Article Contributed by Shore Fire Media
Published on 2026-03-29
For more than six decades, David Porter has been writing the soundtrack of our lives. This spring, he tells his own story for the first time in his debut memoir, The Soul Man: Life of a Songwriter, out April 14, 2026. The Grammy-winning songwriter and producer, recently hailed as “the architect of the Memphis sound,” by Questlove, offers readers an intimate look at the life and career behind some of the most enduring songs of all time. As Keith Richards has put it: “There ain’t no soul music without David Porter. He is a huge part of it and, with Isaac Hayes, laid it all out. It’s a great read about an important part of American music!”
Spanning more than sixty years and over 1,700 songwriting and production credits, The Soul Man: Life of a Songwriter goes beyond the hits to reveal the man behind the music. Growing up in segregated Memphis, Porter first encountered the power of song in the pews of his childhood church, was contemporaries on Beale Street with a teenage Elvis Presley, and close friends with Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire) and Booker T. Jones (Booker T. & the M.G.’s).
Immersed in extraordinary talent from an early age, these formative experiences shaped a lifelong devotion to music, ultimately leading to his groundbreaking work at Stax Records, where, as the legendary label’s first staff songwriter, he co-wrote classics like “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” and “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” with Isaac Hayes – songs that not only defined an era but continue to resonate across generations, cementing Porter’s place as one of the most influential figures in music history.
Beyond the hits, the memoir offers rare behind-the-scenes stories that bring Stax Records’ early days to life. Readers will encounter the earliest incarnation of the label, Satellite Records, witness Porter helping Otis Redding refine “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” just days before the singer’s tragic passing, and his impact on artists like Biggie and Wu-Tang Clan, who sampled his work. The book also explores Porter’s role in mentoring the next generation of musicians, showing how his legacy continues to shape contemporary music. These anecdotes illuminate not only the music but the spirit of innovation, resilience, and collaboration that have defined Porter’s career.
In the vast landscape of music memoirs, few audiobooks are narrated by the author, and even fewer let listeners actually hear the songs that shaped the story. David Porter’s new memoir does exactly that, featuring tracks like “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby,” “If I Have to Do Wrong,” and “The Real Thing That Don’t Change.” Porter shares, “This is the one chance I get to talk about and live my life alongside the music I’ve been a part of. The satisfaction I feel, and the hope that people appreciate it, excites me.”
Recognized as one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time by Rolling Stone and inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Porter’s songs have become cornerstones of the American songbook, recorded by legends including Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, William Bell, and Aretha Franklin. They have influenced artists from Al Green to John Legend and Raphael Saadiq, and have been sampled by iconic figures in hip-hop, pop, and R&B – from Jay-Z and De La Soul to Mariah Carey and Will Smith. By bridging classic soul with contemporary music, Porter’s work demonstrates the enduring vitality of his songwriting. As Jimmy Jam, fellow songwriter, producer, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, writes in the book’s introduction: “You have truly written the soundtracks of our lives… Your work is foundational to ALL popular music.”
This April, The Soul Man announces itself as essential reading for those seeking a definitive account of Southern soul, the creative life at Stax Records, and the social and artistic forces that have shaped contemporary music. Porter’s firsthand account illuminates the triumphs, challenges, and collaborations behind some of the twentieth century’s most enduring songs, showing how his work not only defined the Memphis soul sound, but also broke down racial barriers and brought the city’s music to audiences across the globe during one of our country’s most pivotal and critical moments. For fans, music lovers, and scholars alike, the book offers a rare, intimate view into the life of a living legend whose influence continues to resonate across generations.
