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.
Winter in America
Gil Scott-Heron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And to the buffalo who once ruled the plains
Like the vultures circling beneath the dark clouds
Looking for the rain
Looking for the rain
Just like the cities staggered on the coastline
Living in a nation that just can't stand much more
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it's winter
Winter in America
Yes and all of the healers have been killed
Or sent away, yeah
But the people know, the people know
It's winter
Winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Save your soul, Lord knows
From Winter in America
The Constitution
A noble piece of paper
With free society
Struggled but it died in vain
And now Democracy is ragtime on the corner
Hoping for some rain
Looks like it's hoping
Hoping for some rain
And I see the robins
Perched in barren treetops
Watching last-ditch racists marching across the floor
But just like the peace sign that vanished in our dreams
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it's winter
It's winter in America
And all of the healers have been killed
Or been betrayed
Yeah, but the people know, people know
It's winter, Lord knows
It's winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Save your souls
From Winter in America
And now it's winter
Winter in America
And all of the healers done been killed or sent away
Yeah, and the people know, people know
It's winter
Winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
And ain't nobody fighting
Cause nobody knows, nobody knows
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Gil Scott-Heron’s “Winter In America” is a song that portrays America during the winter season as a place characterized by hopelessness and despair. The song narrates the cruel history of America where the people who were once important have been marginalized, ignored, and left to die. The first verse refers to the Native Americans who welcomed the pilgrims, and the buffalo who roamed the plains, but have now been displaced and slaughtered. The image of vultures waiting for rain, which represents the people waiting for salvation, is a clear depiction of the tragedy and the bleak landscape that Scott-Heron is painting.
The second verse of the song highlights the industrialization of America, where the cities are juxtaposed to the forests that have been buried beneath highways. The forest represents the natural habitat that America has sacrificed for their urban expansion. The third verse is where Scott-Heron questions the democracy of America. The constitution, which he refers to as a noble piece of paper, has failed to uphold the principles of a free society. Democracy has been drowned out by the sounds of jazz on the streets, like ragtime on the corner, where people hope for a miracle to lessen the pain of the suffering.
The chorus that repeats “Winter in America, and nobody’s fighting because nobody knows what to save” is a powerful statement about how people have become passive during the winter season, where the coldness and hopelessness have seeped into their lives. The song describes a country where the people are beaten down, their healers have been killed, and their spirits have been broken.
Line by Line Meaning
From the Indians who welcomed the pilgrims
Refers to the Native Americans who welcomed and helped the pilgrims when they arrived in America.
And to the buffalo who once ruled the plains
Mentions the buffalo who once had a significant presence in the plains but now no longer exist because of the human intervention.
Like the vultures circling beneath the dark clouds
Paints a picture of the situation that's akin to the predators waiting for the prey to die, here, people are anxiously waiting for rain to come.
Looking for the rain
Seeking the crucial element to sustain life, which is a metaphor for hope and change.
Just like the cities staggered on the coastline
Alludes to the struggles faced by urban areas on the coastlines and the failing economy.
Living in a nation that just can't stand much more
Describes a country falling apart both economically and politically, emotionally, and spiritually drained.
Like the forest buried beneath the highway
Draws a parallel between the way highways cover vast areas, including forests, and nearly complete or outright obliterate everything beneath them.
Never had a chance to grow
Signifies how the country's expansion and progress have come to stifle and limit growth opportunities for affected communities and groups.
And now it's winter
The word “winter” here stands for genuine difficulties or struggles, symbolizing the nation's current state of affairs.
Yes and all of the healers have been killed
Refers to the leaders who could lift Americans from this slump but are no more, they may have been assassinated or just lost influence over time.
Or sent away, yeah
Suggests that some capable leaders are not around anymore to help the nation right its ship, either because they were forced into exile or left due to disillusionment.
But the people know, the people know
Despite the absence of healers, people are not oblivious but recognize and comprehend the real problems the country is facing.
