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.
I'll Take Care of You
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can tell by the way you carry yourself
But if you let me, here's what I'll do
I'll take care of you
I've loved and I lost the same as you
So you see I know just what you've been through
And if you let me, here's what I'll do
You won't ever have to worry
You won't ever have to whine
For I'll be there beside you
To dry your weeping eye
So darling tell me that you'll be true
There's no doubt in my mind, I know what I want to do
And then just as sure as one and one is two
I know I'll take care of you
I'll take care of you
I'll take care of you
I'll take care of you
Gil Scott-Heron's "I'll Take Care of You" is a song about a man offering to take care of a woman who has been hurt by someone. He knows that she has been hurt as he can see the way she carries herself. He assures her that he will take care of her, stating that he has gone through the same experience and so he understands what she is going through.
The man offers to be there for her in every way. He tells her that she won't have to worry or whine about anything because he will be beside her to dry her weeping eyes. He also requires assurance that the woman will be true to him. He is very confident that he can take care of her as he knows what he wants to do and he knows for sure that he loves her.
The song talks about love, the burdens of previous relationships and the healing power of love. The singer offers an act of service, and not just providing monetary assistance. This can be viewed as a selfless act of kindness and a testament to how the singer values the woman he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you've been hurt by someone else
I can perceive from observing the way you carry yourself that you have experienced pain caused by someone else in the past.
But if you let me, here's what I'll do
If you're willing to let me, I'll take charge of your well-being and happiness.
I'll take care of you
I'll ensure that you have no worries, that you're always happy, and that you feel loved and secure.
I've loved and I lost the same as you
I've been in love before, and I've experienced heartbreak just like you.
So you see I know just what you've been through
Because I've experienced something similar, I understand exactly what you're going through.
You won't ever have to worry
I promise that you'll never have any concerns or issues to stress over.
You won't ever have to whine
You won't have to complain incessantly or express dissatisfaction with how things are.
For I'll be there beside you
I'll always be by your side, giving you my full support and attention.
To dry your weeping eye
Whenever you cry, I'll be there to wipe your tears and comfort you.
So darling tell me that you'll be true
Please assure me that you'll be loyal and faithful to me.
There's no doubt in my mind, I know what I want to do
I'm completely certain that I want to take care of you and make you happy.
And then just as sure as one and one is two
As certain as the basic fact that one plus one equals two,
I know I'll take care of you
I know that I will be there for you, that I'll make you feel loved and happy, and that I'll take care of all your needs.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BROOK BENTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Reachwun
How could anyone dislike this? It's raw, it's passionate, it's haunting, it's beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. This is life. As real as it gets.
@ninahagen1453
Love the feeling you put in this.
@PeteAxeShields
@Reachwun : It is life, I guess, some people are simply unable to hear .... and sadly, more intent on spreading negativity. I don't think I have ever seen a great music video on youtube which has not been down voted by some damaged soul.
@Bolofex
It sounds like ass
@24asian
This guy's voice isn't scratchy. What people hear what they call "scratchy"..... that's SOUL!!!
@KCNYC
He was close to death when he covered this, you may also enjoy Billie Holidays Lady in Satin-another soulful/blues masterpiece
@FuriLtdApparel
An absolutely epic of a song. Hits your heart without mercy.
@staceynine
this arrangement of l'll take care of you with gil scott-heron is beautiful, soulful and gut reaching. you can hear and feel the love and pain that taking care of one intells. i love it. as usual, gil has done it. rest in peace king.
@caritoboy718
Heron wasn't even listed as one of the celebrities that died in 2011, such a shame. RIP a great artist.
@VIRGONOMICS
That’s because he didn’t fit into their package .