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.
Deixar Você
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Não vai ser bom
Não vai ser
Bom pra você
Nem melhor pra mim
Pensar que é só
Deixar de ver e acabou
Deixar você ir
Não vai ser bom
Não vai ser
Bom pra você
Nem melhor pra mim
Pensar que é só
Deixar de ver e acabou
Vai acabar muito pior
Pra que mentir
E fingir que o horizonte
Termina ali defronte
E a ponte acaba aqui?
Vamos seguir
Reinventar o espaço
Juntos manter o passo
Não ter cansaço
Não crer no fim
O fim do amor
Oh, não
Alguma dor
Talvez sim
Que a luz nasce na escuridão
Deixar você ir
Não vai ser bom
Não vai ser
Bom pra você
Nem melhor pra mim
Pensar que é só
Deixar de ver e acabou
Vai acabar muito pior
Pra que mentir
E fingir que o horizonte
Termina ali defronte
E a ponte acaba aqui?
Vamos seguir
Reinventar o espaço
Juntos manter o passo
Não ter cansaço
Não crer no fim
O fim do amor
Oh, não
Alguma dor
Talvez sim
Que a luz nasce na escuridão
Guarde tudo em seu coração
Que a luz nasce na escuridão
The lyrics of "Deixar Você" by Gilberto Gil convey the theme of letting go and the challenges of ending a relationship. The repeated phrase "deixar você ir" (letting you go) highlights the difficulty and potential negative consequences of this decision. The singer acknowledges that it may not be good for either person involved and that simply avoiding seeing each other will not solve the problems they face. In fact, it may lead to an even worse outcome.
The song encourages the listeners to be honest with themselves and not pretend that the end of the relationship is the end of everything. The line "pra que mentir e fingir que o horizonte termina ali defronte e a ponte acaba aqui?" (why lie and pretend that the horizon ends right in front of us and the bridge ends here?) suggests that there is more to life beyond this particular relationship. The singer urges the listeners to reinvent their space, to keep moving forward together without fatigue and to not believe in an end.
While the song acknowledges the possibility of pain and the challenges that come with letting go, it also offers hope. The line "que a luz nasce na escuridão" (that light is born in darkness) reminds us that even in difficult times, there is the potential for growth and renewal. The song concludes by advising the listeners to hold everything in their hearts, suggesting that the lessons learned from this experience will guide them towards a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Deixar você ir
Allowing you to leave
Não vai ser bom
Will not be good
Não vai ser
It will not be
Bom pra você
Good for you
Nem melhor pra mim
Nor better for me
Pensar que é só
To think it's just
Deixar de ver e acabou
To stop seeing and it's over
Vai acabar muito pior
It will end much worse
Pra que mentir
Why lie
E fingir que o horizonte
And pretend that the horizon
Termina ali defronte
Ends right in front
E a ponte acaba aqui?
And the bridge ends here?
Vamos seguir
Let's keep going
Reinventar o espaço
Reinvent the space
Juntos manter o passo
Together, keep the pace
Não ter cansaço
Not to be tired
Não crer no fim
Not to believe in the end
O fim do amor
The end of love
Oh, não
Oh, no
Alguma dor
Some pain
Talvez sim
Perhaps yes
Que a luz nasce na escuridão
That light is born in darkness
Guarde tudo em seu coração
Keep everything in your heart
Que a luz nasce na escuridão
That light is born in darkness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Gil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind