The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Gil Scott-Heron
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10 facts about this song
Genre Classification"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" falls under the genre of Spoken Word, R&B, Jazz and proto-rap with a strong political message.
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Release DateOriginally, Scott-Heron released it as a spoken-word piece on his 1970 album "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox". However, it was later re-recorded with a full band and released in 1971 on his "Pieces of a Man" album.
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Lyrics SignificanceThe song's title phrase has been used in various forms of media and popular culture, often referencing the need for tangible action instead of passive observance.
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Song MessageThe message is influenced by the Black Power Movement, challenging listeners to actively participate in social change rather than passively watching it unfold on their television screens.
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Symbolic MeaningThe song is symbolic of critiques directed towards mass media in the United States, suggesting that the media failed to provide accurate news during civil rights issues.
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Role of ArtistsGil Scott-Heron is considered one of the progenitors of hip-hop due to his combination of spoken word and music.
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Early ReferenceThe phrase "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" was originally a popular slogan among the 1960s Black Power movements in the United States.
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Cultural ImpactThe song's phrase has over time become common verbal and written shorthand for protest and activism, expressing the idea that significant societal change occurs through active involvement rather than passive consumption.
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Musical CompositionThe full-band version featured attributes of a funk sound, with congas, bongos and additional percussion played by Eddie Knowles and Charlie Saunders, whereas the original version was minimalist with only voice and percussion.
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Recognition"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is considered Scott-Heron's most influential song and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018 reflecting its historical, cultural, and significant aesthetic importance.
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Citation
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"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27587669/Gil+Scott-Heron/The+Revolution+Will+Not+Be+Televised>.
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