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Gil Scott-Heron
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Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron was a singer and poet who worked in the 1970s. He wrote songs like 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' and 'Whitey On The Moon' that mixed...

album67 lyric pages photo_library1 photo groups9 listeners here now Editor's note live
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
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B Movie 2 visits arrow_forward Did You Hear What They Said? 2 visits arrow_forward We Beg Your Pardon (Pardon Our Analysis) 2 visits arrow_forward 17th Street 1 visits arrow_forward 1980 1 visits arrow_forward A Prayer For Everybody / To Be Free 1 visits arrow_forward
Editor's note

Gil Scott-Heron, the poet who spoke over a groove

A singer and poet whose plainspoken lyrics on social issues mixed with jazz and funk rhythms in the 1970s.

For a quick sense of his style, try 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' or 'Johannesburg'. They frame that mix of spoken word and rhythm pretty well.

He wrote songs like 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' and 'Whitey On The Moon' that addressed politics directly, without softening or metaphor. His work on albums like 'Pieces of a Man' and 'Winter in America' delivered observations over a steady funk or jazz groove. Tracks such as 'Johannesburg' and 'No Knock' kept that conversational tone even when the subjects were heavy.

He started with early recordings like 'Pieces of a Man' in 1971 and 'Winter in America' in 1974, often working with Brian Jackson. Through the late 1970s, he kept putting out albums such as 'From South Africa to South Carolina' and 'Bridge over Troubled Water'.

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 20
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Gil Scott-Heron
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Gil Scott-Heron was a singer and poet who worked in the 1970s. He wrote songs like 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' and 'Whitey On The Moon' that mixed spoken word with jazz and funk rhythms. His lyrics often addressed social and political issues directly, without much metaphor or softening.

He was born in Chicago in 1949. His early recordings included 'Pieces of a Man' in 1971 and 'Winter in America' in 1974. He sometimes worked with musician Brian Jackson.

Scott-Heron's writing had a plain, conversational tone even when the subjects were heavy. The songs weren't trying to be anthems so much as observations delivered over a groove. He kept recording through the late 1970s with albums like 'From South Africa to South Carolina' and 'Bridge over Troubled Water'.

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Where should I start with Gil Scott-Heron on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with B Movie, Did You Hear What They Said?, and We Beg Your Pardon (Pardon Our Analysis) so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for Gil Scott-Heron?

LyroVerse currently has 67 visible lyric pages for Gil Scott-Heron.

Does Gil Scott-Heron have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 1 photo available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for Gil Scott-Heron?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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