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.
Sebastiana
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pra dançar um xaxado na Paraíba
Ela vem com uma dança diferente
E pulava que nem uma guariba
Ela vem com uma dança diferente
E pulava que nem uma guariba
E gritava A, E, I, O, U, Y
Já cansada no meio da brincadeira
E dançando fora do compasso
Segurei Sebastiana pelo braço
E gritei: Não faça sujeira
O xaxado esquentou na gafieira
Sebastiana não deu mais fracasso
E gritava A, E, I, O, U, Y
E gritava A, E, I, O, U, Y
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song Sebastiana talk about a woman named Sebastiana, who is invited by Gil to dance a xaxado in Paraíba. However, Sebastiana dances differently, jumping like a guariba, which is a type of monkey found in South America. She shouts out the vowels while dancing, creating a unique sound.
As the dance goes on, Sebastiana gets tired and starts dancing out of rhythm. Gil then holds her arm and asks her not to make a mess. But as the dance progresses, Sebastiana gains momentum and energy, and the party heats up. As she continues to shout out the vowels, the energy of the dance becomes contagious.
The lyrics of Sebastiana are both fun and clever, with the playful use of vowels representing the energy of the dance. It also highlights the importance of letting loose and having fun, despite the rules and expectations of society. Moreover, Sebastiana’s dance and joyousness create a sense of community, bringing together people from different backgrounds to dance and enjoy themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Convidei a comadre Sebastiana
I invited my friend Sebastiana
Pra dançar um xaxado na Paraíba
To dance a xaxado in Paraíba
Ela vem com uma dança diferente
She comes with a different dance
E pulava que nem uma guariba
And jumps like a guariba
E gritava A, E, I, O, U, Y
And shouts A, E, I, O, U, Y
Já cansada no meio da brincadeira
Already tired in the middle of the fun
E dançando fora do compasso
And dancing off beat
Segurei Sebastiana pelo braço
I held Sebastiana's arm
E gritei: Não faça sujeira
And shouted: Don't make a mess
O xaxado esquentou na gafieira
The xaxado got hot in the dance hall
Sebastiana não deu mais fracasso
Sebastiana didn't fail anymore
E gritava A, E, I, O, U, Y
And shouted A, E, I, O, U, Y
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROSIL CAVALCANTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind