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.
Todo Dia E Dia D
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trouxe a viagem de volta
Gravada na minha mão
Enterrada no umbigo
Dentro e fora assim comigo
Minha própria condução
Todo dia é dia dela
Pode não ser, pode ser
Todo dia é dia D
Há urubus no telhado
E a carne seca é servida
Escorpião encravado
Na sua própria ferida
Não escapa, só escapo
Pela porta da saída
Todo dia é mesmo dia
De amar-te, de a morte morrer
Todo dia é mais dia, menos dia
É dia é dia D
The lyrics to Gilberto Gil's song "Todo Dia E Dia D" speak about the journey of life and the constant presence of one's own self. The singer explains that since leaving home, they carry the memories of their journey with them, ingrained on their hand and within their being. They have become their own guide and driver, with each day being a new opportunity to embrace themselves and their experiences. The repeated phrase "Todo dia é dia D" emphasizes this idea, that every day is a chance to live life to the fullest and embrace oneself.
The song also touches on the darker aspects of life, with references to vultures on the roof and a scorpion caught in its own wound. Despite these difficulties, the singer finds a way to escape and embrace each day anew. The final lines suggest that every day is a chance to love and to overcome death itself.
Overall, the lyrics of "Todo Dia E Dia D" are reflective and introspective, encouraging listeners to embrace their own journeys and find strength in their experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Desde que saí de casa
Ever since I left home
Trouxe a viagem de volta
I carried the journey back with me
Gravada na minha mão
Etched into my hand
Enterrada no umbigo
Buried in my navel
Dentro e fora assim comigo
Inside and outside me
Minha própria condução
My own driver
Todo dia é dia dela
Every day is her day
Pode não ser, pode ser
It may not be, it may be
Abro a porta e a janela
I open the door and the window
Todo dia é dia D
Every day is D day
Há urubus no telhado
There are vultures on the roof
E a carne seca é servida
And dried meat is served
Escorpião encravado
Embedded scorpion
Na sua própria ferida
In its own wound
Não escapa, só escapo
It doesn't escape, only I escape
Pela porta da saída
Through the exit door
Todo dia é mesmo dia
Every day is the same day
De amar-te, de a morte morrer
Of loving you, of death dying
Todo dia é mais dia, menos dia
Every day is one more day, one less day
É dia é dia D
It's the day, it's D day
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTONIO ALVES, ANTONIO CARLOS PINTO ALVES, TORQUATO NETO, TORQUATO PEREIRA DE ARAUJO NETO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paulo Roberto tiecher de Jesus
Saudoso Mestre TORQUATO NETO
Obrigado Mestre GILBERTO GIL
Flávia Valle
“Enterrada no umbigo dentro e fora assim comigo minha própria condução" 💜💜💜
Nádia Castilho
Linda demais está letra
Aníbal Gomes Filho
Obra de arte. Poesia lírica !
Jamile Ferreira
Que preciosidade, Gil
Diego El Khouri
Torquato Neto era realmente mesmo Phoda!!
marcio neves Neves
Linda, EU ouvi muito esse album qua di vivia na Estrada entre Sao Paulo e Salvador.
Flávia Valle
Viva Torquato!!!!
Isabel Araújo
Meu primo, tu fostes e é um poeta.
Ronaldo Dias
Que maravilha! Seu primo é atemporal e será revisitado enquanto houver inteligência nesse país. Abraços do RN.