He began recording in 1970 with the LP Small Talk at 125th and Lenox with the assistance of Bob Thiele Flying Dutchman Records, co-writer Brian Jackson, Hubert Laws, Bernard Purdie (who later recorded "Delights of the Garden" with The Last Poets), Charlie Saunders, Eddie Knowles, Ron Carter and Bert Jones, all jazz musicians (see 1970 in music). The album included the aggressive diatribe against white-owned corporate media and middle-class America's ignorance of the problems of inner cities in songs such as Whitey On The Moon.
The 1971 Pieces of a Man used more conventional song structures than the loose, spoken word feel of his first, though he didn't reach the charts until 1975 with "Johannesburg". His biggest hit was 1978's "The Bottle", produced by Heron and longtime partner Brian Jackson, which peaked at #15 on the R&B charts (see 1978 in music).
In 2001, Gil Scott-Heron was sentenced to one to three years' imprisonment in New York State for possession of cocaine. While out of jail in 2002, he appeared on the Blazing Arrow album by Blackalicious. He was released on parole in 2003. On July 5, 2006, Scott-Heron was sentenced to two to four years in a New York State prison for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a drug rehabilitation center. Scott-Heron's sentence was to run until July 13, 2009. He was paroled on May 23, 2007. The reason given for the violation of his plea was that the clinic refused to supply Scott-Heron with HIV medication. This story led to the presumption that the artist is HIV positive.
After his release, Scott-Heron began performing live again, starting with a show at SOBs in New York on September 13, 2007. On stage, he stated that he and his musicians were working on a new album and that he had resumed writing a book titled The Last Holiday, previously on long-term hiatus, about Stevie Wonder and his successful attempt to have the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. declared a federally recognized holiday in the United States.
He was arrested October 10, 2007, the day before a scheduled (but ultimately cancelled) second SOBs performance, on felony possession of cocaine charges. However, he has continued to make live appearances at various US venues during the course of 2008 and 2009, including further appearances at SOBs in New York. He has also stated in interviews that work is continuing on his new album, which will consist mainly of new versions of some of his classic songs plus some cover versions of other artists' work.
Having originally planned to publish The Last Holiday in 2003, before it was put on hold, Canongate Books now tentatively intend to issue it in January, 2011. The book was due to be previewed via a website set to be launched on April 1, 2009, but this did not appear.
Mark T. Watson, a student of Scott-Heron's work, dedicated a collection of poetry to Gil titled Ordinary Guy that contained a foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of The Last Poets. The book was published in the UK in 2004 by Fore-Word Press Ltd. Scott-Heron recorded one of the poems in Watson's book Black & Blue due for release in 2008 as part of the album Rhythms of the Diaspora by Malik & the OG's on the record label CPR Recordings.
Gil Scott-Heron released his new album I'm New Here on independent label XL Recordings on February 9, 2010. Produced by XL label owner Richard Russell, 'I'm New Here' is Scott-Heron's first album in thirteen years.The pair started recording the album in 2007, with the majority of the record being recorded over the last twelve months with engineer Lawson White at Clinton Studios in New York. In 2009, a new Gil Scott-Heron website, www.gilscottheron.net , was launched with a brand new track 'Where Did The Night Go' made available as a free download from the site.
In 2011, Scott-Heron released "We're New Here" a remix album which was a collaboration with Jamie xx, a member of the British indie band The xx. Scott-Heron died in New York City on May 27, 2011.
17th Street
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've sung my way out blues songs in extraordinary places.
I come from 17th Street and that's on the other side of town,
an' if you see me wit' my brothers
don'cha dare go no further
you know we gonna get down, down, down.
Some people think I'm crazy, they say gil,
"there jus' ain' no sane reazon the way
yawl get down ev'ry time."
(I trytatellemthat):
"I come from 17th Street an'
that's where the brothers don' mess around"
and if you lookin' for the music
an' we find out you can use it
you know we gonna get down, down, down.
If you lookin' for excitement you may need
only look next door
because the brothers from 17th Street
they don't all live there anymore.
Some done moved to Harlem an'
Some moved way uptown, but if you
thinkin' bout the Spirit
an' you want to get near it
c'mon, c'mon an' get down, down, down.
In Gil Scott-Heron's "17th Street," he discusses his background and his connection to the place where he grew up. He talks about the fact that he has traveled and seen many different things but that his roots are in 17th Street, which is on the other side of town. He warns others not to mess with him and his brothers from the area, as they're not people to be trifled with. He goes on to discuss how some people think he's crazy because of how he acts, but he states that it's just who he is and where he comes from. He then mentions how some of the people he grew up with have moved away, but the spirit of the place remains.
The song is, in many ways, about identity and community. Gil Scott-Heron is using his experiences growing up in 17th Street to talk about the importance of understanding where you come from and the ties that bind you to a place. He's also discussing the feeling of community that exists within such neighborhoods, and the support that people give to each other. Overall, his aim seems to be to say that while he's seen and done a lot of things, he's always going to be connected to his roots and his identity.
Line by Line Meaning
I've done a lot of travellin', seen a lot of pretty faces.
I have traveled extensively and encountered many beautiful people.
I've sung my way out blues songs in extraordinary places.
I have performed blues music in unique locations.
I come from 17th Street and that's on the other side of town,
My upbringing was in a different part of town, specifically 17th Street.
an' if you see me wit' my brothers don'cha dare go no further
If you come across me and my peers, do not underestimate us.
you know we gonna get down, down, down.
We are going to have a good time and likely party.
Some people think I'm crazy, they say gil, "it mus' be in yo' mind." They tell me "there jus' ain' no sane reazon the way yawl get down ev'ry time."
Some individuals consider me crazy due to the way I behave, but I refute this notion.
(I trytatellemthat):
I attempt to explain to them that my behavior is justified.
"I come from 17th Street an' that's where the brothers don' mess around"
My fellow 17th Street natives are not to be taken lightly.
and if you lookin' for the music an' we find out you can use it
If you are searching for music and we believe you can benefit from it,
you know we gonna get down, down, down.
We will party and have a good time together.
If you lookin' for excitement you may need only look next door
If you desire entertainment, there are alternatives nearby.
because the brothers from 17th Street they don't all live there anymore.
Not all of the individuals from 17th Street still reside there.
Some done moved to Harlem an' Some moved way uptown,
Several relocated to Harlem or distant portions of the city.
but if you thinkin' bout the Spirit an' you want to get near it
However, if you aim to experience the 'Spirit' and desire to be closer to it
c'mon, c'mon an' get down, down, down.
Come party with us and we will have a good time together.
Contributed by Allison I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rickreese7675
I've done a lot of travellin', seen a lot of pretty faces.
I've sung my way out blues songs in extraordinary places.
I come from 17th Street and that's on the other side of town,
an' if you see me wit' my brothers
don'cha dare go no further
you know we gonna get down, down, down.
Some people think I'm crazy, they say gil,
"it mus' be in yo' mind." They tell me
"there jus' ain' no sane reazon the way
yawl get down ev'ry time."
(I trytatellemthat):
"I come from 17th Street an'
that's where the brothers don' mess around"
and if you lookin' for the music
an' we find out you can use it
you know we gonna get down, down, down.
If you lookin' for excitement you may need
only look next door
because the brothers from 17th Street
they don't all live there anymore.
Some done moved to Harlem an'
Some moved way uptown, but if you
thinkin' bout the Spirit
an' you want to get near it
c'mon, c'mon an' get down, down, down.
@alexstrawn250
Absolute genius.. still in 2023...been listening to him since my college days in the 70s.. never gets old...he was so far ahead of his time....then and now..
@anthonyosburn3786
Another classic from a black musical genius gil Scott rest peace brother
@shariyahlevvi9142
Ivanhoe theater, chicago, mid 70s, my roommate and I danced in adjacent aisles the whole concert! We never sat down. The audience thought we were part of the show. Thank you midnight band for incredible memories. RIP Gil and my homegirl Diane Temple. Miss you both!
@rc52
Gil Scott Heron lived a half block away from me (Chelsea, Manhattan,
NYC)...Use to see him in the corner pizza shop on 17th St. He was one
serious individual, he kept it real, no bs... When I first heard this song on the radio, I said yes, that's my neighbor from down the block..."The Bottle" was one of my favorite as well.
@anniek.browntangherlini3665
NO SHIT !! Wow...I used to visit NYC as my Brother lived up on 75th & Amsterdam on the upper West side...That's very cool...his music w/brian Jackson has always been a mainstay in my diet for over 40 yrs..
@acerkrt
Roberto Cintron corner pizza shop? Alaska's bodega was in the corner of 17th street.
@rositahoward8250
Brothers on 17th Street show know how to get down!!!
@anniek.browntangherlini3665
This is probably one of my very favorite Albums of all time!! "It's your world" is timeless. Although recorded in the late 70's.. It works still today 2013!! I remember when this was released (double Album) I was in Prep School in VT. It is a double album, we listened to this whole album so F'n loud I'm surprised I'm not deaf!! Infinity Speakers and a Pioneer Stereo System, back in the day.. probably one of the highest end sound system for the day. Quadraphonic (4 speakers) Kicked Ass..
@rickreese1617
17th street is all about the people; hanging out, grooving, listening to the smooth sounds of Gil Scott-Heron. This (17th street) is and will always be one of my theme songs!!!!
@rickreese1617
Also about "17th Street", I love that cha cha cha beat that it has. It hit you right in your musical chore!