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.
Intro to Better Days Ahead
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To gather all the things we need to fly
To better days ahead just wave goodbye
We've better things to do now, you and I
In better days ahead just take my hand
You're the one I need to understand
For better days ahead with you, I can stand
As long as you respect me as your man
Just take my hand
You're the one I need to understand
For better days ahead with you, I can stand
As long as you respect me as your man
There's better days ahead yes, coming on
Coming on better days ahead
Coming on for you and me
The lyrics to Gil Scott-Heron's song "Intro to Better Days Ahead" suggest a hopeful and optimistic outlook on the future. The song speaks to the idea of leaving behind the struggles and hardships of the past and looking forward to a brighter future together. It encourages the listener to gather what they need to fly, symbolizing a transformation and progression towards better days.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of unity and understanding between two individuals. By taking each other's hand and truly understanding one another, they can face the challenges that lie ahead and stand strong together. The mention of respect suggests a mutual and equal partnership, where both parties value and support each other.
The repetition of the phrase "better days ahead" throughout the lyrics reinforces the message of hope and positivity. It reminds the listener that no matter what difficulties they have faced, there is always the potential for improvement and a brighter future. The mention of better days coming on for "you and me" implies that this hopeful outlook extends beyond the personal and includes a collective optimism for a better world.
Overall, "Intro to Better Days Ahead" is a song that offers encouragement and motivation to face the future with a positive mindset, relying on mutual understanding and unity as essential components for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
And now it's time
The present moment calls for action
To gather all the things we need to fly
To collect the necessary resources for progress
To better days ahead just wave goodbye
Leave behind the past and embrace a brighter future
We've better things to do now, you and I
We have more important tasks to accomplish together
In better days ahead just take my hand
In the promising future, let us support each other
You're the one I need to understand
I rely on your comprehension and empathy
For better days ahead with you, I can stand
With your presence, I am capable of facing the challenges ahead
As long as you respect me as your man
Mutual respect and equality are essential in our relationship
There's better days ahead yes, coming on
Anticipating the arrival of more favorable days
Coming on better days ahead
Approaching a future filled with positivity
Coming on for you and me
This future is meant for both of us
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KA$LU
Essa música eh linda, tráz um sentimento inexplicável!
David Hall
Gil was a bona fide genius, his music and presence are massively missed
Judith Henderson
He was a deep man with the deepest thoughts.He saw and knew many things that were to come. A Prayer For Everybody To Be Free, An awesome song. If only we would listen to the lyrics of this song, There would be no division among family. No killings, just peace. God bless Gil Scott Heron.
Judith Henderson
May he Rest In Peace.
omar shabazz
A beautiful song. We would run to see this brother whenever he was in town in NY, you always got something out of his shows that was enlightening.
Robert Hemingway Jr
Gil Scott Heron was truly gifted
Ethel Steele-Robbins
Beautiful!Love his voice RIP Gil!
Bobbi Wolfgang
These days brought this song to mind. So appropriate. Love the recording of the vinyl! Nothing better. Love GSH🎼🎶💕
pparsow
Understated greatness !
Josh B
And you know, the first time I heard this song was when I was super depressed. Same story now when im listening to it years later. Life has its ups and downs. I'm sad as fuck but it will get better. It did before.