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.
Nêga
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
Nega
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
When I met you, it was so fine
I didn't talk a lot to you
I only mentioned your smooth hair
You made a speech about shampoo
We took many, many, many photographs
Downtown
As we passed through
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
You've been going just where I've gone
All my people you have seen
I've been doing just what you've done
Now I can dig your cup of mu tea
We let our moments become, become
What they really had to be
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
Develop our photographs
As simple dreams that will come true
Perhaps they will make you laugh
Or make you sure about we two
Develop, baby, our photographs
Perhaps they will make you sure
Perhaps they will show you nothing
Nothing, but a shade of blue
They will show you nothing
Nega but a shade of blue
They will show you nothing
Baby, but a shade of blue
They will show you nothing
But a shade of blue
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
The last few days with you you
The last few days with me me
The last few days with you you
The last few days with me me
The last few days with you you
The last few days with me me
The last few days with you you
The last few days with me
The last few days with you you
The last few days with you me me
The last few days with you you
The last few days with me me
The last few days with you you
The last few days with me me
The last ah
Gilberto Gil's song Nêga is a beautiful ode to love and the joy of spending time with someone special. The lyrics describe the happiness the singer feels when he is with his beloved, reminiscing on the good times they've had together. At the beginning of the song, he acknowledges the joy they have both felt over the last few days, and he repeats this feeling of bliss throughout the whole song. The love he feels for his partner is clear, and he expresses it with a deep appreciation for small moments, such as taking photographs together and sharing cups of tea.
The song is nostalgic, as the singer reflects on the time he met his partner and how they have been inseparable since then. He notes how they have been going to the same places and experiencing the same things, which has brought them closer together. The photographs they took together are significant to the singer, as they represent the memories they have created and the moments that truly matter in their relationship. He hopes that looking at these pictures will bring them both joy and serve as a reminder of the love they share.
Overall, Nêga is a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of love and the joy of spending time with someone special. The lyrics are simple but powerful, and the melody is soothing and romantic. This song is about being fully present in the moment with someone you care for and acknowledging how special they are to you.
Line by Line Meaning
Nega
The word 'Nega' (short for 'negra') is a term of endearment in Portuguese and is used to refer to a dark-skinned woman
You spent so blissfully
You really enjoyed yourself during the time we spent together
The last few days with me
The time we spent together recently
I spent so nicely too
I also enjoyed myself during the time we spent together recently
When I met you, it was so fine
When we first met, everything was perfect
I didn't talk a lot to you
I was too shy to say much to you
I only mentioned your smooth hair
The only thing I could muster the courage to compliment you on was your nice hair
You made a speech about shampoo
You responded with an enthusiastic retort about the shampoo you use
We took many, many, many photographs
We captured many moments together through the photos we took
Downtown
In the city center, where we took the photos
As we passed through
As we went through the city
You've been going just where I've gone
You've been following me around and going to the same places I go
All my people you have seen
You've met and interacted with all of the people in my life
I've been doing just what you've done
I've been mimicking your actions and doing the same things you do
Now I can dig your cup of mu tea
I now understand and appreciate your unique tastes and preferences
We let our moments become, become
We allowed our time together to turn into something special
What they really had to be
What our moments were truly meant to be
Develop our photographs
Take the time to preserve our memories through the pictures we took
As simple dreams that will come true
As a reminder of the happy memories we shared and the hopes we have for our future
Perhaps they will make you laugh
Maybe looking at the photos will bring a smile to your face
Or make you sure about we two
Or maybe they will make you feel more certain about us being together
But a shade of blue
Even though our time together was wonderful, there is a feeling of sadness that comes from knowing it will eventually come to an end
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Gil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joaoluko8096
Gilberto Gil
1971
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
When I met you, it was so fine
I didn't talk a lot to you
I only mentioned your smooth hair
You made a speech about shampoo
We took many, many, many photographs
Downtown
As we passed through
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
You've been going just where I've gone
All my people you have seen
I've been doing just what you've done
Now I can dig your cup of mu tea
We let our moments become, become
What they really had to be
Nega
You spent so blissfully
The last few days with me
Nega
I spent so nicely too
The last few days with you
Develop our photographs
As simple dreams that will come true
Perhaps they will make you laugh
Or make you sure about we two
Develop, baby, our photographs
Perhaps they will make you sure
Perhaps they will show you nothing
Nothing, but a shade of blue
@viniiiiii9611
To aqui depois de ouvir a entrevista do Gilberto Gil no Mano a Mano
@marcio2492
Essa jornada musical acaba me matando. Isolamento desde Bahia. Adorei Eduarda que tostou um do bom. Eu também
@mariaclaradevasconcellos7138
O cara é um verdadeiro gênio musical! Amoooo está música!!!!
@carmosantiago1326
1970 quem não era de verão não tava por dentro das estações desse portal .O sonho nunca acabou Friends.
@MariaDasGracas-jt2cc
Gilberto GIl transcende o tempo e o espaço com sua música fui
@margaridachaves4392
Grande
@aquilajunior2190
gênio, eu tenho orgulho de vc!
@user-ov3jr9ku8e
Não deve haver palavras em português ou em qualquer outra língua conhecida ou desconhecida para descrever a maravilha que é este som!!!
@vitoralves1439
GENIAL
@marcioivan388
Great album.