On the subject of space, Richard Branson’s trip, Jeff Bezos’ upcoming trip and Elon Musk’s future trip to space must be rather expensive and it made me think of Gil Scott-Heron’s payback on the exploration of space versus black poverty from his debut classic Small Talk at 125th and Lenox (1970). It’s more of a plea than anything else and rather than being name-calling reverse racism (as I’ve heard it described) by Scott-Heron using the ‘W’ word, it shows how futile and how unable this minority was/is to upset or shame leaders into doing something, anything for his people. The album famously contains The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, a catchphrase for future generations.

I saw Scott-Heron live at The Jazz Café in London many years ago, a memorable show, he was hours late but I got to meet his band because my mate Yeb from Cameroon was playing sax with him. Scott-Heron had a history of drug problems that landed him in prison and he died in 2011 aged 62.

Music Of The Daze

A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Whitey’s on the moon)

I can’t pay no doctor bills.
(but Whitey’s on the moon)
Ten years from now I’ll be payin’ still.
(while Whitey’s on the moon)

The man jus’ upped my rent las’ night.
(’cause Whitey’s on the moon)
No hot water, no toilets, no lights.
(but Whitey’s on the moon)

I wonder why he’s uppin’ me?
(’cause Whitey’s on the moon?)
I was already givin’ ‘im fifty a week.
(with Whitey on the moon)

Taxes takin’ my whole damn check,
Junkies makin’ me a nervous wreck,
The price of food is goin’ up,
An’ as if all that crap wasn’t enough
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face an’ arm began to swell.
(and Whitey’s on the moon)

Was all that money I made las’ year
(for Whitey on the moon?)
How come I ain’t got no money here?
(Hm! Whitey’s on the moon)

Y’know I jus’ ’bout had my fill
(of Whitey on the moon)
I think I’ll sen’ these doctor bills
Airmail special
(to Whitey on the moon)

The musical musings in this post are an excerpt from my daily blog, TO WHERE I AM NOW, featured on my main website. See more pictures and read the full post here.