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.
São João Carioca
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
É forró, é alegria, é festa de São João
O Rio de Janeiro vai ser só animação
É forró, é alegria, é festa de São João
São Cristóvão, eu te convido pro chamego
São Conrado, vem que o fogo vai pegar
São Januário, pode vir com seu molejo
São Judas Tadeu, Santo Antônio, Santa Bárbara
Traga São Vicente, São Bento e muita energia
São José, São Jorge e São João Batista
Santa Marta, todo mundo vai cair nessa folia
No Rio de Janeiro vai ter festa pra chuchu
Na praça da Zona Norte, na praça da Zona Sul
No Rio de Janeiro vai ter festa pra chuchu
Na praça da Zona Norte, na praça da Zona Sul
Vem Flamengo, Madureira, Botafogo
Vem pro jogo lindo que nem futebol
Nas firulas do baião e do xaxado
Driblando tristeza e fado, dançando de sol a sol
A cidade será tão maravilhosa
Quanto mais acesa no seu coração
Estiver sua fogueira, sua brasa
Aquecendo sua casa, ardendo sua paixão
In the song "São João Carioca," Gilberto Gil is celebrating the joyous festival of São João, which takes place annually in Brazil. He is expressing his excitement for the upcoming festivities that will take place in Rio de Janeiro. The first two lines of the song emphasize the vivacity of the city during this time, with the words "vai ser só animação" meaning "will be pure animation" and "é forró, é alegria, é festa de São João" translating to "it's forró, it's joy, it's the São João festival."
Throughout the song, Gil invites various saints (such as São Cristóvão and São Judas Tadeu) to join the celebration, acknowledging the religious aspect of the festival. He calls for individuals from different regions of Rio (such as Botafogo and Madureira) to also participate in the festivities. The lyrics "driblando tristeza e fado" (dribbling sadness and fate) suggest that the festival serves as a way to escape any hardships or sadness in one's life, and "dançando de sol a sol" (dancing from sun to sun) emphasizes the long-lasting nature of the festivities.
Line by Line Meaning
O Rio de Janeiro vai ser só animação
The city of Rio de Janeiro will be filled with excitement and energy
É forró, é alegria, é festa de São João
It's all about forró, happiness, and celebration of the São João holiday
São Cristóvão, eu te convido pro chamego
I invite São Cristóvão to come and dance closely
São Conrado, vem que o fogo vai pegar
São Conrado, come and join in the fiery celebrations
São Januário, pode vir com seu molejo
São Januário, come show off your moves
Diga a São Sebastião que a festa vai começar
Tell São Sebastião that the festivities are about to begin
São Judas Tadeu, Santo Antônio, Santa Bárbara
Saints Judas Tadeu, Anthony, and Barbara
Traga São Vicente, São Bento e muita energia
Bring Saint Vincent, Saint Benedict, and lots of energy
São José, São Jorge e São João Batista
Saints Joseph, George, and John the Baptist
Santa Marta, todo mundo vai cair nessa folia
Everyone will join in the festive spirit of Santa Marta
No Rio de Janeiro vai ter festa pra chuchu
There will be plenty of celebrations in Rio de Janeiro
Na praça da Zona Norte, na praça da Zona Sul
In the squares of the North and South Zones
Vem Flamengo, Madureira, Botafogo
Come Flamengo, Madureira, Botafogo
Vem pro jogo lindo que nem futebol
Come to the beautiful game like football
Nas firulas do baião e do xaxado
In the twists of baião and xaxado dance steps
Driblando tristeza e fado, dançando de sol a sol
Dribbling sadness and fate, dancing from sun to sun
A cidade será tão maravilhosa
The city will be so wonderful
Quanto mais acesa no seu coração
The more it's fueled in your heart
Estiver sua fogueira, sua brasa
The more your fire burns, your embers
Aquecendo sua casa, ardendo sua paixão
Warming up your home, burning your passion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Gil, Nando Cordel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jane Eyre Bandeira
maravilhosa