Popular bossa nova songs: a roundup of recommended classic BGM

WaveAntonio Carlos Jobim

Wave

A masterpiece by Brazil’s Antônio Carlos Jobim, whose graceful melody envelops the heart like gentle waves that ebb and flow.

It paints a romantic world where loneliness fades when two people share the same dream.

The lavish strings arranged by Claus Ogerman make the scene even more beautiful.

Included on the classic album “Wave,” released in October 1967, this piece reached No.

5 on the U.S.

jazz album chart and gained worldwide popularity.

It’s a gem of bossa nova that keeps quiet company on nights of solitary reflection and gently accompanies time spent with someone special.

TravessiaMilton Nascimento

Travessia – Milton Nascimento

This is a work by Milton Nascimento, a master of Brazilian music, marked by a guitar tone tinged with melancholy and a melody that pierces the heart.

Titled “Travessia,” meaning “bridge” or “crossing,” the song seems to portray the bittersweet resolve of saying goodbye to a past love and taking a step toward the future from within loneliness.

His translucent falsetto resonates deep within the listener’s soul.

Many will remember this piece as the celebrated song that won second place at the International Song Festival held in October 1967, bringing his name to worldwide attention.

As the title track of his debut album, Travessia, its warm tones will gently envelop you on nights when you wish to quietly face yourself.

Once I LovedNEW!Astrud Gilberto

Once I Loved

Let me introduce an English cover of a classic composed by one of the founders of bossa nova, Antônio Carlos Jobim, with original lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes.

The bittersweet lyrics, quietly reflecting on a past romance, interweave with Astrud Gilberto’s crystal-clear vocals to create a beauty that is truly heart-wrenching.

Opening her 1965 solo debut, The Astrud Gilberto Album, this track is also known for its use in the 2007 film Juno, and is regarded as a timeless standard beloved across generations.

Why not give it a listen on a quiet night when you want to be alone with your thoughts, or when you wish to spend a peaceful, soothing moment?

TristeAntonio Carlos Jobim

Triste

This is a work by Antonio Carlos Jobim from Brazil, whose title means “sadness” in Portuguese.

While theming the loneliness that comes from solitude, it transforms that feeling into an urbane, cool melancholy, and is considered one of his most beautiful pieces.

Its sophisticated, cool-jazz-influenced harmonies and its wistful yet flowing melody blend to gently comfort the listener.

The track appears on the classic album Wave, released in September 1967, and reached No.

5 on the Billboard jazz chart.

Why not give it a listen when you want to calm your mind, or on a quiet night lost in thought?

Manhã de carnavalAstrud Gilberto

Manhã de Carnaval

A bittersweet yet beautiful scene comes to mind on the morning after the carnival’s clamor has faded.

Astrud Gilberto, the Brazilian singer, conveys with her whisper-soft, cool voice a delicate blend of longing for a lost love and the faint hope ushered in by a new day.

The piece is known as the theme song for the 1959 film Orfeu Negro, and Astrud’s version is included on her album The Shadow of Your Smile, released in September 1965.

Listen during the quiet hours of dawn or on a night when you want to be alone with your thoughts, and you’ll feel its wistful melody gently enfold your heart.

The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova)Eydie Gorme

Eydie Gorme The Gift (Recado Bossa Nova)

Originally released under the title “Recado Bossa Nova,” this piece—written and composed by Luiz Antônio and Djalma Ferreira—is one of the classic songs of bossa nova.

Later, Paul Webster provided an English title and English lyrics.

With its slightly world-weary, languid mood, the song is popular in Japan.

Beach SambaAstrud Gilberto

Astrud Gilberto – Beach Samba (1966)

Astrud Gilberto may well be considered the queen of bossa nova on a global scale.

Her sweet, languid, and distinctive voice served as a bridge between Brazilian bossa nova and American jazz, and the songs she made her own have since often been featured as jazz standards.