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.
We Almost Lost Detroit
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a Creature from another time
It inspires the babies' questions,
(What's that?)
For their mothers as they ride
But no one stopped to think about the babies
Or how they would survive
And we almost lost Detroit
How would we ever get over
Losing our minds?
Just thirty miles from Detroit
Stands a giant power station
It ticks each night as the city sleeps
Seconds from annihilation
But no one stopped to think about the people
Or how they would survive
And we almost lost Detroit
This time
How would we ever get over
Over losing our minds?
The sheriff of Monroe county had
Sure enough disasters on his mind
And what would Karen Silkwood say
If she was still alive?
That when it comes to people's safety
Money wins out every time
And we almost lost Detroit
This time, this time
How would we ever get over
Over losing our minds?
You see, we almost lost Detroit
That time
Almost lost Detroit
That time
And how would we ever get over...
Cause odds are
We gonna lose somewhere, one time
Odds are
We gonna lose somewhere sometime
And how would we ever get over
Losing our minds?
And how would we ever get over
Losing our minds?
Didn't they, didn't they decide?
Almost lost Detroit
That time.
Damn near totally destroyed,
One time.
Didn't all of the world know?
Say didn't you know?
Didn't all of the world know?
Say didn't you know?
We almost lost detroit...
The song "We Almost Lost Detroit" by Gil Scott-Heron is a powerful piece of music that tackles the theme of nuclear disaster and the potential harm it has for humanity. The song recounts the time when the city of Detroit almost lost itself as a nuclear disaster almost occurred at a giant power station located just 30 miles from the city. The song is a poignant reminder of the dangers of nuclear power, and how it can cause immense destruction and devastation.
The opening lyrics of the song set the tone for the rest of the piece, describing the power station as a creature from another time. The station inspires questions from babies and their mothers, but nobody stops to consider the safety of the people who live near it. The song invokes the sense of urgency that surrounds the potential disaster. The lyrics mourn the loss of Detroit, and raise the question of how we will ever get over the loss of our sanity.
The song brings our attention to the people who live near the station, and the sheriff who was concerned about the safety of the people. It highlights the reality that when it comes to the safety of the people, money always wins. The song finishes on an ominous note, stating that the future is uncertain and that we may lose somewhere, sometime. It is a warning about the need to take nuclear safety seriously and to act with responsibility and caution.
Line by Line Meaning
It stands out on a highway
The power station is very visible and noticeable from the highway.
Like a Creature from another time
The power station looks like it belongs in a different era.
It inspires the babies' questions,
Children are curious about the power station and ask their parents about it.
(What's that?)
The children ask this question to their parents when they see the power station.
For their mothers as they ride
The mothers are with their children in the car, and probably taking them to school or daycare.
But no one stopped to think about the babies
The people responsible for building and maintaining the power station did not consider the impact it would have on the children and their future.
Or how they would survive
Nobody gave any thought to what the future would be like for the children who grew up close to the power station.
And we almost lost Detroit
There was a major disaster involving the power station that almost destroyed the city of Detroit.
This time
Referring to a specific incident where there was almost a catastrophic event involving the power station.
How would we ever get over
If there was a catastrophic event involving the power station, the damage would be so great that it would be difficult for the people to recover.
Losing our minds?
The people would be in a state of shock and depression, and possibly suffer mental health issues.
Just thirty miles from Detroit
The power station is located very close to Detroit.
Stands a giant power station
The power station is very large and powerful.
It ticks each night as the city sleeps
The power plant operates all night while the people in the city sleep.
Seconds from annihilation
Any small mistake or malfunction in the power station could lead to a catastrophic explosion or meltdown.
But no one stopped to think about the people
The people responsible for building and maintaining the power station did not think about the impact it would have on the residents of Detroit.
Or how they would survive
Nobody gave any thought to what the future would be like for the people who lived near the power station.
The sheriff of Monroe county had
Referring to a specific individual in law enforcement who was aware of the dangers associated with the power station.
Sure enough disasters on his mind
The sheriff was worried about potential disasters and accidents involving the power station.
And what would Karen Silkwood say
Karen Silkwood was an American labor union activist who died in a suspicious car crash while investigating health and safety issues at a nuclear power plant in Oklahoma. The artist is wondering what she would say if she were alive to see the situation with the power station near Detroit.
If she was still alive?
The artist is expressing regret that Karen Silkwood is not alive to help raise awareness about the dangers associated with the power station.
That when it comes to people's safety
The people responsible for building and maintaining the power station prioritize profit and money over the safety and well-being of the local residents.
Money wins out every time
The companies who profit from the power station are more concerned with making money than with ensuring the safety of the local residents.
This time, this time
Referring again to a specific incident where there was almost a catastrophic event involving the power station.
Didn't they, didn't they decide?
The singer is asking if anyone in a position of authority made a conscious decision to prioritize profit over safety when building and maintaining the power station.
Damn near totally destroyed,
Referring to the specific incident where there was almost a catastrophic event involving the power station. If the incident had happened, it would have caused significant damage to the city of Detroit.
One time.
Referring to a specific incident where there was almost a catastrophic event involving the power station.
Didn't all of the world know?
The artist is suggesting that the situation with the power station is a global issue that should be receiving more attention.
Say didn't you know?
