Nascimento was born in Rio de Janeiro, and grew up in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais. His mother was the maid Maria do Carmo Nascimento. When he was just a few months old, the boy was adopted by the family for whom his mother had previously worked: the couple Josino Brito Campos (a banker, mathematics teacher and electronic technician) and Lília Silva Campos (a music teacher). He lived in the boroughs of Laranjeiras and Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro. When he was 18 months old, his biological mother died and he moved with his adoptive parents to the city of Três Pontas, in the State of Minas Gerais.
In the earlier stages of his career, Nascimento played in two samba groups, Evolussamba and Sambacana. In 1963 he moved to Belo Horizonte, and his friendship with the Borges brothers (Marilton, Márcio e Lô Borges) led to the Clube da Esquina ("corner club") movement. Other members included Beto Guedes, Toninho Horta, Wagner Tiso, and Flavio Venturini.
Nascimento is famous for his chime-clear falsetto and tonal range, as well for highly acclaimed songs such as "Canção da América" ("Song from America") and "Coração de Estudante" ("Student's Heart"). The lyrics of "Coração de Estudante" remembers the funeral of the student Edson Luís, killed by police officers in 1968. The song became the hymn for the diretas Já campaign in 1984 and it was also played in the funeral of the late president Tancredo Neves the next year, who died before assuming the presidency.
While his reputation within Brazil was firmly established with his Clube da Esquina works, Nascimento's international breakthrough came with his appearance on jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter's 1974 album "Native Dancer". This led to widespread acclaim, and collaborations with American stars such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Pat Metheny.
Through his friendship with guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, Nascimento came to work with the pop-rock band Duran Duran in 1993. Nascimento co-wrote and performed (in the Portuguese language) the song "Breath After Breath", featured on the band's 1993 album "Duran Duran". He also performed with the band in concert when they toured in Brazil, in support of that album. Nascimento earned a Grammy award for "Best World Music Album" in 1998 for his album "Nascimento", and was also nominated in 1991 and 1995.
Leila
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Venha ser feliz
Ó Leila!
Venha ser feliz
(Ó Leila!) venha, venha ser feliz
Venha, venha ser feliz
Milton Nascimento's song "Leila" is a track that calls out to a woman named Leila, asking her to come and be happy. The song is sung in Portuguese, and the repetition of the name Leila is an important part of the lyrical structure of the track. The song has a contemplative, almost meditative feel to it, with Nascimento encouraging Leila to come and find joy in life. The use of the exclamation "Ó" before Leila's name indicates a sense of urgency and a desire to connect deeply with this person.
The song can be interpreted as a love song or a call to a lost friend or family member. The lyrics are simple, but the repetition of the name and the melody create a sense of longing and desire to find happiness with someone. Nascimento's soulful voice adds depth to the lyrics, and the light instrumentation in the background does not detract from the message of the song. On the whole, "Leila" is a beautiful and emotive song that speaks to the human desire for connection and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Ó Leila!
Oh, Leila!
Venha ser feliz
Come, be happy
Ó Leila!
Oh, Leila!
Venha ser feliz
Come, be happy
(Ó Leila!) venha, venha ser feliz
(Oh, Leila!) Come, come, be happy
Venha, venha ser feliz
Come, come, be happy
Writer(s): Milton Nascimento
Contributed by Austin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.