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.

O Lugar Do Nosso Amor
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

O buraco que ficou
De uma bomba que explodiu
Do saguão do nosso amor
Não foi tão grande assim
Nem tão profundo assim
Que lá no fundo fosse o fim do mundo

Lá no fundo o que ficou

Estilhaços de emoção
E pedaços de rancor
Não enchem um caminhão
Não valem nada não

Pegue com sua mão
Jogue no lixo
Deixe limpar seu coração
A bomba que explodiu, meu bem
Não passava de um traque
Tratava-se de um truque
De um mágico de fraque
História de almanaque de ilusões

Não há nada a lamentar

Ficou tudo no lugar
No lugar de nosso amor morar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's song "O Lugar Do Nosso Amor" are a reflection on a relationship that has been impacted by some sort of explosion. The hole left behind by the bomb that exploded in the hallway of their love was not as big or deep as one might expect. Despite the damage done, the singer suggests that the remnants of their emotions and bitterness are not worth holding onto.

The song goes on to encourage the listener to let go of those negative emotions and to clean out their heart. The explosion was nothing more than a trick, played by a "magician in a tailcoat," and is not something to be mourned. In the end, the singer believes that everything is still in place for their love to thrive.

The emotion and meaning behind the lyrics are palpable, and they encourage listeners to let go of past hurts and focus on what is important - love. The song's message is one of hope and perseverance, despite the tragedies that can occur in life.

Line by Line Meaning

O buraco que ficou
The hole that remained

De uma bomba que explodiu
From a bomb that exploded

Do saguão do nosso amor
In the lobby of our love

Não foi tão grande assim
It wasn't that big

Nem tão profundo assim
Not that deep either

Que lá no fundo fosse o fim do mundo
That deep down was the end of the world

Lá no fundo o que ficou
What remained deep down

Estilhaços de emoção
Shards of emotion

E pedaços de rancor
And pieces of resentment

Não enchem um caminhão
They don't fill a truck

Não valem nada não
They are worthless