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.
Back Home
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They told us that the streets were paved with gold
And some of us believed 'em, left our home and came looking
But that was just another story they told
I got to get back and see my people
Someday and someway
My old Uncle Henry don't believe in those airplanes
Gave me piggy back rides down them dusty highways
When I came just up to his knees
I got to get back and see my people
Someday and someway
I never thought I'd be lost and start searching for warmth and a smile
I never thought I'd be running through the city streets like a newborn child
No, no, no
I never thought I'd be lost and start searching for warmth and a smile
I never thought I'd be running through the city streets like a newborn child
But here I am
And I got some people and I know that they love me
And I know just where to look this time
Collar greens and cornbread on my Sunday dinner
And don't you know that makes me think it's working out fine
When I get back to see my people
Someday and someway
Someday and someway
And someday, and someway
The song "Back Home" by Gil Scott-Heron speaks to the idea of leaving your home in search of something better, only to realize that what you were looking for was already back home. The first verse states that there have been many stories told about the city and how its streets are paved with gold, but the reality is that many who left their homes in search of that gold were disappointed. The singer wants to return home and be with their people, as they miss the warmth and love that they had left behind.
The second verse highlights the importance of family and the memories that were created with them. The singer's Uncle Henry, who presumably lives back home, does not believe in airplanes. Despite this, Uncle Henry was always there for the singer in the past, providing them with piggyback rides and love. The desire to return home to these memories and relationships is present throughout the song.
The chorus emphasizes the unexpected nature of feeling lost and searching for something as basic as warmth and a smile. The singer never expected to leave home or experience the difficulty of running through the city like a newborn child. The final verse states that despite the struggles, the singer has found some people who do love them and provide a sense of home. The line "collar greens and cornbread on my Sunday dinner" is a reference to a traditional soul food meal that is often seen as a comfort food, signifying that the singer has found solace in the familiar.
Line by Line Meaning
There's been a whole lot said about your city living
People talked a lot about living in the city
They told us that the streets were paved with gold
Some people said that living in the city was like walking on gold
And some of us believed 'em, left our home and came looking
Some people believed those stories and left their homes to find that gold
But that was just another story they told
But the story about gold was just a lie
I got to get back and see my people
I need to return to my hometown and my loved ones
Someday and someway
I don't know when or how, but I will return
My old Uncle Henry don't believe in those airplanes
My Uncle Henry is skeptical about airplanes
Lord knows you sure been good to me
I've been blessed by a higher power
Gave me piggy back rides down them dusty highways
My Uncle Henry gave me rides when I was a child
When I came just up to his knees
I was so young that I only reached my Uncle's knees
I never thought I'd be lost and start searching for warmth and a smile
I never thought I'd feel so alone and desperate for comfort
But here I am
But now I am in the city, far away from home
And I got some people and I know that they love me
But I have found some caring people who love me
And I know just where to look this time
And now I know where to go to find happiness and warmth
Collar greens and cornbread on my Sunday dinner
I look forward to eating greens and cornbread for Sunday dinner like I used to
And don't you know that makes me think it's working out fine
And that makes me believe that everything is going to be alright
When I get back to see my people
When I return home to my loved ones
Someday and someway
I don't know when, but I'll make it happen
Someday and someway
Someday and someway
And someday, and someway
And someday, and someway
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: STEPHEN LEE CROPPER, DONALD V. DUNN, AL JR. JACKSON, BOOKER T. JR. JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Healey
Damn this song hits me in my heart so hard. Miss when music gave you something special
Eddie Spano
I love this song so much
SmokersLounge
"Gave me piggyback rides down them dusty highways when I came just up to his knees" always loved Gil for that line
Louis Fowler Gottlieb
Bruh how is this so slept on probably the best on the album that chorus is insane
Tom
masterpiece
Jerry Bracey
Not to many days go by that don't listen to something by brother GIL
Temujinn463
R.I.P. Gil Scot-Heron there will never be another
B. Bailey
thanks for the information on Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson. Makes the music even better, knowing this stuff.
Alvin Bailey
Alvin is thank you for your Scott-Heron and all of that he has accomplished and did playing you but playing his. Alvin Bailey music
Rassla
Guaranteed to brighten up any day