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]
Feeling Good
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel,
Reeds drifting on by, you know how I feel.
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me
And I'm feelin' good.
Fish in the sea, you know how I feel,
Rivers running free, you know how I feel,
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me
And I'm feelin' good.
Dragonflies all out in the sun,
You know what I mean.
Butterflies are all having fun,
You know what I mean.
Sleep in peace when the day is done,
That's what I, that's when I mean.
And this old world is a new world,
and a bold world for me, and I'm feelin' good.
Stars when you shine, you know how I feel,
Scent of the pine, you know what I feel,
Oh freedom is mine,
And I know how I feel.
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me
And I'm feelin'...
Feelin' good.
Gregory Porter's "Feeling Good" is a song that is all about gratitude and appreciation for the good things in life. The song is a celebration of nature, freedom, and the simple pleasures in life. In the verses, Porter describes different elements of nature such as birds, the sun, reeds, fish, rivers, and blossoms. He also mentions different insects such as dragonflies and butterflies. All of these things make him feel good and happy. The lyrics evoke imagery of all the natural elements of life that people often take for granted, reminding us to appreciate them and be grateful for them.
As the verses move forward, the song's tone becomes more optimistic and positive. Porter sings about the peace that comes with the end of the day and how the world has changed, becoming a new world and a bold world that he's excited about. The lyrics are suggestive of new possibilities and a new way of seeing the world.
Overall, "Feeling Good" is an uplifting and empowering song about enjoying and appreciating all the beautiful things around us. It encourages listeners to focus on the positive and to be grateful for all the blessings in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Birds flying high, you know how I feel,
I feel free and light like birds when I see them soaring up high in the sky
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel,
I feel warm and happy like the sun shining down on me
Reeds drifting on by, you know how I feel.
I feel calm and relaxed like the reeds gently moving by in the water
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me
And I'm feelin' good.
I am starting a fresh and exciting phase in my life, and it fills me with positivity and happiness
Fish in the sea, you know how I feel,
I feel content and at peace like the fish swimming free in the vast ocean
Rivers running free, you know how I feel,
I feel as though nothing can hold me back, much like the flowing water that runs free in the rivers
Blossoms in the tree, you know how I feel.
I feel alive and uplifted like the flowers that bloom on the trees
Dragonflies all out in the sun,
You know what I mean.
I feel light and carefree like the dragonflies that flit around in the sunshine
Butterflies are all having fun,
You know what I mean.
I feel joyful and happy like the butterflies that dance about and have no worries
Sleep in peace when the day is done,
That's what I, that's when I mean.
I feel tranquil and calm when I rest at the end of a long day
And this old world is a new world,
and a bold world for me, and I'm feelin' good.
I see the world with fresh eyes, and I am excited to pave my own path forward
Stars when you shine, you know how I feel,
I feel wonder and awe at the stars shining bright in the night sky
Scent of the pine, you know what I feel,
I feel invigorated and refreshed by the scent of the pine trees
Oh freedom is mine,
And I know how I feel.
I feel liberated and empowered to make my own choices and live life on my own terms
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me
And I'm feelin'...
Feelin' good.
I am filled with happiness and optimism as I embrace this new chapter in my life
Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.