The artist is addressing the listener directly and asking if they are aware of the dangers associated with the power station.
Odds are
There is a high likelihood that somewhere, sometime, there will be a catastrophic event involving a power station like the one near Detroit.
We gonna lose somewhere, one time
There will inevitably be a disaster involving a power station at some point in the future.
And how would we ever get over
Referring to the aftermath of a catastrophic event involving a power station, the artist is wondering how the people affected would be able to recover.
Losing our minds?
The people would be in a state of shock and depression, and possibly suffer mental health issues.
Didn't they, didn't they decide?
The artist is asking if anyone in a position of authority made a conscious decision to prioritize profit over safety when building and maintaining the power station.
Almost lost Detroit
Referring to a specific incident where there was almost a catastrophic event involving the power station.
That time.
Referring to a specific incident where there was almost a catastrophic event involving the power station.
We almost lost detroit...
Referring to a specific incident where there was almost a catastrophic event involving the power station.
Contributed by Kayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@matheusgiovani4657
Gil Scott Heron - We almost Lost Detroit
It stands out on a highway
Like a creature from another time
It inspires the babies' questions
"What's that?"
For their mothers as they ride
But no one stopped to think about the babies
Or how they would survive
And we've almost lost Detroit
This time
How would we ever get over
Losing our minds?
Just thirty miles from Detroit
Stands a giant power station
It ticks each night as the city sleeps
Seconds from annihilation
But no one stopped to think about the people
Or how they would survive
And we almost lost Detroit
This time
How would we ever get over
Over losing our minds?
The sherriff of Monroe county had
Sure enough disasters on his mind
And what would Karen Silkwood say
If she was still alive?
That when it comes to people's
Money wins out every time
And we've almost lost Detroit
This time, this time
How would we ever get over
Over losing our minds?
You see, we almost lost Detroit
That time
Almost lost Detroit
That time
And how would we ever get over
'Cause odds are
We gonna lose somewhere, one time
Odds are
We gonna lose somewhere, sometime
And how would we ever get over
Losing our minds?
And how would we ever get over
Losing our minds?
Didn't they, didn't they decide?
Almost lost Detroit
That time
Damn near totally destroyed
One time
Didn't all of the world know
Say didn't you know
Didn't all of the world know
Say didn't you know
When we almost lost Detroit
@colostomyJones
If you’re reading this,
This’ll probably hurt yer feelings but I was supremely blessed to have the opportunity to see him with BRian Jackson and the midnight band for a back to back, two-set, candlelit-intimate live performance at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California in 1998 🙏🏼
Unbelievably lucky
Incredible sets replete with deep jazz-laced improvisatory excursions by his band members and GSH’s token repartee with the audience...
Omgoodness!..
Met the man afterwards and shook his hand.
Greatest show I’ve ever been to.
@MariooMotaa
(LYRICS)
It stands out on a highway
Like a Creature from another time.
It inspires the babies' questions,
"What's that?"
For their mothers as they ride.
But no one stopped to think about the babies
Or how they would survive,
And we almost lost Detroit
This time.
How would we ever get over
Loosing our minds?
Just thirty miles from Detroit
Stands a giant power station.
It ticks each night as the city sleeps
Seconds from anniahlation.
But no one stopped to think about the people
Or how they would survive,
And we almost lost Detroit
This time.
How would we ever get over
Over loosing our minds?
The sherrif of Monroe county had,
Sure enough disasters on his mind,
And what would karen Silkwood say
If she was still alive?
That when it comes to people's safety
Money wins out every time.
And we almost lost Detroit
This time, this time.
How would we ever get over
Over loosing our minds?
You see, we almost lost Detroit
That time.
Almost lost Detroit
That time.
And how would we ever get over...
Cause odds are,
We gonna loose somewhere, one time.
Odds are
We gonna loose somewhere sometime.
And how would we ever get over
Loosing our minds?
And how would we ever get over
Loosing our minds?
Didn't they, didn't they decide?
Almost lost Detroit
That time.
Damn near totally destroyed,
One time.
Didn't all of the world know?
Say didn't you know?
Didn't all of the world know?
Say didn't you know?
We almost lost detroit...
@BushyHairedStranger
Mom played this album religiously in 1978 & 1979. I still remember Falling asleep to this song as the smoky spell of pot & jasmine incense danced hand in hand down our hallway with the music into my bedroom. Outside my window the soft amber streetlight glow illuminated the lilacs petals waving at me in the summer evening air. Gils steady voice fades my senses and sleep pulls the covers over me kissing me goodnight.
@jaystinger3970
Your lucky to have that be a base in your youth! Power to the people!!!
@ComradeHeydi
You write beautifully, I hope your doing well.
@jaydeerezvani
Beautiful. ❤️
@annabelhood233
So mesmerising, I appreciate sharing your story with the world ❤️ one love, hope your doing well, keep documenting your journey, reading that was magical man
@AR-ft7jg
I'm very impressed
@hydrophobicwater5843
the fact this song only exists on Spotify as a live version is super infuriating
@partario9326
Must be blocked in your region then, the studio version (and the whole Bridges album) exists on Spotify for me.
@finlaykusik4839
@@partario9326 whats your region? I really wanna get this song.
@partario9326
@@finlaykusik4839 Estonia. Really sucks to see so much content being geo blocked on Spotify :(