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.
Banda Um
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iêiêiêiê
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôô
(Iôiôiôiô)
Banda um que toca um balanço parecendo polka
UmBandaumBandaum
Banda um que toca um balanço parecendo rumba
Banda um que é África, que é báltica, que é céltica
UmBanda América do Sul
Banda um que evoca um bailado de todo planeta
UmBandaum, Banda um
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôiê
Iêiêiêiê
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôô
(Iôiôiôiô)
Banda pra tocar por aí
No Zanzibar
Pro negro zanzibárbaro dançar
Pra agitar o Baixo Leblon
O Cariri
Pra loura blumenáutica dançar
Banda um, Banda um
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôiê
Iêiêiêiê
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ô, ô
Banda um que soa um barato pra qualquer pessoa
UmBanda pessoa afins
Banda um que voa, uma asa delta sobre o mundo
UmBanda sobre patins
Banda um surfística nas ondas da manhã nascente
UmBanda, banda feliz
Banda um que ecoa uma cachoeira desabando
UmBandaum, bandas mis
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôiê
Iêiêiêiê
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôô
(Iôiôiôiô)
The song "Banda Um" by Gilberto Gil celebrates the power of music to unite people of different backgrounds and cultures. The opening lines, "BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôiê," repeated throughout the song, create a rhythmic chant that urges everyone to come together and dance. The song describes the band as playing different rhythms that mix together in a unique way, such as a polka and a rumba. The band is also described as having influences from Africa, the Baltics, and the Celts, representing a blend of cultures from around the world.
The lyrics of "Banda Um" are an ode to the power of music to cross borders, bring people together, and stir up positive emotions. The song imagines the band playing in different locations, from Zanzibar to the Baixo Leblon, bringing people of different backgrounds and ethnicities to the dance floor. The song also plays with the idea of the band as a metaphor for the world and all its different rhythms, evoking images of waterfalls and surfers as well as skaters and happy people.
Overall, "Banda Um" celebrates the diversity of human cultures and their ability to come together in joy and harmony through the power of music.
Line by Line Meaning
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôiê
The catchy beat of the band that makes you want to move and dance
Iêiêiêiê
A joyful expression of excitement and enthusiasm
Banda um que toca um balanço parecendo polka
The unique sound of the band that is a mix of different cultural influences, resembling the upbeat rhythm of a polka
UmBandaumBandaum
The repetition of the band's name, emphasizing their presence and strong impact
Banda um que toca um balanço parecendo rumba
The band's versatility in creating music that can also sound like a rumba, a lively dance originating from Cuba
Banda um que é África, que é báltica, que é céltica
The band's diverse cultural roots, influenced by different regions of the world like Africa, the Baltic countries, and the Celtic regions
UmBanda América do Sul
Highlighting the band's origin from South America and their native musical styles
Banda um que evoca um bailado de todo planeta
The band's ability to evoke a universal dance that can connect people from all over the world
Bandaum, Banda um
Repeating the name of the band, emphasizing their uniqueness and excellence
Banda pra tocar por aí
The band that is meant to play and be heard everywhere
No Zanzibar
The exotic location in East Africa, known for its vibrant music scene
Pro negro zanzibárbaro dançar
The band's music that can make even the Zanzibari people dance, especially the black people with their unique style
Pra agitar o Baixo Leblon
The lively music that can make the affluent neighborhood of Baixo Leblon in Rio de Janeiro come alive
O Cariri
A region in Brazil that is home to many indigenous people and their rich cultural traditions
