from PASSIONE
Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim & Vinicius De Moraes
“Garota De Ipanema,” aka “The Girl From Ipanema,” was a pivotal masterpiece in the history of popular music. “Garota De Ipanema” was written in 1962 by the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) while the Brazilian Portuguese lyrics were crafted by Brazilian poet Vinicius De Moraes (1913-1980). “Garota De Ipanema ,” with its irresistible Latin beat, smooth atmosphere and jazz-influenced chords, defined the bossa nova music genre to perfection. The first popular version was sung in 1964 by renown singer Astrud Gilberto (1940-2023) on the seminal album, Getz/Gilberto. That recording featured the legendary saxophonist Stan Getz and the great Brazilian singer/guitarist, Joao Gilberto. On “The Girl From Ipanema,” Astrud performed the English lyrics written by Norman Gimbel, while her then-husband, Gilberto, sang the original Brazilian Portuguese words. “Garota De Ipanema” went to #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in July of 1964. In 1965, the song won a Grammy for Record Of The Year.
“The Girl From Ipanema” was one of the most covered songs of all time, probably second only to The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” Among the stars who recorded this amazing song were Frank Sinatra with the incomparable Tom Jobim, Amy Winehouse, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Pat Metheny and Andrea Bocelli, who sang “Garota De Ipanema” on his 2013 cd, Passione.
Bocelli’s 2013 rendition, produced and arranged by David Foster, is the Song of the Week.
Foster crafted an instrumental track that oozed class and sophistication. He centered his arrangement on the late Ramon Stagnaro’s trademark acoustic guitar. With the Hitman’s beautiful acoustic piano and the lush back-up of the orchestral arrangement written by William Ross, the Italian superstar showed here, and on the whole Passione record, his astonishing ability to walk into the pop world with confidence and give a vocal performance that’s a true singing master class. Bocelli highlighted his correct measure and soft, refined tone.
Passione was a worlwide hit, reaching #2 on Billboard Top 200 and was eventually certified gold.
To close this review, here are the words that Foster kindly sent about this special song:
“I really love Passione; it was a true labor of love for both Andrea and myself. ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ was a song I often played when I was 13 years old so it has always been very special to me. Andrea’s voice is so smooth on this track and his quick vibrato is flawless!”
- Lead Vocals: Andrea Bocelli
- Acoustic Guitar: Ramon Stagnaro
- Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
- Bass: Nathan East
- Drums: John Robinson
- Percussion: Rafael Padilla & Jochem van der Saag
- String Arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli
- Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Lyrics
Olha que coisa mais linda, mais cheia de graça
É ela, menina, que vem e que passa
Num doce balanço a caminho do mar
Moça do corpo dourado, do Sol de Ipanema
O seu balançado é mais que um poema
É a coisa mais linda que eu já vi passar
Ah, por que estou tão sozinho?
Ah, por que tudo é tão triste?
Ah, a beleza que existe
A beleza que não é só minha
Que também passa sozinha
Ah, se ela soubesse que quando ela passa
O mundo inteirinho se enche de graça
E fica mais lindo por causa do amor
Ah, por que estou tão sozinho?
Ah, por que tudo é tão triste?
Ah, a beleza que existe
A beleza que não é só minha
Que também passa sozinha
Ah, se ela soubesse que quando ela passa
O mundo inteirinho se enche de graça
E fica mais lindo por causa do amor
Por causa do amor
Por causa do amor