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.
Ain't No Such Thing As Superman
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The riddles of the ages
Yes, and you have understood
The universal mind
You have placed your footprints on
The everlasting sands of time
Yes, so tell me why can't you understand
That there ain't no such
There ain't no such thing as a Superman
You was on the Nile
You went to see great Egypt fall
It fell down to the ground
Yes, and you was out there on the
Corner when being cool went blind
Are you alone? Understand that
If we're gonna win
We've got to get together
Stay together, be together, stick together
So tell me why can't you understand
That there ain't no such
Thing as a Superman?
There ain't no such thing as a Superman
You alone consider mercy after it seemed
Like all you get is pain
It seemed to me that you have found
The courage that others could not find
You alone have the wisdom to take this
World and make it what it
Need to be, want to be, will be someday
You'll see the day, the day you understand
Why there ain't no such thing as a Superman
There ain't no such thing as
A Superman there ain't no
"I can fly like no bird in
The sky" There ain't no
"I can fly like no bird in
The sky" There ain't no
"Are you gonna get yours?" Something like
"I've got mine" There ain't no
There ain't no, there ain't no
There ain't no
There ain't no, there ain't no Superman
There ain't no Superman
In "Ain't No Such Thing as Superman," Gil Scott-Heron addresses the idea that people tend to look for saviors, heroes or "Superman" to solve their problems, instead of recognizing that it is up to everyone to work together to create a better world. Scott-Heron points out that people have achieved great things and have understood the mysteries of the world, but they still cling to the notion that there is a single entity with the power to save them. He implores them to unite and fight for what they want to achieve, rather than wait for an external force to save them.
The lyrics employ various examples throughout history, from the fall of Egypt to the blindness of being cool, and the idea that people should come together in difficult times. Scott-Heron emphasizes that there is no single force that can save humanity; rather, it is up to every individual to work together, to stay united, to create change and achieve what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
You have understood, world
The human race has made significant progress in terms of solving the mysteries of the universe.
The riddles of the ages
Through science and technology, we have unraveled mysteries that persisted for generations.
Yes, and you have understood
Humanity as a whole has comprehended the essence of the cosmos.
The universal mind
We have a collective consciousness that allows us to see beyond our physical limitations.
You have placed your footprints on
As a species, we have made significant progress and have made our mark in history.
The everlasting sands of time
Our achievements will be remembered for perpetuity.
Yes, so tell me why can't you understand
Despite all our advancements, why can't we grasp the fact that there is no such thing as a perfect individual?
That there ain't no such
Thing as a Superman?
There is no one who is invincible, flawless, or omnipotent. Everyone has their vulnerabilities and limitations.
There ain't no such thing as a Superman
The idea of a superhero is a fiction, a figment of our imagination.
You was on the Nile
You have traveled to exotic places, seeking knowledge and experiences.
You went to see great Egypt fall
You have witnessed once-thriving civilizations crumble before your eyes.
It fell down to the ground
Even the mighty can fall and perish.
Yes, and you was out there on the
Corner when being cool went blind
You have seen society change its values and norms, and what used to be considered cool is now perceived as senseless.
Are you alone? Understand that
If we're gonna win
We've got to get together
Stay together, be together, stick together
We need to stand united if we want to achieve anything worthwhile. Individualistic tendencies will only lead to failure.
So tell me why can't you understand
That there ain't no such
Thing as a Superman?
Once again, we need to accept the fact that perfection is unattainable, and we should not strive for it in others or ourselves.
You alone consider mercy after it seemed
Like all you get is pain
Even in the face of great suffering, you have shown compassion, something rare and admirable.
It seemed to me that you have found
The courage that others could not find
You have demonstrated bravery and resilience that most individuals lack in the face of adversity.
You alone have the wisdom to take this
World and make it what it
Need to be, want to be, will be someday
You have the ability to envision a better world and possess the intellect to make that vision a reality.
You'll see the day, the day you understand
Why there ain't no such thing as a Superman
There will come a time when you will grasp the idea that perfection is a myth, and we should not strive for it.
There ain't no such thing as
A Superman there ain't no
"I can fly like no bird in
The sky" There ain't no
"I can fly like no bird in
The sky" There ain't no
"Are you gonna get yours?" Something like
"I've got mine" There ain't no
There ain't no, there ain't no
There ain't no
There ain't no, there ain't no Superman
The idea of a Superman, i.e., someone who can soar above everyone and everything, is a fantasy. We need to accept our imperfections and work together to create a better world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lee Smith
He is one of the original rappers. He spoke about political justice, and what he saw happening in america. We need more poets like Gil Scott today
voicegirl555
Gone 10 years today. Always remembered! Never forgotten!!!! The Godfather of Rap and the best of all these damn rappers. None could touch him. I wonder what you would say about today.
bee a tree
❤
dwc1964
After listening to and loving a lot of his music and spoken-word work, I have to say that this right here is my favorite Gil Scott-Heron song.
Everyone falls back on "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". And aside from a couple of problematic lines, it's great. But it's dated. This is both much deeper, and timeless.
Dr Tune
+dwc1964 I'm right there with ya, this is one of his finest.
paulehot
+dwc1964 Definitely one of the best. Don't forget "Winter in America" either. If anything, it's even truer today than it was then.
dwc1964
paulehot It's been a very long Winter in America indeed. But the past several years have given me hope that the ice may be breaking, and Spring may be coming. White Christian Nationalism is becoming more isolated and self-isolating, the "Culture Wars" are being defeated with gay marriage and cannabis legalization at the forefront, and "socialism" isn't the dirty unspeakable word that it's been in the past. Let it be so!
paulehot
+dwc1964 I FERVENTLY hope you are right.
1nterfr4stic4ally
❤❤
Savannah Pramuk
strong performance by Gil! Eloquent expression of inner city life...