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.
Maracatu Atômico
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Atrás do arranha-céu tem
o céu, tem o céu
E depois tem outro céu sem
Em cima do guarda-chuva tem
a chuva, tem a chuva
Que tem gotas tão lindas que
até dá vontade de
Comê-las
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
No meio da couve-flor tem
a flor, tem a flor
Que além de ser uma flor tem
sabor
Dentro do porta-luvas tem a luva,
tem a luva
Que alguém de unhas negras
e tão afiadas
Esqueceu de por
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Aaaaé
Maracatu atômico
Aaaaé
Maracatu atômico
No fundo do pára-raio tem
o raio, tem o raio
Que caiu da nuvem negra do
temporal
Todo quadro-negro é todo
negro é todo negro
Eu escrevo seu nome nele só
pra demonstrar
O meu apego
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê êêê
O bico do beijar flor, beija-flor,
beijar flor
E toda fauna flora gata de amor
Quem segura o porta estandarte
tem a arte, tem a arte
E aqui passa com raça
eletrônico o maracatu
atômico
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
Manamaê ô
The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's Maracatú Atômico are a whimsical and playful exploration of the world around us. The song is an ode to the beauty and wonder of everyday life and the strange and unexpected things we encounter as we make our way through the world. The lyrics are a celebration of the magic of the world around us, from the rain that falls from the sky to the flowers that bloom in the garden.
The song begins with the repeated phrase "manamaê ô" which is a Brazilian expression of wonder and excitement. The lyrics go on to describe the world around us, from the skyscrapers that tower over us to the clouds that float above us. The song is full of playful imagery, such as "gotas tão lindas que até dá vontade de comê-las" (drops so beautiful that you even feel like eating them) and "bico do beijar-flor" (the beak of the hummingbird).
Overall, Gilberto Gil's Maracatú Atômico is a testament to the beauty and wonder of the world around us. The song encourages us to take a closer look at the world and appreciate the little things that make life so special.
Line by Line Meaning
Manamaê ô
Repetitive chant used to evoke a trance-like state.
Atrás do arranha-céu tem o céu, tem o céu / E depois tem outro céu sem estrelas
Behind the skyscraper there is the sky, and further beyond there is another sky that is starless.
Em cima do guarda-chuva tem a chuva, tem a chuva / Que tem gotas tão lindas que até dá vontade de / Comê-las
On top of the umbrella there is the rain, which has such beautiful drops that they look good enough to eat.
No meio da couve-flor tem a flor, tem a flor / Que além de ser uma flor tem sabor
In the middle of the cauliflower there is the flower, which not only is a flower but also has flavor.
Dentro do porta-luvas tem a luva, tem a luva / Que alguém de unhas negras e tão afiadas / Esqueceu de por
Inside the glove compartment there is the glove, which someone with black and sharp nails forgot to put back.
No fundo do pára-raio tem o raio, tem o raio / Que caiu da nuvem negra do temporal
At the bottom of the lightning rod there is the lightning bolt, which fell from the dark cloud of the storm.
Todo quadro-negro é todo negro é todo negro / Eu escrevo seu nome nele só pra demonstrar / O meu apego
The blackboard is all black, completely black. I write your name on it just to show my attachment.
O bico do beijar flor, beija-flor, beijar flor / E toda fauna flora gata de amor
The beak of the flower kissing bird, the flower kissing bird, the flower kissing bird. And all the fauna, flora and love-thirsty cats.
Quem segura o porta estandarte tem a arte, tem a arte / E aqui passa com raça eletrônico o maracatu atômico
Whoever holds the banner has the art, has the art. And here passes with electronic style the atomic maracatu.
Aaaaé / Maracatu atômico / Aaaaé / Maracatu atômico
Chanting the name of the song, 'Atomic Maracatu.'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henrique George Mautner, Nelson Jacobina Rocha Pires
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@licantropoalfa
I can't believe what my ears are hearing, this is absolutly majestic 🔥🔥🔥
@adonaybautista3802
Y toda fauna y flora grita de amor!!! Saludos desde México
@ecapessoa8191
Aplausos para o Gilberto Gil é uma Joia da Música Popular Brasileira!
@joaopaulodasilvaevangelist7817
Amo essa musica amo também interpretada por Chico Science que encontrarei numa próxima vida !!!!!
@brunorodrigues6953
Sem dúvida mano, espero tbm por esse dia
@Brasil522
Kkkkk Ok. Vai não viu.
@nandoluiz970
A o Chico science também tem uma batida ótima
@quebrandotabus9861
Gosto das duas versões ( Gil e Chico ) ouço conforme meu estado de espírito, versão de Chico é uma batida mais num tom de protesto, já a de Gil tem uma pegada mais tropical, bem mais leve.
@andersonmarinho8815
Já ouviu a versão original do autor Jorge Mautner?
Pra mim é a melhor de todas
@raildalima6476
Ww