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.
Eleve-se Alto ao Céu
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O reggae 'tá lhe pegando pelas cadeira
Pela cintura
Menina, menina, menina
Hmm
Uh Jah
Você que eleve-se alto ao céu
Uhum ah, eleve-se alto ao céu
Que o reggae é o dono do salão
Eleve-se alto ao céu
E não diga não
Você que eleve-se alto ao céu
Em afirmação
Que que 'cê fez então
'Cê faz assim, faz assim
Como nunca fez em mim
Ó sim, 'cê sobe assim, desce assim
Dança pra mim
'Cê vem assim, vai assim, assim (assim)
Skanka assim, skanka assim
Skankaradamente
Você que eleve-se alto ao céu
Não diga não
(Não diga não)
Eleve-se alto ao céu
Assim diz pa-pa-pa paizão
Eleve-se alto ao céu
Com os seus pés no chão
Oh oh, eleve-se alto ao céu
Que o reggae é o dono, é o dono do salão
Menina, menina, menina
O reggae vai lhe pegar pelas cadeira
Vai lhe pegar pela cintura
Menina, menina, menina
Olha o reggae aí
Você que eleve-se alto ao céu
Com os seus pés no chão
Ham, eleve-se alto ao céu
Que o reggae é o dono do salão
Eleve-se alto ao céu
E não diga não
Não não, ha!
Eleve-se alto ao céu
Em afirmação
Que que 'cê fez então
'Cê faz assim, faz assim
Como nunca fez emfim
Ó sim, 'cê sobe assim, desce assim
Dança pra mim
'Cê vem assim, vai assim, assim (assim)
Skanka assim, skanka assim
Skankaradamente
Você que eleve-se alto ao céu
Não diga não
(Não diga não)
Eleve-se alto ao céu
Assim diz pa-pa-pa paizão
Você que eleve-se alto ao céu
Com os seus pés no chão
Oh uoh, eleve-se alto ao céu
Que o reggae é o dono, é o dono, é o dono do salão
Menina, menina, menina
O reggae lhe pegou pela cadeira
Pelas cadeiras
Menina, menina, menina
Olha o reggae aí, ih
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song "Eleve-Se Alto Ao Céu" express a call for liberation and self-expression, particularly through the medium of reggae music. The message encourages listeners to lift themselves up high, towards the heavens, all while remaining grounded on the earth below. The lyrics suggest that the genre of reggae music plays a significant role in achieving this sense of liberation and that it is like a king or "dono do salão" of this particular form of expression. The repetition of the phrase "eleve-se ao céu" reinforces the importance of reaching for something greater and expanding oneself while still being rooted in the present moment.
Additionally, the song speaks to a sense of connection and community that comes from shared experiences, through the use of the phrase "dança pra mim" and "skanka assim". These lines suggest a celebration of dancing and movement within the context of reggae music, and encourage listeners to join in on the experience together. The references to a "papaizão" also suggest a familial or parental-like figure who is guiding and leading the way towards this sense of freedom and self-expression.
Overall, the lyrics of "Eleve-Se Alto Ao Céu" express a desire for freedom, individuality, and a shared sense of community, all within the context of reggae music. It is an uplifting song that encourages listeners to embrace their own unique selves and to come together in celebration and shared experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Você que eleve-se alto ao céu
You who must rise up high to the sky
Com seus pés no chão
With your feet planted firmly on the ground
Eleve-se alto ao céu
Lift yourself up high to the sky
Que o reggae é o dono do salão
For reggae is the master of the dance floor
E não diga não
And do not say no
Em afirmação
In affirmation
Que que cê fez então
What did you do then?
'Cê faz assim, faz assim
You do it like this, like this
Como nunca fez em mim
Like you have never done before with me
Cê que sobe assim, desce assim
You who rises up like this, descends like this
Dança pra mim
Dance for me
'Cê vem assim, vai assim, assim
You come like this, go like this, like this
Skanka assim, skanka assim
Skank like this, skank like this
Skankaradamente
Skankaradically
Assim diz o papaizão
Thus says the big boss
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Gil, Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind