Gil Scott-Heron writes Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor to be careful - his recent tactics and tantrums are in full view, and nothing will go unrecorded - and to use his temporary fame wisely.
Dear Emmanuel Adebayor,
Your Revolution Is Now Being Televised!
You will not be able to stay home, brother.
You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out.
You will not be able to lose yourself on ska and skank,
skip out on your new-found commitment
to your new crest on your blue breast,
because your revolution is now being televised.
Your revolution is now being televised.
Your revolution is being brought to all
around the world by Sky Sports
in two halves every week,
each half without commercial interruption.
Your revolution is manifesting not only in your brilliance,
but also in your madness.
Stepping on opponents faces and ankles,
Robin van Persie’s and Cesc Fabregas’.
Each looking like intent to maim former mates.
Your revolution is now being televised.
Your revolution is now being televised
from the City of Manchester Stadium, starring mainly yourself.
Who cares about Robinho and Carlos Tevez? But,
Your revolution will not give your mouth sex appeal.
Your revolution will not get rid of the nubs.
Your revolution will not make you look five pounds thinner,
Your revolution will simply reveal all that you really are,
because your revolution is now being televised, Brother.
On Saturday after scoring a goal,
turning around with rage and
running the opposite direction with fury
down the left flank – a 100m dash,
ending with a slide on your knees
in front of your visiting former supporters.
Now you are their poster child - Public Enemy Number One.
Arms stretched out. Are you Jesus?
No, just inciting a riot.
“I now have my pound of your flesh.”
“Go ahead. Deliver your slings and arrows.”
“Your coins and your chairs.”
“I don’t mind.”
“This is my revolution and it’s now being televised.”
Watch out!
There are pictures of your every little move
on the pitch by instant replay.
There are pictures of your every little move
on the pitch by instant replay.
Your life is being reduced to slow motion
and still life by the press.
Your revolution is now being chronicled,
is now being televised.
Monaco, Arsenal, and eventually Manchester City, too
will all someday become irrelevant to you,
and you won’t care if your agent links you
with Chelsea or Catania, Barcelona or Besiktas
because you must keep running from
all those burning bridges you set afire.
So you've got to remember, Brother.
Your revolution is now being televised.
Someday there will be no more highlights
on the eleven o'clock news
and no pictures of you running like the wind
with the ball at your feet.
The fans’ song about your father and mother,
the elephant washer and the whore,
will not be sung any more.
Then you will no longer be the lightening rod that you are,
now maintained by your own thoughts, feet and deeds.
Someday your revolution will not be televised.
Your revolution is now being televised,
is now being televised.
Someday your revolution will not be televised,
will not be televised.
What will you do then?
Your revolution will have no re-runs, Brother.
Your revolution will be dead.
Peace,
Gil Scott-Heron
RELATED DRIVEL:
Spotlight: Arsenal’s Adebayor is Manchester City’s Latest Acquisition
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Gil Scott-Heron is the son of Gil Heron, a Jamacian footballer who was the first black player for the Scottish football club Glasgow Celtic. He died at the age of 87 in Detroit on Thursday 27 November 2008.
BACKGROUND:
13 Jan 2006: Adebayor leaves Monaco for Arsenal.
10 Jun 2008: What started it all – Adebayor flirts with moving from Arsenal to AC Milan.
18 Aug 2008: Adebayor signs ”long-term” contract with Arsenal.
12 May 2009: Audio file of interview with Adebayor.
13 May 2009: The poisonous influence of Adebayor.
24 Jul 2009: Adebayor signs with Manchester City and lashes out at former club and coach.
31 Aug 2009: A look at the Manchester City Revolution.
1 Sep 2009: Manchester City spend the most on free agents.
10 Sep 2009: A summary of all the baggage leading up to the Manchester City vs Arsenal match.
11 Sep 2009: Adebayor fires a shot over the bow prior to match against his former club.
12 Sep 2009: Manchester City defeat Arsenal 4-2.
12 Sep 2009: Van Persie reacts to Adebayor after match.
12 Sep 2009: Adebayor slams Arsenal fans.
14 Sep 2009: "Roots of a Rampage" - summary article on the buildup to this past weekend's encounter.
16 Sep 2009: Manchester City FC accepts Football Association’s violent conduct charge of Adebayor.
16 Sep 2009: Summary from the NY Times.
17 Sep 2009: Adebayor receives three-match ban for violent conduct.
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