Origin:

Introduced on Elizete Cardoso's album Canção do Amor Demais.

Style:

Most commonly taken as a Bossa Nova, it is also sometimes played swung.

Form:

A1-A2-B-C (68 Bars) [16-16-16-20]

Arrangements:

An 8 bar introduction is sometimes included, this can be heard in many different arrangements. A tag-ending is also often used to finish performances.

Key:

Most commonly played in D minor.

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is very functional. The A sections take place in the tonic minor, while the final 2 sections take place in the tonic Major. The form is longer than usual, with each section being made  up of 16 bars and the final C section including an additional 4.

Recordings:

This song has been recorded over 350 times to date. It was first recorded by Elizete Cardoso on her album Canção do Amor Demais in 1958. João Gilberto left behind a memorable recording the following year on his album Chega de Saudade, and soon after Jon  Hendricks would add English lyrics to the tune. It remains as one of Jobim's most popular compositions in the standard repertoire.

JGC Top Picks:

João Gilberto, Chega de Saudade, 1959

Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass, Big Band Jazz, 1977

Joe Henderson, Double Rainbow: The Music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, 1994