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]
Mister Holland
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Rosie may come out and play
She's a good girl now
Won't be no trouble, no how
By the way, Mister Holland
I like the way you make no trouble of my skin
It's not a problem
You invited me into your home
Treated me like I was grown
I was only eighteen
And Rosie was a beauty queen
Hello, Mister Holland
And Rosie may come out and play
I'm a good boy now
Won't be no trouble, no how
By the way, Mister Holland
I like the way you treat me like a regular Joe
I wanted a soda
And you said Rosie could go
Anyway, I like your style
Seemed like I'll be around for a while
We can talk about a country mile
And listen to a blues record, check it out, oh
Hello, Mister Holland
And Rosie may come out and play
It's a good world now
Won't be no trouble, no how, hmm
And by the way, Mister Holland
I like the way you treat me like a regular being
My name is not a problem
And oh, it never will
Anyway, I like your way
People ought to be able to play
And keep your soul as black as the night
When you walk in straight into the light
Oh, now
Anyhow, I like your way
People ought to be able to play
Keep your soul as black as the night
As you walk into the brighter light
Mama used to fear for me
When you walk out in the world, you see
Some people will fear your face and name
But Mister Holland, don't play that game
Oh, Mister Holland
Oh, Mister Holland
Oh, Mister Holland
Oh, always treat me right
Ayy, Mister Holland
Oh, Mister Holland
Oh, Mister Holland
Oh, Mister Holland always treat me right
Mister Holland
Hey, Mister Holland
Thank you, Mister Holland
You sure 'nuff treat me right
Mister Holland
Hey, Mister Holland
Hey, Mister Holland
But you always treat me right, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh no, oh
In Gregory Porter's song "Mister Holland," the singer speaks to an older man, whom he addresses as "Mister Holland," expressing gratitude for the hospitality and kindness he has received from him. The singer invites the titular character's daughter Rosie to come out and play, and assures him that she will not cause any trouble. Mister Holland appears to be a person of a different race than the singer but has no problem with the singer's skin color, treating him with respect and kindness. The singer reminisces about the time when he was only eighteen and Rosie was a beauty queen, whom he appears to have been infatuated with.
The song is an homage to Mister Holland, who treated the singer with respect, thereby breaking the vicious cycle of racial prejudices and biases. It highlights the need for kindness, acceptance, and welcoming attitudes towards others irrespective of their race, as it brings people together and creates a harmonious society free of racial tension. Through this song, Gregory Porter celebrates the people who follow the principles of respect, kindness, and social harmony and acknowledge the humanity and dignity of all individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, Mister Holland
The singer greets Mister Holland.
And Rosie may come out and play
The singer seeks permission for Rosie to join him/her.
She's a good girl now
The singer assures that Rosie is well-behaved.
Won't be no trouble, no how
The artist promises that Rosie won't cause any problems.
By the way, Mister Holland
The artist changes the topic and addresses Mister Holland again.
I like the way you make no trouble of my skin
The singer appreciates how Mister Holland treats him/her without prejudice based on skin color.
It's not a problem
The singer claims that skin color is not an issue between them.
Nor has it ever been
The artist states that skin color has not been a problem in the past as well.
You invited me into your home
The artist recalls how Mister Holland welcomed him/her into his home.
Treated me like I was grown
The artist appreciates how Mister Holland treated him/her as an adult, even at a young age.
I was only eighteen
The singer emphasizes how young he/she was at the time of the memory.
And Rosie was a beauty queen
The artist mentions Rosie's attractive appearance.
I'm a good boy now
The singer promises that he/she is well-behaved now.
I like the way you treat me like a regular Joe
The singer likes how Mister Holland treats him/her like any other person.
I wanted a soda
The singer recalls how he/she wanted a soda.
And you said Rosie could go
The artist appreciates how Mister Holland allowed Rosie to accompany him/her.
Anyway, I like your style
The artist compliments Mister Holland's demeanor.
Seemed like I'll be around for a while
The singer is optimistic about his/her future interactions with Mister Holland.
We can talk about a country mile
The singer suggests that they can engage in long, interesting conversations.
And listen to a blues record, check it out, oh
The artist proposes listening to blues music together.
It's a good world now
The artist expresses contentment in the current situation.
My name is not a problem
The artist asserts that his/her name is not an issue for Mister Holland.
And oh, it never will
The singer is confident in the fact that his/her name will never be a problem for Mister Holland.
Anyway, I like your way
The artist admires Mister Holland's character again.
People ought to be able to play
The singer believes that people should be allowed to enjoy themselves.
Keep your soul as black as the night
The singer encourages Mister Holland to preserve his values and principles.
As you walk into the brighter light
The singer extends the previous point to suggest that Mister Holland should maintain his integrity as he progresses in life.
Mama used to fear for me
The artist recalls how his/her mother used to worry about him/her in certain situations.
When you walk out in the world, you see
The artist points out how the world can be unpredictable.
Some people will fear your face and name
The singer acknowledges the reality of discrimination based on physical appearance or name.
But Mister Holland, don't play that game
The singer implores Mister Holland not to participate in such negative behavior.
Thank you, Mister Holland
The artist thanks Mister Holland for his hospitality and demeanor.
You sure 'nuff treat me right
The artist affirms how well Mister Holland treats him/her.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh no, oh
The song concludes with a chorus that reiterates how grateful the artist is for Mister Holland.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gregory Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oli vs Everything
Gregory is producing some of the best music in the world at the moment, another phenomenal piece ❤️
Witte Nie
#musicistheanswer💖
Edward Mitchell
@Witte Niehi in no I'm see
LucidLucifer
the craziest thing in 2020 is still, that he is so underrated, keep up your great work
Joi Rice
Only in the US is he not yet given his proper due but it’s coming. The UK and Europe know the truth. Hands down the best!!!
Farrah C
He's not underrated, those of us that know Gregory appreciate him.
Shabs Malik
Right that's the craziest thing. Not the fact that it was the start of a pandemic
Dot Haynes
Undeniably true to the core. I wish more people took the time to understand history, purpose and wisdom of the beauty that lyrics, music and arrangements provides to or soul.
Amy <3
I discussed this song during school yesterday,I listened to it and immediately became attached and won’t stop listening to it.Fantastic piece of music
Nic Lofton
The lyrics bring me to tears. Beautiful piece of work.