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.
Alagados
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
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O sol da manhã vem e lhes desafia
Traz do sonho pro mundo quem já não queria
Palafitas, trapiches, farrapos
Filhos da mesma agonia
E a cidade
Que tem braços abertos num cartão-postal
Lhes nega oportunidades
Mostra a face dura do mal
Alagados, Trenchtown, Favela da Maré
A esperança não vem do mar
Nem das antenas de tevê
A arte é de viver da fé
Só não se sabe fé em quê
In Gilberto Gil's song Alagados, the lyrics describe the struggles of people living in poverty in Brazil. The sun rises every day, challenging them to face the reality of their lives. They are people who have given up their dreams for a better life and have settled in shanty towns, docks, and slums. They share the same agony and bitterness, haunted by the despair of their daily difficulties. The city they live in is depicted as offering a postcard-perfect welcome, but the reality is that they are denied opportunities and the chance to achieve a better life. These opportunities are withheld from them due to inequality, a harsh reminder of the city's true character. The song references different places in Brazil where these struggles exist, including Alagados, Trenchtown, and Favela da Maré, and concludes with a plea for faith and hope which seem increasingly difficult to find.
Line by Line Meaning
Todo dia
Every day
O sol da manhã vem e lhes desafia
The morning sun comes and challenges them
Traz do sonho pro mundo quem já não queria
Bringing those who no longer wanted to dream to the world
Palafitas, trapiches, farrapos
Stilt houses, docks, rags
Filhos da mesma agonia
Children of the same agony
E a cidade
And the city
Que tem braços abertos num cartão-postal
Which has open arms in a postcard
Com os punhos fechados da vida real
With closed fists in real life
Lhes nega oportunidades
Denies them opportunities
Mostra a face dura do mal
Shows the tough face of evil
Alagados, Trenchtown, Favela da Maré
Alagados, Trenchtown, Favela da Maré
A esperança não vem do mar
Hope does not come from the sea
Nem das antenas de tevê
Nor from TV antennas
A arte é de viver da fé
The art is to live on faith
Só não se sabe fé em quê
Just do not know faith in what
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Felipe De Nobrega B. Ribeiro, Joao Alberto Barone Silva, Herbert Vianna
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind