Popular bossa nova songs: a roundup of recommended classic BGM

The JokerSergio Mendes & BRASIL’66

The Joker

This song might give more of a Latin pop impression than bossa nova, but it can be counted among the classics by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66.

With layered chorus vocals that make it sound like a unison and congas added to the percussion, it turns into a very intriguing track.

O PatoJoao Gilberto e Caetano Veloso

João Gilberto e Caetano Veloso – O Pato

This song is one of the bossa nova standards written by Neusa Teixeira and Jaime Silva, known in Japanese as “Gaucho no Samba” (Gaucho’s Samba).

The original title appears frequently in the lyrics, and that part is syncopated, giving the piece a distinctive sense of buoyancy and briskness that makes it especially enjoyable.

One Note SambaAntonio Carlos Jobim

One Note Samba (Samba de Uma Nota So) (Album Version)

The original title “Samba de Uma Nota Só” is one of the representative bossa nova songs, composed with lyrics by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Newton Mendonça.

Unusually, Jobim is said to have also written the English lyrics, and worldwide it may be better known by the name “One Note Samba.” As the title suggests, its simple main melody—made up of a series of notes at the same pitch—is striking.

Chovendo Na RoseiraGal Costa

Gal Costa – Chovendo Na Roseira

This song is one of Antônio Carlos Jobim’s masterpieces, known in Japanese as “Rain Falling on Roses.” It has a challenging melody with delicate intervals that could easily sound unstable if handled poorly, yet it’s a very beautiful piece.

However, since it’s a waltz in 3/4 time, it may not be strictly considered bossa nova.

Blue BossaJoe Henderson

Joe Henderson – Blue Bossa

Blue Bossa was not born in Brazil; it is said that jazz musician Kenny Dorham created it by fusing hard bop—a subgenre of jazz—with bossa nova.

Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson performed it on his album, and it has since become a jazz standard.

Você e euKay Lyra

Kay Lyra (com o pai Carlos Lyra) – “Você e eu”

This song, known in Japanese as “You and I,” is one of the bossa nova classics by Carlos Lyra and Vinicius de Moraes.

The lyrics by Moraes are very beautiful and full of a joyful, happy atmosphere.

By the way, the singer, Kay Lyra, is Carlos Lyra’s daughter.

Ela é CariocaAdriana Calcanhotto

Adriana Calcanhotto – Ela é Carioca

One of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s classic bossa nova songs is known in Japanese as “She’s a Carioca.” Incidentally, João Gilberto also released an album with the same title that includes this song.

“Carioca” refers to people who live in Rio de Janeiro, much like how “New Yorker” refers to someone from New York.