Pra loura blumenáutica dançar
The band's music that can even make the blonde people from Blumenau, a city in Brazil known for Oktoberfest, dance along
Banda um que soa um barato pra qualquer pessoa
The band's music that can sound cool and captivating to anyone's ears
UmBanda pessoa afins
The band that can unite people with similar taste and appreciation for their music
Banda um que voa, uma asa delta sobre o mundo
The band's music that can take you on a journey around the world, like a hang-glider soaring above the skies
UmBanda sobre patins
The image of the band performing on roller skates, showing their agility and flexibility in creating new sounds
Banda um surfística nas ondas da manhã nascente
The band's music that is like surfing on the waves of a new dawn, full of hope and possibilities
UmBanda, banda feliz
The band that radiates happiness and positivity through its music
Banda um que ecoa uma cachoeira desabando
The band's sound that mimics the natural beauty of a waterfall cascading down
UmBandaum, bandas mis
The repetition of the band's name and the addition of the word 'mis', emphasizing their unique and distinctive style
BandaumBandaumBandaumBanda ôô
A repetition of the band's name with a more drawn-out note, expressing the powerful impact of their music
(Iôiôiôiô)
An exclamation of joy and excitement, expressing the feeling of being stirred up by the band's music
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GILBERTO GIL MOREIRA, GILBERTO PASSOS GIL MOREIRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Monica Costa
Gilberto Gil fez toda diferença nos meus caminhos pela religiosidade...pela espiritualidade ...pelo respeito à tudo e todos...Obrigaduuuu
Marcos Piropapá
Vai fundo na alma, um arrepio toma conta do corpo e vem a vontade de chorar de alegria em ouvir uma obra prima dessa.
Monica Costa
Não consigo expressar o que foi pra mim te ouvir pessoalmente no lançamento deste disco nos idos anos 80...eu no auge dos meus quinze anos...ouvir Gil fez com certeza uma diferença enorme na minha visão de vida ...isso tem me acompanhado
Celso Ribas
Esse cara é a própria música, ele é musica, impressionante, atemporal!!
Ou você ama o mundo ou você segue a Deus.
Gilberto Gil e a música brasileira são as duas faces da mesma moeda! A música brasileira jamais seria o que é sem o Gilbertão! E todos que curtem essa grande mola-mestra da MPB é porque têm gosto musical tipicamente brasileiro, além de refinado! Sem o Gilbertão, a MPB jamais teria esse colorido, essa arte, essa pura vibração! A música do Gil sempre esteve muito além dos tempos em que foram feitas, e sempre foram lindas! Parabéns, João Vitor! "Luar" e "Um Banda Um" são discos fora de série mesmo!
Carlos Orlando Maia
Só digo uma coisa: Gil, te amo.
Vida longa a você, mestre! \o/ \o/ \o/
Priscila M
um mestre é um mestre ....Passe o tempo que passar Gil é História da nossa cultura , da nossa música ...Maestro
Marconde Carvalho
Tô FORA desse OCULTISMO, dessa exaltação a UMBANDA, ao terreiro!!!!
Ou você ama o mundo ou você segue a Deus.
Canções como Banda Um, Luar, Lente do Amor, Palco, Cara A Cara, Se Eu Quiser Falar com Deus, Esotérico, Andar com Fé, Pula Caminha, Metáfora, Drão, sempre foram grandes lembranças de minha infância... Meu pai tinha os álbuns Luar e Um Banda Um, e eu ouvia esses álbuns sempre, aos meus 7, 8, 9 anos, e não deixo de ouvir até hoje! Posso mesmo dizer que em minha vida toda o som do Gilberto Gil sempre esteve presente, e ele realmente é a minha cama de tatame pela vida afora!
Ou você ama o mundo ou você segue a Deus.
Gilberto Gil sempre passeando por todos os ritmos, por todos os assuntos, sempre descontraído e sempre de forma pra lá de musical! Banda Um, Umbanda! Tema tabu a umbanda, e Gil sempre passeou sobre temas tabus sem ferir preconceitos, os temas que ele traz à tona jamais incomodam, pelo fato de estarem sempre adornados pelas lindas músicas que ele faz! Banda Um, linda canção do álbum Um Banda Um, de 1982, que, junto com o álbum Luar, de 1981, são sem dúvida os dois melhores discos do Gil!