Illusion
PORTER GREGORY Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been searching all the corners of my room
Sweeping dust and memories beneath the carpet that we purchased
Somewhere on some cool retreat
Somewhere in Africa somewhere

I've been trying to catch my breath
From the illusion that I lost it
When you left me

I've been checking for the weather and the time
I'm like a bag that's dropped
And drifting in the wind that blows from hurricanes
That comes just after grey clouds fill my eyes

I've been trying to find my footing
On the slopes of the illusion that I lost it
When you left me

Like bare feet on hot concrete, we have come to some division
Based on pain from bad decisions
Just like clothespins snapped by wild winds
Sometimes you can't hold on to love that never dies

I've been planting all the flowers that you like
With the hope that will take root and smell the blossoms
When the wind blows as we sit deep in the garden sipping tea
As I watch you looking at me

I've been trying to find reality




A grip on the illusion that I lost you
When you left me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Porter Gregory’s song ‘Illusion’ are very poignant and thoughtful, conveying a sense of loss and longing. The song is about trying to come to terms with a lost love and the subsequent feelings of emptiness and confusion that follow. Gregory uses a complex set of metaphors throughout the song to describe the various emotions he is feeling.


The first stanza describes the singer’s attempts to forget about his lost love by cleaning up his room and sweeping the past under the carpet. The mention of a “cool retreat somewhere in Africa” suggests that this relationship was perhaps initially founded on some kind of exotic escapism or romantic ideal. However, Gregory then goes on to acknowledge that he is struggling to move on, that he feels like he is drifting like a bag in the wind.


In the second verse, the singer uses two metaphors to describe the difficulties of maintaining a loving relationship. The first compares love to clothespins that can be snapped apart by wild winds, while the second is a metaphor for difficult choices that result in pain. Here, the singer seems to be suggesting that perhaps he and his lover were not able to overcome these challenges, leading to their separation.


Overall, Porter Gregory’s ‘Illusion’ is a complex and deeply empathetic song that explores the emotions of loss, confusion, and hopefulness.


Line by Line Meaning

I've been searching all the corners of my room
I've been looking for anything that reminds me of you and our time together, trying to conceal all the memories and emotions that come with them


Sweeping dust and memories beneath the carpet that we purchased
I'm trying to bury all the things that remind me of you, trying to forget the pain and heartache that came with our separation


Somewhere on some cool retreat
I wish I could escape to some place far away from here, to a place where my mind can be at peace and my heart can heal


Somewhere in Africa somewhere
I wish I could go to a place that's unfamiliar, where I can start anew and forget everything that happened between us


I've been trying to catch my breath
I'm struggling to cope with the after-effects of our breakup, trying to find a way to move on and breathe normally again


From the illusion that I lost it
I'm trying to move past the concept that I've completely lost everything I had with you, but it's a difficult illusion to shake


When you left me
I'm still struggling to understand and come to terms with the fact that you left me and ended our relationship


I've been checking for the weather and the time
I'm trying to keep myself busy and distract myself from thinking about you by focusing on mundane things like the weather and time


I'm like a bag that's dropped
I feel like a piece of luggage that's been discarded and left behind, without any purpose or destination


And drifting in the wind that blows from hurricanes
I feel lost and directionless, like I'm being carried away by a powerful force that I can't control or resist


That comes just after grey clouds fill my eyes
My emotions are overwhelming me, clouding my judgement and blurring my sense of reality


I've been trying to find my footing
I'm attempting to regain my sense of balance and figure out how to move on from this heartbreak


On the slopes of the illusion that I lost it
It's a steep uphill battle to overcome the illusion that our relationship is truly over and everything is lost forever


Like bare feet on hot concrete, we have come to some division
Our relationship has reached a turning point, where everything is feeling too intense and we can no longer ignore the challenges we face


Based on pain from bad decisions
The root of our issues stems from past mistakes and missteps that have accumulated and caused pain and strife


Just like clothespins snapped by wild winds
Our relationship has been fragile and easily broken, unable to withstand the force of the negative winds that sway us


Sometimes you can't hold on to love that never dies
Despite our love for each other, sometimes it's impossible to hold onto it when circumstances and timing work against us


I've been planting all the flowers that you like
I'm trying to win you back and show you my love by doing things that make you happy and demonstrate my devotion to you


With the hope that will take root and smell the blossoms
I'm hoping that my efforts will bear fruit and our love will blossom and flourish once again


When the wind blows as we sit deep in the garden sipping tea
I'm envisioning a future moment where we can reconnect and find happiness together again


As I watch you looking at me
I'm hoping that you'll see the depth of my feelings for you and realize that I'm sincere in my desire to be with you


I've been trying to find reality
I'm struggling to accept the harsh reality that our relationship has ended and that I need to move on


A grip on the illusion that I lost you
I'm trying to gain a sense of control and come to terms with the truth that you're no longer mine to hold and love


When you left me
The pain and heartache of your departure still feels fresh and raw, and I'm trying my best to find a way to heal and move forward




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ENTERTAINMENT-yv2ll

It still hits. Just like it was yesterday.

@musicmichi007

This brings every emotion of love and loss ❤makes me cry when I don't usually...😢 he's amazing 2024

@mickeyfolsom6460

Not sure how I missed Porter all of these years but song after song are masterpieces. My favorite "If Love is Overrated"

@p2thek510

This song and "Be Good" have grabbed me and won't let go. The phrasing, the melody, and that amazingly deep and soulful voice. Damn.

@pvmorgan340

Gregory has the most silky, velvet voice I've ever heard! And he's wonderful in concert, you simply must see him! ❤🖤💚💛

@musicmichi007

So beautifully said

@marcosreis7646

I didn't wanna miss a coment on that, but there are no comments other than there are no comments and that I can barely write after taking a breath from this magnificent work of music.

@henriettaparks586

HIS VOICE JUST PAINTS THIS VIVID PICTURE IN MY MIND !!! ITS SO ALLURING!!! I ADORE EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!

@musicmichi007

Beautifully said

@greatshowhero

Lord.... this voice is heavenly.

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