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The Bottle

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Composition
"The Bottle" is a social commentary on alcohol abuse with a Caribbean beat. The song also became a popular song played at parties at the time. French music critic Pierre Jean-Critin later described it as "an epic song ... whose infectious groove can still set dance floors alight over thirty years later." The song's pop/dance sensibilities and social message engendered its appeal to listeners following its release as a single. Scott-Heron later said of the single's success and style, "Pop music doesn't necessarily have to be shit."
Cited by critics and music writers as Winter in America's best recording, "The Bottle" also addresses problems of drug addiction, abortion, and incarceration, while featuring Jackson on flute and Scott-Heron on keyboards. Scott-Heron's high tempo vocal style and rhythmic lyricism shows similarity to later hip hop music, while the song's theme uses alcohol, or "the bottle", as a metaphor for ghetto life and alcoholism's long-term effects on its users.
See that black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man's in a bottle.
He done quit his 9 to 5, he 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, and it's a bad one
He done 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 after time, people in the bottle.
il Scott-Heron, "The Bottle"
"The Bottle"
Cited by critics as the album's best recording, the song is a rhythmic social commentary on alcohol abuse.
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While its theme examines the plight of alcoholics and those who have to live with and cope with them, "The Bottle" became a concert favorite and one of Scott-Heron's most popular songs.
Release and reception
"The Bottle" was released in 1974 as the only single for Winter in America. The song became an underground and cult hit upon its release. Soon after, it also became one of Scott-Heron's most successful singles, as it reached the number 15 spot on the R&B Singles Chart. The single's success helped lead to Jackson's and Scott-Heron's next recording contract with Arista Records, where they would enjoy more commercial success.
"The Bottle" has been cited by critics as Winter in America's best recording. Paul J. MacArthur of the Houston Press called it a "strong anti-alcohol rant with a funky bass hook and chilly flute fills." Much like many of Scott-Heron's recordings, "The Bottle" has been sampled by several hip hop artists, including De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers. "The Bottle" was later ranked number 92 on NME's list of The Top 150 Singles of All-Time and was included in Q magazine's 1010 Songs You Must Own! publication.
Track listings and formats
These are the formats and track listings of the U.K. single releases of "The Bottle":
7" Single
A-side
"The Bottle" (Album version)
B-side
"The Bottle" (Sober mix)
12" Single
A-side
"The Bottle" (Drunken mix)
B-side
"The Bottle" (Short version)
"The Bottle" (Sober mix)
Chart history
Billboard Music Charts (North America) "The Bottle"
1974: Top R&B Singles #15
Personnel
Gil Scott-Heron vocals, electric piano
Brian Jackson flute
Danny Bowens fender bass
Bob Adams traps
Perpis-Fall Music, Inc. producer
Jose Williams engineer, production assistance
Sample use
The information regarding sampling of "The Bottle" is adapted from TheBreaks.com
De la Soul - "Area"
Jungle Brothers - "Black is Black"
Kenny Dope - "Hittin the Bottle"
Stop the Violence Movement - "Self-Destruction"
S'Express - "Theme from S'Express"
Notes
^ a b c d Jean-Critin (2001), p. 2.
^ a b c 20 People Who Changed Black Music Revolutionary Poet Gil Scott-Heron, the First Rap Rebel. The Miami Herald Media Company. Retrieved on 2008-07-20.
^ "Review of Winter in America (Reissue)". Q: 141. April 1998.
^ "Review of Winter in America". Soul Music: January 12, 2009.
^ "Gil Scott-Heron at All About Jazz". All About Jazz. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=7597. Retrieved 2008-07-10. 
^ "Gil Scott-Heron: American Visions - Find Articles at BNET". CNET Networks, Inc.. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1546/is_n3_v13/ai_n27536095. Retrieved 2008-07-10. 
^ a b "Catching Up with Gil - Music - Houston Press". Village Voice Media. http://www.houstonpress.com/1998-09-03/music/catching-up-with-gil/print. Retrieved 2008-07-10. 
^ a b "Rap Sample FAQ Search: Gil Scott-Heron". The Breaks.com. http://www.the-breaks.com/search.php?term=Gil+Scott-Heron&type=0. Retrieved 2008-07-09. 
^ "Acclaimed Music - The Bottle". Acclaimed Music. http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/S1780.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
^ Discogs.com - Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson* - The Bottle (7"). Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-08-24.
^ Discogs.com - Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson* - The Bottle (12"). Discogs. Retrieved on 2008-08-24.
References
Gil Scott-Heron, Pierre Jean-Critin (2001). Winter in America (Charly) CD reissue booklet. liner notes. Charly Licensing Aps/Artistry Music Ltd./Snapper Music Plc., London, UK. 
External links
"The Bottle" at Discogs
Song lyrics at Scott-Heron's website
Music video at YouTube
v  d  e
Gil Scott-Heron
Studio albums
Pieces of a Man (1971)  Free Will (1972)  Winter in America (1974)  The First Minute of a New Day (1975)  From South Africa to South Carolina (1975)  Bridges (1977)  Secrets (1978)  1980 (1979)  Real Eyes (1980)  Reflections (1981)  Moving Target (1982)  Spirits (1994)  I'm New Here (2010)
Other albums
Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1970)  The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1974)  It's Your World (1976)  The Mind of Gil Scott-Heron (1978)  The Best of Gil Scott-Heron (Arista) (1984)  Tales of Gil Scott-Heron (1990)  Glory: The Gil Scott-Heron Collection (1990)  Minister of Information: Live (1994)  Ghetto Style (1998)  The Gil Scott-Heron Collection: Sampler 1974-1975 (1998)  Evolution (And Flashback): The Very Best of Gil Scott-Heron (1999)  Tour de Force (Live) (2004)  Save the Children (2004)  Anthology: Messages (2005)
Singles
"Home Is Where the Hatred Is"  "The Bottle"  "Johannesburg"  "Superman"  "Hello Sunday! Hello Road!"  "Storm Music"  "Re-Ron"  "Winter in America"  "Space Shuttle"  "Don't Give Up"  "The Klan"
Other songs
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"  "Whitey on the Moon"  "Rivers of My Fathers"
Related topics
Discography  Brian Jackson  Perpis-Fall Music, Inc.  Flying Dutchman Records  Strata-East Records  Spoken word soul  Jazz poetry  Proto-rap
Categories: 1974 singles | Gil Scott-Heron songs

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