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.

Nos Barracos Da Cidade
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nos barracos da cidade
Ninguém mais tem ilusão
No poder da autoridade
De tomar a decisão
E o poder da autoridade
Se pode, não faz questão
Se faz questão
Não consegue

Enfrentar o tubarão

Ôôô ôô
Gente estúpida
Ôôô ôô
Gente hipócrita

O governador promete
Mas o sistema diz "não"
Os lucros são muito grandes
Mas ninguém quer abrir mão
Mesmo uma pequena parte
Já seria a solução
Mas a usura dessa gente
Já virou um aleijão

Ôôô ôô
Gente estúpida
Ôôô ôô
Gente hipócrita

Agradecer

Chega aí, todo mundo vivo?
Se desligarem meu limite vão ligar dinamite
De Ubarana ao beleleu tem coquetel no coquipite
Fobica na avenida e o abadá pra vestir
Fobica na avenida e o abadá pra vestir

No meu jardim eu vou plantar uma flor
No coração eu quero paz e amor
No meu jardim eu vou plantar uma flor

Bloco de carnaval tem cura pra reumatite
A guitarra tem pedal, tem samba reggae no beat
Vim de periperi só pra catar meu siri
Só deixo meu cariri no último pau de arara

No meu jardim eu vou plantar uma flor
No coração eu quero paz e amor
No meu jardim eu vou plantar uma flor
Vocês, aí

Ôôô ôô
Gente estúpida
Ôôô ôô
Gente hipócrita
Ôôô ôô
Gente estúpida

Ôôô ôô
Gente hipócrita

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's song "Nos Barracos Da Cidade" convey a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the current state of authority and power in society. The opening lines paint a picture of a city filled with impoverished people who have lost hope in the ability of those in power to make decisions that benefit them. The following lines highlight the disconnect between the promises of the governor and the reality of the system, where profits take precedence over the well-being of the people.

The chorus emphasizes the singer's attitude towards the people in positions of power, describing them as "stupid" and "hypocritical." These sentiments reflect the desperation and anger of those who feel ignored and powerless in the face of corruption and greed. The final verse, "No meu jardim eu vou plantar uma flor" (In my garden I will plant a flower), offers a glimmer of hope and a call for peace and love amidst the chaos and frustration.

Overall, the lyrics of "Nos Barracos Da Cidade" convey a strong message of discontentment with the current state of politics and society, and a desire for change and positivity.

Line by Line Meaning

Nos barracos da cidade
In the slums of the city

Ninguém mais tem ilusão
Nobody has any illusions

No poder da autoridade
In the power of authority

De tomar a decisão
To make decisions

E o poder da autoridade
And the power of authority

Se pode, não faz questão
If it can, it doesn't care

Se faz questão
If it cares

Não consegue
It cannot

Enfrentar o tubarão
Face the shark

Ôôô ôô
Oh oh

Gente estúpida
Stupid people