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]
Don’t Lose Your Steam
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steam engines roll by, the bridges fall down and so do my dreams
Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
Boy, I didn't make it too far, but baby you are
The family star
I'll tighten your seams
Don't lose your head of dreams
Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
To get me to the other side
Hey, hey hey hey, hey
This foot-pound pressure is new
Whatever you do is up to you
But do me this do: don't lose your head of dreams
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man
You are now the man
Whoa, whoa, young man
I'm-a counting on you, hey hey hey
You are now the man
Can you get me to the other side?
Hey, hey hey hey, huh huh
Hey hey, huh huh, hey hey hey
Don't lose your head of steam
The lyrics of "Don't Lose Your Steam" by Gregory Porter convey a message of hope and encouragement, particularly towards a young man who is being urged to overcome obstacles and fulfill his potential. The imagery of sitting on the top of the roof, watching steam engines roll by and bridges fall down, represents the challenges and difficulties of life, but it also implies that there is opportunity to succeed and thrive despite these challenges.
The singer is addressing the young man, urging him not to lose his head of steam - that is, to not lose his drive, enthusiasm, and motivation to pursue his dreams. The bridge is also referenced as a symbol of the young man's journey and the time that he has to make progress. The line "this foot-pound pressure is new" refers to the fact that there may be new pressures and challenges that the young man is facing, but he is urged to stay focused and not lose sight of his goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting on the top of the roof, the bridge is all mine
From this vantage point high above, the bridge belongs to me and I am in control
Steam engines roll by, the bridges fall down and so do my dreams
As I watch the trains go by, I can't help but feel a sense of loss as my own aspirations seem to crumble away like the falling bridges
Boy, you hear me calling your name
I am talking directly to you, young man
The bridge is your time
This is your chance to shine and make your mark
Your engine rolls hot
Your passion burns bright and drives you forward
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
Even if things don't go as planned, don't lose your motivation and determination
Young man, I'm counting on you
I have faith in you and believe in your abilities
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
My trust and confidence in you runs deep
Boy, I didn't make it too far, but baby you are
I may not have achieved all my goals, but I see great potential in you to surpass what I have accomplished
The family star
You are the bright hope of our family and the one we look up to
I'll tighten your seams
I will support you and help you in any way I can
Don't lose your head of dreams
Don't let setbacks or challenges dampen your ambitions
This foot-pound pressure is new
The challenges you are facing are unprecedented and require perseverance and determination
Whatever you do is up to you
The choices you make and the actions you take are ultimately yours to own
But do me this do: don't lose your head of dreams
Please remember not to lose sight of your dreams and goals, no matter what happens
You are now the man
You have reached the point of maturity and it is time for you to take ownership of your life and your destiny
Can you get me to the other side?
Can you help me cross the bridge and achieve my goals?
Don't lose your head of steam
Don't let anything stop or slow you down in the pursuit of your dreams
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
진우정
Sitting on the top of the roof, the bridge is all mine
Steam engines roll by, the bridges fall down and so do my dreams
Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
Boy, I didn't make it too far, but baby you are
The family star
I'll tighten your seams
Don't lose your head of dreams
Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
To get me to the other side
Hey, hey hey hey, hey
This foot-pound pressure is new
Whatever you do is up to you
But do me this do: don't lose your head of dreams
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man
You are now the man
Whoa, whoa, young man
I'm-a counting on you, hey hey hey
You are now the man
Can you get me to the other side?
Hey, hey hey hey, huh huh
Hey hey, huh huh, hey hey hey
Don't lose your head of steam
김치속생강
Sitting on the top of the roof, the bridge is all mine
Steam engines roll by, the bridges fall down and so do my dreams
… Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
… Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
… Boy, I didn't make it too far, but baby you are
The family star
I'll tighten your seams
Don't lose your head of dreams
Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
… Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
To get me to the other side
Hey, hey hey hey, hey
… This foot-pound pressure is new
Whatever you do is up to you
But do me this do: don't lose your head of dreams
… Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
… Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man
You are now the man
… Whoa, whoa, young man
I'm-a counting on you, hey hey hey
You are now the man
Can you get me to the other side?
Hey, hey hey hey, huh huh
Hey hey, huh huh, hey hey hey
Don't lose your head of steam
snidelywhiplash
I love everything about this guy. The voice, the groove, the style.
Elliot C
I can't stay still while listening to this song. incredible rythm, beautiful lyrics ... Perfection.
Valérie Beaudoin
Enorme cette chanson je ne m'en lasse pas je l'écoute et la réécoute superbe groove ! J'adore
Werner Wijne
Fantastic rythm, Great music, but the voice is blowing you away! Unique talented artist, love this very much!
음악으로 노는 사회샘
Oh! How beautiful!! This song touch me, I feel like get some message and energy from it♡ 감사합니다^^
진우정
Sitting on the top of the roof, the bridge is all mine
Steam engines roll by, the bridges fall down and so do my dreams
Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
Boy, I didn't make it too far, but baby you are
The family star
I'll tighten your seams
Don't lose your head of dreams
Boy, you hear me calling your name
The bridge is your time
Your engine rolls hot
If the bridges fall down, don't lose your head of steam
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
To get me to the other side
Hey, hey hey hey, hey
This foot-pound pressure is new
Whatever you do is up to you
But do me this do: don't lose your head of dreams
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
Young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man, I'm counting on you
And whoa, young man
You are now the man
Whoa, whoa, young man
I'm-a counting on you, hey hey hey
You are now the man
Can you get me to the other side?
Hey, hey hey hey, huh huh
Hey hey, huh huh, hey hey hey
Don't lose your head of steam
Heru Amen
Great song from a truly gifted gentleman. Can't wait to see you live again!
Addicted 2 Lies No MORE
these powerful positive songs don't get the airway needed smh
Damone de Rozario
I'm absolutely loving this right now, what a talent. How is it artists like bieber & co get so much applause??? This guy is a real talent. Great track mr. Porter.
Kuntry Kool
Just discovered his music a few days ago, one of the coldest singers I’ve EVER heard! 🔥