Our example is an early recording of Bossa Nova’s most famous song, “The Girl from Ipanema” by Tom Jobim. In our recording it is sung first in Portuguese by Gilberto, then sung in English by Astrud Gilberto, followed by an instrumental version with improvisations by Stan Getz on the saxophone. Note João Gilberto’s intimate singing style, his low tones and strumming of the guitar as a percussive tool, and the dominating syncopated beats. This is the hallmark of bossa nova. This laid-back performing style serves as a background to the lyrics that tell the story of the singer’s frustrated love for a perfect woman living in the idyllic city of Rio de Janeiro. 

Form: one verse in AABB’A; the structure is repeated four times

Time Signature: 2/4, duple meter with guitar emphasizing syncopation

Instrumentation: guitar, percussion (shakers), piano, saxophone