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.

Samba Do Avi
Gilberto Gil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Minha alma canta
Vejo o Rio de Janeiro
Estou morrendo de saudades
Rio, seu mar, suas praias sem fim
Rio, você foi feito pra mim
Cristo Redentor
Braços abertos sobre a Guanabara
Este samba é só porque

Rio, eu gosto de você
A morena vem sambar
Seu corpo todo balançar
Aperte o cinto, vamos chegar
Água brilhando, olha a pista chegando
E vamos nós aterrar

Minha alma canta
Vejo o Rio de Janeiro
Estou morrendo de saudades
Rio, seu mar, suas praias sem fim
Rio, você foi feito pra mim
Cristo Redentor
Braços abertos sobre a Guanabara
Este samba é só porque
Rio, eu gosto de você
A morena vem sambar
Seu corpo todo balançar
Aperte o cinto, vamos chegar

Água brilhando, olha a pista chegando
E vamos nós aterrar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song "Samba do Avião" express a deep sense of longing and nostalgia for the city of Rio de Janeiro. The song opens with the singer's "soul singing," and he continues to describe how he is reminiscing about Rio, its sea, and never-ending beaches. The song seems to be narrated by someone on a plane, flying to Rio and seeing the city from above. The lyrics mention the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer with its open arms over Guanabara Bay, which is a symbol of welcome and also a reminder of the religious and cultural diversity of the city.

Line by Line Meaning

Minha alma canta
My soul sings

Vejo o Rio de Janeiro
I see Rio de Janeiro

Estou morrendo de saudades
I am dying of longing

Rio, seu mar, suas praias sem fim
Rio, your ocean, your endless beaches

Rio, você foi feito para mim
Rio, you were made for me

Cristo Redentor
Christ the Redeemer

Braços abertos sobre a Guanabara
Arms open over Guanabara Bay

Este samba é só porque
This samba is just because

Rio, eu gosto de você
Rio, I like you

A morena vem sambar
The brunette comes to samba

Seu corpo todo balançar
Her whole body shaking