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.
Vinte E Seis
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eu faço tudo igual todo dia vinte e seis
Como todos vocês
Eu passo bem ou mal todo dia vinte seis
É que só no meu caso especial
Por acaso, aqui, pra mais dois ou três
Vinte e seis virou dia de natal
Hoje, portanto, já que eu viajei
Esse tanto pra vir me apresentar
Entre tantas canções que eu vou cantar
Eu vou cantar parabéns pra vocês
Como todos vocês
Eu faço tudo igual todo dia vinte e seis
Como todos vocês
Eu passo bem ou mal todo dia vinte seis
Outros membros do clã do vinte e seis
Em setembro, eu me lembro, tem a Gal
Em outubro, o Bituca tem a vez
E o meu neto João comigo igual
Neste meu vinte e seis, não leve a mal
Já que é logo depois do São João
Diferente do parabéns normal
Eu vou cantar um parabéns baião
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song Vinte E Seis describe the monotony of everyday life and the special significance that the 26th day of each month holds for the singer. He notes that like everyone else, he goes through his daily routine and experiences both good and bad days. However, for him and two or three others, the 26th of each month has become a symbolic day of celebration, almost like Christmas in June.
The singer then explains that on this particular 26th of the month, he traveled a great distance to perform for the audience and among the many songs he will sing, he will also sing “Happy Birthday” to them. He mentions that other members of the “26th clan” like Gal and Bituca also have their own special days in September and October respectively, and his own grandson João shares the same special day with him. On this day, in honor of it being so close to São João's Day, he will sing a Bahian version of the birthday song. The song is a celebration of the ordinary days and a reminder that even in the mundane routine of life, there can be special moments to cherish.
Line by Line Meaning
Como todos vocês
Just like all of you
Eu faço tudo igual todo dia vinte e seis
I do everything the same every 26th day
Eu passo bem ou mal todo dia vinte seis
I go through good and bad every 26th day
É que só no meu caso especial
It's just that in my special case
Por acaso, aqui, pra mais dois ou três
By chance, here, for two or three more
Vinte e seis virou dia de natal
26th turned into Christmas
E nesse caso junho foi o mês
And in this case, June was the month
Hoje, portanto, já que eu viajei
So today, since I travelled
Esse tanto pra vir me apresentar
This far to come and present myself
Entre tantas canções que eu vou cantar
Among so many songs that I'll sing
Eu vou cantar parabéns pra vocês
I will sing happy birthday to you all
Outros membros do clã do vinte e seis
Other members of the 26th clan
Em setembro, eu me lembro, tem a Gal
In September, I remember, there's Gal
Em outubro, o Bituca tem a vez
In October, Bituca has his turn
E o meu neto João comigo igual
And my grandson João is the same as me
Neste meu vinte e seis, não leve a mal
In this 26th of mine, don't take it wrong
Já que é logo depois do São João
Since it's right after the St. John's day
Diferente do parabéns normal
Different from the normal happy birthday
Eu vou cantar um parabéns baião
I will sing a happy birthday baião
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gilberto Gil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maria Celeste
Parabéns...muito luxo comemorar dia 26 de outubro sempre um novo ciclo com os membros do Clã 26!!!
Edilene Marx Lula Brasil
Feliz aniversário, querido Gil!!
Parabéns!!
Gratidão por tantas canções lindas e em uma sensibilidade única...que falam à alma!!
Sou sua fã demais!!Gil...
"Andar com Fé" é meu hino de vida!!
#VivaGilbertoGil
#ParabénsGil
Vida longa com saúde e muita paz!!
Jovani de Miranda
Feliz Niver! Feliz Tudo!
🍾🥂🎂🎊❤🍀💰 🙋🏻♂️