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.
Leo
Milton Nascimento Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Um passo na estrada e um pulo no mato
Um pedaço de pau
Um pé de sapato e um pé de moleque
Léo
Um pé de moleque e um rabo de saia, um serão
As sombras da praia e o sonho na esteira
Uma companheira e um filho no mundo
Léo
Um filho no mundo e um mundo virado, um irmão
Um livro, um recado, uma eterna viagem
A mala de mão
A cara, a coragem e um plano de vôo
Léo
Um plano de vôo e um segredo na boca, um ideal
Um bicho na toca e o perigo por perto
Uma pedra, um punhal
Um olho desperto e um olho vazado
Léo
Um olho vazado e um tempo de guerra, um paiol
Um nome na serra e um nome no muro
A quebrada do sol
Um tiro no escuro e um corpo na lama
Léo
Um nome na lama e um silêncio profundo, um pião
Um filho no mundo e uma atiradeira
Um pedaço de pau
Um pé na soleira e um pé na calçada
The lyrics of Milton Nascimento's song "Léo" describe a person named Léo and his journey through life. The first stanza paints a picture of Léo standing with one foot on the doorstep and the other on the sidewalk, indicating his indecisiveness and his desire for movement. The line "um pião" refers to a spinning top, suggesting Léo's unpredictable nature.
The second stanza mentions "um pé de moleque" (peanut brittle) and a woman's skirt, suggesting Léo's enjoyment of life's pleasures. The lines "as sombras da praia e o sonho na esteira" (the shadows of the beach and the dream on the mat) imply a sense of nostalgia and a desire to escape from reality.
The third stanza describes Léo as a father and a traveler who is carrying a small bag and a plan of flight, implying his adventurous spirit. The line "um segredo na boca" (a secret in his mouth) suggests that Léo is a mysterious figure.
The fourth stanza mentions "um olho vazado" (an eye with a hole) and "um tempo de guerra" (a time of war), indicating that Léo has experienced violence and hardship. The line "um corpo na lama" (a body in the mud) suggests further tragedy.
Overall, the lyrics of "Léo" provide a glimpse into the life of a complex and enigmatic character whose journey through life is marked by both joy and sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Um pé na soleira e um pé na calçada, um pião
Being caught between two worlds, one foot in familiarity and the other in the unknown, like a spinning top that's constantly moving forward
Um passo na estrada e um pulo no mato
Taking risks and embracing the adventure of the unknown path
Um pedaço de pau
A symbol of resilience and resourcefulness, a tool for survival in challenging situations
Um pé de sapato e um pé de moleque
Representing both the conformity and the rebelliousness of youth, the struggle between tradition and the desire for freedom
Um pé de moleque e um rabo de saia, um serão
Living life to the fullest, enjoying good company and memorable experiences
As sombras da praia e o sonho na esteira
The beauty of nature and the tranquility of dreams, the peace that comes from being surrounded by life's simple pleasures
Uma alucinação
The feeling of being lost in a dreamlike state, both magical and confusing at the same time
Uma companheira e um filho no mundo
The joy of having loved ones and the responsibility of caring for them, the desire to create a better world for the next generation
Um filho no mundo e um mundo virado, um irmão
The challenges of being part of a chaotic and unpredictable world, the comfort and support of having siblings and loved ones to rely on
Um livro, um recado, uma eterna viagem
The power of knowledge, the wisdom of messages from the past, and the never-ending journey of self-discovery
A mala de mão
The symbol of freedom and mobility, the ability to leave everything behind and start anew
A cara, a coragem e um plano de vôo
The determination and bravery to pursue one's dreams, the resilience to face obstacles and setbacks, and the clarity of purpose to stay focused on the goal
Um plano de vôo e um segredo na boca, um ideal
The importance of keeping one's dreams and aspirations close to one's heart, the need to protect them from others' doubts and negativity
Um bicho na toca e o perigo por perto
The feeling of being constantly watched and hunted, the fear and uncertainty of living in a hostile environment
Uma pedra, um punhal
The tools of survival in violent and unpredictable situations, representing the need for self-defense and protection
Um olho desperto e um olho vazado
The vigilance and awareness to avoid danger, the scars and wounds inflicted by life's challenges
Um nome na serra e um nome no muro
The connection to the past and to one's roots, the legacy and impact of one's actions on the world
A quebrada do sol
The beauty of nature and the power of sunlight, a symbol of hope and renewal
Um tiro no escuro e um corpo na lama
The tragedy of violence and oppression, the feeling of helplessness and despair when faced with injustice and cruelty
Um nome na lama e um silêncio profundo, um pião
The shame and isolation of being associated with scandal and disgrace, the feeling of being trapped and powerless like a spinning top
Um filho no mundo e uma atiradeira
The need to protect one's loved ones and to fight back against injustice, the power of resourcefulness and creativity in overcoming adversity
Um pedaço de pau
A constant symbol of resilience and resourcefulness, a tool for survival in challenging situations
Um pé na soleira e um pé na calçada
A constant sense of being caught between two worlds, with one foot in the known and the other in the unknown, like a spinning top that's constantly moving forward
Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.