Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Gil Scott-Heron
Canonical path: /gil-scott-heron/1980
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
1980
Read 1980 lyrics by Gil Scott-Heron on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
1980
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Thank you very much, thank you
Thank you, thanks, thanks everybody, yes thank you
Robot dignitaries better welcome you
Aliens part as you pass on through(?)
Nourishment and encouragement for the captain and his crew
Includes a ticker tape parade down the Main Avenue(?)
And you're captured by the dream machine
you wake up and you wonder what it means
It's 1980
And there ain't even no way back to '75 or 1969
It's 1980
And ain't nobody ask me no time lately "how we gonna open the door for 1984?"
God will continue to look out for the children
But the fools will have to look out for themselves
Space is the place but you stuck on the ground
If powers continue but without the sound
A universal dress rehearsal paints the town
But boogie-woogie somewhere in the lost and found
I don't mean to say that you're behind the times
But only that the times got away from you
And it's 1980
And there ain't even no way back to '75, much less 1969
It's 1980
And ain't nobody ask me no time lately "Brother help me open the door for 1984"
God will continue to look out for the children
But the fools will have to look out, look out, look out
The robot mayor is there to shake your hand
But he ain't never seen himself no earth man
Heard a funny word he just don't understand
But he hope that it don't mean you need a piece of land
Does it seem like such a long long way to come
To end up right back where you coming from?
It's 1980
And there ain't even no way back to '75, or much less 1969
It's 1980
And ain't nobody ask me no time lately "how we gonna open the door for 1984?"
God will continue to look out for the children
But the fools are gonna have to learn to fend for themselves
God will continue to watch over the babies
But the fools who never learn, never learn
God will continue to watch over the babies
But the fools are gonna have to watch out, watch out, watch out
Watch out
Watch out
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "1980"?
Gil Scott-Heron performs "1980", and this lyric page sits inside the Gil Scott-Heron catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "1980"?
Yes. The related section below points to B Movie and Did You Hear What They Said? with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Gil Scott-Heron?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Gil Scott-Heron's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on 1980 yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.