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.
Cores Vivas
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na maré desse verão
Esperar
Pelo entardecer
Mergulhar
Na profunda sensação
De gozar
Desse bom viver
Bom viver
Graças ao calor do sol
Benfeitor dessa região
Natural
Da jangada, do coqueiral
Do pescador
De cor azul
Bela visão
Cartão postal
Sabor do mel, vigor do sal
Cores da pena de pavão
Cenas de uma vibração total
Oh, oh
Cores vivas
Eu penso em nós
Pobres mortais
Quantos verões
Verão nossos
Olhares fãs
Fãs desses céus
Tão azuis
Tomar pé
Na maré desse verão
Esperar
Pelo entardecer
Mergulhar
Na profunda sensação
De gozar
Desse bom viver
Bom viver
Graças ao calor do sol
Benfeitor
Dessa região
Natural
Da jangada, do coqueiral
Do pescador
De cor azul
Bela visão
Cartão postal
Sabor do mel, vigor do sal
Cores da pena de pavão
Cenas de uma vibração total
Oh, oh
Cores vivas
Eu penso em nós
Pobres mortais
Quantos verões
Verão nossos
Olhares fãs
Fãs desses céus
Tão azuis
Azuis
Azuis
Azuis
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song Cores Vivas express a feeling of being in the moment, enjoying life and all its pleasures. The opening line "Tomar pé na maré desse verão" can be translated to "take a stand in the tide of this summer" - this sets the tone for the song, with the singer urging the listener to seize the moment and embrace everything that life has to offer. The second line "Esperar pelo entardecer" means "wait for the sunset", which is often seen as a symbol of an ending - so it can be interpreted as a reminder to enjoy every moment, as it will soon come to an end.
The chorus of the song ("Cores vivas, eu penso em nós...") is about the beauty of life and the world around us. The colorful imagery - "cores da pena de pavão" (peacock feather colors) and "sabor do mel, vigor do sal" (the flavor of honey and the strength of salt) - evokes a sense of wonder and appreciation for the richness of nature. The singer acknowledges that this feeling is not limited to them alone, but shared by all "pobres mortais" (mere mortals) who have the fortune of experiencing it.
Overall, Cores Vivas is a celebration of life and an invitation to cherish every moment we have, as well as an appreciation of the beauty of the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Tomar pé
To take root
Na maré desse verão
In the tide of this summer
Esperar
To wait
Pelo entardecer
For the sunset
Mergulhar
To dive
Na profunda sensação
Into the deep sensation
De gozar
Of enjoying
Desse bom viver
Of this good life
Bom viver
Good living
Graças ao calor do sol
Thanks to the warmth of the sun
Benfeitor
Benefactor
Dessa região
Of this region
Natural
Natural
Da jangada, do coqueiral
Of the raft, of the coconut grove
Do pescador
Of the fisherman
De cor azul
Of blue color
Bela visão
Beautiful sight
Cartão postal
Postcard
Sabor do mel, vigor do sal
Flavor of honey, vigor of salt
Cores da pena de pavão
Colors of the peacock feather
Cenas de uma vibração total
Scenes of a total vibration
Cores vivas
Vivid colors
Eu penso em nós
I think of us
Pobres mortais
Poor mortals
Quantos verões
How many summers
Verão nossos
Our summers will have
Olhares fãs
Admiring looks
Fãs desses céus
Fans of these skies
Tão azuis
So blue
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Solange Silva Vieira
Saudade da minha infância e adolescência: quando queríamos ouvir música Boa bastava ligar o rádio. Tempo bom. Graças a Deus que temos o YouTube.
Celio Medeiros
Está música traz lembranças do início da adolescência. Como é bom saber que crescemos podendo escutar essas preciosidades da nossa MPB.
Alex Skdb
Até o que era ruim era bom. Hoje até o que é "bom" é ruim.
Esse disco de Gilberto Gil e o anterior dele são maravilhosos.
Tempo bom demais.
Edson Coutinho Apolinario
Gil, Caetano, Bethânia, Gal Costa,cayme e João Gilberto ,sem dúvida os maiores ícones da música popular brasileira,viva a Roma negra brasileira,viva a Bahia
Ademir Almeida
Linda música !
Eu cresci ouvindo essa música !
Edson Coutinho Apolinario
Isso é Bahia,simplismente incomparável!
Marcos Cruz
Música boa , . . .
Lucas Rafael Silveira
ETERNO GIL
SENSACIONAL
Grego Filho
Natural como um coqueiral,vigor de um povo em Salvador cidade de céus tãooooooooo azuisssss
Edson Ribeiro
Pois é, o Brasil já teve música dessa qualidade! Vc que é jovem pode não acreditar, mas é verdade. Entre os anos 50 e o final dos anos 80 a música por aqui era a melhor do mundo. A partir do Axe, Sertabregra, Funk........esquece