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.
Namorinho De Port
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Biscoito, café
Meu priminho, meu irmão
Conheço essa onda
Vou saltar da canoa
Já vi, já sei
Que a maré não é boa
É filme censurado
Não vai ter outra distração
Eu agüento calado
Sapato, chapéu
O seu papo furado
Paris, lua-de-mel
A vovó no tricô
O Chacrinha, a novela
O blusão do vovô
Aquele tempo bom que já passou
E onde é de se ir foi
Bom rapaz direitinho
Desse jeito não tem mais
O papai com cuidado
Já quer saber
Sobre o meu ordenado
Já pensa no futuro
E eu que ando tão duro
Não dou pra trás
Entro de dólar e tudo
Pra ele o mundo anda muito mal
Lá vem conselho coisa e tal
Bom rapaz direitinho
Desse jeito não tem mais
The song "Namorinho de Portão" by Gilberto Gil is a nostalgic reflection on the simple pleasures and experiences of childhood and adolescence. The lyrics describe everyday moments like sharing cookies and coffee with family members, jumping from a canoe into the water, and watching old movies and TV shows with grandparents. The song also touches on more adult themes such as financial struggles and parental expectations, with the singer feeling pressure to succeed and provide for his family's future.
Despite the challenges and disappointments of adulthood, the singer holds onto the memories of his youth and the comfort of familiar people and places. The lyrics suggest a longing for a time when life was simpler and more carefree, but also acknowledge that this time is gone and cannot be recaptured. Overall, "Namorinho de Portão" celebrates the beauty and richness of ordinary experiences and reminds listeners to cherish the moments of connection and joy that make life meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Namorinho de portão
Young love by the gate
Biscoito, café
Cookies, coffee
Meu priminho, meu irmão
My little cousin, my brother
Conheço essa onda
I know this feeling
Vou saltar da canoa
I'm going to jump out of the canoe
Já vi, já sei
I've seen it, I know it
Que a maré não é boa
That the tide is not good
É filme censurado
It's a censored movie
E o quarteirão
And the neighborhood
Não vai ter outra distração
Won't have any other distraction
Eu agüento calado
I endure silently
Sapato, chapéu
Shoes, hat
O seu papo furado
Your empty talk
Paris, lua-de-mel
Paris, honeymoon
A vovó no tricô
Grandma knitting
O Chacrinha, a novela
The Chacrinha show, the soap opera
O blusão do vovô
Grandpa's sweater
Aquele tempo bom que já passou
That good time that has passed
E onde é de se ir foi
And where we used to go
Bom rapaz direitinho
Good, straight-laced boy
Desse jeito não tem mais
There's no more of that
O papai com cuidado
Dad taking care
Já quer saber
Already wants to know
Sobre o meu ordenado
About my salary
Já pensa no futuro
Already thinking about the future
E eu que ando tão duro
And I who am so broke
Não dou pra trás
I don't back down
Entro de dólar e tudo
I go all in with dollars
Pra ele o mundo anda muito mal
For him, the world is in a bad place
Lá vem conselho coisa e tal
Here comes advice and so on
Bom rapaz direitinho
Good, straight-laced boy
Desse jeito não tem mais
There's no more of that
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paula Angela Fernandes rosa
Rita Lee e eterna nao havera outra e nao adianta querer imitala porque so ela eu era fa e da epoca naquela epoca existia amor o que hoje nao esta existindo vou amar sempre ela