He began his career as a bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including Realce and Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic João Gilberto LP.
In 1969, Gil and Veloso, whose status in Brazil was, and is, equivalent to that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the English-speaking world, were arrested by the military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair both moved to London. Gil began playing with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd and The Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced reggae to Brazil.
Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected a city councillor in his home town Salvador in 1989. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso, Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.
When President Lula da Silva took office in January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture, a post he held until 2008. While minister, Gil released his songs "Refazenda", "Rebento" and "Refavela" under the Creative Commons Sampling License.
In May 2005 Gil was awarded the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipient of the annual award, which was given to him by the King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by Jimmy Cliff.
In September 2005 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur from the French Government. This coincided with the Année du Brésil en France (Brazil's Year in France).
His daughter Preta Gil is also a musician.
óia eu aqui de novo
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Vou mostrar pra esses cabras
Que eu ainda dou no couro
Isso é um desaforo
Que eu não posso levar
Óia eu aqui de novo cantando
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo mostrando
Como se deve xaxar
Vem cá morena linda
Vestida de chita
Você é a mais bonita
Desse meu lugar
Vai, chama Maria, chama Luzia
Vai, chama Isabé, chama Raqué
Diz que 'to aqui com alegria
Seja noite ou seja dia
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
De novo novinho
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Vou mostrar pra esses cabras
Que eu ainda dou no couro
Isso é um desaforo
Que eu não posso levar
Óia eu aqui de novo cantando
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo mostrando
Como se deve xaxar
Vem cá morena linda
Vestida de chita
Você é a mais bonita
Desse meu lugar
Vai, chama Maria, chama Luzia
Vai, chama Isabé, chama Raqué
Diz que 'to aqui com alegria
Seja noite ou seja dia
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
De novo novinho
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Vem cá morena linda
Vestida de chita
Você é a mais bonita
Desse meu lugar
Vai, chama Maria, chama Luzia
Vai, chama Isabé, chama Raqué
Diz que 'to aqui com alegria
Seja noite ou seja dia
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
Para xaxar
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Óia eu aqui de novo
The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's song "Óia eu aqui de novo" are in Portuguese and are about the cultural dance style called xaxado. The opening lines repeat the phrase "Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando" which translates to "Look at me here again dancing xaxado". The song continues to express a sense of pride in being able to perform the dance well and to teach others to do it as well.
The singer of the song speaks about showing "these cabras" or rough men, that he still has the skill to dance xaxado, and that it's a matter of honor for him. He encourages a beautiful young woman dressed in chita (a type of brightly patterned cloth) to join him in dancing, praising her as the most beautiful in the place. He also calls out several different women by name, urging them to come and dance with him.
Overall, the song celebrates the joy and energy of the xaxado dance, as well as the sense of community that comes with it. It is a lively and infectious tune that invites listeners to join in and experience the excitement of the dance for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Here I am once again dancing the xaxado
Óia eu aqui de novo
Look, I am here again
Para xaxar
To dance the xaxado
Vou mostrar pra esses cabras
I will show these guys
Que eu ainda dou no couro
That I still have it in me
Isso é um desaforo
That's outrageous
Que eu não posso levar
I cannot stand for that
Óia eu aqui de novo cantando
Here I am again singing
Óia eu aqui de novo mostrando
Here I am again showing
Como se deve xaxar
How to properly dance the xaxado
Vem cá morena linda
Come here, beautiful brunette
Vestida de chita
Dressed in chita
Você é a mais bonita
You are the most beautiful
Desse meu lugar
In this place of mine
Vai, chama Maria, chama Luzia
Go, call Maria, call Luzia
Vai, chama Isabé, chama Raqué
Go, call Isabé, call Raqué
Diz que 'to aqui com alegria
Say I am here with joy
Seja noite ou seja dia
Whether it's day or night
Eu 'to aqui pra ensinar xaxado
I'm here to teach xaxado
Óia eu aqui de novo xaxando
Here I am once again dancing the xaxado
De novo novinho
Brand new again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Antonio Barros Silva
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind