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.
First In Flight Featuring Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First in flight (repeated 4X)
Gil Scott-Heron:
(Cause all we got is rhythm and timin'
We go beyond the edge of the sky)
[Gift of Gab]
Like a 747 to LA that's in flight
FREE! Like a garden flourishing in the wind
Like a student bout to do it when he's graduatin
FREE! From any of the energy perception
Can never be defined create the definition within
FREE! Just lovin life itself and never pretend to be
Anything other than the man I was meant to be
Travel through time and get a glimpse of the centuries
To come a better day is promised remember
FREE! Like my nephew in a few months about to be out the
penitentiary
Meditation(repeated 9X)
Chorus
[Gift of Gab]
UH! I never hesitate about a reluctant mind
Just put the peddle to the metal see what ya find
You back there slouchin over won't you pick up your spine?
Let's make it really really happen live up this time
Cause you can choose to say "Good morning God" or
"Good God, morning"
With black clouds storming
I walk without umbrellas into these woods
Don't need em cause the mighty trees will shelter me good
I'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good
From the ?stakes/steaks? the power came to us whenever we stood
Reverberatin out we're reachin each and every hood
Whenver we could the spiritual anatomy fool
But never take the credit for it be cause that'd be rude
It's just the way in life we searchin for that had to be new
You gotta work it though cause everyday ain't Saturday fool
Evolve into a better life and be happy with you and me
Chorus
[Gil Scott-Heron]
The first to fly
The first to strive
The first to fight to stay alive
The first to win
The first to strike
The first to live
The first in flight
[Gift of Gab]
RISE! Like the sun up at the crack of the dawn
Like a wakin child in the morning stretchin and yawnin
RISE! Like an infant being held in the light
Like the smoke from an incense when it's ignited
RISE! If you're sleepin won't you open your eyes again
The greatest high be that natural high within
No need to force the progression just ride the wind
You'll know the answer to the where and why and when
If you keep workin for your search you will find the end
Though at the end you find it only begins again
See at the end you'll see it only begins again
And everything you learn you're only rememberin
Cause you're
Chorus (repeat 4X)
[Gift of Gab: repeat 2X]
It's me
Let your mind and your soul be free
Work to shine meet your goal believe
Spread that kind of L-O-V-E
Take some time off the lonely
[Gil Scott-Heron: repeat to end]
Cause all we got is rhythm and timin'
We go beyond the edge of the sky
The song "First in Flight" by Gil Scott-Heron featuring Gift of Gab can be seen as a celebration of freedom and the ability to soar in life beyond constraints. The song's chorus "First in flight" creates an analogy for the freedom that is achieved when we break free from societal constructs and limitations. Gift of Gab's verse speaks to this notion of freedom as he compares it to flight, saying that being able to be "free like a bird out in the wind in the night" is the ultimate aspiration. He also touches on the idea that freedom should not be a privilege afforded to a select few, but rather everyone should have it regardless of their background.
In the second half of the song, Gil Scott-Heron takes over to underscore the significance of being a trailblazer - the first to fly, strive, and fight to stay alive. This could be interpreted as a homage to the African American community and other marginalized groups who overcame adversity to achieve success. In essence, the song could be seen as a rallying cry for those who have been held down by institutions, urging them to break free and soar to the great heights they were always meant to reach.
Line by Line Meaning
First in flight
Celebration of being the first to do something
Cause all we got is rhythm and timin'
Acknowledgement that success is dependent on timing and coordination
We go beyond the edge of the sky
The limitless possibilities of human potential
FREE! Like a bird out in the wind in the night
Freedom expressed through the metaphor of a soaring bird
Like a 747 to LA that's in flight
Freedom expressed through travel and adventure
FREE! Like a garden flourishing in the wind
Freedom and growth metaphorically compared to a thriving garden
Like a student bout to do it when he's graduatin
The anticipation and excitement of graduation compared to the feeling of freedom
FREE! From any of the energy perception
Freedom from external influence and energy
Can never be defined create the definition within
True freedom is undefined and must be defined from within oneself
FREE! Just lovin life itself and never pretend to be
Freedom through the embrace of life and honesty with oneself
Anything other than the man I was meant to be
The importance of being true to oneself
Travel through time and get a glimpse of the centuries
The vast scope of human history and potential
To come a better day is promised remember
Hope for a better future
FREE! Like my nephew in a few months about to be out the
Freedom from confinement and restriction
penitentiary
Meditation
Emphasis on the importance of reflection and mindfulness
UH! I never hesitate about a reluctant mind
The importance of persistence and overcoming obstacles
Just put the peddle to the metal see what ya find
The importance of taking action and embracing risk
You back there slouchin over won't you pick up your spine?
Encouragement to overcome laziness and stand up with pride
Let's make it really really happen live up this time
Encouragement to make the most of the present moment
Cause you can choose to say "Good morning God" or
The power of positive thinking
"Good God, morning"
With black clouds storming
The presence of negative situations
I walk without umbrellas into these woods
Walking fearlessly and confidently through obstacles
Don't need em cause the mighty trees will shelter me good
The presence of natural protection and support
I'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good
The rewards of perseverance and hard work
From the ?stakes/steaks? the power came to us whenever we stood
The source of power and strength
Reverberatin out we're reachin each and every hood
The spread of positive influence and impact
Whenver we could the spiritual anatomy fool
The potential to trick oneself or others through misguided spirituality
But never take the credit for it be cause that'd be rude
The importance of humility and giving credit where it is due
It's just the way in life we searchin for that had to be new
The constant search for something new and meaningful in life
You gotta work it though cause everyday ain't Saturday fool
The importance of hard work and dedication
Evolve into a better life and be happy with you and me
The importance of personal growth and acceptance
The first to fly
The achievement of being the first to do something
The first to strive
The effort and drive to achieve something
The first to fight to stay alive
The will to survive and persevere through hardships
The first to win
The satisfaction of winning or succeeding
The first to strike
The power and ability to take action
The first to live
The ability to fully embrace and enjoy life
RISE! Like the sun up at the crack of the dawn
The idea of rising up and facing each day with energy and positivity
Like a wakin child in the morning stretchin and yawnin
The innocence and freedom of childhood
RISE! Like an infant being held in the light
The purity and potential of new life
Like the smoke from an incense when it's ignited
The image of rising smoke as a symbol of spiritual enlightenment
If you're sleepin won't you open your eyes again
The encouragement to wake up and engage with life
The greatest high be that natural high within
The true source of happiness comes from within oneself
No need to force the progression just ride the wind
The idea of letting go and allowing events to unfold naturally
You'll know the answer to the where and why and when
The idea that self-knowledge leads to understanding
If you keep workin for your search you will find the end
The importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving goals
Though at the end you find it only begins again
The idea that completion of one goal leads to the start of another
See at the end you'll see it only begins again
Reiteration of the idea of starting anew
And everything you learn you're only rememberin
The idea that knowledge is universal and already within oneself
It's me
Identity and self-awareness
Let your mind and your soul be free
The importance of freedom and openness in thoughts and emotions
Work to shine meet your goal believe
The importance of hard work and belief in oneself
Spread that kind of L-O-V-E
The importance of love and positivity
Take some time off the lonely
The importance of taking time for oneself and for social interaction
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TIMOTHY JEROME PARKER, XAVIER LORENZO MOSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Arms
RIP Gift of Gab. I was just here a few weeks ago going on a journey with your music again helping me see the beauty in the world once more. Thank you for all the love, thought and intricacy you put into your work. You were one of my early hip hop heros who set the bar for what I expect out of rhymers from then to forever.
Kyle V
dope comment, very valid. i was surprised his first album was in 93 too! totally thought "Nia" was their first lp. Rest in peace GIFT of GAB!
cb33
Such a great track! The Gift and the Chief. Gil Scott-Heron kills it! Can't forget Harley White Jr, Vincent Segal, Jose Espinosa and Seth Zwerling, beautiful work!
Scott Goulet
One of the best hip hop albums ever.
Bev West
Yes!
Scott Goulet
@Bev West RIP
TheAzurinboyz2012
Underrated too!!!
penagon24
This song is so inspirational. It's on my "energy" playlist.
Adam D
It's taken me a long time but I have finally found it....the song I can say is MY FAVORITE SONG EVER.
brendan hope
I like 4 of them so far.
Blazing Arrow
First in Flight
Alphabet Aerobics
And Sky is Falling