Gorka was born in Edison, New Jersey. He received his first guitar as a Christmas gift, though Gorka alleges that his older brother stole it from him shortly thereafter. He eventually learned, instead, to play the banjo, and began performing in a folk music group at his church.
Gorka attended Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and joined the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band which would also include guitarist Richard Shindell. He later began performing solo at the Godfrey Daniels coffee house as the opening act for various musicians that toured there. These included Nanci Griffith, Bill Morrissey, Claudia Schmidt and Jack Hardy.
In 1984, Gorka took first place at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Since then he has toured with artists such as Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Michael Manring, Christine Lavin, Dave Van Ronk, Cliff Eberhardt, David Massengill, Frank Christian and Lucy Kaplansky.
As of 2005, he was residing in the St. Croix Valley area near Saint Paul, Minnesota.
In 2008, Gorka decided to return to Europe for the first time in fourteen years. In October that year, he played four times in the Netherlands, he played live on VPRO radio and he did a session for the John Gorka video site.
In 2009, Gorka toured in the USA and also in Ireland and the Netherlands. In October that year, Red House Records released the CD "So Dark You See". This is considered a more intimate, vocal and guitar-centered record than the last two albums.
Poor Side
John Gorka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the poor side of town
Where you fight your way up
To a hole in the ground
Your old friends don't pass so
You don't make a sound
It saves you from saying hello
You live the old saying
That boys will be boys
But you aren't a boy
Nor women your toys
Well then don't bang your drum
If you don't like the noise
But you bang away and complain
You bang away and complain
You've painted your shell
Faked a smell like a rose
So they come within reach
But never too close
You are the one that nobody knows
You let them think that they do
Oh you let them think that they do
That works for awhile
Then they get their fill
Of the red-handed thief
With his tongue in the till
Oh you only love you
And you always will
The lines to the exits are long
The lines to the exits are long
You found out too late
That life is too short
Well your ex paramour
Hauled your ass into court
When you didn't pay for
The child support
And you always act like the man
You always like the man
People get more from giving
Than looking to get
And that life you've been leading
Has been leading you yet
There were lessons you knew
That you shouldn't forget
So now you are writing them down
Now you are writing them down
Cause your dreams they have led
To the poor side of town
Where you fight your way up
To a hole in the ground
Your old friends don't pass
And you don'T make a sound
It saves you from saying
It saves you from saying hello
Hello
Hello
Hello
The song "Poor Side" by John Gorka is a poignant reflection on the consequences of chasing dreams and the struggle to survive in a place that is unwanted, ignored, and forgotten by society. The opening lines, "Your dreams they have led to the poor side of town," sets the tone for the rest of the song, as Gorka sings from the perspective of someone who has followed their aspirations but ends up in a place that is undesirable and destitute.
He continues to describe the uphill battle for survival in this place, where one has to fight their way up to a hole in the ground to call home. The singer is estranged from their old friends and finds comfort in solitude, as it prevents them from having to confront the reality of their situation.
Later in the song, Gorka highlights the weight of one's choices and actions, as the singer realizes they have painted themselves as someone they are not to lure people in but never too close. They only care for themselves, even when they realize that life is too short and one must give rather than just take.
Overall, "Poor Side" is a sober reminder of the consequences of chasing dreams and the harsh reality of life that follows. It's a touching and emotional song that resonates with anyone who's ever struggled to make ends meet, and it reminds us to be grateful for what we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Your dreams they have led
Your aspirations and ambitions have taken you to the poor side of town where your life is a constant struggle.
To the poor side of town
You now live in a place where life is hard, and survival is a daily struggle.
Where you fight your way up
Every day is a fight for survival as you try to make ends meet and improve your living conditions.
To a hole in the ground
Despite your struggles, all you have is a small, dingy place to call your own.
Your old friends don't pass so
You have left behind your old life and friends.
You don't make a sound
You keep to yourself and avoid drawing attention to yourself.
It saves you from saying hello
This helps you avoid facing the reality that you have lost everything and everyone you once knew.
You live the old saying
You believe in the old adage that boys will be boys.
That boys will be boys
You believe that men should behave and act in a certain way, despite not being a boy anymore.
