Angel Dust
Gil Scott Heron. Lyrics
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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
Louane Rzko
He was groovin'
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
Sweat was pourin'
He couldn't take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it.
Angel Dust Please, children would you listen.
Angel Dust Just ain't where it's at.
Angel Dust You won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
They were standin'
Everybody 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 Dust Please children would you listen.
Angel Dust Just ain't where it's at.
Angel Dust You won't remember what you're
Missin', but down some dead end streets
There ain't no turnin' back.
Anthony H
Angel Dust)
(Angel Dust)
(Angel Dust)
(Angel Dust)
He was grooving
And that was when he could of sworn
The room was moving
But that was only in his mind
He was sailing
He never really seemed to notice
Vision failing
‘Cause that was all part of the high
Sweat was pouring
He couldn’t take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, would you listen?
(Angel Dust)
Just, it just ain’t where it’s at
(Angel Dust)
You won’t remember what you’re missing
But down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back
[Bridge: Julia Waters, Marti McCall, and Maxine Waters]
Dust
Dust
[Verse 2: Gil Scott-Heron with (Background Vocals by Julia Waters, Marti McCall, and Maxine Waters)]
They were standing
Everybody in a circle
The whole family
Listening to the preacher’s words
Sis was crying
She alone held the secrets
About his dying
Tears falling to earth
Maybe her fault
He was so trusting
God only knew why
They were dusting
(Angel Dust)
Please. Gonna be the death of you, children
(Angel Dust)
It just ain’t where it’s at
(Angel Dust)
You won’t remember what you’re missing
But down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back, to back, to back, to back from
(Dust)
Believe me, sister
(Dust)
Don’t mean nobody no good no way
[Verse 3: Gil Scott-Heron with (Background Vocals by Julia Waters, Marti McCall, and Maxine Waters)]
Sweat was pouring
He couldn’t take it
The room was exploding
He might not make it
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, it’s hard to listen, but
(Angel Dust)
I ain’t trying to run your life
(Angel Dust)
Might just seem like one more good time
But down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, it’s hard to listen, but
(Angel Dust)
I ain’t trying to run your life, believe me
(Angel Dust)
Don’t mean nobody no good nowhere
And down some dead-end streets
There ain’t no turning back, to back, to back
Go away from
(Angel Dust)
Please, children, would you listen to me?
(Angel Dust)
I’m in fear, I ain’t trying to run your life, believe me
(Angel Dust)
Just don’t mean nobody no good
(Angel Dust)
Jamie Lewis
Dude was so ahead of his time most people haven't got to him yet
Captainfuckthat9000
who else u recomend
Jamie Lewis
anything from Sly or Curtis
Roosevelt Dumornay
I just found out about him today. While looking up some info on spoken word poetry and his name came up on Google. I've never heard anybody talk about this dude. I wonder why?
Crate.Digger.503
Last Poets
matthew Wilson
Player's convention lightnin rod. Curtis, marvin, bobby Womack,bill withers. Dorothy ashby
Ash B
Gil Scott Heron… an ancestor worthy of the utmost respect, not only a musician but a story teller, a true artist. Sooo many artists use his songs in their samples even in this day and age, his work is timeless.
Countmiien
I remember being a teenager falling asleep to his albums on my iPod or turntables. Truly one of my first inspirations to poetry and sampling. I'm a Mexican American
davidwave4
Scott-Heron's music is timeless. Reaches across time, space, and race. Right on, bud.
Jah Bawl
Music has no color my brother just a feel and a message