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.
Sala do som
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na sala do som
Só quem pode entrar
É Milton
Se ele resolver
Me acordar
Diga que é melhor
Me deixar dormir
Se deitar
Na sala do som
Se ele descansar
Vai ser bom
Amanhã vai ser
De arrasar
Temos que fazer
Cinco ou seis horas de show
E a turma tem
Que deitar
E rolar no som
Temos que escolher
Qual o tom
Do samba que vai
Encerrar
E uns detalhes mais
Pra acertar
Diga ao Bituca pra ele entrar
Sem bater
Na sala do som
Gilberto Gil's song "Sala do Som" is a song that offers a glimpse into the world of a musician preparing for a show. The lyrics describe a musician who has retired for the night in the room containing all of the sound equipment, the "sala do som." The room is a sacred space, and only one person is allowed to disturb the musician's slumber - the legendary Brazilian musician, Milton Nascimento. If Nascimento decides to wake the musician, he is advised to tell him to let him sleep and even join him in the room to rest. The song goes on to describe how the group must choose which key to play in to create the perfect samba to end the show, and work out the final details of the performance. Ultimately, the song emphasizes the importance of relaxation and rest in preparation for a great show.
Line by Line Meaning
Vou me deitar
I'm going to bed
Na sala do som
In the sound room
Só quem pode entrar
Only those who are allowed can enter
É Milton
It's Milton
Se ele resolver
If he decides
Me acordar
To wake me up
Diga que é melhor
Say it's better
Me deixar dormir
To let me sleep
E que é pra ele também
And that it's also for him
Se deitar
To lie down
Na sala do som
In the sound room
Se ele descansar
If he rests
Vai ser bom
It will be good
Amanhã vai ser
Tomorrow will be
De arrasar
Amazing
Temos que fazer
We have to do
Cinco ou seis horas de show
Five or six hours of show
E a turma tem
And the gang has
Que deitar
To lie down
E rolar no som
And roll with the sound
Temos que escolher
We have to choose
Qual o tom
Which tone
Do samba que vai
Of the samba that will
Encerrar
End
E uns detalhes mais
And a few more details
Pra acertar
To get right
Diga ao Bituca pra ele entrar
Tell Bituca to come in
Sem bater
Without knocking
Na sala do som
In the sound room
Contributed by Carson L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.