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