But you aren't a boy
Despite clinging to traditional gender roles, you are no longer young and immature.
Nor women your toys
You recognize that women are not objects to be used for pleasure and entertainment.
Well then don't bang your drum
If you don't like the noise, don't make a fuss.
If you don't like the noise
Don't complain about the situation if you aren't willing to change it.
But you bang away and complain
Despite your own inaction, you still criticize others for their actions.
You've painted your shell
You have created a fake facade that hides your true self from others.
Faked a smell like a rose
You have tried to disguise your true self with an appealing scent.
So they come within reach
You attract people to yourself with your false front.
But never too close
However, you keep them at a distance so they won't discover the truth.
You are the one that nobody knows
You keep your true self hidden, even from those closest to you.
You let them think that they do
You allow others to believe they know you, despite not being honest about yourself.
That works for awhile
Your false front can deceive others for some time but isn't sustainable in the long run.
Then they get their fill
Eventually, people will become tired of your act.
Of the red-handed thief
When the truth comes out, people will see you as a dishonest person.
With his tongue in the till
Your deceptive ways will be uncovered, and people will realize you have been stealing from them.
Oh you only love you
You care more about your own desires and needs than anyone else's.
And you always will
This self-centered mindset won't change anytime soon.
The lines to the exits are long
When people discover your true nature, they will leave your life in droves.
You found out too late
You realize too late that you've been living life in the wrong way.
That life is too short
You understand that life is too brief to be lived in a selfish and self-centered manner.
Well your ex paramour
Your past lovers have had enough of your deceitful ways.
Hauled your ass into court
They drag you in court and demand your responsibilities toward your parental rights.
When you didn't pay for
You failed to meet your financial obligation to your children.
The child support
Mentioning the amount you failed to provide for your children.
And you always act like the man
Despite your shortcomings, you still pretend to be in charge.
People get more from giving
You realize that you have been living life wrong and, instead, try to start giving back to others.
Than looking to get
Helping others bring more joy than personal gains.
And that life you've been leading
The selfish life you've been living has only brought you down.
Has been leading you yet
It has taken you too long to recognize that, but now it is time to turn things around.
There were lessons you knew
You had the knowledge of the right path all along.
That you shouldn't forget
It's the reminder to not forget the lessons you learned.
So now you are writing them down
Write down the lessons you've learned and use them to build a new and better life.
Hello
Repeated word to emphasize the idea of greeting and welcoming back to the real world.
Hello
Repeat of the word hello, calling out again the need to face new opportunities and take risks.
Hello
Repeated word to emphasize the need to actively participate in the world, taking responsibility and taking a step toward new beginnings.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sharp Canines
Amazing - John is a treasure I think my heart 💜 just exploded
Patty Bachman
Missed you in Denver this year , On A Winters Night .. I was looking forward to you ..🎼.. I hope you’re well John , this was a great little concert to listen to tonight in the Colorado snow ⛄️…
Anita Hagerty
You made my day sharing this, Happy Father's Day
Teddy Aribisala
Incredible musician👏🏾
The Poet Laureate Channel
Thank you! John is great!
East Coast Stitcher
Tuned in live that night. What a thrill. My sister lives in Oceanside.
acousticapothecary
Love this! Thank you John for posting. 🎼🎧💛🎙
Christine Thomson
Thank you, bless you. I miss the old days, Godfrey's, Fun House and dinosaurs. Love you ✌️
Sakka
Left my home in Norfork Virginia, passed through Nepal you know for some of those hashbrowns, and then out to California – but instead of a greyhound onto a plane - Chuck Berry took the Internet to John Gorka world! Thanks a bunch John, I never heard of Oceanside radio, reminds me of that new song by Mr. Frost called Key west philosophers stone or is that Pirates Caribbean? Anyways hope you get back on tour soon brother, I caught the wolf brothers with Bobby weir - wow he turned the red rocks on a deeper color of fire with some great music! Peace out, Luke
Sakka
@Marion Bain Thanks for sharing that, helps me delete the memory banks of BOB Weir wearing short shorts – Ha! Did you see he recently did a shot for Levi’s jeans, I suggested that Levi use Jerry Garcia instead as the next new Levi’s man model, you know, heavier set guys with beards!