[2026] A Guide to Bossa Nova: From Classic Standards to the Latest Hits!
Bossa nova is one of the quintessential genres of Brazilian music, and it enjoys worldwide popularity—including here in Japan.
Our site already features an article compiling the leading bossa nova artists, but in this piece we’re introducing a curated selection of classic bossa nova tracks, spanning both past and present.
Alongside masterpieces from bossa nova’s golden era, we’ve also picked out various types of standout songs that incorporate bossa nova elements.
In recent years, new-generation artists like Ravei, whose music reflects influences from bossa nova, jazz, and even classical music, have gained global popularity.
Whether you’re new to bossa nova or looking to catch up on recent trends, be sure to check it out!
Playlist
| [2026] A Guide to Bossa Nova: From Classic Standards to the Latest Hits! | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Lover GirlLaufey |  play_arrow | RAYVEI’s sophisticated, mature music |
| 2east | Once I LovedAstrud Gilberto |  play_arrow | A bossa nova classic with a beautiful, heart-stirring melody |
| 3east | I Took The LJohn Roseboro |  play_arrow | From New York, a masterpiece of contemporary bossa nova |
| 4east | Orange-coloured dayliana flores |  play_arrow | The pure music of Liana Flores |
| 5east | brigadeiro (the bing bong song)gabi belle |  play_arrow | Gabi Bell’s new song from Brazil |
| 6east | le feu.aupinard |  play_arrow | An inspiring song by a new-generation French singer |
| 7east | Dumb FeelingMei Semones |  play_arrow | Urban, sophisticated, and distinctive jazz-pop |
| 8east | i like to wear soft clothing (cause it makes me feel like i’m rough in comparison)Bill Wurtz |  play_arrow | The charm of soothing jazz-pop |
| 9east | El patoNatalia y La Forquetina |  play_arrow | Fun bossa nova by a Mexican band |
| 10east | Something BigBurt Bacharach |  play_arrow | Bacharach, a master of refined music |
| 11east | TúMaye |  play_arrow | A popular singer-songwriter in Latin music |
| 12east | Fall at the Same Timealdn |  play_arrow | Musical expression that weaves Alden’s emotions |
| 13east | Quem Te Viu, Quem Te VêNara Leão |  play_arrow | The enchanting songs of Nara Leão, the bossa nova songstress |
| 14east | From The StartLaufey |  play_arrow | RAYVEI’s classic song that portrays the poignancy of unrequited love |
| 15east | The Girl From IpanemaAstrud Gilberto and Stan Getz |  play_arrow | The Girl from Ipanema, a bossa nova classic |
| 16east | Chega de SaudadesAntônio Carlos Jobim |  play_arrow | The charm of Jobim, a bossa nova masterpiece |
| 17east | Soul Bossa NovaQuincy Jones |  play_arrow | Introducing Quincy Jones’s classic songs |
| 18east | DesafinadoJoao Gilberto & Tom Jobim |  play_arrow | Bossa nova, born in Brazil in the 1950s |
| 19east | Mas Que Nada (feat. Black Eyed Peas)Sergio Mendes |  play_arrow | A fusion track of samba and hip-hop |
| 20east | CorCovadoAntônio Carlos Jobim |  play_arrow | A bossa nova masterpiece composed by Jobim. It depicts a happy night with a loved one. |
| 21east | Tomma NovaTomatomat |  play_arrow | Summer song by the Korean trio Tomato Mat |
| 22east | Pyjamas (ft Remi Wolf)Benny Sings |  play_arrow | A classic bossa nova-style pop tune with an exceptionally pleasant sound! |
| 23east | Agua De BeberAstrud Gilberto |  play_arrow | Bossa nova music spreads across the world |
| 24east | Mas Que NadaMiriam Makeba |  play_arrow | A masterpiece of samba-rock fusion: “Mas que Nada” |
| 25east | waveTom Jobim |  play_arrow | The world of bossa nova, the timbre of gentle waves |
| 26east | DesafinadoGal Costa |  play_arrow | The Musical Revolution of Tropicalismo |
| 27east | Maria MoitaNara Leao |  play_arrow | Music Resisting Under Brazil’s Military Dictatorship |
| 28east | Você AbusouMaria Creuza |  play_arrow | The Queen of Bossa Nova: Cleuza’s enchanting music |
| 29east | Come With MeTania Maria |  play_arrow | Tania Maria from Brazil, a musician who plays a diverse array of music |
| 30east | Samba de VerãoMarcos Valle |  play_arrow | The famous song by Marcos Valle that spread bossa nova around the world |
| 31east | San SalvadorTamba 4 |  play_arrow | From Brazil: The Allure of Samba × Jazz |
| 32east | Sea BreezeKikuoka Hiromi |  play_arrow | A bossa nova musical piece with captivating low tones that make the sea breeze feel like the voice of the heart. |
| 33east | August Day SongBebel Gilberto |  play_arrow | The vocalist who is the daughter of João Gilberto, the bossa nova master. |
| 34east | One note sambaSergio Mendes |  play_arrow | The Allure of Sérgio Mendes and Brazilian Music |
| 35east | Flor de LisDjavan |  play_arrow | Djavan, a representative figure of Brazilian music |
| 36east | LADY LOVEJon Lucien |  play_arrow | A romantic, wistful song woven from a deep voice and guitar. |
| 37east | I nada maisOs Gatos |  play_arrow | Male chorus with beautiful harmony |
| 38east | INSENSATEZJoão Gilberto |  play_arrow | João Gilberto, the bossa nova master |
| 39east | FotografiaOno Risa |  play_arrow | A love song by a Japanese Brazilian who contributed to Brazilian music |
| 40east | March rainBasia |  play_arrow | A work in which Tom Jobim beautifully set the scenery of Brazil's rainy season to music. |
| 41east | The GiftEydie Gormé |  | A bossa nova that sings of gifts of love |
| 42east | Manhã de CarnavalAnna Salleh |  play_arrow | A famous song by Moraes, a representative of bossa nova |
| 43east | Summer SambaMarcos Valle |  play_arrow | A bossa nova classic that portrays a summer romance |
| 44east | Upa NeguinhoZizi Possi |  play_arrow | The charm of bossa nova, a classic of Brazilian music |
| 45east | RioRoberto Menescal |  play_arrow | Rio anthem by bossa nova figurehead Menescal |
| 46east | CorcovadoStan Getz |  play_arrow | A classic album that helped popularize bossa nova |
| 47east | DesafinadoAntônio Carlos Jobim |  play_arrow | Jobim is the most prominent figure in bossa nova and left many classic songs. |
| 48east | Lollipops And RosesWalter Wanderley |  play_arrow | Walter Wanderley's Bossa Nova |
| 49east | TristeElis Regina |  play_arrow | Elis Regina, the songstress who passed away at a young age |
| 50east | Carta ao Tom 74Toquinho |  play_arrow | The charm of Toquinho, a master of bossa nova |
| 51east | CorcovadoKoizumi Niro |  play_arrow | The allure of Rio’s Corcovado |
| 52east | The Girl from IpanemaJoão Gilberto |  play_arrow | The appeal of the musicians who created bossa nova |
| 53east | JinjiSYLVIA TELLES |  play_arrow | Jinji is a love song by Jobim |
| 54east | Chega de saudadeJoão Gilberto |  play_arrow | A classic that laid the foundation of bossa nova, an emotionally rich masterpiece |
| 55east | Deixa pra Lá (feat. Teresa Cristina)BossaCucaNova |  play_arrow | Fusion of bossa nova and electronica |
| 56east | Vim Da BahiaQuarteto em Cy |  play_arrow | A four-sister group from the state of Bahia |
| 57east | VagamenchiWanda de Sah |  play_arrow | A hugely influential classic by Wanda de Sah |
| 58east | Samba E AmorChico Buarque |  play_arrow | The music of Chico Buarque, a master of bossa nova |
| 59east | You and IMaysa |  play_arrow | A soul-stirring singing voice and feelings of love |
| 60east | Nao Tem Nada NaoMarcos Valle |  play_arrow | MPB, Brazil's diverse music genre |
| 61east | DomingoCaetano Veloso |  play_arrow | An early work of a classic by a bossa nova star |
| 62east | BabyGal Costa |  play_arrow | Expressing red love through Tropicália music |
| 63east | Lugar comumGilberto Gil |  play_arrow | The Evolution of Bossa Nova and the Tropicália Movement |
| 64east | In A Manner Of SpeakingNouvelle Vague |  play_arrow | A bossa nova-style cover by Nouvelle Vague |
| 65east | Come With MeTania Maria |  play_arrow | A classic of jazz bossa nova from Brazil |
| 66east | rises the moonliana flores |  play_arrow | A song of hope symbolizing the moonrise, Rianna Flores |
| 67east | Águas de marçoElis Regina & Tom Jobim |  play_arrow | A classic of Brazilian music: Elis Regina and Jobim |
| 68east | A Night to Rememberbeabadoobee, Laufey |  play_arrow | Bieber & Ray song showcased in bossa nova |
| 69east | CerradoMilton Banana |  play_arrow | Milton performs a classic by Djavan |
| 70east | AQUI OH !Leny Andrade |  play_arrow | Leni Andrade’s captivating singing voice |
| 71east | Robo BoboCarlos Lyra |  play_arrow | A virtuoso singer who sings the story of Little Red Riding Hood |
| 72east | Pela Luz dos Olhos TeusMiúcha, Antonio Carlos Jobim |  play_arrow | A bossa nova classic, a supreme duet that sings of love |
| 73east | Disse O Que Eu QueriaOs Cariocas |  play_arrow | A male group active since before bossa nova |
| 74east | Saudade da BahiaDorival Caymmi |  play_arrow | A musical tale of longing for one’s hometown |
| 75east | AmazonJoão Donato |  play_arrow | Music and melancholy from the depths of the Amazon |
| 76east | How InsensitiveNova |  play_arrow | A famous song with a beautiful singing voice, included in a posthumous collection |
| 77east | mimosaAzymuth |  play_arrow | Music from Brazil across diverse genres |
| 78east | VALSA DE UMA CIDADELucio Alves |  play_arrow | Alvis, a bossa nova pioneer with a sultry voice |
| 79east | The JokerSergio Mendes & BRASIL’66 |  play_arrow | Brazilian music, the refreshing sound led by Mendes |
| 80east | Rapaz de BemJohnny Alf |  play_arrow | The captivating music of Johnny Alf, the father of bossa nova |