As with many musicians back in his younger days, he was first influenced by rock and roll; however, at the age of 20, his music took a more Northeastern Brazilian approach (forro, folk). Zé Ramalho's lyrics however, are very influenced by the socio-economic difficulties faced by the average Brazilian.
In 1975, he recorded his first album, Paêbirú along with Lula Côrtes through the label Rozenblit. Today the copies from this very rare vinyl are highly-priced in the international collector's market.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Zé Ramalho Lyrics
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While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know why nobody told you
How to unfold your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps, yeah
I don't know why you were diverted
You were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
No one alerted you
I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps, yeah
While my guitar gently weeps
While my guitar gently weeps
While my guitar gently weeps
While my guitar gently weeps
While my guitar gently weeps
While my guitar gently weeps
Zé Ramalho's version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps is a cover of the famous song by The Beatles. The lyrics seem to speak to a sense of disappointment and frustration with the world and its inability to understand love. The first two lines reveal a sense of dormant love in the world that the singer sees and feels through his guitar. The juxtaposition of the guitar, which typically represents joy and energy, with the image of sleep indicates an unfulfilled potential. The next two lines continue this tension between the world and the guitar, as the singer notes a mundane task that needs completing while his guitar continues to weep. This tension may suggest that even the most trivial tasks cannot distract from the larger problems in the world.
The next set of lyrics shifts the focus to the individual, as the singer expresses confusion and sympathy for someone who was not taught how to "unfold" their love. The inversion in the third and fourth lines demonstrates a sense of control and manipulation that befell this person. It is not clear who this person is, whether it is an individual or a larger group of people, but it indicates a larger systemic problem of oppression and conformity. The next two lines refer to the cyclical nature of the world, in which each mistake leads to learning. This sentiment, however, is tempered by the final line of the verse, which suggests that the guitar still weeps in spite of the learning that takes place.
The final verse revisits the opening lines but adds a new layer of complexity. The first two lines once again note the sleeping love that the singer sees in the world, but this time, it includes the people as well. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the continued presence of love, even if it is dormant. The final lines repeat the chorus, emphasizing the eternal weeping of the guitar.
Overall, Zé Ramalho's rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps is a powerful interpretation of the original song by The Beatles. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment with the world and its problems, as well as a desire to connect with the love that still exists in the world. The repetition of the guitar weeping throughout the song suggests that even in the face of sadness and frustration, music can still provide a powerful outlet for emotion.
Line by Line Meaning
I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
The singer looks at the people and sees that they have love within them, but it's hidden or silent.
While my guitar gently weeps
The singer plays his guitar in a melancholic manner, reflecting his sadness and frustration.
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
The singer notices that the surroundings are messy and not properly maintained.
Still my guitar gently weeps
Despite everything else going on, the sadness and frustration in the singer's heart never goes away.
I don't know why nobody told you
The singer is puzzled as to why someone didn't teach or guide the person in question about how to express their love.
How to unfold your love
The singer is talking about how someone can bring out their love and show it to the world, instead of keeping it hidden.
I don't know how someone controlled you
The singer is unable to understand how someone could manipulate and influence the person in question.
They bought and sold you
The singer implies that the person in question was treated like merchandise or property and sold off.
I look at the world and I notice it's turning
The singer observes how the world is constantly moving and changing.
With every mistake we must surely be learning
The singer believes that no matter how many mistakes one makes, they will always learn from them and grow as a person.
Still my guitar gently weeps, yeah
Despite everything that is happening, the singer's emotions and sadness still persist.
I don't know why you were diverted
The singer wonders why the person in question was distracted or pushed away from expressing their love.
You were perverted too
The singer suggests that the person in question was corrupted or twisted in some way, making it difficult for them to express their love.
I don't know how you were inverted
The singer is unsure of how the person in question became inverted, meaning they are not being true to themselves or their feelings.
No one alerted you
The singer believes that no one warned or advised the person in question about how important it is to express their love.
While my guitar gently weeps
Once again, the singer expresses his sadness and frustration through his guitar playing.
While my guitar gently weeps, yeah
The singer reinforces the fact that, despite everything else going on, he is still sad and emotional.
While my guitar gently weeps
The singer repeats the same line, driving home the point that his guitar playing is a reflection of his innermost emotions and frustrations.
While my guitar gently weeps
For the last time, the singer repeats the same line, emphasizing how deeply he feels and how much his guitar playing reflects his emotions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Burak Yilmaz
I am from Turkey. Ze Ramalho is my favorite musician. Great performer in Portuguese & English as well.
Fernando Freitas
Muito massa, q o zé ramalho tem o respeito da galera do rock é fato
Spettacoloso Sognatore
Eu não sou do Rock, sou da música boa e essa não escolhe
ritmo! Zé é foda demais, e tem inúmeros Rock's lixos tbm...
Diel Tolo
Respeita não, ele é apaixonado pelo rock
Anderson Dideco
Transformar o famoso solo d guitarra em uma "festa junina" ao som da sanfona é coisa d gênio!
Ruy Papaléo Bianchini
Do gênio George Harrison para o gênio Zé Ramalho.
Rita De Cassia
Falou pouco e disse tudo!!!
Felipe Cta
Mais fã ainda do Zé Ramalho depois de descobrir essa homenagem a um dos maiores hinos dos Beatles e do Rock mundial (minha música preferida diga-se de passagem)!!!
Jô Zelito
Incrivel a capacidade desse mestre que deixa seu perfume em tudo que toca. Salve nosso velho e indivisível AvôZé...
Gilberto Martin
Zé Ramalho como sempre faz a diferença, excelente.