When Was The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Released?
Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” remains a potent and influential piece of music 50 years after its release. Its enduring legacy stems from its pioneering role in the development of rap music, its status as a powerful political anthem, and its titular phrase’s integration into the global lexicon. From the Arab Spring to Black Lives Matter, the phrase has been adopted by various political movements and extensively referenced in books, films, television shows, and song lyrics.
The phrase itself originated within the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, a cause Scott-Heron championed. He incorporated it into his spoken-word poem, a style influenced by The Last Poets, a New York group known for performing black power poetry over conga and drum rhythms starting in 1968. Notably, one of their prominent songs was titled “When the Revolution Comes.”
Scott-Heron, as detailed by biographer Marcus Baram, conceived the song while watching televised baseball games as a student at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, in the late 1960s. Ironically inspired by his own passive TV consumption, the lyrics urge Black Americans to liberate themselves from the distractions of television and prioritize social change. The song’s message is a call to action, emphasizing the need for active participation in the struggle for equality. Lines like “You will not be able to stay home, brother…/ You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip out for beer during commercials/ Because the revolution will not be televised” highlight this urgent call to action.
The song cleverly juxtaposes satirical commentary on television advertising slogans, programs, and performers with passionate oratory. Lines like “The revolution will not make you look five pounds thinner” and “The revolution will not go better with Coke” are interspersed with powerful statements such as “There will be no pictures of pigs shooting down brothers on the instant replay” and “Black people will be in the street looking for a brighter day”. This blend of satire and social commentary contributes to the song’s lasting impact.
Scott-Heron’s initial recording in 1970 featured a stark backing of congas and bongo drums, emphasizing the urgency of his message. However, the definitive version emerged a year later on his album Pieces of a Man. This version incorporated a mesmerizing jazz-funk bass and drum arrangement, with a flute improvising around Scott-Heron’s spoken word. This iconic version solidified the song’s place in music history.
While the song’s unique style has resulted in relatively few covers, some notable adaptations exist. In 1973, the female vocal trio Labelle released a jazz-infused rendition, surprisingly pairing it with Thunderclap Newman’s “Something in the Air.” In 2004, the American drag cabaret duo Kiki and Herb created a more unconventional medley, incorporating the song into their album Kiki and Herb Will Die for You: Live at Carnegie Hall.
The song’s title has continued to resonate with political activists and demonstrators throughout the decades. Baram notes its presence in protests ranging from London’s anti-nuclear demonstrations in 1983 to the Black Lives Matter marches in the US. It even appeared in a window of the Greek state TV broadcaster, ERT, during protests against its planned closure in 2013. This widespread adoption underscores the song’s enduring relevance and power. The phrase “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” continues to serve as a rallying cry for those seeking social and political change. It encapsulates the idea that true revolution requires active participation and cannot be passively observed through a screen.
Upon Scott-Heron’s passing in 2011, prominent musicians recognized him as a foundational figure in rap music. Kanye West, among many artists who sampled his work, performed at his funeral in Harlem. This recognition solidified Scott-Heron’s place as a musical innovator and influential artist. The question “When Was The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Released?” points to the ongoing relevance of this powerful song. While the specific answer is 1970 for the original version and 1971 for the more widely known version on the album Pieces of a Man, the song’s message continues to resonate with audiences today.
