Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: jazz
Song Meaning of “On My Way to Harlem” by Gregory Porter
On My Way to Harlem is a bittersweet love song about an unrequited infatuation with a woman named Harlem. The song is told from the perspective of a man who’s traveled all the way to Harlem in the hopes of wooing his sweetheart, only to discover upon arrival that she’s moved on without him. Despite all the hard work and dedication he put into his journey, the protagonist’s plans are foiled and he finds himself broken-hearted and alone in the city of dreams.
The narrator sings of his sorrow and loneliness as he reflects upon the life he left behind, making note of the years of effort he put in to win his sweetheart’s heart to no avail. He paints a vivid picture of his life in Harlem, full of sights and sounds, but without his beloved. He also questions the purpose of the hardships he’s endured, remaining hopeful that one day he will be reunited with the woman he loves.
The song serves as a reminder of something we all face – the denial we feel when we try our hardest and don’t get the desired result. It also speaks to the idea that despite the disappointment, one should never give up. There’s a chance that it will all pay off one day, that the love we yearn for will find its way back to us.