music video for Gil Scott-Heron's "The Bottle" Directed by Steve Rivo and Adam Shore. Produced in 1998 as part of CD re-issue of "Winter In America" on TVT Records.
This was one of the very first songs to address the issues of alcoholism & alcohol abuse! I am a Native Man who was career drinker for 25 years, have been sober for 20 years now. I am now NO longer LIVING IN THE BOTTLE!
Joseph Tammaro.......One of the most visionary song writers, poets and singers of all time - tragically under-rated. We first discovered GSH, Brian Jackson and the Midnight band in 1971 through their album 'Pieces Of A Man'. Then the 'Winter in America' LP [1974] featuring the eponymous 'In the Bottle' - which became a massive Northern Soul crossover hit in the UK. My brother and I were so impressed by GSH and his music we actually wrote to him [via his record label - Strata-East]. We told him how much we loved his music and asked if he ever planned to tour the UK. A few weeks later, we got a package from New York - enclosing a signed [demo] copy of 'From South Africa to South Carolina' - the Midnight Band's upcoming release and a 'thank you' letter from Gil Scott-Heron himself! He mentioned how amazed he was to learn he had fans in the UK and that we had heard about him and his music. He also stated that yes, he planned to tour the UK! We wrote back and thanked him and promised that we would definitely come and see him when he performed. A few months later, he appeared at a well-known but very seedy nightclub in Birmingham - the place was half-empty and nobody seemed to know who Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson and the Midnight Band were. But we enjoyed every second of the concert! We even introduced ourselves to GSH - and got him and the band to autograph one of our copies of the 'Winter in America' LP's [we bought 3 copies in all!] which we took along that night. GSH was incredibly humble and deeply touched that these two teenage British kids knew so much about him! A truly inspirational man - he is greatly missed.
As a white kid in 70's Britain I discovered the genius of GSH through a friends older sister. I had little idea about the issues faced by the poor in the USA but through this guys songs soon got the message. As a writer and performer he is as good as anyone as a social commentator he has few equals. Sadly taken before his time like many of his ilk.
I'm an Italian 20 year old fella. After months of knowing about this song I've just decided to comment under one of its videos on RU-vid. I had to leave my mark too on this masterpiece. Gil Scott-Heron you will never be forgotten and your legacy won't be either. It will forever enlighten new generations of people without ceasing, just like it's happened to me. People who have great music taste will always be here. Salute from the most beautiful country in the world, Italy. (2:22 a.m. of the 31st October, 2021). Peace.
❤🙏❤ theGhost Willis 💜 HELLO TO YOU 🥰 MY DEAR FAMILY AND YOUR COMMENT ABOUT """GIL SCOTT HERON""" IS 💯% TRUE AND JUST 💯% EXCELLENT ❤🙏🏽❤ PEACE AND LOVE AND BLESSING's TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS AND 💜🙏💜 TO ALL OF THIS WORLD's TRULY HONEST AND RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE FROM 🌞🥰 KATHERINE IN CHICAGO ILLINOIS ON TUESDAY MAY 23 , 2023 AT 9:57pm 💙 💙 💙 💙 AND THE MARATHON CONTINUE'S 💙 💙 💙 💙
I can relate to this song.... My mother was an alcoholic, her father was an alcoholic, and I am an alcoholic working on my issue. After finding this song I've been 6 days without a drink. Thank you Gil. Rest in peace brother
Dimond Soles eat mushrooms and tell yourself you dont want to live in the bottle and they will help you escape do some scientific research the secret is pure
I had the extended version on tape 25 years ago. I used to walk around london listening to this on my walkman😂 I got to see this man live in Portugal just before he passed🙏🏽
Im here remembering a friend I lost to drinking, he was the one who introduced me to Gil and this song breaks my heart, his dad lived his life inside a bottle too. His father passed and less than a year later he did too at only 40. My own dad died of cirrhosis, its such a sad thing, the temprance ladies were right. RIP Jeffrey Joel Rundles Sr, Jeffrey Joel Rundles Jr, Edmund Allen Sprung ❤
I'm 20 years old, from Italy. This is REAL music, and will forever be. Rest in Peace brotha Gil Scott-Heron. You'll never be forgotten. 19th of July of 2021. I've been here. Peace.
This song takes me back, I guess we all have experience the cities like New York. Never been there always wanted to go. Los Angeles is the same as New York not much different
Forget Hollywood ...... Elder Gil painted real-life cinema with thought provoking words.....Rest in Power Sir.....The Revolution Will Surely Not Be Te-Lie-Vised....
Omg, we have lost a great one...I was 19 when this album came out & it was the bomb...great memories, actually Gil was the father of rap, unbeknownst to many...RIP Gil.
I miss hearing these old songs. This is when music was music. The exhilarating feeling of hearing the artists perform the songs in person is GREAT! So hearing them again hear is just as great. Keep posting songs lime this.
