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]
Hey Laura
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sorry but I had to rang your doorbell so late
But there's something bothering me
I really am sorry but it just couldn't wait
Is there someone else instead of me
Go ahead and lie to me and I will believe
You're not in love with him and this fool can see
That the rivers of your love flow uphill to me
Hey Laura it's me
Sorry but I had to ring your doorbell so late
But there's something bothering me
I really am sorry but it just couldn't wait
With a healthy dose of make-believe
Won't you lie to me and make me believe
That you're in love with me and this fool can see
That the rivers of your love flow uphill to me
Hey Laura it's me
Sorry but I had to ring your doorbell so late
But there's something bothering me
All night long I just couldn't wait
With a healthy dose of make-believe
Go ahead and lie to me and make me believe
That you're in love with me oh this foul can see
That the rivers of your love flow uphill to me
Hey Laura it's me
Hey Laura it's me
Hey Laura it's me
The opening lines of the song โHey Lauraโ by Gregory Porter seem like a plea from a man who is insecure and uncertain about his relationship. He apologizes for ringing the doorbell late at night but also emphasizes how important the conversation he is seeking is. He then goes on to ask Laura if there is someone else instead of himself, which shows how he is wracked with doubt over Lauraโs feelings towards him. He pleads with Laura to lie to him if thatโs what it will take for him to believe that she loves him, making it clear through the line โthat the rivers of your love flow uphill to meโ that he believes Laura loves him despite how it seems.
The song speaks to a person who is grappling with insecurity in a relationship and is seeking some sort of reassurance. He is willing to take lies instead of the truth if that is what it takes to make him believe that his partner truly loves him. The songโs melody is slow and soulful, with Porterโs signature smooth voice adding depth to the already vulnerable lyrics. It is a beautiful song that speaks to the hearts of people who have ever felt insecure in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Laura it's me
The singer is addressing Laura.
Sorry but I had to rang your doorbell so late
The singer is apologizing for ringing Laura's doorbell late, but needs to talk to her immediately.
But there's something bothering me
The singer has an issue that is bothering him.
I really am sorry but it just couldn't wait
The artist apologizes again but reiterates how important this is.
Is there someone else instead of me
The artist is asking whether Laura is seeing someone else.
Go ahead and lie to me and I will believe
The singer is asking Laura to lie to him about whether she is seeing someone else, and he will believe her.
You're not in love with him and this fool can see
The singer believes that Laura is not in love with the other person she might be seeing.
That the rivers of your love flow uphill to me
The artist is convinced that Laura's love is meant for him and him alone.
With a healthy dose of make-believe
The artist asks for a fantasy or fiction in order to feel better.
Won't you lie to me and make me believe
The artist specifically asks Laura to lie to him in order for him to believe that she loves him.
That you're in love with me and this fool can see
The singer believes that Laura is in love with him.
All night long I just couldn't wait
The artist has been troubled by this all night.
That the rivers of your love flow uphill to me
The singer thinks that Laura's love should naturally flow towards him.
Hey Laura it's me
The singer calls out to Laura again.
Hey Laura it's me
The singer calls out to Laura again.
Hey Laura it's me
The artist calls out to Laura again.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gregory Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wadejensen3301
Dear Gregory.....thank you so much for your work.....I'm a 54 year old guy sitting here in tropical Northern Australia...in my back yard...having a quiet bourbon...and your music which I just discovered brought a tear of joy to my eye....more power to you man!
@willsangle7427
Good on yet Wade.......soul searchingly satisfying.....
@tatertx
Enjoying a nice glass of bourbon in Southeast Texas enjoying this amazing mans voice at the age of 36 in 2022.
@NickMcGivney
Dear Wade.....thank you so much for your post.....I'm a 54 year old guy sitting here in non-tropical Dublin, Ireland, in my bed...having a quiet whiskey (Black Bush, as you ask) ...and Greg's music which I discovered a while back brought a tear of joy to my eye....more power to you both, man!
@wadejensen3301
@@NickMcGivney way to go mate....got to say the idea of drinking whiskey in bed is a foreign concept for me....but whatever works...works! More power to you mate!
@NickMcGivney
@@wadejensen3301 Sneaky nightcap. ๐คซ
@rmr3528
His voice is like being wrapped in a warm fleece blanket......it is like a kiss on the forehead.....like a big strong hug......a benediction.
@dawnadams8365
Love this comment, perfectly put x
@ICGodInU
Yes to all of thisโฆa benediction. Wow
@60351
You so much ๐๐โค๏ธ