Our Top 10 Antonio Carlos Jobim Songs list takes a look at a Brazilian composer, musician, songwriter and singer. He is one of the most popular songwriters. Antonio Carlos Jobim is a Grammy winner. He is considered one of the great musicians in Brazilian music. He was one of the reasons why bossa nova and jazz were combined. He has been coined the father of bossa nova. Antonio Carlos Jobim’s music has been so influential that many artists have covered his songs throughout the years. Antonio Carlos Jobim has composed numerous songs that have been considered jazz and pop standards. He sang songs about love, betrayal, self-discovery, happiness as well as other themes. Some of his hits include “The Girl From Ipanema, ” “Chega de Saudade,” “Corcovado,” “Desafinado.” “Wave” as well as other songs.
Antonio Carlos Jobim was born Antonio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim on January 25, 1927 – December 8, 1994. French and Brazilian composers influenced Antonio Carlos Brasileiro. He got his start in music by playing the piano in nightclubs. He became known in Brazil when he wrote the music for a play. He also wrote movie scores. He went on to become a household name in America when he worked with jazz musician Stan Getz and singers Joao and Astrud Gilberto.
The Composer of Desafinado, Plays was released in 1963. The album features the singles “The Girl From Ipanema,” “Amor em Paz,” “Agua de Beber,” “Meditation” and “Chega de Saudade.” The Wonderful World of Antonio Carlos Jobim was released in 1965. It features the singles “Dindi,” “A Felicidade” and “She’s a Carioca.” A Certain Mr. Jobim was released in 1967. It features the singles “Bonita,” “Off-Key (Desafinado),” “Photograph” and “Surfboard.” Wave came out in 1967. The album peaked at number five on the jazz album charts and number 114 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Wave” and “Triste.”
Stone Flower came out in 1970. The album peaked at number 18 on the jazz album charts and number 196 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Brazil,” “God and the Devil in the Land of the Sun” and “Sabia.” Tide was released in 1970. It features the singles “Sue Ann,” “Remember” and “Tide.” Jobim came out in 1973. The album features the singles “Ana Luiza,” “Tempo Do Mar” and “Aguas de Marco.” Urubu came out in 1976. It features the singles “Angela,” “Saudade do Brasil” and “Valse.” Passarim came out in 1987. It features the singles “Isabella,” “Passarim” and “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.” Antonio Brasileiro came out in 1994. The album was recorded 11 months before his death. It features the singles “Forever Green,” “How Insensitive” and “Blue Train.” Antonio Carlos Jobim also recorded compilation albums throughout his career.
Antonio Carlos Jobim was an influential composer. He was considered one of the most important songwriters in music. A lot of his songs are considered pop and jazz standards. He was an innovator of combining bossa nova and jazz music. His songs were covered by a lot of artists throughout the years. He may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on through his music. Our Top 10 Antonio Carlos Jobim Songs list will feature his best songs.
# 10 – Agua De Beber (Water to Drink)
The first song on our Top 10 Antonio Carlos Jobim Songs list is “Agua De Beber” from the album The Composer of Desafinado, Plays. The song has a bossa nova sound. Antonio Carlos Jobim composed a breathtaking song. The music is sultry. He mixes Latin and jazz music cleverly. The beat is designed for couples to get close and dance together. He proved why he’s one of the kings of bossa nova. He knew to arrange music that takes your breath away. The piano and drumbeat drive the song. Antonio Carlos Jobim does an excellent solo on the flute. He will make you a fan of the instrument.
The musicians are very talented. They know how to set the mood right for lovers. If you close your eyes, you might be able to picture being in a club with the person you love. You could also use this track as bedroom music. This is a great song to use if you want to get close to the person you love. This song was recorded years ago, but it still sounds fresh today. It sounds as if it were recorded recently. The song was a hit for Antonio Carlos Jobim and it helped proved why he is a master of bossa nova music.
# 9 – Dindi
The next song on our Top 10 Antonio Carlos Jobim Songs list is “Dindi” from the album The Wonderful World of Antonio Carlos Jobim. The song has a bossa nova beat. The romantic song was written especially for Sylvia Telles. She talks about how the world is better with the man she loves in her life. She wished he knew how much she loved him. If he leaves her, she wants to go with him. She waited all of her life for him. She was fine with waiting because she didn’t feel like she existed before he came into her life. She wants him to let her love him.
As we mentioned, Antonio Carlos Jobim created this song for the singer. He made the right choice by picking her to sing this song. He did a splendid job composing and writing this song. He had a gift for arranging songs. He knew how to create the song so that it caters to the artist. The music is hypnotic. The string section dominates the track. The music is soothing and relaxing. It’s the perfect song to listen to with someone you love. You can also listen to it if you are in your thoughts. This track will take you to a different place. There are different versions of this song, but this version is one of the best. You will become a fan of his work if you listen to this song.
# 8 – Desafinado
The commanding song is from the album The Composer of Desafinado, Plays. The song has a bossa nova and jazz beat. The anthemic song is an answer to naysayers who didn’t believe in bossa nova music. Antonio Carlos Jobim composed this song because the critics believed that bossa nova music was for people who couldn’t sing. Everyone involved in this song wanted the negative comments to be silenced. They didn’t believe bossa nova was for people who couldn’t sing. They didn’t believe they were out of tune or off key. This song shows that the critics were wrong about bossa nova music.
Antonio Carlos Jobim did an excellent job proving that bossa nova singers can sing and aren’t all out of tune. He composed a brilliant song that should stop them from doubting bossa nova music. Joel Henderson takes the lead in the music with his tenor saxophone. He can send chills down your spine with his skills. The pianist does a magnificent job tickling the ivories. You won’t be disappointed when you hear him play. The drumbeat is soft, but provides the tempo for the track. Antonio Carlos Jobim sings a verse on this version of the song. Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd recorded this song and it gave the track new life. Antonio Carlos Jobim’s version is worth checking out.
# 7 – So Danco Samba (I Only Dance Samba)
The rhythmic song is from the album The Composer of Desafinado, Plays. The track has a bossa nova and jazz beat. The novelty song was written because the artists wanted to create a bossa nova dance. It didn’t turn out well because people didn’t take to it the way they thought they would. It’s a small conciliation that a catchy tune was created even if people didn’t rush to do the dance. Here is some trivia about the song. Antonio Carlos Jobim wasn’t a dancer when he composed this track so he wasn’t that secure about creating a song about a bossa nova dance.
The song could have been a novelty song because it’s based on a dance. These types of songs could make or break an artist. Fortunately, doing a song like this didn’t ruin Antonio Carlos Jobim’s career. In fact, a lot of artists enjoyed this song so much they recorded their own versions of it. The beat isn’t too fast considering it’s about dancing. The song has a midtempo sound.
You can move around in your seat, but you won’t work up a sweat listening to it. The flute is the stand out instrument on this track. The flute solo makes this song stand out from other jazz tracks. You could get lost listening to melodic music. The song sounds like something that could be played on the radio now even though it was recorded decades ago.
# 6 – Corcovado (Quiet Night of Quiet Stars)
The song we chose for our list is from the album Getz/Gilberto. The song has a bossa nova and jazz sound. The evocative song is about a couple wanting to be closer. They want to have quiet nights under the stars. They want to spend time with each other. They knew they found happiness when they met. The lyrics are so sweet and will make anyone a believer in love. If you have been in love before, than you know exactly what this song means. If you haven’t been in love, the song may make you wish you could fall in love with someone the way it happens in this song.
The beautiful song feels like it comes straight from a romantic novel. Antonio Carlos Jobim wrote this brilliant tale and it will touch your heart. He proves he can write any type of song as long as he puts his heart into it. He arranged a wonderful track to listen to when you want to be close with your lover. The music is soft and sensual. The piano solo is warm and comforting. It will make you feel emotional.
The rest of the instrumentation is breathtaking and will restore your faith in love. We dare you to listen to this track and not feel something while it’s playing. The melody will stay in your head after the song is done. Other artists enjoyed this song so much that they recorded their own versions of it. The song is one of the most popular bossa nova songs and has become a jazz standard.
# 5 – Chega de Daudade (No More Blues)
The next song on our Top 10 Antonio Carlos Jobim Songs list is “Chega de Daudade” from Joao Gilberto’s album of the same name. This song has a bossa nova and jazz beat. The sentimental song is about a relationship. The song tells the story of a man who longs to have the woman he loves back in his life. He wants her to know that he can’t suffer anymore. He misses her terribly and needs her in his life. He doesn’t want to deal with the sadness he feels when she’s gone. It’s hard for him to get over the sadness he feels because she’s gone. If she comes back to him, he will be happy. The lyrics will melt your heart.
