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.
Formosa
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Carinho não é ruim
Mulher que nega
Não sabe não
Tem uma coisa de menos
No seu coração
Formosa, não faz assim
Carinho não é ruim
Não sabe não
Tem uma coisa de menos
No seu coração
A gente nasce, a gente cresce
A gente quer amar
Mulher que nega
Nega o que não é para negar
A gente pega, a gente entrega
A gente quer morrer
Ninguém tem nada de bom sem sofrer
Formosa mulher
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song Formosa deals with the importance of affection, particularly in romantic relationships. The song's opening statement, "Formosa, não faz assim, carinho não é ruim" (Formosa, don't act like that, affection is not bad), suggests that the subject of the song, likely a woman, has been resistant towards receiving or initiating intimacy. The phrase "mulher que nega não sabe não" (a woman who denies affection doesn't really know) implies that having affection in one's life is essential for a fulfilling relationship.
Gil goes on to suggest that denying oneself affection only causes a deficiency in one's heart, which can prevent a person from fully experiencing the joys of life. The phrase "mulher que nega, nega o que não é para negar" (a woman who denies affection, denies what is not meant to be denied) suggests that denying oneself affection can be harmful in the long run.
The final stanza of the song encourages people to embrace love and all its challenges. "A gente pega, a gente entrega, a gente quer morrer, ninguém tem nada de bom sem sofrer" (We take, we give, we want to die, no one has anything good without suffering) acknowledges that love and relationships can be difficult, but ultimately they are rewarding.
Line by Line Meaning
Formosa, não faz assim
Don't act that way, my beautiful woman.
Carinho não é ruim
Affection is not bad.
Mulher que nega
A woman who denies.
Não sabe não
Does not know.
Tem uma coisa de menos
No seu coração
Has something missing in her heart.
A gente nasce, a gente cresce
We are born, we grow up.
A gente quer amar
We want to love.
Mulher que nega
Nega o que não é para negar
A woman who denies, denies what should not be denied.
A gente pega, a gente entrega
We take, we give.
A gente quer morrer
We want to die.
Ninguém tem nada de bom sem sofrer
No one has anything good without suffering.
Formosa mulher
Beautiful woman.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BADEN POWELL DE AQUINO, VINICIUS DE MORAES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind