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 Motรฉma 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]
Be Good
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I sing my lion's song and brush my mane
She would if she could
So she pulled my lion's tail and cause me pain
She said lions are made for cages
Just to look at in delight
You dare not let 'em walk around
Does she know what she does
When she dances around my cage and says her name
Be good be good
Be good is her name
I trim my lion's claws and I
And I cut my mane
And I would if I could
But that woman treats me the same
She said lions are made for cages
Just to look at in delight
You dare not let'em walk around
Cause they might just bite
Does she know what she does
When she dances round my cage
Be good is her name
I sing my lion's song
Brush my mane
And she would
If she could
So she pulled my lion's tail
And cause me pain
She said lions are made for cages
Juste to look at delight
You dare not let'em walk around
Cause they might just bite
Does she know what she does
When she dances around my cage?
Be good
Is her name
I trim my lion's claw and I
And I cut my mane
And I would if I could
But beee good
Treats me the same
She said lions are made for cages
Juste to look at delight
You dare let'em walk around
Cause they might just bite
Does she know what she does
When she dances around my cage?
She dances around my cage
Does she know?
Does she know?
Be good
Be good
Be good
Be good
In Gregory Porter's song "Be Good," the lyrics tell the story of a lion held in a cage, named after his captor's constant demand for him to "be good." In the first verse, the lion sings his own song while brushing his mane, but his captor pulls his tail and causes him pain. She believes that lions are made for cages, solely for human pleasure and entertainment, and warns that they should not be let out to roam, as they may bite. The chorus repeats the captor's demand that the lion be good and her name.
In the second verse, the lion tries to please his captor by trimming his claws and cutting his mane, but she treats him the same as before. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus and the questioning of whether the captor knows what she is doing when she dances around the lion's cage.
The lyrics in "Be Good" are a powerful metaphor for the subjugation and mistreatment of individuals, particularly those who are perceived as dangerous or different. The lion's captivity can be seen as a representation of the oppression and dehumanization of marginalized groups. The captor's demand that the lion be good, which is also her name, symbolizes the societal pressure placed on these groups to conform and be compliant, even in the face of mistreatment and injustice. Overall, the song highlights the importance of challenging oppressive systems and standing up against those who seek to control and exploit others.
Line by Line Meaning
Be good is her name
The woman's name is Be Good, which is also the title of the song.
And I sing my lion's song and brush my mane
The singer brushes his hair while singing his song, which is compared to a lion's roar.
She would if she could
The woman desires to be able to do something but has limitations.
So she pulled my lion's tail and cause me pain
She provoked and hurt the singer, like pulling a lion's tail.
She said lions are made for cages / Just to look at in delight / You dare not let 'em walk around / Cause they might just bite
The woman believes lions should be kept in cages for people's amusement as they are dangerous and might attack.
Does she know what she does / When she dances around my cage and says her name
The singer wonders if the woman is aware of the impact of her actions when she teases him and repeats her name.
I trim my lion's claws and I / And I cut my mane / And I would if I could / But that woman treats me the same
The singer tries to maintain his lion-like appearance but feels trapped and mistreated by the woman.
Be good
The singer repeats the title phrase as a reminder or plea to the woman.
Treats me the same
The woman continues to mistreat the singer and keep him confined.
She dances around my cage / Does she know?
The woman continues to tease the singer, and he questions if she understands the impact of her actions.
Be good / Be good / Be good / Be good
The singer repeats the title phrase as a final plea for the woman to treat him well.
Contributed by Eva E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@islandqueen7342
2024....I discoved this gem....what a beautiful song๐โค...who's here with me....
@mickey_lucky
You're late, but better late than never.โค
@amienhodge7902
This was my wife favorite song , when I first played this she asked me to dance with her not knowing this would be the last song I would dance with her. She passed May 2019 and her energy and spirit resonates and continues to live in my safe place.
@tariqi.el-amin350
Amien Hodge so sorry for your loss... Praying that this beautiful song continues to call back to mind all the good you had together.
@SavvySayswithCielle
My deepest sympathies to you, Amien. So sorry for your loss. Take care of yourself, and continue to allow music and memories of this type to comfort your soul. Big hugs to you ๐ค๐ค๐ค. Be well.
@ibcalm24
Time is so short & precious such a beautiful for song for you & your wife. May that joyful time comfort your heart. I lost one of my best friends 2 weeks. We were like morning birds together and night owls in the night. I had came across a song about best friends I meant to send it to him. In the course of work that night I didn't get to send it. You did get that dance.
@empowheressence
Amien so glad you got a chance to experience a "Be Good' in your life! All the best to you...
@adg_87
Peace and blessings brother.
@alainachapman
Just discovering this beautiful soul in 2024โฆโฆIโm obsessed ๐ฅน๐ซถ๐ฝ
@katieatcheson3516
Same! Heard my first song of his a week ago and obsessed is the word! Goes right to my heart and soul. What a gift!