Free Sheet Music Giveaway: November, 2023
‘The Girl from Ipanema’ (1964) by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes
Originally composed for Blimp, an incomplete musical comedy about a Martian who visits Rio de Janeiro during the Carnival of Brazil, ‘Garota de Ipanema’ (‘The Girl from Ipanema’) was written by Antônio Carlos Jobim (with Portuguese lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes). The first commercial recording was in 1962 by Brazilian singer Pery Ribeiro. The main source of inspiration for the lyrics was Heloísa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto, a then-seventeen-year-old girl living in Ipanema. While visiting the Veloso bar-café, Jobim and Moraes would often see her stroll down the street, as well as enter the bar to purchase cigarettes for her mother.
Following the success of the Brazilian release, an English-speaking version of the song was recorded by Jobim, João Gilberto (Brazilian guitarist, singer, composer), and Stan Getz (American jazz saxophonist). João’s wife, Astrud Gilberto, volunteered to sing, on the account of her being a fluent English-speaking Brazilian. Despite not being a professional singer, her soft, breathy vocals gave the song a unique flavour. Her singing style would later influence artists such as Suzanne Vega (particularly the 1996 song ‘Caramel’) and Sade.
Originally sold for $9.95, the sheet music for ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ by Antônio Carlos Jobim is yours free this month. This transcription music is for solo piano and based on this performance. Download your free copy today!
Fun facts about ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes:
- It is one of the most recorded popular songs in history, behind ‘Yesterday’ by the Beatles and ‘Summertime’ by George Gershwin.
- Astrud Gilberto never received credit or royalties for her part, but she did enjoy a 40-year career as a singer and songwriter.
- Artists that have covered the song include Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Elaine Elias, and the Oscar Peterson Trio.
- In 2004, the Library of Congress added it and fifty other songs to the National Recording Registry.
Tunescribers team member Wei Fung F transcribed this song for solo piano.
