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.
Qui Nem Jiló
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lembrar
O amor que um dia a gente
Perdeu
Saudade inté que assim é bom
Pro cabra se convencer
Que é feliz sem saber
Porém se a gente vive a sonhar
Com alguém que se deseja
Rever
Saudade intonce aí é ruim
Eu tiro isso por mim
Que vivo doido a sofrer
Ai quem me dera voltar
Pros braços do meu xodó
Saudade assim faz roer
E amarga que nem jiló
Mas ninguém pode dizer
Que me viu triste a chorar
Saudade, o meu remédio é
Cantar
Saudade, o meu remédio é
Cantar
The Gilberto Gil song "Qui Nem Jiló" is a bittersweet reflection on the nature of longing and the power of memory. The song begins by acknowledging that sometimes it can be pleasant to simply remember a lost love without seeking to regain it. The feeling of nostalgia can serve as a reminder that one was once happy and loved, even if that time has passed. The song suggests that this kind of reminiscence can be therapeutic, allowing one to appreciate the present and move on from past pain.
However, the lyrics then shift to a more difficult kind of longing, one in which the desire to reunite with a lost love becomes all-consuming. This kind of yearning is characterized as "ruim," or bad, because it is an ache with no relief. The singer notes that they personally experience this kind of intense longing and suffering, wishing they could return to the arms of their beloved.
Line by Line Meaning
Se a gente lembrar só por Lembrar
If we remember just for the sake of it
O amor que um dia a gente Perdeu
The love that we lost one day
Saudade inté que assim é bom Pro cabra se convencer Que é feliz sem saber Pois não sofreu
Nostalgia is good for convincing oneself that they are happy without realizing it because they never felt the pain
Porém se a gente vive a sonhar Com alguém que se deseja Rever
However, if we keep dreaming of someone we desire to see again
Saudade intonce aí é ruim
Nostalgia then becomes painful
Eu tiro isso por mim Que vivo doido a sofrer Ai quem me dera voltar Pros braços do meu xodó
I know this because I am living in madness, suffering. Oh, how I wish to return to the embrace of my beloved
Saudade assim faz roer E amarga que nem jiló Mas ninguém pode dizer Que me viu triste a chorar
Nostalgia gnaws and is bitter like the jiló fruit, but no one can say they saw me crying sadly
Saudade, o meu remédio é Cantar
Nostalgia, my remedy is to sing
Saudade, o meu remédio é Cantar
Nostalgia, my remedy is to sing
Writer(s): humberto teixeira, luiz gonzaga
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thalitapatriolino9637
Se a gente lembra só por lembrar
O amor que a gente um dia perdeu
Saudade inté que assim é bom
Pro cabra se convencer
Que é feliz sem saber
Pois não sofreu
Porém se a gente vive a sonhar
Com alguém que se deseja rever
Saudade, entonce, aí é ruim
Eu tiro isso por mim
Que vivo doido a sofrer
Ai quem me dera voltar
Pros braços do meu xodó
Saudade assim faz roer
E amarga qui nem jiló
Mas ninguém pode dizer
Que me viu triste a chorar
Saudade, o meu remédio é cantar
@invaderzim4900
Recentemente comecei a escutar as músicas do Gil e estou perplexo: que artista! Um dos grandes arquitetos da música brasileira. Vida eterna ao mestre Gil!
@mauriciocampello1610
concordo plenamente; só um detalhe, esta música, especificamente, é do Luiz Gonzaga
@ctgterra7920
Eu tbm descobri/reconheci este tesouro da Humanidade relativamente há pouco tempo. E já tenho 29 anos rsrs
@invaderzim4900
@@mauriciocampello1610 sim, amigo. Mas digo a interpretação e os arranjos. Show de bola!
@invaderzim4900
@@ctgterra7920 opa. Aí sim! Gil é atemporal para jovens de qualquer idade.
@deoliveira9223
Essa é do grande Luiz Gonzaga!
@carlossilvaquixere
Gil essa é uma das minhas letras favoritas do nosso ídolo Luiz Gonzaga. Parabéns por essa versão linda
@CHRISS0019
Que sonzeiraaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!! VIVA GIL, VIVA A MÚSICA BAIANA, VIVA A MÚSICA BRASILEIRAAAAAA!!!!!!!
@lucianamello532
Parabéns a todos!!
Belíssimo !👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@ThePhilipeFurtado
Sou um eterno admirador da música brasileira.. Condução perfeita do Arhur Maia. Top