Willy Porter is a contemporary American folk musician from Wisconsin. His c… Read Full Bio ↴Willy Porter is a contemporary American folk musician from Wisconsin. His career as a published singer began in 1990 with his album, The Trees Have Soul, although his popularity began in 1994 with his album Dog Eared Dream, which had the successful single Angry Words, and led to his touring as an opening act for artists including Tori Amos and The Cranberries. Recently, Porter opened for Jethro Tull, where he formed a friendship with Tull's guitarist, Martin Barre.

Glow
Willy Porter Lyrics

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She's content in what she does not know
Present tense, her passion is a subtle glow
I could talk to her, I'd rather listen
To her words in conversation
As the red wine flows

She won't tell you she's an artist
I could never guess her name

Her skin is rust, her scent is harvest
She's just three tables away

In my mind, I see skyscrapers
She's got her books and her newspapers
She's so educated, automatic
She is smooth, so enigmatic

Looking through my water glass, this camera's eyes
Strangers walk right past, they never notice
Sunbeams on the table, how they ebb and flow
The cool radiation of her subtle glow

She won't tell you she's an artist
You will never guess her name
Her skin is rust, her scent is harvest
She is so close to me

In my mind, I see skyscrapers
She's got her books and her newspapers

She is educated, autocratic
She's my drug, my gin and tonic

Overall Meaning

The song "Glow" by Willy Porter is all about seeing beauty in the most unexpected places. The singer of the song is drawn to a woman who is content in what she does not know. She may not be the most flashy or noticeable person, but to the singer, she has a passion that shines like a subtle glow. He would rather listen to her speak than talk himself because he admires the way she carries herself. As she sits just three tables away, surrounded by books and newspapers, the singer can't help but see skyscrapers in his mind, elevating her to new heights.

Despite her unassuming demeanor, the woman is enigmatic and smooth, almost as if she is automatic. The singer describes her glow as having the cool radiation that is both calming and mesmerizing. The woman won't tell you she's an artist, and you will never guess her name, but to the singer, she is more significant than any skyscraper. She is his drug, his gin, and tonic, and he can't help but be captivated by her.

The underlying message of the song is that real beauty can come in many forms. It's not always the loudest or most outrageous person who catches our attention. Sometimes it's the quiet ones who have the most to offer.

Line by Line Meaning

She's content in what she does not know
She's happy being unaware of certain things.

Present tense, her passion is a subtle glow
Her passion for what she does is subtle yet very strong.

I could talk to her, I'd rather listen
I'd rather listen to her than talk to her.

To her words in conversation
I'm fond of her words in conversation.

As the red wine flows
As wine keeps coming.

She won't tell you she's an artist
She doesn't brag about being an artist.

I could never guess her name
It's difficult to guess her name.

Her skin is rust, her scent is harvest
Her skin has a rusty reddish tinge and her smell reminds of a harvest season.

She's just three tables away
She's close by, just a few tables away.

In my mind, I see skyscrapers
I can see tall buildings in my mind.

She's got her books and her newspapers
She's busy reading books and newspapers.