Gregory Porter (born November 4, 1971)[1] is an American singer, songwriter… Read Full Bio ↴Gregory Porter (born November 4, 1971)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2014 for Liquid Spirit and in 2017 for Take Me to the Alley.[2]

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]

In Fashion
Gregory Porter Lyrics

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You wear a black leather belt
That holds the waist I used to hold
Your colors fade
But not the color of your jeans
You wear a hat with pretty swirls
The envy of the other girls
You change your shades before
Our day turns into eve

Think I better let it go
Think I better let it go
'Cause I'm thinking I'm last year's runway passion
No longer in fashion
But I find myself obsessed
With how you dress
And whom you see when you're without me

We're never caught in picture frames
The paparazzi know our names
They know like fashion
Our love is not for real
The weather's fine but in your mind
You need that flare and so you wear
Big blue fur and feathered hair
To fit your skin

Think I better let it go
Think I better let it go
'Cause I'm thinking I'm last year's runway passion
No longer in fashion
And I find myself obsessed
With how you dress
And whom you see when you're without me
Yes I find myself obsessed
With how you dress
And whom you see when you're without me

Think I better let it go
Think I better let it go
'Cause I'm thinking I'm last year's runway passion
No longer in fashion
And I find myself obsessed
With how you dress
And whom you see when you're without me

Oh I find myself obsessed
With how you dress
And whom you see when you're without me
Yes I find myself obsessed

With how you dress
And whom you see when you're without me

Overall Meaning

The song "In Fashion" by Gregory Porter depicts a poignant tale of unrequited love and insecurity through the lens of fashion and style. The opening verses describe the singer observing their former lover, noting the specific items of clothing and accessories they now wear in place of the beloved intimate connection they used to share. The mention of the black leather belt symbolizes the physical closeness and intimacy that the singer used to feel when holding their waist, highlighting the loss and distance that now exists between them. The fading colors represent the fading memories of their past relationship, contrasting with the enduring essence of the person as symbolized by the unchanging color of their jeans.

The singer recounts their fixation with the way their former lover dresses and presents themselves, detailing the intricate details of their attire such as the hat with pretty swirls and the envy it elicits from others. The changing shades and continuous transformation of their external appearance reflect a deeper emotional void and restlessness within the singer, as they struggle to come to terms with the evolving nature of their relationship. The lyrics suggest a sense of longing and nostalgia for the past, as the singer grapples with feelings of inadequacy and being replaced by someone more current and fashionable.

The chorus serves as a recurring refrain, with the repeated phrase "Think I better let it go" indicating the internal conflict and self-doubt the singer experiences regarding their attachment to their former lover. The comparison to "last year's runway passion" and feeling "no longer in fashion" conveys a sense of being outdated and out of sync with the ever-changing trends and dynamics of the relationship. The singer's obsession with their ex-partner's appearance and social interactions underscores their deep emotional investment in a connection that has seemingly dissipated.

The imagery of never being "caught in picture frames" and the reference to the paparazzi knowing their names metaphorically suggest the lack of visibility and recognition in their relationship, mirroring the transient and superficial nature of the fashion industry. The juxtaposition of the fine weather with the need for external adornments like big blue fur and feathered hair highlights the disconnect between outward appearances and inner desires. Ultimately, the song captures the bittersweet realization of the singer that they must let go of the past and move on, even as they remain fixated on the external trappings of their former lover's life.

Line by Line Meaning

You wear a black leather belt
You accessorize with a black leather belt

That holds the waist I used to hold
Which now goes around the waist I once held

Your colors fade
Your vibrant colors are losing their intensity

But not the color of your jeans
Except for the color of your denim jeans

You wear a hat with pretty swirls
You adorn yourself with a hat adorned with elegant swirls

The envy of the other girls
Which makes other girls envious

You change your shades before, Our day turns into eve
You switch sunglasses before the day transitions into evening

Think I better let it go
I should probably move on

Cause I'm thinking I'm last year's runway passion
As I feel I am yesterday's runway trend

No longer in fashion
No longer seen as stylish

But I find myself obsessed, With how you dress
Yet I can't help being fixated on your fashion choices