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]
merry go round
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get up on my merry-go-round
Follow me around
Get up on my merry-go-round
You might choose the one that's light blue
The golden one seems like it's new
You can change your horse, but that don't change the course
Follow me around
Get up on my merry-go-round
Follow me around
Get up on my merry-go-round
The golden one might seem nice to you
And I might be rusty, not new
You can change your horse, but that don't change the course
Of my love
Just imagine a life
Filled with wild rides and tricky games
Popcorn smells on carousels
Hot pots are roast, rollers coast all night long
Just imagine a life
Full of lots of pretty dreams
Have a toast if I may boast
We'll spin around without a scream
Oh, here we go
Just imagine a life
Full of lots of pretty dreams
Have a toast if I may boast
We'll spin around without a scream, oh
Follow me around
Get up on my merry-go-round
Follow me around
Get up on my merry go round
You can choose the golden one too
I hope that I'm good enough for you
You can change your horse, but that don't change the course
Of my love
Follow me around
Follow me around and around and around and around
And around and around and around and around
"Merry Go Round" by Gregory Porter is a song about love and the ever-changing nature of relationships. The merry-go-round metaphor represents the cyclical nature of love, where people come and go, but the course of love remains constant. Porter invites the listener to join him on his merry-go-round, urging them to follow him as he navigates the twists and turns of love.
The first verse talks about the different options available on the merry-go-round, symbolizing the different people one might encounter in a relationship. The light blue horse and the golden horse represent different characteristics or qualities that one may be attracted to. However, Porter emphasizes that regardless of the choice, the course of his love remains unchanged. He realizes that appearances can be deceiving and that even though he may appear rusty or worn out compared to the shiny new golden horse, his love is steadfast.
The chorus encourages the listener to imagine a life filled with excitement and joy, like a wild ride on a carousel. The imagery of popcorn smells, carousels, and coasting on roller coasters all night long creates a sense of wonderment and bliss. Porter urges the listener to embrace their dreams and enjoy the ride without fear or hesitation.
The repetition of the chorus and the final verse reinforces the idea that love is unpredictable and ever-changing. Porter acknowledges that the listener can choose any horse they desire and that he hopes he is good enough for them. However, ultimately, regardless of the choice, the course of his love remains constant.
Overall, "Merry Go Round" is a song that explores the themes of love, choice, and the cyclical nature of relationships. It invites the listener to join in the unpredictable journey of love and reminds them that despite the changes, the core essence of love remains unchanged.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow me around
Join me on this journey
Get up on my merry-go-round
Be part of my joyous and unpredictable life
You might choose the one that's light blue
You may opt for something that appears calming
The golden one seems like it's new
The attractive option appears shiny and fresh
You can change your horse, but that don't change the course
You can make superficial changes, but the essence remains the same
Of my love
Of the deep affection and care I have
The golden one might seem nice to you
The alluring option may appeal to your desires
And I might be rusty, not new
I might not be flawless or pristine, but experienced
Just imagine a life
Envision a existence
Filled with wild rides and tricky games
Consisting of exciting and challenging experiences
Popcorn smells on carousels
Evoke the aroma of popcorn at amusement parks
Hot pots are roast, rollers coast all night long
Indulge in delightful food and thrilling adventures for endless hours
Full of lots of pretty dreams
Abundant in beautiful aspirations
Have a toast if I may boast
Celebrate and acknowledge if I can proudly highlight
We'll spin around without a scream
We'll endure our challenges and triumphs with grace
Oh, here we go
Here we embark on this journey
You can choose the golden one too
You can also select the attractive option
I hope that I'm good enough for you
I desire to meet your expectations and be worthy of you
Follow me around and around and around and around
Accompany me repeatedly on this adventure
And around and around and around and around
Continuously and endlessly around in circles
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gregory Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind