really bright (burning real bright)
Some folks say we gonna fight (gonna fight)
'Cause this here thing just ain't right (ain't right)
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
19, hey! The motor city is burning
Great God almighty it's, great God almighty it's burning
Can't put out the fire 'cause it's burning
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
1960 what? 1960 who?
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
That ain't right
@ditshegofatsomakgato4685
If only he knew how we love him in South Africa ❤
@Gordygrooveking
MR GREGORY PORTER I COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO JAZZ AND SOUL . I HAVE TO SAY THIS WORLD IS LUCKY TO HAVE YOU. GOD BLESS YOU LIKE YOU LIKE YOU HAVE BLESSED ME 🙏
@stonelove1333
I love that people love him. The Man is Talented, Gifted and obviously fulfilling his Purpose.
@onyenezichika
This is Fela. This is Afro beat. Thank you Gregory Porter.
@tbotrouble6
This JAM is making waves in South Africa!!!!!!!!......We love Porter!!!
@fredrickberry7004
Tinyiko TK Hello MOTHERLAND !
@khayatlou3822
I love his art
@dangeorge5947
tbot how you be - person name 'beagle' in this comments i want him to ask me what am i getting at. like singer greg said referring to same thing yesterday - ex marine chambalain ( excuse spelling ) told cops go away from his door next thing he's shot dead - democracy now a couple of days ago about a 2011 incident
@enigmatcstatic7691
Literally the best intro to a song ever. Makes me shed tears of joy. This is music at its most beautiful. Thank God for musicians like this.....
@fredrickberry7004
EnigmatcStatic 7 Love you sister !