And ain't nobody fighting
Means that nobody is angry and working towards resolution because the collective way forward is not clear; a severe case of analysis paralysis.
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Refers to the lack of clarity in terms of what areas need immediate attention and preservation.
Save your soul, Lord knows
Warns people to raise their sights and aims higher when it comes to what's on the line instead of concerning themselves with immediate problems.
The Constitution
Highlights a landmark document that establishes the principles of American democracy.
A noble piece of paper
Implies that the Constitution is a high-minded philosophical document, unique to America.
With free society
Describes how the Constitution assures that citizens are free from arbitrary wield of power and remain equal under the law.
Struggled but it died in vain
Refers to the utter failure of democracy in America, despite the lofty ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
And now Democracy is ragtime on the corner
Describes the state democracy is in America presently, reduced to being an outdated form of entertainment.
Hoping for some rain
The metaphorical rain here gives hope of continued survival and revival of Democracy.
Looks like it's hoping
Democracy seems to be surviving only by wishing for relief, which is not an encouraging state of affairs by any means.
Hoping for some rain
The image of rain as a life-sustaining entity is repeated, but now with the implication that it may never come.
And I see the robins
Depicts the bird that represents new beginnings, symbolizing the better day that's yet to come.
Perched in barren treetops
Alludes to the failure of the American leadership in nurturing the nation's potential and leaving it barren.
Watching last-ditch racists marching across the floor
Represents the collective culture of institutionalized discrimination and racism that still exists and causes strife and tension.
But just like the peace sign that vanished in our dreams
Refers to the peace sign that started as a symbol of hope and unity but ended up a mere symbol in people's dreams, never to manifest in real life.
Never had a chance to grow
Implies that some dreams die before they come to fruition and that the peace alignment was doomed.
And all of the healers done been killed or sent away
Repeats the idea of excellent leaders and healers who could help out sent away or, worse, killed.
Yeah, and the people know, people know
Confirms that people are perceptive of the calamity they're encountering and are looking for a resolution.
And ain't nobody fighting
It is like the previous assertion, lacking the collective will to fight for resolution or recognize how to frame the issues for debate and discussion in a crucial way.
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Also the same as previously stated.
And ain't nobody fighting
The fact that this line is repeated three times underscores the notion that there is no political will to fight for the nation, thus high moral confusion sets in.
Cause nobody knows, nobody knows
Confirms that society is at a loss as to what to do next, or even where to look when it comes to beginning a collective healing journey.
And ain't nobody fighting
Confirms once more that everyone is lost and directionless when it comes to finding a resolution to their present situation, and seems to be a final last cry for change.
'Cause nobody knows what to save
The song ends likely on this note, underscoring one last time how America has arrived it where it has and how important it is to identify practical solutions and enact sweeping changes to bring hope and renewal.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Gil Scott Heron
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ali Majeed
Lyrics:
From the Indians who welcomed the pilgrims
And to the buffalo who once ruled the plains
Like the vultures circling beneath the dark clouds
Looking for the rain
Looking for the rain
Just like the cities staggered on the coastline
Living in a nation that just can't stand much more
Like the forest buried beneath the highway
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it's winter
Winter in America
Yes and all of the healers have been killed
Or sent away, yeah
But the people know, the people know
It's winter
Winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Save your soul, Lord knows
From Winter in America
The Constitution
A noble piece of paper
With free society
Struggled but it died in vain
And now Democracy is ragtime on the corner
Hoping for some rain
Looks like it's hoping
Hoping for some rain
And I see the robins
Perched in barren treetops
Watching last-ditch racists marching across the floor
But just like the peace sign that vanished in our dreams
