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]
The "In" Crowd
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I go where the in crowd goes
I'm in with the in crowd
And I know what the in crowd knows
Any time of the year, don't you hear
Dressing fine, making time
We get respect from the people we meet
They make way day or night
They know the in crowd is out of sight
I'm in with the in crowd
I know the latest dance
When you're in the in crowd
It's so easy to find romance
I'm always on the run and I hate copy paste for god's sake
Any time of the year, don't you hear
If it square, we ain't there
We make every minute count
Our share is always the biggest amount
Other guys imitate us
But the original is still the greatest
I'm in with the in crowd
I go where the in crowd goes
I'm in with the in crowd
And I know what the in crowd knows
Any time of the year, don't you hear
Dressing fine, making time
We breeze up and down the street
We get respect from the people we meet
They make way day or night
They know the in crowd is out of sight
I'm in the in crowd
I'm in the in crowd now
Not on the outside
Looking in
I'm in the in crowd
I'm in the in crowd, yeah yeah yeah
I'm in the in crowd
It feels nice, it feels nice
It feels nice, it feels nice
It feels nice, it feels nice
It feels nice, it feels nice
It feels
The lyrics to Gregory Porter's song The "In" Crowd express the feeling of being part of the cool crowd, the group of people that everyone wants to be associated with. The singer boasts that he is part of this exclusive group, and he knows what the in crowd knows. They dress up, hang out in the right places, and dance to the latest tunes. The in crowd is always one step ahead of everyone else, and they are respected wherever they go. The singer is proud to be part of this group, and he enjoys the benefits that come with it, including finding romance easily. The song is a celebration of being part of such an exclusive group and the feeling of being accepted and validated by others.
The lyrics of The "In" Crowd were inspired by the popularity of the song with the same title by Dobie Gray. Gregory Porter was drawn to the melody of the song and rewrote the lyrics to express his experience of becoming part of the jazz community. The song was part of his third studio album, Liquid Spirit, which garnered critical acclaim and received a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2014.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in with the in crowd
I am a part of the fashionable group of people
I go where the in crowd goes
I follow the popular crowd to the trendy places
I'm in with the in crowd
I am accepted and included in the cool group of people
And I know what the in crowd knows
I am privy to the secrets and knowledge of the popular group
Any time of the year, don't you hear
No matter the season or time, I am still a part of the fashionable crowd
Dressing fine, making time
I always dress nicely and prioritize my time to be with the fashionable group
We breeze up and down the street
We easily and confidently move through the city streets
We get respect from the people we meet
We are admired and esteemed by those we encounter
They make way day or night
Others step aside to make room for us any time, day or night
They know the in crowd is out of sight
They recognize the popularity and influence of the fashionable group
I'm in with the in crowd
Once again emphasizing my acceptance in the popular group
I know the latest dance
I am up to date with the newest dance trends
When you're in the in crowd
Being part of the fashionable group makes it easy to find romantic partners
It's so easy to find romance
Being popular makes finding romantic partners effortless
I'm always on the run and I hate copy paste for god's sake
I am constantly busy and do not like to repeat tasks or actions
If it square, we ain't there
We do not participate or involve ourselves in anything that is considered uncool or unpopular
We make every minute count
We value our time and make sure to use it wisely
Our share is always the biggest amount
We always have the most or best of whatever is being offered
Other guys imitate us
Others try to copy or mimic us because they see us as trendsetters
But the original is still the greatest
Even though others try to copy us, we remain the best and most original
I'm in the in crowd
Reiterating my membership in the popular group
Not on the outside
I am not an outsider or excluded from the fashionable group
Looking in
I am not observing the popular group from the outside
It feels nice, it feels nice
Being a part of the in crowd feels good
It feels nice, it feels nice
Reinforcing the previous message that being popular feels good
It feels nice, it feels nice
Reinforcing the previous message that being popular feels good
It feels nice, it feels nice
Reinforcing the previous message that being popular feels good
It feels
The song ends with an emphasis on the positive feelings associated with being part of the popular crowd
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Cloud9
Written by: Billy Page
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brie Joana
+Elspeth Savani
Like I understand Gregory Porter he is provoking thought and thinking outside the box.
We know he is also speaking about disadvantage, racism, education, decisionmaking and empowering yourself.
I believe he is not needing this "....and it feels niiiice". This would imply that he is into this superficial party life.
But thats not what he reflects for the most part.
On the other hand - for a black man this is more topic than we Ever will realize.
I have also listened to his lyrics closely and he seems to transport just the opposite.
But I like the movie and how it is made.
The composition is above great again!
Debra Argosy
Watching this and can't stop smiling, love it!
L Knighting
Always loved this song, and this is a wonderful performance by Gregory.
tobi bass
Hermosa canción! Grande Gregory!!
Dee Maywood
I love Gregory Porter!
This song is brilliant and the fact that his video was shot in my favourite place, Brixton make me love him all the more!
Sin City Datsuns
Fantastic version!!!!!!!! Can't help but to get up and dance to this one!!
Eric G
I wish this version was for sale.
Nunya Bizz
Mad props for Gregory Porter putting his unique spin on this Ramsey Lewis classic!!!
chris mallows
dobie gray classic. a mid anthem.
chris mallows
+chris mallows MOD anthem.
zavjo
Nice and fresh sounding. Shades of Bill Withers... Jazzy Soul.