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]
Merchants of Paradise
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come say what you will
You sellers of God's creations
No longer free
These merchants of paradise
You plant your signs in the minds of children
The ones that don't know the names of their gods
Someday they're going to live their lives in peace
You merchants of paradise
Come sell what you will
You sellers of God's creations
No longer free
These merchants of paradise
You plant your minds in the minds of children
The ones that don't know the games of the gods
You merchants of paradise
Somebody's gonna let them live their lives in peace
Someday they'll go free
And they'll turn to the sun
When they go free
When they say to the sun
When they go free
They will say, "Where were you?"
They'll talk to the sun
And they'll say, "Where were you?"
They'll turn their face to the sun
They will say, "Where were you? Where were you?"
They'll cry to the sun
"Where were you? Where were you?" Oh
When they go free
When they go free
When they go free
The lyrics of Gregory Porter's song "Merchants of Paradise" criticize those who exploit and manipulate others for their own gain. The "merchants of paradise" refer to individuals or entities who sell and market products or ideas under the guise of spirituality or religious beliefs. The song suggests that these merchants are deceiving others and taking away their freedom.
The song addresses the merchants directly, accusing them of placing their signs and messages in the minds of innocent children who are unaware of the true nature of their faith or beliefs. The lyrics imply that these children are being indoctrinated and their freedom of thought and choice is being compromised. The song ultimately expresses a hope that someday these children will break free from the influence of the merchants and live their lives in peace, free from manipulation.
The repeated phrase "When they go free" signifies the liberation and awakening of these individuals. It hints at a future where they will question the merchants and demand accountability for their actions. The lyrics suggest that they will turn to the sun, symbolizing enlightenment and truth, and question why they were deceived and manipulated by the merchants.
Overall, "Merchants of Paradise" highlights the dangers of deceptive practices and the importance of individuals reclaiming their autonomy and seeking genuine spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
These merchants of paradise
These individuals or entities that exploit and profit from the concept of paradise
Come say what you will
They present their sales pitches and make persuasive claims or promises
You sellers of God's creations
You are selling products or ideas related to the things created by God
No longer free
They are no longer operating with the purity of intentions or freedom from manipulation
You plant your signs in the minds of children
You implant your messages or ideologies deeply in the minds of innocent and impressionable children
The ones that don't know the names of their gods
Referring to children who are unaware of the true essence or identity of their higher powers or belief systems
Someday they're going to live their lives in peace
One day, these children will lead lives free from the influence and manipulation of these merchants, finding peace
Come sell what you will
They invite or encourage these merchants to sell their products or ideas freely
You sellers of God's creations
Addressing the same merchants who profit from selling things associated with divine creations
No longer free
Emphasizing again that their actions are no longer driven by a genuine sense of freedom or purity
You plant your minds in the minds of children
They deeply influence and shape the thoughts and beliefs of impressionable children
The ones that don't know the games of the gods
Referring to those innocent children who are unaware of the manipulative tactics or hidden agendas of these powerful influencers
You merchants of paradise
Addressing them again, highlighting their role as traders or purveyors of a distorted version of paradise
Somebody's gonna let them live their lives in peace
Someone, someday, will ensure that these children can lead peaceful lives free from the influence and manipulation imposed upon them
Someday they'll go free
Eventually, these children will break free from the constraints imposed on them
And they'll turn to the sun
Metaphorically, they will seek enlightenment or guidance from a higher power
When they go free
At the moment of their liberation from these influences
They will say, 'Where were you?'
They will question the absence or lack of support from those who should have protected them
They'll talk to the sun
They will express their frustrations or seek understanding from a higher power
And they'll say, 'Where were you?'
Again, expressing their disappointment or confusion regarding the lack of intervention or guidance
They'll turn their face to the sun
Symbolically, they will seek solace, truth, or enlightenment
They will say, 'Where were you? Where were you?'
They will repeatedly express their longing for protection, guidance, or intervention
They'll cry to the sun
Indicating their emotional pain or distress, seeking consolation from a higher power
'Where were you? Where were you?' Oh
Continuing their plea for answers or assistance with a sense of urgency
When they go free
When they finally break free from the influence and manipulation
When they go free
Reiterating the moment of their liberation
When they go free
Emphasizing once again their eventual escape from these influences
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gregory Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind