Popular bossa nova songs: a roundup of recommended classic BGM

Soul Bossa NovaQuincy Jones

Quincy Jones – SOUL BOSSA NOVA

A classic widely known even among generations who didn’t watch Austin Powers in real time! Crafted by Quincy Jones, a leading force in American music, its cheerful blend of jazz and bossa nova lifts your spirits the moment you hear it.

Legend has it the piece was composed in just 20 minutes, brimming with inspiration and fun.

Featured on the December 1962 album “Big Band Bossa Nova,” it was also used as a theme for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Put it on as holiday background music or for a drive, and it’s sure to put everyone in a happy mood!

Chega De SaudadeJoão Gilberto

Chega de Saudade

A seminal bossa nova piece by Brazil’s João Gilberto that bids farewell to the melancholy “saudade” in the heart and sings of the joy of returning to a loved one’s arms.

Recorded with his own voice and guitar in July 1958, it heralded the dawn of a new musical era.

Shifting from the ache of a minor key to the comfort of a major key, the song exquisitely balances whisper-soft vocals with light, graceful guitar.

Listen by the window on a lazy afternoon, and you may feel your heart’s sediment gently clear away as a calm hour unfolds.

A timeless classic, it was also referenced in the video game Persona 5 Royal.

So Nice (Summer Samba)Marcos Valle

So Nice (Summer Samba)

This is an emblematic bossa nova track crafted by Brazilian music maestro Marcos Valle when he was just 21.

Said to be inspired by the waves and stirrings of love he felt on a summer day at a Rio beach, its lyrics vividly evoke the bittersweet ache of unrequited love.

The sprightly guitar and airy organ weave a sound like a gentle breeze brushing your cheek.

Released on the 1965 album “O compositor e o cantor,” the Walter Wanderley Trio’s instrumental version climbed to No.

26 on the U.S.

charts in 1966 and became a sensation.

Also featured in films like “Click,” this song is guaranteed to be the perfect soundtrack for a lazy holiday afternoon when you want to unwind and set your heart free.

CorcovadoAntonio Carlos Jobim

Corcovado (Remastered)

Like a night view seen from the hills of Rio de Janeiro, this is a beautiful piece filled with shimmering stillness and romance.

Composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, the Brazilian musician known as the “Father of Bossa Nova,” the song seems to depict a fulfilled moment spent with a loved one under quietly shining stars, its sweet, wistful melody gently resonating in the heart.

Recorded in 1963 on the landmark album Getz/Gilberto with Stan Getz and others, it gained worldwide recognition and was also covered by Frank Sinatra.

It’s also well known for being used as the opening theme for a Brazilian TV drama.

Whether you play it as background music for a contemplative night alone or a heartfelt conversation with someone special, it can make ordinary moments feel richer.

DesafinadoJoão Gilberto

João Gilberto – 02 – Desafinado

This piece by Brazilian master João Gilberto was created in response to critics who mocked the new music as “off-key.” With his whisper-soft vocals and guitar, he gently tells us that even if the pitch isn’t perfect, it’s an expression of heartfelt affection.

The song’s playful wit and quietly confident attitude embody the very spirit of bossa nova.

Recorded on his 1959 debut Chega de Saudade, it was inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

A beloved classic of bossa nova and a firmly established jazz standard—be sure to check it out.

The Girl From IpanemaGetz/Gilberto

The Girl From Ipanema

A poignant melody that captures yearning and unrequited feelings for a beautiful woman walking along the beach, this is a work by Getz/Gilberto that deeply resonates.

Many listeners likely have vivid memories of the collaboration between American saxophonist Stan Getz and Brazil’s João Gilberto, a pioneer who helped define bossa nova.

In this piece, João’s guitar intertwines with Stan’s cool saxophone, creating an irresistibly chic atmosphere.

Included on the classic album Getz/Gilberto, released in March 1964, it was also featured in the film Get Yourself a College Girl.

It is known as well for winning the 1965 Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

Its sophisticated sound makes perfect background music for a leisurely, relaxing afternoon.

DindiSYLVIA TELLES

Sylvia Telles – Dindi (1960)

Sylvia Telles, a Brazilian singer who shone in the dawn of bossa nova.

Master composer Antônio Carlos Jobim wrote this classic specifically for her.

Its poetic world—overlaying boundless skies and drifting clouds with a longing for someone who may never be reached—resonates deeply.

Her delicate, translucent voice further heightens the song’s wistful atmosphere.

You can hear it on the 1959 collection Amor de Gente Moça (Músicas de Antônio Carlos Jobim), and she recorded it again shortly before her untimely death in 1966 at the age of 32.

It’s a gentle companion for quiet, contemplative nights or moments spent thinking of someone dear.