Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and song… Read Full Bio ↴Gilberto Gil (born 26 June, 1942) is a Brazilian singer, guitarist and songwriter, and Brazil's former minister of culture.

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.

Marina
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Marina, morena Marina
Você se pintou
Marina, você faça tudo
Mas faça um favor

Não pinte esse rosto que eu gosto
Que eu gosto, e é só meu
Marina, você já é bonita

Com o que Deus lhe deu

Já me aborreci, me zanguei
Já não posso falar
E quando eu me zango, Marina
Não sei perdoar

Eu já desculpei tanta coisa
Você não arranjava outro igual
Desculpe, morena Marina
Mas eu tô de mal

(Eu tô de mal com você)
Eu tô de mal
(Eu tô de mal com você)
Eu tô de mal
(Eu tô de mal com você)
Marina, ai ai ai
(Eu tô de mal com você)
Morena
(Eu tô de mal com você)
Uh uh uh uh
(Eu tô de mal com você)
Eu tô de mal
(Eu tô de mal com você)

Eu tô de mal
(Eu tô de mal)

Overall Meaning

The song "Marina" by Gilberto Gil is a love song about the singer's lover, Marina. The singer starts off by addressing Marina as "morena," which means "brunette" or "brown-skinned" in Portuguese. He notes that she has painted herself, which implies that she has enhanced her appearance, either with makeup or some other kind of adornment. However, he asks her not to paint her face, because he likes it just the way it is. He emphasizes that he is the only one who likes her face the way it is, suggesting a possessive attitude toward Marina.

The singer then expresses his frustration with Marina and their relationship. He says that he has become upset and angry with her, to the point where he can no longer speak to her. He admits that he has difficulty forgiving when he is angry. Despite this, he acknowledges that he has forgiven her for many things in the past and that she is unique in his eyes. However, he is currently upset with her and is "de mal," meaning he is not on friendly terms with her.

Overall, "Marina" is a song about love, possessiveness, and conflict in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Marina, morena Marina
Addressing Marina, with emphasis on her beauty and skin color.

Você se pintou
You painted yourself, but it's unnecessary.

Marina, você faça tudo
Marina, you can do whatever you want.

Mas faça um favor
But do me a favor.

Não pinte esse rosto que eu gosto
Don't paint your face, as I prefer it natural.

Que eu gosto, e é só meu
That I like, and it's only for me.

Marina, você já é bonita
Marina, you are already beautiful.

Com o que Deus lhe deu
With what God has given you.

Já me aborreci, me zanguei
I'm already annoyed and angry.

Já não posso falar
I can't talk anymore.