The song wasn’t a huge hit outside of Brazil until Joao Gilberto released it. Once he recorded it, the song became popular. Antonio Carlos Jobim arranged quite a melody for this track. He created stripped down music for this track. It makes it easier to focus on Joao Gilberto’s voice. This is one of the many times Antonio Carlos Jobim worked with Joao Gilberto. We can see why they worked together. They were like a dynamic duo when they worked on a track. They had the Midas touch when it concerned creating a song. The song features a Latin guitar and that’s just what the doctor ordered. His version is arguably the most famous song recorded and we agree with that because the song is brilliant.
# 4 – Aguas de Marco (Waters of March)
The creative song is from the album Jobim. The song has a bossa nova and jazz beat. The meaningful song is about Brazilian culture. The song takes a look at what happens in Brazil during the stormy months. He told the story about what happens during the stormy season in Brazil. The song gives you faith about the meaning of life. You are basically overcoming a storm.
People need this type of message in their lives right now especially with everything that’s going on in the world. This song will help restore your faith in the world. If you are from the Brazilian culture, this song will be special to you. You don’t have to be from Brazil to appreciate the importance of this song.
The music is creative. Antonio Carlos Jobim did an outstanding job on this song. He created a visual of what the end of summer in Brazil would look like. If you’re not from Brazil, you may not have an idea of what the end of summer would look like. The lyrics will give you an idea of what Brazilian people were going through when the summers were over.
The music is simple. He’s careful not to overdo the instrumentation on the track. The music is infectious and the lyrics are original. We applaud him for writing a socially aware song. He shows that he could do more than just love songs. He can compose a song about anything. His version of the song is one of the most popular versions recorded.
# 3 – Triste (Sad)
The tearjerker is from the album Wave. The song has a bossa nova and jazz sound. Antonio Carlos Jobim recorded this heartbreaking song as an instrumental song when it was first released. He recorded the song again with lyrics later in his career. He set the standard for how this song should be recorded. We will talk about the original recording of this song. The music will grab your attention as soon as it starts. He keeps things simple when he opens the track by featuring acoustic and rhythmic guitars.
As the song progresses, we hear more instrumentation. The pianist does an amazing job with the chords. The violinist does an excellent job with his solo. The sound of the trombone is elegant and adds style to the song. The song is short, but you will wish it were longer. You will have to keep playing it in order to continue listening to it. If he added another minute, the song would have been flawless.
# 2 – Wave
The gentle song is from the album of the same name. The song has a bossa nova and jazz beat to it. The warm song is about falling in love. This song is in Antonio Carlos Jobim’s wheelhouse. He is an expert at writing songs about love. This track is one more instance where he was an expert at writing love songs. His music is a message for the soul. The music sounds very peaceful and relaxing. The song will put a smile on your face. If you are feeling down, you should put on this track to feel better. The song may be enough to put a smile on your face.
We applaud Antonio Carlos Jobim for composing such a beautiful melody. He created a song that will make you feel like you are taking a stroll on the beach. If you are having a stressful day, this song will help calm your nerves. You can sit back and listen to the wonderful melody touch your heart and soul. He can tell a story without any words. He takes you on a journey and you won’t want to get off. The song made such an impact that it has been covered by hundreds of artists.
# 1 – The Girl from Ipanema
The number one song on our Top 10 Antonio Carlos Jobim Songs list is “The Girl from Ipanema” from the album The Composer of Desafinado, Plays. The song has a bossa nova and jazz sound. If you are familiar with this song, then you know what the song is about. We will refresh your memory. The admirable song is based on a beautiful woman who is irresistible to men.
Everything about her is beautiful. In addition to her physical traits, she has a graceful walk. She walks like a dancer. He is afraid to talk to her because of her beauty. He notices that she doesn’t see him whenever he walks by her. He is in love with someone from Ipanema, but she doesn’t notice him. This track is one of the most covered songs in music history. His version of the song is instrumental. We are focusing on his version.
Antonio Carlos Jobim composed an outstanding song about a subject we all know too well. Most of us know what it’s like to be in love with someone we feel is out of our league. He covered that beautifully. Antonio Carlos Jobim’s version of the song will grab your attention the second the first musical note plays. The music is simple and doesn’t suffer from overcrowding.
The musicians pace themselves very well throughout the song and never miss a beat. They were all in sync with each other throughout all of the beat changes. We could listen to the musicians play this song all day. You might be able to picture yourself in Ipanema if you close your eyes and listen to the wonderful melody.
This is one of Jobim’s most covered songs. Our favorite versions have been recorded by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, and Andrea Bocelli.
Top 10 Antonio Carlos Jobim Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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Mil gracias, thanks a million for this excellent history of Jobim’s work. There is not one song in his many compositions that is not to hum to and remember forever. Mil gracias,
Saludos,
Rolando