The Bottle
Brian Jackson, Gil Scott-Heron
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See that black boy over there, runnin' scared His ol' man's in a bottle. He done quit his 9 to 5 to drink full time So now he's livin' in the bottle. See that Black boy over there, runnin' scared His ol' man got a problem Pawned off damn near everything, his ol' Woman's weddin' ring for a bottle. And don't you think it's a crime When time after time, people in the bottle. See that sista, sho wuz fine before she Started drinkin' wine From the bottle. Said her ol' man committed a crime And he's doin' time, So now she's in the bottle. She's out there on the avenue, all by herself Sho' needs help from the bottle. Preacherman tried to help her out, She cussed him out and hit him in the head with a bottle. And don't you think it's a crime When time after time, people in the bottle. See that gent in the wrinkled suit He done damn near blown his cool To the bottle He wuz a doctor helpin' young girls along If they wuzn't too far gone to have problems. But defenders of the dollar eagle Said "What you doin', Doc, it ain't legal," And now he's in the bottle. Now we watch him everyday tryin' to Chase the pigeons away From the bottle. And don't you think it's a crime When time after time, people in the bottle.
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
20 facts about this song
Genre Classification"The Bottle" is primarily classified under the genre of Soul and Jazz-Funk.
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Release DateThe song was released in the year 1974.
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Album Inclusion"The Bottle" is a track on the album "Winter in America."
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Song InspirationThe lyrics to "The Bottle" were inspired by individuals Gil Scott-Heron used to see at a liquor store lined up to purchase alcohol in the morning every day while he lived in Washington D.C.
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Chart PerformanceThe song reached number 15 in the R&B charts in the U.S.
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Signature Song"The Bottle" is one of Gil Scott-Heron's most well-known songs.
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MessageThe song tells the cautionary tales of four people whose lives were ruined by alcohol and drug addiction.
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Sample UsageThe song has been sampled by various artists in the world of hip-hop.
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CollaborationThe song was a collaboration between Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, who were long-time musical partners.
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Musical InstrumentsThe song features a rich collection of instruments including flutes, percussion, and keyboards.
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Live VersionsSeveral powerful live versions of "The Bottle" have been released over the years, testifying to the song's enduring popularity and influence.
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Song DurationThe original track duration of "The Bottle" is 5 minutes and 12 seconds.
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Stratos Record Label"The Bottle" was released by Strata-East Records, a label known for its groundbreaking jazz releases in the 1970s.
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Music InterpretationThe song's upbeat, funky rhythm contrasts with its serious subject matter, a trait common in many Gil Scott-Heron songs.
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Recognition"The Bottle" is widely recognized as a seminal track in the development of conscious rap music.
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Writing CreditsBoth Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson are credited as the songwriters for "The Bottle".
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Non-Musical InterestsGil Scott-Heron was well-known not only for his music but also for his work as a political poet and author.
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LegacyThe song remains popular and influential over four decades since its original release and continues to be enjoyed by audiences globally.
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ReissueThe album "Winter in America," including the track 'The Bottle,' was reissued in 2018, under the label BBE Music.
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Modern InterpretationThe song's theme of substance abuse and its effects remain relevant and have been interpreted in various ways by modern artists, including rappers, R&B singers, and EDM producers.
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Citation
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"The Bottle Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8233979/Brian+Jackson/The+Bottle>.
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