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it's winter
It's winter in America
And all of the healers have been killed
Or been betrayed
Yeah, but the people know, people know
It's winter, Lord knows
It's winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Save your souls
From Winter in America
And now it's winter
Winter in America
And all of the healers done been killed or sent away
Yeah, and the people know, people know
It's winter
Winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
And ain't nobody fighting
Cause nobody knows, nobody knows
And ain't nobody fighting
'Cause nobody knows what to save
Jagirinawa
From the Indians who welcomed the pilgrims
And to the buffalo who once ruled the plains
Like the vultures circling beneath the dark clouds
Looking for the rain
Looking for the rain
Just like the cities staggered on the coastline
Living in a nation that just can't stand much more
Like the forest buried beneath the highway
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it's winter
Winter in America
Yes and all of the healers have been killed
Or sent away, yeah
But the people know, the people know
It's winter
Winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
Cause nobody knows what to say
Save your soul, Lord knows
From Winter in America
The Constitution
A noble piece of paper
With free society
Struggled but it died in vain
And now Democracy is ragtime on the corner
Hoping for some rain
Looks like it's hoping
Hoping for some rain
And I see the robins
Perched in barren treetops
Watching last-ditch racists marching across the floor
But just like the peace sign that vanished in our dreams
Never had a chance to grow
Never had a chance to grow
And now it's winter
It's winter in America
And all of the healers have been killed
Or been betrayed
Yeah, but the people know, people know
It's winter, Lord knows
It's winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
Cause nobody knows what to save
Save your souls
From Winter in America
And now it's winter
Winter in America
And all of the healers done been killed or sent away
Yeah, and the people know, people know
It's winter
Winter in America
And ain't nobody fighting
Cause nobody knows what to save
And ain't nobody fighting
Cause nobody knows, nobody knows
And ain't nobody fighting
Cause nobody knows what to save
Gem Entertainment
Gill Scott Heron is considered by the rap artists to be the Godfather of Rap... but he wanted no part of that title, he considered himself a jazzologist, and before he died he wrote the rap reply to rappers ... Message to The Messengers, calling them out for what "some" of them were doing to the black community... and he did it in a respectful manner.
In my opinion Gil Scott Heron should be the most important black artist of the last 50 years, if people in the black community were fully aware of the depth of his contributions. Too many young people on the black community don't even know who he is. And that my friends, whatever color you are is very sad.
But his music will live on.
I predict they will write a bio-pic about him if it's done right, whoever stars in it, will win an academy award, because of his life was that deep and important.
God bless you Gil Scott-Heron I'm glad I discovered you, late in life, better late than never. Godspeed you're on to bigger and better things.
I'm a Christian who believes in reincarnation and you probably were on your final carnation however if not wherever you're at today, I'm sure you're contributing in major major ways.
JL
ENOerofebowT B
@ matthew brown
Sort of like it takes some time and some maturing to do on the part of society and culture as it does for individuals before they get it, huh. But a few bumps and bruises, if she's lucky, and she’ll finally come around, hopefully.
Two of the many great blessings of truth is that it's immutable and timeless; and it out lives individuals, cultures, and societies and can be denied and suppressed for only so long. Denial, suppression, and even ignorance of truth can be dangerous and destructive. Everything in opposition to those is nothing less than to be blessed by it.
Gil Scott-Heron wrote and song truths. He not only entertained, he taught and blessed!
America, take heed!
macsen stockton
I’m a 16 year old boy who listens heavily to rap but my dad showed me Gil and I’ve been listening ever since. One of the greatest.
Sound Signals
That is wonderful! You are most welcome young man!
macsen stockton
@Sound Signals thank you 🙏🏽
Frederick Muller
@macsen stockton You understand! There is still hope for us!
Frederick Muller
@macsen stockton 2Pac.....
macsen stockton
@Frederick Muller 2pacs a god bro
Peter Hudgens
Gil Scott Heron was a pure genius.
SUPERMAX
👍👍
Pamela Romanelli
One of the greatest of all time. If not The Greatest. Hundred of years ahead. Rare. Unique.
Pamela Greenlee
Absolutely