This article was published on October 21st, 2021
Multi-award-winning actor, singer, director, composer, playwright, and authorBilly Porter has released a new single entitled “Children.” The disco-packed anthem marks his debut under his newly minted joint partnership with Island UK and Republic Records.
“It’s a song that is inspired by my life and everything I’ve gone through to get here,” Billy said on the inspiration behind the song. “Music is my first love,” he went on in the statement, adding, “I grew up singing in the church.
“When I first put out commercial music in 1997, the industry was not ready for all this Black Boy Joy! But luckily, the world has caught up. I could not be more thrilled to entrust this next chapter of my music career to the Island/Republic team. Make way children! Daddy’s back.”
The disco-influenced track was written by Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and Dua Lipa’s regular collaborator MNEK. “Children” is a precursor to Billy’s forthcoming album, which is slated to be released next year.
Words of encouragement
The song begins wistfully, with Billy empathizing:
See I know times are hard, Yeah, I mean it from the heart
You’re not losing the fight, love will make it alright
Cos I’ve been there, done that, worn that dress, so you know mama knows it best
He then delivers the song’s show-stopping hook, “Gotta let these children know what time it is,“ punctuated by his jaw-dropping range.
Billy couldn’t hide his excitement for the single, which is an embodiment of hope and love as it consistently offers words of encouragement.
“For the first time, my music is what I want it to be, what I want it to say, which is hope, love.
“We have to choose it every day so we can fight the evil that is so pervasive. We can only fight it with love and I am so excited for my music for that.”
Billy’s musical journey
The 52-year-old’s music career began in 1997 with the release of his self-titled (aka Untitled) debut album. It spawned the Top 10 “Bubbling Under” single, “Show Me,” and the monster ballad, “Love Is On The Way,” which also appeared at the pivotal moment in the film “First Wives Club.”
Billy scored his first #1 with “Love Yourself” in 2019 on the US Dance Club Songs Chart. He followed that up with his 2020 reimagining of the legendary Buffalo Springfield anthem, “For What It’s Worth,” and a fierce collaboration with The Shapeshifters on “Finally Ready.”
In 2013, Billy won a Tony® in “Best Leading Actor in a Musical” for Kinky Boots. A year later, he scooped a GRAMMY® for the latter’s Official Soundtrack in the category of “Best Musical Theater Album.”
On top of that, the singer took home the EMMY® Award for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series” in 2019 for his work as Pray Tell on Pose, making history in being the first openly gay man to do so. Time Magazine named him one of the “100 Most Influential People” of 2020.
Later this month, Billy will release his highly anticipated memoir, “Unprotected”, through which he will share how his traumatic childhood helped promote his art and purpose.
You can watch the lyric video for “Children” here.
