I’ve created a YouTube playlist of some of my favourite Bossa Nova songs on the site.

  1. Gal Costa – Wave

    2. This is a great rendition of Antonio Carlo Jobim’s Wave. Gal Costa’s voice is both polished and expressive yet sensitive.

  2. Ella Fitzgerald – Dindi
    Ella Fitzgerald is cute as molasses and this version is an interesting contrast to the Astrud Gilberto rendition which is exceptionally sad and heartbreaking. Ella comes off as stronger and less fragile. The melody is slightly off from its original, but it’s still pretty good nonetheless.

  3. Charlie Byrd – Corcovado
    I was blown away this beautiful instrumental rendition of Corcovado. Charlie Byrd is a virtuoso and hits every note with a single instrument. Simply amazing.

  4. Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto – Corcovado
    This is a dreamier, walk on the beach at midnight version of Corcovado. I prefer the version on the classic album Getz/Gilberto, but this one is still good.

  5. Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto with Astrud – Girl from Ipanema
    This is the classic (and best) version of this beautiful song. I love Joao’s voice; he introduced this style of nasal and flat singing.

  6. Astrud Gilberto – Goodbye Sadnezz/Tristeza

    7. Amazing how Astrud’s voice can be so uplifting and sad at the same time.

  7. Chico Barque and Antonio Carlos Jobim – Sabia

    8. This sounds like an anthem for Brazil. The version on the album is more polished but this one sounds more invigorating, nationalistic and anthemic.

  8. Antonio Carlos Jobim – One Note Samba

    9. I wish I could have seen him live.

  9. Antonio Carlos Jobim – Andorinho

    10. This song breaks my heart and makes me joyfully sad.

  10. Frank Sinatra – Wave

    11. I’m admittedly not the greatest Sinatra fan, but I think this is a fantastic version of Wave. His ability to hit such low notes is amazing.

  11. Stan Getz – One Note Samba

    12. Maybe my favourite version and frequently used on NPR’s This American Life.

  12. Elis Regina and Tom Jobim – Aguas de Marco

    13. Apparently, the two didn’t get along, but you would never know it by this fun rendition.

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