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]
Everything You Touch Is Gold
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That is why my soul is shinin'
Feel just like I'm just ten years old
Everything is new and surprisin'
You don't have to dig too deep
To find out your effect on me
'Cause everybody that I know can see
What is goin' on in your life? (Oh-oh)
Everything you touch is gold
That is why my soul is shinin'
Our story is not yet told
Oh girl, I think that you can stop minin'
I don't have to dig to see
My treasure standin' right in front of me
Everyone that I know is askin' me
What is goin' on in your life? (Oh)
And it feels like heaven
Touchin' your hair
But it's just like heaven
Callin' your name
But it's just like heaven
Sittin' near you
But it's just like heaven
Somebody's gonna have to bring me back to ground
Everything you touch is gold
That is why my soul is shinin'
Feel just like I'm ten years old
Everything is new and excitin'
You don't have to dig too deep
To find out your effect on me
'Cause everyone that I know in my life
Is asking me, "Is she gonna be your wife?"
Oh, everything you touch is gold
Everything you touch is gold
Everything you touch is gold
Everything you touch is gold
Everything you touch is gold
Needing you here
Touchin' your hand
Seeing you in the mornin'
I could shine another song
I could write another song
There are a thousand things I could say
If I went there
I could write a thousand songs about you
If I went there
I could write a thousand songs about you
And I will
Gimme the time
Yes, I will
Gimme some time, yeah
And I will
Gimme some time
And I will
Keep it right there
Keep it right there
Don't you go nowhere
Keep it right there
Keep it right there
The lyrics to Gregory Porter's song "Everything You Touch Is Gold" express the singer's admiration and adoration for someone in their life. The opening lines, "Everything you touch is gold, that is why my soul is shining," suggest that this person brings positivity and light into the singer's life. They feel a sense of rejuvenation, as if they are a child again, because everything becomes new and exciting in the presence of this person.
The singer emphasizes the effect this person has on them, stating that they don't have to look too deeply to see the impact. The people around them also notice the change and inquire about the positive shift in their life. The repeated question, "What is going on in your life?" reflects the curiosity and interest of others, highlighting the transformative power of this relationship.
The chorus further emphasizes the enchantment and heavenly feeling the singer experiences when they are close to this person. Touching their hair, being near them, or hearing their name brings a sense of bliss akin to heaven. However, the final lines of the chorus acknowledge the need to bring themselves back to reality, grounding themselves after experiencing such euphoria.
Towards the end of the song, the singer affirms that everything this person touches turns to gold, symbolizing their ability to bring value and beauty to their surroundings. The final lines express the desire to write countless songs about this person, a testament to the impact they have on the singer's life.
Overall, "Everything You Touch Is Gold" conveys the deep admiration and awe the singer feels for someone who brings immense joy and positivity into their life. The lyrics celebrate the transformative power of this relationship and the profound effect it has on the singer's emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything you touch is gold
Your influence and impact on everything around you is incredibly valuable and precious.
That is why my soul is shinin'
Because of your touch, my inner self is filled with brightness and happiness.
Feel just like I'm just ten years old
Being with you makes me feel youthful and full of wonder, like a child.
Everything is new and surprisin'
Every experience with you feels fresh, exciting, and unexpected.
You don't have to dig too deep
It doesn't take much effort to see the profound effect you have on me.
To find out your effect on me
To understand the impact you have on my emotions and well-being.
'Cause everybody that I know can see
People around me can clearly observe the changes you bring into my life.
And they're asking me
They are curious and inquire about
What is goin' on in your life? (Oh-oh)
The significant transformation and happiness that you have brought into my life.
Our story is not yet told
Our journey together is still unfolding and incomplete.
Oh girl, I think that you can stop minin'
You have already unearthed enough love and joy in my life. There's no need to search further.
My treasure standin' right in front of me
You, my significant other, are the most valuable and precious thing I have, right here with me.
Everyone that I know is askin' me
People around me are inquisitive and want to know
And it feels like heaven
Being in your presence or touching you brings an overwhelming sense of bliss and happiness.
Touchin' your hair
The act of running my fingers through your hair is pure delight and ecstasy.
But it's just like heaven
Although it feels heavenly, it is not truly heaven, just an incredible sensation.
Callin' your name
Uttering your name brings me immense joy and satisfaction.
Sittin' near you
Being in close proximity to you fills me with contentment and peace.
Somebody's gonna have to bring me back to ground
I am so enchanted by you that I need someone or something to remind me of reality and bring me back to normalcy.
Feel just like I'm ten years old
I experience a sense of childlike joy and wonder in your presence.
Everything is new and excitin'
Every aspect of my life feels fresh, invigorating, and full of anticipation because of you.
Is she gonna be your wife?
People around me are curious if you will become my spouse, the person I spend the rest of my life with.
Needing you here
I yearn for your presence and crave your companionship.
Touchin' your hand
The act of holding your hand brings me immense comfort and connection with you.
Seeing you in the mornin'
Waking up to see your face in the morning fills me with happiness and contentment.
I could shine another song
I have the ability to create and share more songs that express my love and adoration for you.
There are a thousand things I could say
I have countless thoughts and feelings that I could express about you.
If I went there
If I allow myself to explore and dive into those thoughts and emotions.
I could write a thousand songs about you
I have more than enough inspiration to write numerous songs dedicated to you.
And I will
And I fully intend to do so.
Gimme the time
Grant me the opportunity and space to create and express my feelings through music.
Gimme some time, yeah
Allow me the chance to compose and share my emotions in my own time.
Keep it right there
Please maintain the current state of our love and relationship.
Don't you go nowhere
Do not leave or abandon our connection and love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gregory Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind