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.
Angeldust
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that was when he coulda sworn
The room was movin'
But that was only in his mind
He was sailin'
He never really seemed to notice
Vision failin'
'cause that was all part of the high
He couldn't take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it.
Angel DustPlease, children would you listen.
Angel DustJust ain't where it's at.
Angel DustYou won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
They were standin'
Ev'rybody in a circle,
The whole family
Listening to the preacher's words
Sis was cryin'
She alone held all the secrets
'bout his dyin'
Tears fallin' to earth
Maybe her fault
He was so trusting
God only knew why
They was dustin'!
Angel DustPlease children would you listen.
Angel DustJust ain't where it's at.
Angel DustYou won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
The lyrics of Gil Scott-Heron's "Angeldust" paint a vivid picture of a drug user's experience. The opening lines describe an individual who was "grooving" and moments later believed that the room was moving, only to realize that it was just a hallucination. The character was "sailing," fully immersed in the drug-induced high and unaware of the damage it was inflicting on his body. As the high peaks, the character's "vision fail[ed]" and is overwhelmed by sweat.
In the second verse, we see the aftermath of the drug's destructive impact on families. The family members stand in a circle as the preacher delivers a sermon about the person who overdosed, "sis was cryin'" and those who knew the secret of his demise. This particular line suggests that some form of shame, guilt or tragedy resulted from his use. The third verse sounds like a warning toward teenagers to steer clear of the drug. The chorus, with the repeated entreaty to listen, cautions against the consequence of one's actions, which once they've taken use, cannot be undone, as there's no turning back once you go down this dead-end path.
Line by Line Meaning
He was groovin'
He was dancing to the beat of the music.
And that was when he coulda sworn
At that moment, he was convinced.
The room was movin'
He felt like the room was spinning or moving.
But that was only in his mind
It was just a hallucination caused by the drug he took.
He was sailin'
He was feeling euphoric and high.
He never really seemed to notice
He was too caught up in his high to pay attention.
Vision failin'
He was experiencing blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
'cause that was all part of the high
These physical symptoms were expected side-effects of the drug.
Sweat was pourin'
He was sweating profusely.
He couldn't take it
He was unable to handle the effects of the drug.
The room was exploding
He felt like the room was exploding or falling apart.
He might not make it.
He thought he might die or overdose.
Angel Dust
Referring to the drug PCP, also known as angel dust.
Please, children would you listen.
The singer is warning young people of the dangers of using drugs.
Just ain't where it's at.
Using drugs is not cool or the right thing to do.
You won't remember what you're Missin',
The effects of the drug will cause the user to forget important memories.
but down some dead end streets There ain't no turnin' back.
Once someone starts down the path of drug addiction, it can be very difficult to turn back.
They were standin'
A group of people were standing together.
Ev'rybody in a circle,
They were standing in a circular formation.
The whole family
The family of the person who overdosed was present.
Listening to the preacher's words
They were hearing the words of a religious figure, perhaps at a funeral or memorial service.
Sis was cryin'
The deceased person's sister was crying.
She alone held all the secrets
She was the only one who knew certain things about the deceased person.
'bout his dyin'
She knew something about the events leading up to his death.
Tears fallin' to earth
Her tears were falling to the ground.
Maybe her fault
There may have been something she could have done to prevent the person's death.
He was so trusting
The person who overdosed was vulnerable and trusting.
God only knew why
The reasons behind his death are unknown.
They was dustin'!
They were doing drugs or handling drug paraphernalia.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, CAYMAN MUSIC OBO BSI ENTERPRISES
Written by: GIL SCOTT HERON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Louane Rzko
He was groovin'
And that was when he coulda sworn
The room was movin'
But that was only in his mind
He was sailin'
He never really seemed to notice
Vision failin'
'Cause that was all part of the high
Sweat was pourin'
He couldn't take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it.
Angel Dust Please, children would you listen.
Angel Dust Just ain't where it's at.
Angel Dust You won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
They were standin'
Everybody in a circle
The whole family
Listening to the preacher's words
Sis was cryin'
She alone held all the secrets
'Bout his dyin'
Tears fallin' to earth
Maybe her fault
He was so trusting
God only knew why
They was dustin'!
Angel Dust Please children would you listen.
Angel Dust Just ain't where it's at.
Angel Dust You won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
Anthony H
Angel Dust)
(Angel Dust)
(Angel Dust)
(Angel Dust)
He was grooving
And that was when he could of sworn
The room was moving
But that was only in his mind
He was sailing
He never really seemed to notice
Vision failing
‘Cause that was all part of the high
Sweat was pouring
He couldn’t take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, would you listen?
(Angel Dust)
Just, it just ain’t where it’s at
(Angel Dust)
You won’t remember what you’re missing
But down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back
[Bridge: Julia Waters, Marti McCall, and Maxine Waters]
Dust
Dust
[Verse 2: Gil Scott-Heron with (Background Vocals by Julia Waters, Marti McCall, and Maxine Waters)]
They were standing
Everybody in a circle
The whole family
Listening to the preacher’s words
Sis was crying
She alone held the secrets
About his dying
Tears falling to earth
Maybe her fault
He was so trusting
God only knew why
They were dusting
(Angel Dust)
Please. Gonna be the death of you, children
(Angel Dust)
It just ain’t where it’s at
(Angel Dust)
You won’t remember what you’re missing
But down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back, to back, to back, to back from
(Dust)
Believe me, sister
(Dust)
Don’t mean nobody no good no way
[Verse 3: Gil Scott-Heron with (Background Vocals by Julia Waters, Marti McCall, and Maxine Waters)]
Sweat was pouring
He couldn’t take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, it’s hard to listen, but
(Angel Dust)
I ain’t trying to run your life
(Angel Dust)
Might just seem like one more good time
But down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, it’s hard to listen, but
(Angel Dust)
I ain’t trying to run your life, believe me
(Angel Dust)
Don’t mean nobody no good nowhere
And down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back, to back, to back
Go away from
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, would you listen to me?
(Angel Dust)
I’m in fear, I ain’t trying to run your life, believe me
(Angel Dust)
Just don’t mean nobody no good
(Angel Dust)
Jamie Lewis
Dude was so ahead of his time most people haven't got to him yet
Captainfuckthat9000
who else u recomend
Jamie Lewis
anything from Sly or Curtis
Roosevelt Dumornay
I just found out about him today. While looking up some info on spoken word poetry and his name came up on Google. I've never heard anybody talk about this dude. I wonder why?
Crate.Digger.503
Last Poets
matthew Wilson
Player's convention lightnin rod. Curtis, marvin, bobby Womack,bill withers. Dorothy ashby
Ash B
Gil Scott Heron… an ancestor worthy of the utmost respect, not only a musician but a story teller, a true artist. Sooo many artists use his songs in their samples even in this day and age, his work is timeless.
Countmiien
I remember being a teenager falling asleep to his albums on my iPod or turntables. Truly one of my first inspirations to poetry and sampling. I'm a Mexican American
davidwave4
Scott-Heron's music is timeless. Reaches across time, space, and race. Right on, bud.
Jah Bawl
Music has no color my brother just a feel and a message