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.
It's Your World
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know was made for me
There is no any one place where I belong
My spirit's meant to be free
And soon now everyone will see
Life was made for us to be what we wanna be!
And it's your world
And what you see
Was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
The thoughts that fill my mind
Are a very special kind
Because they're home to me and me alone
And then I realize
That we all have a home inside
That was meant for us to be what we wanna be
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
Was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world, you are truly free!
Music of life fills my soul
Music of love makes me feel whole
As human history unfolds before my eyes
My spirit's meant to be free
And soon now everyone's will be
It's your right to be whatever you wanna be!
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
Was not necessarily meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
It was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
It was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
The lyrics of Gil Scott-Heron's "It's Your World" express a message of empowerment and individual liberation, urging listeners to recognize that the world and its possibilities belong to every person and that each individual has the right to be themselves. The song highlights the importance of self-discovery and personal fulfillment, encouraging people to explore their unique inner worlds and to seek out their own paths in life. Through the repeated refrain "It's your world," Scott-Heron emphasizes the idea that each person has the power to shape their own destiny and to find their own way towards happiness.
The song suggests that this journey towards self-discovery and personal liberation can be a lonely one, as each individual's path is unique and cannot be shared with others. However, Scott-Heron also asserts that in this individuality lies a deeper kind of freedom, one that is more fulfilling than any external validation or social acceptance could provide. Ultimately, the song suggests that the world and its challenges are meant to be faced on one's own terms, and that the true key to happiness lies in staying true to oneself and following one's own path.
Overall, "It's Your World" is a powerful anthem of personal liberation and self-affirmation, one that encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and to find fulfillment on their own terms. The song's message is particularly resonant in today's society, where individualism and self-expression are increasingly valued, and where people are encouraged to be true to themselves above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
The ground beneath my feet
I exist in this world and have a place to stand
I know was made for me
This world was created for me to inhabit
There is no any one place where I belong
I am not confined to any one specific location, but rather have the freedom to explore and exist wherever I choose
My spirit's meant to be free
I possess an inherent desire for liberty and self-expression
And soon now everyone will see
It won't be long until others understand this fundamental aspect of human nature
Life was made for us to be what we wanna be!
The purpose of our existence is to pursue our individual desires and aspirations
And it's your world
You have the power and autonomy to shape your own reality
It's yours and yours and yours
No one else can claim ownership over your individual experience
And what you see
The things you perceive are unique to your own perspective and perception
Was not meant for me
I cannot fully understand or relate to your experience
But you don't have to be lonely
Even though we have our own independent experiences, we can still find ways to connect and relate to others
'Cause in your world
You exist in a world of your own making
The thoughts that fill my mind
My innermost musings are deeply personal
Are a very special kind
They reflect my own individual experiences and perspective
Because they're home to me and me alone
My thoughts create a sense of refuge and comfort within myself
And then I realize
Upon further reflection, I come to understand
That we all have a home inside
All human beings have a similar internal sense of self and personal experience
That was meant for us to be what we wanna be
This internal sense of self is innate and integral to our humanity, allowing us to pursue our goals and aspirations
Music of life fills my soul
Life itself brings profound joy and meaning to my existence
Music of love makes me feel whole
The love we share with others provides a sense of completeness and wholeness
As human history unfolds before my eyes
We are all part of a complex and storied shared history
My spirit's meant to be free
The desire for personal liberty is a fundamental aspect of my being
And soon now everyone's will be
Others will soon come to understand and embrace this aspect of their own humanity
It's your right to be whatever you wanna be!
All human beings have the inherent right to pursue their individual dreams and aspirations
You are truly free
You possess complete liberty and autonomy over your own experience
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
You have the power and permission to pursue your aspirations and dreams unhindered
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GIL SCOTT HERON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@valentinjattiot2516
The ground beneath my feet
I know was made for me
There is no any one place where I belong
My spirit's meant to be free
And soon now everyone will see
Life was made for us to be what we wanna be!
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
Was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
The thoughts that fill my mind
Are a very special kind
Because they're home to me and me alone
And then I realize
That we all have a home inside
That was meant for us to be what we wanna be
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
Was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world, you are truly free!
Music of life fills my soul
Music of love makes me feel whole
As human history unfolds before my eyes
My spirit's meant to be free
And soon now everyone's will be
It's your right to be whatever you wanna be!
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
Was not necessarily meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
It was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
And it's your world
It's yours and yours and yours
And what you see
It was not meant for me
It's your world
But you don't have to be lonely
'Cause in your world
You are truly free!
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
You are truly free
(So go 'head) Be what you wanna be
@granta3044
I nominate this song for a new u.s. anthem. Imagine singing this after we win a gold medal. This is one of my favorite songs of all time.
@daconqueror7777
with 1,000 tongues I can't thank these two revolutionaries enough for their endless contributions to the cause. their message uplifts our hearts & conscious w such pure truth it makes you want to dance up this world & join a revolution at the same damn time. if there was ever an HOUR to heed this message its now. Aluta continua God bless
@eazykeeymusic9344
I'm sure everyone that came here is either musical artist or music heads that kno their stuff, absolutely 100%
@SongmanKK
You got that right, this is one for the connoisseurs, and I'm a musician
@davecrowson448
I discovered this record in the mid-nineties, and as soon as I saw the cover, I instantly had a flashback to first grade, around the time this record came out, when one of my teachers at the open school I went to, had this record, and played this song for us, telling us what it was saying, and using it to try to inspire us, that it WAS our world, and we could be what we want to be. I was fascinated with the drawing on the cover. I wish I could remember her name. I only have a vague memory of what she looked like. I remember she was very nice. But I had forgotten all of this, until I saw this record over twenty years later. It’s been a favorite ever since. The whole thing is fantastic.
@1352teatime
You had a righteous teacher steeped in the Black Canyon. Peace
@davecrowson448
@@1352teatimeshe surely was!
@jeshun7071
Its 3yrs now since we lost Gil Scott Heron, his unique brand of socio/eco protest rap poetry made him stand out, this track a beautifully swinging session with Brian Jackson containing some messianic emotive vocals over a magical sou/jazz arrangements, great stuff from the duo
@MrDAMUZI
Well stated good Brother
@MimsyStarrTV
Yes J Eshun. Nuff said.