The collaboration started in 1970 when Jackson began writing songs with a then 20 year old Gil Scott- Heron.
Jackson remembers his first encounter with Gil, "He had this way with words and I thought to myself, 'People have to hear this stuff.' What I had to offer was the music and I figured if we can take his words and make this tribal knowledge rhythmic and musical, we can draw people to hear it."
Their partnership produced some of the most fiercely poignant, politically charged, and significantly soulful albums of the seventies. Pieces of a Man, Free Will, Winter in America, First Minute of a New Day, From South Africa to South Carolina, Bridges, Secrets and 1980 are coveted by collectors and conscious-minded music fans alike. Tracks like The Bottle, Johannesburg, It's Your World, Angel Dust, Willing, and 95 South (All the Places We've Been), while highly relevant back-in-the-day, have taken on heightened new relevance today by serving as an inspirational and musical Rosetta stone for the neo-soul movement.
Angel Dust
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that was when he coulda sworn
The room was movin'
But that was only in his mind
He was sailin'
He never really seemed to notice
Vision failin'
'cause that was all part of the high
He couldn't take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it.
Angel DustPlease, children would you listen.
Angel DustJust ain't where it's at.
Angel DustYou won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
They were standin'
Ev'rybody in a circle,
The whole family
Listening to the preacher's words
Sis was cryin'
She alone held all the secrets
'bout his dyin'
Tears fallin' to earth
Maybe her fault
He was so trusting
God only knew why
They was dustin'!
Angel DustPlease children would you listen.
Angel DustJust ain't where it's at.
Angel DustYou won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
In Gil Scott-Heron's song "Angel Dust," the lyrics describe the effects and dangers of the drug phencyclidine (PCP), also known as angel dust. The song is divided into two parts, with the first half describing the physical and mental effects of the drug on the user. The lyrics suggest that the user is "groovin'" and "sailin'" on the high of the drug, but is also experiencing negative physical effects such as sweating and failing vision. The room seems to be moving, indicating hallucinations. The lyrics paint a picture of a dangerous experience where the user's life could be in danger.
The second half of the song shifts the focus to the loved ones of the user. They're gathered to mourn the death of someone who had been using angel dust. The victim's sister holds all the secrets about his drug use and is crying, perhaps feeling guilty for not being able to save him. The lyrics "Maybe her fault, he was so trusting, God only knew why, they was dustin'" suggest that the victim's trust in his peers and drug use led to his death. The song is a warning not only to those contemplating using angel dust but also to those with loved ones who may be struggling with addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
He was groovin'
He was dancing or moving to the rhythm of the music.
And that was when he coulda sworn
At that moment, he believed something to be true even though there was no proof.
The room was movin'
He felt like the room was spinning or moving around him.
But that was only in his mind
In reality, the room was not actually moving; it was just a drug-induced hallucination.
He was sailin'
He was high on drugs and feeling euphoric.
He never really seemed to notice
He was so engulfed in the high that he was not aware of what was happening around him.
Vision failin'
His eyesight was impaired, possibly due to the drug's effects.
'cause that was all part of the high
The distorted vision was expected and even enjoyed as part of the drug's effects.
Sweat was pourin'
He was sweating profusely, possibly due to the drug's impact on his body.
He couldn't take it
He was overwhelmed and unable to handle the physical and mental effects of the drug.
The room was exploding
He felt like everything around him was shaking and exploding, another drug-induced hallucination.
He might not make it
He believed he might die from the drug's effects.
Angel DustPlease, children would you listen.
The song's narrator is urging young people to listen to the message about the dangers of angel dust.
Angel DustJust ain't where it's at.
The singer is warning that taking angel dust is not the right path to take in life.
Angel DustYou won't remember what you'reMissin',
Those who take angel dust will not remember what they are missing in life.
but down some dead end streetsThere ain't no turnin' back.
Taking angel dust will lead down a path of no return, and it's not worth it.
They were standin'Ev'rybody in a circle,
The song's narrator describes a group gathered in a circle, possibly a family or community.
The whole familyListening to the preacher's words
The group was listening to a preacher speaking about the dangers of angel dust.
Sis was cryin'She alone held all the secrets
One of the group was crying, and only she knew the secrets about the consequences of taking angel dust.
'bout his dyin'Tears fallin' to earth
She knew about someone who had died due to taking angel dust, and she was crying about it.
Maybe her faultHe was so trustingGod only knew whyThey was dustin'!
It's possible that someone she knew died because she had introduced them to angel dust, and the lyrics suggest that the deceased was innocent and trusting.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GIL SCOTT HERON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sonomanz
love it.
funzjag
Real soul music ! About 1978, I think.
Più jj Gt
Damn good
Lorenzo Rucker
the game sampled this for his song called angel & common is featured on that song & kanye west profile that song also.
Justin Plasse
The Game - Angel brought me here
michael palmer
Haunting.....
TajTheePimp
Gangsta Strut- Mass 187
No Glory- Fat Pat
Thank me later
Th3rd 3ar Plan3t Radio
Mass 187 go hard
RAPSTA
"Angel" - The Game ft. Common
João Macario
Sausage Party brought me here..