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 Motรฉma 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]
When Did You Learn
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When did you learn the rules of loveโs game?
The holding of hands
The turning of pages of poems that we silently read
When did you learn?
How did you find me?
Or was it just something inside that you already knew?
When did you learn?
Something you said shortly after we met
Itโs just you and me
*All is new what we doโฆ
How did you know just what it would be like
Changing your life not like changing your mood
When did you learn the rules of loveโs game?
They came and they saw you
Calling and singing out my name
When did you learn?
Youโre walking and holding my hand in the crowd
Out in the day light
Smiling at faces and wooohh feeling so proud
When did you learn?
Tell me when did you learnโฆ
When did you learn?
The lyrics of Gregory Porterโs song, โWhen Did You Learnโ delve deep into the mysteries of love and relationships, exploring the secrets that lovers hide from each other. The song begins with Porter asking his partner when they learned the โrules of loveโs game?โ The next verse raises further questions, asking how his partner found him, and whether they pursued love for its own sake, or if it was just something they knew all along. These questions highlight the mystery of how two people come together in love, and the unspoken, instinctual knowledge that guides them towards each other.
The chorus of the song suggests that love is like a game, with rules that must be learned. It also speaks of the joy and exhilaration of new love, where everything is new and unexplored. However, this feeling is juxtaposed with the uncertainty of love - the fear of rejection, the possibility of hurt, and the questions that remain unanswered.
The final verse of the song sees Porter in the company of his partner, feeling proud and happy. The song ends with the repeated refrain of โWhen did you learn?โ leaving the listener with a sense of mystery and a deep desire to discover the secrets of love.
Line by Line Meaning
When did you learn the rules of loveโs game?
At what point did you come to understand the nuances and requirements of being in love?
The holding of hands
One of the actions that is often associated with love, as it represents physical intimacy and affection.
The turning of pages of poems that we silently read
Another way that love is expressed can be through a shared appreciation of art and literature.
How did you find me?
The initial discovery of love, and the spark that ignites a relationship.
Did you pursue love just for loveโs sake?
Was your search for love a conscious decision, or did you happen upon it accidentally?
Or was it just something inside that you already knew?
Perhaps love was always a part of you, waiting for the right moment and person to blossom.
Something you said shortly after we met
The beginning of a relationship, marked by significant moments that are easily remembered.
Itโs just you and me
The exclusivity and intimacy that can define a close relationship.
All is new what we doโฆ
Every moment in a relationship is unique and special, shaped by the people involved and the circumstances of their lives.
How did you know just what it would be like
The uncertainty and excitement of embarking on a new experience, both exhilarating and intimidating.
Changing your life not like changing your mood
The transformative power of love, which can fundamentally alter the course of one's life and reshape one's worldview.
They came and they saw you
The outside forces that can impact a relationship, whether positively or negatively.
Calling and singing out my name
The passion and affection that partners have for one another, which can inspire grand gestures and expressions of love.
Youโre walking and holding my hand in the crowd
The comfort and security that love can provide, even in the midst of a chaotic or overwhelming environment.
Out in the day light
The openness and honesty that is often associated with true love.
Smiling at faces and wooohh feeling so proud
The sense of deep contentment and joy that can result from a successful and fulfilling relationship.
Tell me when did you learnโฆ
The desire to understand and explore the depths of another person's experiences and emotions, a hallmark of true love.
When did you learn?
The core question at the heart of the song, representing the quest to understand the nature and origins of love itself.
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
nayhem
0:00 When Did You Learn
4:59 On My Way To Harlem
13:43 Take Me To The Alley
23:26 [interlude]
25:27 Liquid Spirit (f. Wade In The Water)
29:46 Chip Crawford โ piano
31:59 Wolfcry
36:16 [interlude]
36:44 Jahmal Nichols โ double bass
37:56 Papa Was A Rolling Stone
40:40 Musical Genocide
49:02 Free
58:19 Water Under Bridges
1:01:52 1960 What?
1.11.52 โ
Gregory Porter - vocals
Chip Crawford - piano
Jahmal Nichols - double bass
Emanuel Harrold - drums
Keyon Harrold - trumpet
Jacquie Wayans
I love his voice...I don't mean my ears... my soul is absolutely, unexplainably MOVED!
19Stories: from Fear to Hope Podcast
There is an otherworldly quality to Gregory's voice that truly crosses into the spiritual realm.
joanne lee
Love this album soo much, every cut.!
Michael Gordon
This brother is so awesome with a beautiful soulful voice...! Love it, Love it....!!
quiet storm
Clearly I've been living under a rock. This guys voice is magical. So glad I found his music.
Dianne Tibbs
Loving on these Sound! So Real! So True! Wow! I Adore Each and Every Sound That I Hear! I am a Lover of Music!!! โค๏ธ๐น ๐น ๐น
Bblessed!
Mr. Porter
Thank You
Malone Drakes
Your rich tones and color placement is amazing. Clearly you believe what your singing cause your musicianship is a blessing.
nayhem
0:00 When Did You Learn
4:59 On My Way To Harlem
13:43 Take Me To The Alley
23:26 [interlude]
25:27 Liquid Spirit (f. Wade In The Water)
29:46 Chip Crawford โ piano
31:59 Wolfcry
36:16 [interlude]
36:44 Jahmal Nichols โ double bass
37:56 Papa Was A Rolling Stone
40:40 Musical Genocide
49:02 Free
58:19 Water Under Bridges
1:01:52 1960 What?
1.11.52 โ
Gregory Porter - vocals
Chip Crawford - piano
Jahmal Nichols - double bass
Emanuel Harrold - drums
Keyon Harrold - trumpet
Jett211182
TY for the timestamps
Keemia Shaw
This Is Music!!! โค๏ธ