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]
Wolfcry
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you have soaked your see-through silken gown with tears
Your love was all in
And he mistook your "Come stay" call for "Come quick dear"
You need me near
You need me near
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
Then you gain your confidence
And leave your innocence and vulnerability
With me
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
Then you gain your confidence
And leave your innocence and vulnerability
With me
Your tears were falling
And I came quick to comfort all you solemn fears
When you have fallen
I'm always there to pick you up
And say come here dear
I need you near
I need you near
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
You gain your confidence
And leave your innocence and vulnerability
With me
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
You gain your confidence
And leave your innocence and vulnerability
With me
You leave it all with me
In "Wolfcry," Gregory Porter speaks to someone who has been betrayed by love. The woman in the song has given everything to a man who ultimately leaves her. She is left heartbroken and crying, and Porter is there to pick up the pieces. He promises to be there for her and to help her gain her confidence back. The repeated phrase, "After I have saved you" suggests that this is not the first time Porter has been there for this woman, and that he is a constant support system in her life.
The lyrics also suggest an interesting dynamic between the two characters. Porter appears to be a reliable friend, always willing to help this woman when she is down. However, as she gains her confidence back, she leaves her "innocence and vulnerability" with him. It is unclear whether this is a healthy dynamic or not, and raises questions about power and control in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
The night has fallen
It's nighttime and the darkness has descended upon the world.
And you have soaked your see-through silken gown with tears
You have cried so much that your thin, silky dress is now wet with tears and see-through.
Your love was all in
You had completely given yourself to your lover.
And he mistook your "Come stay" call for "Come quick dear"
Your lover misunderstood your request for him to stay as an urgent plea for help.
You need me near
You need me by your side to feel safe and secure.
After I have saved you
After I have rescued you from your troubles.
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
And after I have helped you put your broken heart back together.
That's when it starts
That's when things begin to change.
Then you gain your confidence
Then you start feeling more confident.
And leave your innocence and vulnerability
And start shedding your innocence and vulnerability.
With me
With me, you feel safe enough to let your guard down.
Your tears were falling
You were crying profusely.
And I came quick to comfort all you solemn fears
I came to you quickly to offer comfort and alleviate your fears.
When you have fallen
When you have hit rock bottom.
I'm always there to pick you up
I'm always there to help you get back on your feet.
And say come here dear
And urge you to come closer to me.
I need you near
I need you close to me, and I don't want you to stray too far away.
You leave it all with me
You trust me enough to leave your emotional baggage with me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ithcliff2401
Wolfcry"
The night has fallen
You have soaked your see-through silken gown with tears
Your love was all in
And he mistook your come stay call for come quick dear
You need me near
You need me near
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
Then you gained your confidence
And leave your innocence
And vulnerability with me
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
Then you gained your confidence
And leave your innocence
And vulnerability with me
Your tears were fallin'
And I came quick to comfort all your solemn fear
When you have fallen
I'm always there to pick you up and say come here dear
I need you near
I need you near
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
You gained your confidence
And leave your innocence
And vulnerability with me
After I have saved you
And gathered all the pieces of your heart
That's when it starts
You gained your confidence
And leave your innocence
And vulnerability with me
You leave it all with me
@crystalj9725
The first time I heard this song I sat there motionless. I turned the volume up and played it again. I cried so hard and loud that I had to play it again. To this day I still can't listen without my heart strings pulling. I love Gregory's voice on ALL his songs but this one with Chip solely providing the music. So strong.
@PhilWatson
Thanks for commenting +Crystal D Jordan Gregory's so special and it's great to see him getting the recognition he deserves.
@katorriaharrisbey8956
I felt it instantly!
@stephengyte8937
Such a versatile album, whether chilling with friends with a few drinks or when you just need a moment to yourself. Currently stamds at No.2 in albums that make me cry
@EricG-bv2ui
I was listening to Jazz on YouTube at work. Then YouTube decided to suggest WolfCry. It got into my feels I stopped working immediately, cancelled my Friday night plans, went home and went on a Gregory Porter binge listening. This song made me go back to learning piano. I had to learn how to play this tune.
@ruckussful
real shit crystal d jordan
@poetrlsmith
I watched an interview he did at a BBC event in which he said that many of his songs are secretly prayers, and reflections of his faith. "Wolfcry" could certainly be one of those secret prayers. How many of us have wanted God near to save us "and gather all the pieces of your heart". It's hard to "leave your innocence and vulnerability" behind, but Gregory makes the case for doing so quite beautifully. I could so easily hear my church's choir singing this song on a bright Sunday morning.
@PhilWatson
Thanks for the info Randolph, I hear it too! A full gospel arrangement of this song would be so good for the soul!
@poetrlsmith
Thanks Phil.
@laurahoshaw1876
it is a pretty melody, but far from a prayer. he thinks he is saving someone who needs him. yet they dont actually need him at all! still one of my favorites of his.