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Popular bossa nova songs: a roundup of recommended classic BGM

When you hear the word “bossa nova,” what kind of music comes to mind? Although it originated in Brazil, bossa nova enjoys immense popularity—especially in Japan.

Born in the 1950s, it grew into a globally popular genre thanks to legendary figures such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, and João Gilberto.

In this article, we’ve researched and compiled a selection of classic bossa nova masterpieces, especially for beginners!

Popular bossa nova songs: A roundup of recommended classic BGM (41–50)

How InsensitiveWes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery – how insensitive (insensatez)
How InsensitiveWes Montgomery

The song “How Insensitive,” with lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes and music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, is known in Japan as “Obakasan” (The Fool), but it’s more famous by its English title.

As with their other signature songs, the English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel.

Retrato Em Branco e PretoNey Matogrosso & Raphael Rabello

Ney Matogrosso e Rafael Rabello – Retrato em branco e preto
Retrato Em Branco e PretoNey Matogrosso & Raphael Rabello

It is one of the bossa nova masterpieces by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Chico Buarque.

Its Japanese title is “A Portrait in Black and White,” and it features a very complex chord progression and a beautiful yet challenging melody rich in chromaticism, making it especially popular among jazz-oriented musicians.

In conclusion

Bossa nova tends to have a somewhat stylish image, and many people enjoy it as easy listening.

That said, as introduced in this article, there are actually quite a few songs with political lyrics or serious messages.

If you’re interested, be sure to check out the lyrics using bilingual editions or translation tools.