I absolutely LOVE the 70’s imagery! Personally, I would drink a lot and never really thought I had a problem with alcohol until I cut it out last year and realized just how much I leaned on it as a crutch to deal with all of my stress and anxiety issues. I would excuse it by saying that I only drank beer and that I only drank on weekends, but I could see it was having an effect on me. I was gaining a ton of weight, was very unhealthy and was slipping deeper into depression. Today, I’m eight months dry, eighty pounds lighter and doing much better. Learning how to cope with stress without alcohol hasn’t always been easy, but it’s definitely been rewarding.
I lost my brother 19 years ago to alcoholism. He stopped drinking when he was ready to cross over because deep down inside, I believe he knew the only way for him to win the fight against alcoholism was for him to stop drinking because he knew his body could not survive if he stopped. He was ready to go. I think the death of our maternal grandfather really hurt him, so he was ready to go even more so after that. I saw him go from a muscular, well built, handsome man into a very very frail shell of a man. He didn't even look like himself. He looked old and had gotten very little. He transitioned 21 days before his 44th birthday and two days before my birthday in February 2002. It hurts me so much up until today! 😭 Hats off to those of you who broke free! ✔💯✔
Maybe the most succinct statement of where we were in the 70's in terms of racism, political unrest and lack of faith in our leaders to create equality. Ghettoism always has, and always will exist, but this song raised conciousness, and we have to thank Gil, Stevie wonder et al for helping us along the way to unveiling the reality of life on the streets. Also, he was a great poet and musician, who I dearly miss.
My mom played this album all the time. Growing up in the project that's all we saw was alcoholism. As I grew older I fell into what I saw. Today I'm 26yrs drug free for everything. Great Song! So many memories ♥️
Good for you lady! I can't imagine how life is in the US being a man from the UK. But how things are portrayed on the TV and in movies for working class African Americans makes it look like a very racist society, I'm glad to say Britain is not as bad
Most underrated yet accomplished artist to have emerged from the dystopia of the South Bronx and Harlem. So cool, so easy he gives you an accurate glimpse of old NY poverty .
tillman david I’ve been promising myself I’d get sober for years now. Everyday it’s always tomorrow. Tomorrow’s yesterday’s today and what not. But I’m ready now. I’m ready to take the first step. Thanks.
@@jeniferburkett3887 It meant ...I too have been listening to Mr Heron for many decades , loving his message in his music today and from way back WHEN =THEN😁👍🏼
I'm a white guy who loves this mans music.. He without doubt wrote the greatest, hard hitting line EVER in any song written... "A doller 09 buys a bottle of wine ".. That's so hard hitting its like granite. And so sadly just as relevant today as in 1974...
I was meant to grow up in this era, the music the vibe, sense of community, simplicity. Every generation had/had its vices but there something magical about the 70s. Although I’m an 80s baby but my soul is literally trapped in the 70s.
My favourite Gil Scott song, He was the best, so conscious! I don't think anyone has really taken the time out to appreciate that crazy baseline. It's on fire!!!
Hi Larry, I'm a part of you, just like you're a part of me so when you're in pain, I hurt. When you feel Love my world is brighter. We are both living, conscious, Love. And that, my brother, is why you'll never walk alone.
Im so amazed the power of a song. I see so many recovering addicts who give up the crutch because of an emotional moment they had in a song. Music today isnt what it used to be......to us. I see my little girl with her headphones on and her music takes her somewhere else too...you cant deny the power of a song
Even though this video address the very stark and problematic issues of substance abuse both liquid and otherwise, the street vibe, and free and creative spirit of the little children makes me love my people even more. Love you too Mr. Heron. RIP
I have been living in the bottle for many years. I hope that someday I can put it aside. When this World stop's killing each other. I am the same as all of you. I am a a Human not of color or religious belief. But of one of the same. I Hope someday as a human race we will understand each other as one of the same. And Evolve into something I can be proud to be a part Of. 🙏
Brothers like Gil Scott-Heron make me so proud to be African American. The ones society loves to hate but just can't get enough of. What would America be without us? #BoringAsFuck
Just to let people know how the young generation know that they have soul.. And respect the old school .. But why it bothers you so much you had to comment about it?
Caleb Johnson It doesn't bother me I was just wondering because I always see a lot of people doing that. That's awesome man keep the music alive. Gil Scott and this whole generation of music is dying out we have to keep it alive because radio rap is the only thing listened to the new generation
Gill-Scott Heron was a Great Black experience singer. He reminds me greatly of Donald Goines who himself I feel was the Best Black experience writer of his time.
Magnificent song 🎶 I First heard this wonderful song in 1990 such a wonderful DJ kindly loaned me the record (I think he was fed up of me asking to keep playing every week) Why isn’t Gil Scott-Heron named as one of the true innovators of Hip Hop History? The lyrics and poetry is timeless such relevance for every decade. The music is fabulous, Gil puts his heart into singing this song, the band are first class 🎤 🎼🎹 🪘🪈 🥁🎸🪇 Absolutely wonderful song, helped so many and no doubt will continue. R.I.P Always God Bless Always 😇 🙏🏾 xxxx
