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.
Gaivota
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De asas paradas
Voando no sonho
Díaguas da lagoa
Gaivota querida
Voa numa boa
Que o vento segura
Voa numa boa
Gaivota na ilha
Sem noção da milha
Ficou longe a terra
Gaivota menina
Gaivota querida
Voa numa boa
Que o alento segura
Voa numa boa
Gaivota, te amo e gaivotaria sempre em ti
Gaivotar seria poder te eleger para mim
Eu te quero, e se fosse o caso, quereria mais ainda
Ser, eu mesmo, gaivota sobre mim
Sobrevoar meus temores, meus amores
E alcançar o alto, alto, o mais alto dos teus sonhos
Dos teus sonhos de subir
De subir aos ares
Gaivota querida
Gaivota menina
Pousa perto de mim
In Gilberto Gil's song "Gaivota," he sings about a seagull that is flying over a lagoon, effortlessly being carried by the wind. The lyrics describe the seagull as a beloved creature that is free to fly and explore, unaware of the distance it has traveled from land. The singer expresses his love for the seagull, imagining what it would be like to fly like one, free from fear and limitations, soaring above life's troubles and being able to reach new and exciting heights. He longs to be close to the seagull, to experience the same sense of freedom and adventure that it embodies.
The song has a deeper meaning as well, symbolizing the Brazilian struggle for freedom during the military dictatorship that plagued the country in the 1970s. The seagull represents the Brazilian people who were searching for a way to break free from the oppression and limitations imposed on them by the government.
In summary, "Gaivota" is a beautiful song that celebrates freedom and the desire to break free from limitations. It speaks to the yearning we all have for adventure and the pursuit of our dreams, no matter how far away they may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Gaivota menina
The singer refers to the seagull as a young girl.
De asas paradas
The seagull's wings are still and not in motion.
Voando no sonho
The seagull is flying in a dream-like state.
Díaguas da lagoa
The seagull is flying over the waters of a lagoon.
Gaivota querida
The artist addresses the seagull with affection.
Voa numa boa
The seagull is flying with ease, helped by the wind.
Que o vento segura
The wind is carrying the seagull.
Gaivota na ilha
The seagull is on an island.
Sem noção da milha
The seagull is not concerned with how far away it is from land.
Ficou longe a terra
The seagull is far away from land.
Gaivota, te amo e gaivotaria sempre em ti
The singer expresses love for the seagull and a desire to always be with it.
Gaivotar seria poder te eleger para mim
The artist wishes to choose the seagull as their companion.
Eu te quero, e se fosse o caso, quereria mais ainda
The singer desires the seagull and would want it even more if possible.
Ser, eu mesmo, gaivota sobre mim
The singer imagines themselves being a seagull and flying freely.
Sobrevoar meus temores, meus amores
The singer wants to fly above their fears and their loves, gaining a new perspective from above.
E alcançar o alto, alto, o mais alto dos teus sonhos
The artist wants to reach the highest point of the seagull's dreams.
Dos teus sonhos de subir
The seagull's dreams involve flying higher and higher.
De subir aos ares
The seagull's desire is to fly up into the air.
Pousa perto de mim
The singer invites the seagull to land near them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Gil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zoiodividro
Gaivota
Gilberto Gil
Gaivota menina
De asas paradas
Voando no sonho
Díaguas da lagoa
Gaivota querida
Voa numa boa
Que o vento segura
Voa numa boa
Gaivota na ilha
Sem noção da milha
Ficou longe a terra
Gaivota menina
Gaivota querida
Voa numa boa
Que o alento segura
Voa numa boa
Gaivota, te amo e gaivotaria sempre em ti
Gaivotar seria poder te eleger para mim
Eu te quero, e se fosse o caso, quereria mais ainda
Ser, eu mesmo, gaivota sobre mim
Sobrevoar meus temores, meus amores
E alcançar o alto, alto, o mais alto dos teus sonhos
Dos teus sonhos de subir
De subir aos ares
Gaivota querida
Gaivota menina
Pousa perto de mim
Felipe Matos
Na verdade a música foi feita em Florianópolis em 1976 e fala dos pássaros da ilha de Santa Catarina. Conforme o próprio Gil declarou (revista Manchete, ed. 1269, 1976), ela foi feita na época da sua prisão na cidade, uma metáfora sobre a possibilidade de voar sem ser alcançado, a amplidão, o sonho, a leveza. A lagoa de que fala a música é a Lagoa da Conceição, onde havia uma comunidade hippie visitada por ele na época.
Urubuquara57 Urubuquara57
essa música foi inspirada quando Gil estava preso na ilha do governador onde na janela quadriculada ele viu a liberdade no voo da gaivota que voava perto do presídio.
zoiodividro
Gaivota
Gilberto Gil
Gaivota menina
De asas paradas
Voando no sonho
Díaguas da lagoa
Gaivota querida
Voa numa boa
Que o vento segura
Voa numa boa
Gaivota na ilha
Sem noção da milha
Ficou longe a terra
Gaivota menina
Gaivota querida
Voa numa boa
Que o alento segura
Voa numa boa
Gaivota, te amo e gaivotaria sempre em ti
Gaivotar seria poder te eleger para mim
Eu te quero, e se fosse o caso, quereria mais ainda
Ser, eu mesmo, gaivota sobre mim
Sobrevoar meus temores, meus amores
E alcançar o alto, alto, o mais alto dos teus sonhos
Dos teus sonhos de subir
De subir aos ares
Gaivota querida
Gaivota menina
Pousa perto de mim
Otilia Praia
Essa música me trás lembrança feliz de minha infância.
Maria Luisa Almeida Silva
Gilberto Gil, você é ETERNO!!!!!!!!!
marcio metzker
Gil é um dos perfeitos músicos brasileiros...........
Maria Amélia Bernardes
Vi 3 gaivotas agora. Na mesma hora, lembrei dessa música! Elas já saíram de minha visão, mas a música contínua viva..
Darjan Sanches
A música que mais gosto de ouvir na voz de Gil!
b a d e n r y
Essa música é TÃO Elis! Eu consigo ouvir ela cantando isso. ♡
Leonardo Cardoso
Alguém aí lembra dos disquinhos ep vinil de histórias? Então tem uma " estorinha" Marinho o marinheiro, da coleção TABA, onde essa música é a trilha e a história pautada nessa música!!! Uma pérola, ouvi muito qdo criança!