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.
Gun
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the danger's sure enough real
Well when he's out late at night
And if he's got his head on right
Well, I lay you 9 to 5 he's walking with steal.
Brother Man says he's 'fraid of gangsters
Messing with people just for fun
He got a family to protect
So just last week he bought himself a gun.
[Chorus]
Everybody got a pistol, everybody got a 45
And the philosophy seem to be
At least as near as I can see
When other folks give up theirs, I'll give up mine.
This is a violent civilization
If civilization's where I am
Every channel that I stop on
Got a different kind of cop on
Killing them by the million for Uncle Sam
Saturday night just ain't that special
Yeah, I got the constitution on the run
'Cause even though we've got the right
To defend our home, to defend our life
Got to understand to get it in hand about the guns
[Chorus]
Saturday night just ain't that special
Freedom to be afraid is all you want
Yes if you don't want to be next
You've got a family to protect
9 out of 10, you've got a friend, you've got a gun.
[Chorus]
Everybody got a pistol, this mosty be the N-R-A
Yeah 'cause when it's time to shine up
You know damn well they're gonna line up
Everybody
And the philosophy seem to be
At least as near as I can see
When other folks give up theirs, I'll give up mine
The song “Gun” by Gil Scott-Heron talks about the prevalence of gun violence in society and the reasons for people owning and carrying guns. The first verse describes the experiences of a man living in the ghetto, who feels the need to carry a gun for protection against gang violence. The chorus emphasizes that most people own guns under the premise of self-defense and retaliation against others who own guns. The second verse points out the contradiction between having the right to defend oneself and the dangers that come with owning a gun, while the chorus continues to question the cycle of gun ownership and violence in society.
Scott-Heron also addresses the systemic nature of gun violence in the third verse, mentioning the various forms of violent representations in media and the disproportionate number of deaths caused by government agencies. The final verse reinforces the idea that most gun owners feel safer with a gun and are afraid of being victimized. The chorus repeats throughout the song and echoes the idea that people are only willing to give up their guns when others do the same.
Overall, the song “Gun” by Gil Scott-Heron provides a commentary on the complex social and political issues surrounding gun ownership, especially in the context of the United States. It highlights the contradictions and complexities in the societal norms and perceptions around gun violence, as well as the ongoing debate over gun control laws.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother Man nowadays living in the ghetto
People in poverty-stricken areas are struggling to survive.
Where the danger's sure enough real
Living in the ghetto is dangerous and poses a threat to one's well-being.
Well when he's out late at night
When someone is out at night, there is a higher chance of danger.
And if he's got his head on right
If someone is thinking clearly and making smart decisions.
Well, I lay you 9 to 5 he's walking with steal.
It is highly likely that someone is carrying a weapon for self-defense in this environment.
Brother Man says he's 'fraid of gangsters
People are afraid of the violence caused by gang members in their community.
Messing with people just for fun
Gang members are violent and unpredictable.
He don't want to be next
No one wants to be a victim of gang violence.
He got a family to protect
Having loved ones in their life is a motivating factor for people to protect themselves.
So just last week he bought himself a gun.
In response to the danger and feeling unsafe, someone has decided that owning a firearm is necessary.
[Chorus]
Repeating the idea that everyone has a weapon and will not give it up.
This is a violent civilization
Violence is normalized in society.
If civilization's where I am
If this is civilization, then it is violent.
Every channel that I stop on
Media focuses on violence and war for entertainment purposes.
Got a different kind of cop on
Police brutality and military force are glorified in the media.
Killing them by the million for Uncle Sam
The government is responsible for war and mass shootings.
Saturday night just ain't that special
Violence can occur any day of the week, not just on the weekends.
Yeah, I got the constitution on the run
The idea of protecting oneself with a firearm conflicts with the constitution.
'Cause even though we've got the right
People feel that they have the right to own a gun for self-defense.
To defend our home, to defend our life
The primary reason for owning a gun is to protect oneself and their family.
Got to understand to get it in hand about the guns
People need to be responsible and educated about firearms.
[Chorus]
Repeating the idea that everyone has a weapon and will not give it up.
Freedom to be afraid is all you want
People feel that owning a gun provides a sense of security, even if it is based on fear.
Yes if you don't want to be next
People are motivated to protect themselves and their loved ones from violence.
9 out of 10, you've got a friend, you've got a gun.
Most people in a dangerous environment have a firearm for protection.
Everybody got a pistol, this mosty be the N-R-A
The National Rifle Association supports firearm ownership and upholds the right to bear arms.
Yeah 'cause when it's time to shine up
People feel compelled to show off their weapons and their ability to protect themselves.
You know damn well they're gonna line up
In times of crisis, people are ready to defend themselves and their community.
Everybody
Reiterating the widespread firearm ownership.
And the philosophy seem to be
The belief or mindset surrounding gun ownership.
At least as near as I can see
From the perspective of the singer, this is what they see and understand.
When other folks give up theirs, I'll give up mine.
As long as other people have guns, the person speaking will continue to own and carry theirs.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTY CHIPCHASE, ANDY PARMLEY, CHRIS PARMLEY, MARK EVANS, PADDY JORDAN, LUKE EVANS, DAVE COOMBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lespaul3d
"Gun" 1981 Gil Scott-Heron -
Brother man nowadays livin' in the ghetto
Where the dangers sure enough real.
Well when he's out late at night,
and if he's got his head on right,
Well, I lay you 9 to 5 he's walking with steel.
Brother Man says he's 'fraid of gangsters
Messing with people just for fun
He don't want to be next.
He got a family to protect.
So just last week he bought himself a gun.
Everybody got a pistol, everybody got a .45
And the philosophy seem to be,
At least as near as I can see,
When other folks give up theirs, I'll give up mine.
This is a violent civilization;
If civilization's where I am.
Every channel that I stop on
Got a different kind of cop on
Killing them by the million for Uncle Sam.
Saturday night just ain't that special.
Yeah, I got the constitution on the run.
'Cause even though we've got the right
To defend our home, to defend our life,
Got to understand to get it in hand about the guns.
Everybody's got a pistol. Everybody got a .45.
The philosophy seems to be,
At least as near as I can see,
When other folks give up, I, I'll give up...
Saturday night just ain't that special.
Freedom to be afraid is all you want.
Yes if you don't want to be next.
You've got a family to protect.
9 out of 10, you've got a friend, you've got a gun.
Everybody got a pistol. Everybody got a .45.
And the philosophy seems to be,
At least as near as I can see,
When other folks give up theirs, I'll give up mine.
Everybody got a pistol, this mosty be the NRA
Yeah 'cause when it's time to line up
You know damn well they're gonna shine up
Everybody...
And the philosophy seem to be
At least as near as I can see,
When other folks give up theirs, I'll give up mine.
Written by Matty Chipchase, Andy Parmley, Chris Parmley, Mark Evans, Paddy Jordan, Luke Evans, Dave Coombe • Copyright © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
@capitol7950
And relevant again. Mind u the revelancy of this has never gone away. America will never learn.
@v4lhulme
Learn what? As long as someone else has a gun you should too. That includes big daddy government.
@capitol7950
The mass shootings keep on coming.the UK had two bad ones including a primary school in dunblane scotland.that was enough for the UK to say never again.
@richardmbowman
Gil is one of Amerrica's greatest poets. Living or dead.
@tmcknz57
This album was one of the first I bought for my first apartment in the 70s. My poor neighbors had to hear it a lot! Still relevant.
@redhouaneboulechbak8316
it was issued in 1981
@alessandroferreri7030
0⁰⁰0
@JahanSalehi
"Every channel that I stop on
Got a different kind of cop on
Killing them by the million for Uncle Sam"
-- Gil Scott Heron, 1981
@kidratimusic4077
It’s time to represent
@AtreVire
Hella relevant now