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.
Johannesburg
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me, brother, have you heard?
From Johannesburg?
Tell me, what's the word now?
Sister, woman, have you heard?
From Johannesburg?
They tell me that our brothers over
And we don't know for sure because
The news we get is unreliable, man
Yes, I
I hate it when the blood start flowing
But I'm glad to see resistance growing
Somebody tell me what's the word?
Tell me, brother, have you heard?
About Johannesburg? Now what's the word?
Tell me, woman, have you heard?
About Johannesburg?
They tell me that our brothers over there
Refuse to work in the mines
They may not get the news
But they need to know we're on their side
Yeah, now sometimes distance
Bring misunderstanding
But deep in my heart, I'm demanding
Somebody tell me what's the word?
Tell me, brother, have you heard?
About Johannesburg?
I know there's something happening
Tell me what's the word?
Sister, woman, have you heard?
About Johannesburg?
And I know that they're struggling over there
That ain't gonna free me
Yeah, but we've all got to be struggling
And if we wanna be free
Don't you wanna be free, free? Somebody, hey
We ought to come together
They tell me that our brothers over there
Refuse to work in the mines
They may not get the news
But they need to know we're on their side
Yes, I
I hate it when the blood start flowing
But I'm glad to see resistance growing
Somebody tell me what's the word?
(Johannesburg)
So what's the word? (Johannesburg)
So what's the word? (Johannesburg)
So what's the word? (Johannesburg)
So get it from the drums (Johannesburg)
So haven't you heard? (Johannesburg)
You gotta get one (Johannesburg)
Somebody tell me what's happening
In Johannesburg
The Valley is like Johannesburg
New York is like Johannesburg
Freedom ain't nothing but a word
Ain't nothing
Said what's the word? (Johannesburg)
Said what's the word? (Johannesburg)
So haven't you heard? (Johannesburg)
Somebody tell me what's happening
In Johannesburg
You know it's like Johannesburg
Detroit like Johannesburg
Freedom ain't nothing but a word
Ain't nothing but a word
So let me see your ID let me see your ID
It could be you instead of me
Johannesburg, now
The lyrics of Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson's song "Johannesburg" are a call for awareness and solidarity with the anti-apartheid movement happening in Johannesburg, South Africa during that time. The song expresses the frustration of not having reliable news sources about the resistance happening in Johannesburg and the struggle faced by the oppressed people. The lyrics ask for information about what is happening in Johannesburg, urging the listener to be informed and stand in support of those fighting against the oppressive regime.
The song portrays the refusal of the black miners to work in the mines, which symbolizes their resistance and refusal to be complicit in their own oppression. The distance and lack of communication make it difficult for accurate information to reach the outside world, but the song emphasizes the importance of standing in solidarity and supporting the struggle for freedom and equality.
Overall, "Johannesburg" is a powerful anthem that highlights the importance of being informed, standing in solidarity, and actively participating in the fight against injustice and discrimination.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey! Said what's the word?
Hey! Tell me, what's the news?
Tell me, brother, have you heard?
Hey, brother, have you heard anything?
From Johannesburg?
About what's happening in Johannesburg?
Tell me, what's the word now?
Tell me, what's the latest news?
Sister, woman, have you heard?
Hey, sister, have you heard anything?
From Johannesburg?
About what's happening in Johannesburg?
They tell me that our brothers over
I've been told that our fellow brothers in Johannesburg
There are defying the Man
Are defying the oppressive system
And we don't know for sure because
However, we can't be certain because
The news we get is unreliable, man
The information we receive is not trustworthy, my friend
Yes, I
Yes, I have to admit
I hate it when the blood start flowing
I dislike the violence and bloodshed
But I'm glad to see resistance growing
But I'm pleased to witness the growth of resistance
Somebody tell me what's the word?
Can somebody inform me of the latest news?
Tell me, brother, have you heard?
Tell me, brother, do you have any information?
About Johannesburg? Now what's the word?
About what's happening in Johannesburg? Tell me the news.
Tell me, woman, have you heard?
Tell me, woman, do you have any information?
About Johannesburg?
About what's happening in Johannesburg?
They tell me that our brothers over there
I've been told that our fellow brothers in Johannesburg
Refuse to work in the mines
Are refusing to work in the mines
They may not get the news
They might not receive the news
But they need to know we're on their side
But they need to be aware that we support them
Yeah, now sometimes distance
Yes, sometimes distance
Bring misunderstanding
Leads to misunderstandings
But deep in my heart, I'm demanding
But deep in my heart, I strongly insist
I know there's something happening
I'm aware that something is happening
Tell me what's the word?
Tell me, what's the news?
Sister, woman, have you heard?
Hey, sister, have you heard anything?
About Johannesburg?
About what's happening in Johannesburg?
And I know that they're struggling over there
And I know that they're facing difficulties there
That ain't gonna free me
But that won't liberate me
Yeah, but we've all got to be struggling
Yes, but we all have to fight for freedom
And if we wanna be free
And if we want to achieve freedom
Don't you wanna be free, free? Somebody, hey
Don't you desire freedom? Somebody, hey
We ought to come together
We should unite
So what's the word? (Johannesburg)
So what's the news? (about Johannesburg)
So get it from the drums (Johannesburg)
So hear it from the drums (about Johannesburg)
You gotta get one (Johannesburg)
You need to find out (about Johannesburg)
Somebody tell me what's happening
Can somebody inform me about the current situation
The Valley is like Johannesburg
The Valley resembles Johannesburg
New York is like Johannesburg
New York is similar to Johannesburg
Freedom ain't nothing but a word
Freedom is merely a word
Ain't nothing
It means nothing
So haven't you heard? (Johannesburg)
So haven't you heard the news? (about Johannesburg)
So what's the word? (Johannesburg)
So what's the news? (about Johannesburg)
So haven't you heard? (Johannesburg)
So haven't you heard the news? (about Johannesburg)
Somebody tell me what's happening
Can somebody inform me about the current situation
In Johannesburg
In Johannesburg
You know it's like Johannesburg
You know it's similar to Johannesburg
Detroit like Johannesburg
Detroit resembles Johannesburg
Freedom ain't nothing but a word
Freedom is merely a word
Ain't nothing but a word
It means nothing
So let me see your ID let me see your ID
So show me your identification, show me your identification
It could be you instead of me
It could be you facing the struggles instead of me
Johannesburg, now
Johannesburg, now
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael E. Sibeleski JR.
Gil was so deep ..and ahead of his time ..
There's no one else like him...
RIP brother Gil
S. Tepper
Met some South Africans in the early '80''s; they told me this song was banned there back then. That's how you know that a song is landing punches. Oh Gil we needed your music and your insights these past 4 years (30-Dec-2020.)
Carolyn Boyd
2021 landing punches.
Snake D.I.
"Tuck Frump"!!!
Garrett Davis
It must've been banned in the U. S. A too. I only heard it on College Radio back then
David Pike
I first heard Gil Scott-Heron, way back in the Seventies. I was a youngster, but this, plus "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" made a very big impression on me!
We need stuff like this now, NOT the pap that the radio stations dish out everyday! Gil..R.I.P. Sir!
Robert Friel
Poet of conscience!
Forever!
MsIsabelle21
Gil was lwaaaaay ahead of his time. The original truth speaker via song.
Like all the musical greats.... there’s no replacement. I was surprised to hear him played on the radio in France and the rest of Europe. Not sure what that means..... but I’m a witness.
RIP my Brotha.
Robert Friel
True poet philosopher 😎
Maureen Frost
Big fan of Gil back in the day , he was the man. My niece is moving to Johannesburg in September. We celebrated the news moving to this tune.