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.
Terremoto
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão
Olhei pro céu
Que confusão
Toquei no céu
Com o pé no chão
Por onde andei
Sem direção
Eu lhe verei
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão
Olhei pro céu
Que confusão
Toquei no céu
Com o pé no chão
Meu mestre e rei
Foi Salomão
Que me ensinou
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Terra
Todo mundo!
Chão
Terra
Chão, mamãe
Terra, meu pai
Mamãe
Meu pai
Chão
Olhei pro céu
Que confusão
Toquei no céu
Com o pé no chão
Por onde andei
Sem direção
Eu lhe verei
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Meu pai
Mamãe
Meu pai
Hei, mamãe
Meu pai
Hei, mamãe
Meu pai
Chão
Por onde andei
Eu lhe verei
Com o pé no chão
Meu mestre e rei
Foi Salomão
Que me ensinou
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Com o pé na terra
Hei, meu pai
Com o pé no chão
Hei, mamãe
Todo mundo!
Meu pai
Hei, mamãe
Meu pai
Hei, mamãe
Meu pai
Hei, mamãe
Meu pai
Hei, mamãe
Meu pai
Hei, mamãe
The song "Terremoto" by Gilberto Gil is a rhythmic and compelling tribute to the power of being grounded and connected to the earth. The song opens with the repeated phrases "Hei, mamãe, com o pé na terra" ("Hey mom, with my feet on the ground") and "Hei, meu pai, com o pé no chão" ("Hey dad, with my feet on the ground"), which emphasize the importance of being grounded in the physical world. The song continues in this vein, with the singer expressing confusion and a lack of direction as he looks to the sky. However, he ultimately finds clarity and strength in his connection to the earth, which he attributes to the teachings of the wise King Solomon. The song ends with a repeated call-and-response chorus of "Terra!" and "Chão!", which reinforces the message that grounding oneself in the physical world is essential for finding stability and purpose.
Overall, "Terremoto" is a song that celebrates the power of being present and rooted in the physical world. It suggests that by staying connected to the earth, we can find direction and purpose even in the midst of confusion and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Hei, mamãe
Hey, mother
Com o pé na terra
with my feet on the ground
Hei, meu pai
Hey, father
Com o pé no chão
with my feet on the floor
Terra, meu pai
Earth, my father
Chão, mamãe
Floor, mother
Chão
Floor
Olhei pro céu
I looked at the sky
Que confusão
such confusion
Toquei no céu
I touched the sky
Por onde andei
Wherever I went
Sem direção
Without direction
Eu lhe verei
I will see you
Meu mestre e rei
My teacher and king
Foi Salomão
It was Solomon
Que me ensinou
Who taught me
Terra
Earth
Todo mundo!
Everybody!
Mamãe
Mother
Meu pai
My father
Contributed by Charlie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cristiane Nogueira
😍