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]
FAN THE FLAMES
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A classy action suit to dance in
Break a window and let the sun in
Break the silence, it's not a sin
Stand up on your seat with your dirty feet
Put your fist in the air, and be sweet
Fill up the empty bowls of the hungry
Break the sacs and let the rice run free
Crack the backs of the tax for me
Stand up on your seat with your dirty feet
Raise your fist in the air, and be sweet
Be sweet now
Fan the flames of love
A classy action suit to dance in
Break a window and let the sun in
Break the silence, it's not a sin
Stand up on your seat with your filthy feet
Raise your fist in the air, and be sweet
Hey, now, now
Tear down the walls of hate
Fill up the empty bowls of the hungry
Break the sacs and let the rice run free
Crack the backs of the tax for me
Stand up on your seat with your dirty feet
Raise your fist in the air, and be sweet now
Be sweet
The lyrics to Gregory Porter's song "Fan the Flames" carry a powerful message of love and taking action to bring positive change to the world. The opening lines, "Fan the flames of love," suggest that love is a powerful force that needs to be ignited and spread. It is portrayed as a "classy action suit to dance in," emphasizing that love should not be passive but should be actively expressed and demonstrated.
The next set of lines, "Break a window and let the sun in, break the silence, it's not a sin," suggest breaking barriers and speaking out against injustice. It encourages breaking the metaphorical windows that block the light and allowing positivity and warmth to enter our lives. Additionally, it challenges the idea that staying silent is a sin, urging listeners to speak up against oppression and inequality.
The chorus repeats the idea of standing up and being heard. It encourages individuals to rise above societal expectations and stand on their metaphorical seats with "dirty feet," symbolizing that change sometimes requires messy and unconventional actions. By raising their fists and being "sweet," it suggests that expressing oneself forcefully and decisively can still be done with kindness and compassion.
The second verse echoes the first, emphasizing tearing down walls of hate and addressing issues of poverty and hunger. It calls for breaking barriers and sharing resources, allowing essential goods like rice to be accessible to all. The line "Crack the backs of the tax for me" suggests the demand for a fair and just distribution of wealth and resources.
In summary, "Fan the Flames" by Gregory Porter delivers a powerful message about the transformative power of love and the importance of taking action to dismantle barriers and bring about positive change. It encourages individuals to stand up, use their voices, and promote love, kindness, and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Fan the flames of love
Ignite and intensify the emotions of love
A classy action suit to dance in
Wear a stylish outfit to express yourself through movement
Break a window and let the sun in
Open up to new possibilities and let positivity shine through
Break the silence, it's not a sin
Speak out against injustice and don't be afraid to make your voice heard
Stand up on your seat with your dirty feet
Take a bold stance, even if you're considered unconventional
Put your fist in the air, and be sweet
Assert yourself with strength, yet maintain kindness and compassion
Tear down the walls of hate
Eliminate the barriers caused by hatred and prejudice
Fill up the empty bowls of the hungry
Provide nourishment and support to those in need
Break the sacs and let the rice run free
Break down societal structures that hinder equal access and let prosperity flow
Crack the backs of the tax for me
Challenge oppressive taxation systems and promote equitable distribution of wealth
Raise your fist in the air, and be sweet
Display strength and resolve while staying kind and considerate
Be sweet now
Emphasize the importance of kindness and compassion
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind