Gal became one of Brazil's foremost Tropicália counterculture movement singers during the late 1960s and early 70s, quickly earning the title as one of the best and most acclaimed singers in Brazil, following a very succesful career with many hits and prestige over the years. During Tropicália, she became a political activist, coming into conflict with Brazil's government when dissent in music was censored, and later coming to represent the movement all alone in her country when her fellow Tropicália members and friends were exhiled to London due to the heavy dictatorship that was going on at the time.
Fellow musician Caetano Veloso, introduced her to Gilberto Gil and Tom Zé in 1963 (and later Maria Bethânia), who managed to secure her a recording deal in São Paulo for her debut album Domingo with Caetano Veloso. A bit before recording her first album, "Father of Bossa Nova" João Gilberto, met her and after a couple of hours hearing Gracinha (as she was known at the time) sing for him as he was playing the acoustic guitar, he said: "Gracinha, you're Brazil's greatest female singer". In the following years, Gal would prove his statement right with a fruitful and rewarding career, and with the encouragement of João Gilberto himself; her biggest idol.
Gal has recorded songs composed by a number of Brazil's most popular songwriters such as Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jorge Ben Jor, Chico Buarque, Rita Lee and especially her close friends Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. She was also a member of the supergroup Doces Bárbaros, active in 1976, 1994 and 2002.
Clariô
Gal Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De repente a fagulha, raieletricidade
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
Eram idéias confusas na cabeça e no peito
De repente a palavra, fogo, canto e desejo
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
De repente uma nova, reggae, luz, esperança
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
The lyrics to Gal Costa's song Clariô describe moments of sudden clarity and insight that cut through confusion and darkness, allowing new ideas, words, and movements to emerge. The first verse paints a picture of a city shrouded in dark clouds, until a lightning bolt jolts the atmosphere and electrifies everything. The chorus exclaims "Ô, clariô", which could be translated as "Oh, clarity!", expressing a sense of relief and liberation.
The second verse refers to the same theme, but from the perspective of the inner world. The singer is plagued by muddled thoughts and emotions, when suddenly a clear word ignites a fire of song and desire. The third verse adds a physical dimension, describing tired steps that suddenly find a new rhythm and source of hope in reggae music and light. Throughout the song, the repetition of "Ô, clariô" reinforces the idea of breakthrough and transformation.
On a metaphorical level, Clariô can be seen as a celebration of the power of inspiration, whether it comes from the natural world, from language and culture, or from the body's own impulses. The song invites the listener to embrace moments of clarity as opportunities for growth and renewal, and to find joy in the unexpected.
Line by Line Meaning
Eram nuvens escuras sobre o céu da cidade
Dark clouds blanketed the city's sky
De repente a fagulha, raieletricidade
Suddenly a spark, electrifying lightning
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
Oh, clarity, oh, clarity
Eram idéias confusas na cabeça e no peito
Confused thoughts in the head and heart
De repente a palavra, fogo, canto e desejo
Suddenly the word, fire, song and desire
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
Oh, clarity, oh, clarity
Eram passos cansados de dançar a mesma dança
Tired steps from dancing the same dance
De repente uma nova, reggae, luz, esperança
Suddenly a new one, reggae, light, hope
Ô, clariô, ô, clariô
Oh, clarity, oh, clarity
Contributed by Gianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.