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]
Movin'
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But one without a string
One that is floating around
I don't know what tomorrow with bring
I feel just like a bird
But one without a home
One that is floating
Full of endless oceans empty horizons no rest in sight
What does it mean when you say you want to be free
Free to sing, free to dance, free to let someone take a glance,
in a world that's free of me
Then you say, then you say, you're moving on
Then you say, I've got other plans (Oh girl no)
You movin' in the wrong direction, moving in the wrong direction (yeah)
Movin' in the wrong direction, so far away from me
You're moving in the wrong direct, moving in the wrong direction(yeah)
Moving in the wrong direction, so far away from me
Then you say, you're moving on
Then you say, you've got other plans (oh girl)
You're moving in the wrong direction, movin in the wrong direction
Lady you're moving in the wrong direction, so far away from me
I wish my momma was here a strong, strong steady rose
She would know what do, what to say, how to pray
To make things better
What does it mean, when you say you want to be free
Free sing, free to dance, free to let someone take a glance
In a world that's free of me
You're movin' in the wrong direction, moving in the wrong direction
And you're moving in the wrong direction so far away from me
Girl you're movin',well you're movin',well your movin', well you're moving away
So far away, so far away from me (Oh)
Well your moving
Well your moving
Well your moving
Well your moving
Well your moving
Well your moving
Well your moving
Well your moving ooh
Far away from me
The lyrics of Gregory Porter's song Movin' illustrate the feeling of being lost and unsure of what the future holds. The artist begins by comparing himself to a kite without a string, aimlessly floating around with no direction. He then continues the metaphor, feeling like a bird without a home, drifting through the endless oceans and empty horizons. The chorus of the song conveys the message of a relationship coming to an end. The singer is left feeling helpless, as the person he was deeply attached to is "moving in the wrong direction" and is "so far away from me."
The lyrics take on a deeper meaning when viewed in the context of cultural and societal issues. In several interviews, Gregory Porter has explained that the song is partly inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. He speaks of the feeling of the black community being lost and aimless, with no clear path forward. The chorus also alludes to the idea of systemic racism, with the message of "free to be me" being snatched away from many, leaving them feeling trapped and powerless.
Other interpretations of the song suggest that the lyrics represent the blues, that feeling of being lost, lonely, and abandoned. The singer seeks solace in the memory of his mother, wishing she were still around to guide him, to help him find his way. The final line of the song, "so far away from me," could represent the feeling of distance from a loved one, from one's roots, or even from oneself.
Overall, the lyrics of the song Movin' convey a mood of melancholy and uncertainty, while touching on issues that are deeply relevant to the times we live in.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel just like a kite
I feel directionless and aimless, like a kite without a string
But one without a string
I don't have anything to guide or anchor me
One that is floating around
I am drifting and wandering without a specific purpose or destination
I don't know what tomorrow with bring
I am uncertain about the future and what it holds
I feel just like a bird
I feel light and free like a bird
But one without a home
I don't have a place where I belong or feel anchored
One that is floating
I am drifting and wandering without a specific purpose or destination
Full of endless oceans empty horizons no rest in sight
I am surrounded by vast and empty possibilities with no clear path or respite in sight
What does it mean when you say you want to be free
What are the true implications of your desire for freedom?
Free to sing, free to dance, free to let someone take a glance, in a world that's free of me
Your desire for freedom includes being able to express yourself and be seen, in a world where you don't feel constrained by me
Then you say, then you say, you're moving on
You're telling me that you're leaving
Then you say, I've got other plans (Oh girl no)
You're telling me you have other things to do, which makes me worry
You movin' in the wrong direction, moving in the wrong direction (yeah)
I think you're making a mistake and heading towards something negative
Movin' in the wrong direction, so far away from me
Your path is taking you further and further away from me
You're moving in the wrong direct, moving in the wrong direction(yeah)
I'm still concerned that you're going the wrong way
Moving in the wrong direction, so far away from me
Your path is taking you further and further away from me
Then you say, you're moving on
You're telling me that you're leaving
Then you say, you've got other plans (oh girl)
You're telling me you have other things to do, which makes me worry
You're moving in the wrong direction, movin in the wrong direction
I still think you're making a mistake and heading towards something negative
Lady you're moving in the wrong direction, so far away from me
You're moving farther and farther away from me, which makes me sad
I wish my momma was here a strong, strong steady rose
I wish I had someone wise and comforting like my mom around
She would know what do, what to say, how to pray
She would know how to guide me and comfort me in this situation
To make things better
To help me feel better and find direction
Girl you're movin'
I'm still worried about you leaving
Well you're movin'
You're really making a big move here
Far away from me
And that makes me sad, because you're getting further and further from me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@taylortanner6778
Feeling down today, thank you Gregory for this comfort
@verlisiarailey422
Thank God for the healing power of music. I don’t know where I’d be without it!
@nathaliegoossens9401
vanochtend voor het eerst gehoord op de radio, gespeurd om het terug te vinden. Wat is dit mooi!!!!
@williamlavagna1096
This is my favourite song from the album.
@OneWorldSinger
I bought this album as an American living in China, and listened to it more than I had listened to any CD before. My favorite is "Movin' in the Wrong Direction."
@Goldyntuch
Love Gregory Porter...this song....a gift to us...
@babybokchoiii
I was listening to his album Liquid Spirit on a mountain hiking trip around Peak District in UK. I was playing this song on the speaker and my friends saying it's an amazing song, but it's not helping that it kept saying "we are movin' to the wrong direction". hahaha, what a fun memory.
@LilMamaSM
Heard this song in a restaurant last night, googled the lyrics and now I'm listening to it non-stop :)
@BeautelligentDiva79
Exactly what I did when I first heard it. Real catchy tune.
@handsomeblue6351
Awesome voice and creativity. The lyrics are amazing, hands down one of my favorite artists.