“The Girl From Ipanema” is a bossa nova tune written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and became one of the modern worlds popular songs. It was original written for a musical comedy entitled “Dirigivel”.
The 1964 album “Girl From Ipanema” that included Stan Getz, Jao Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto became an international hit and was topping charts all around the world.
Jobim composed this tune at his home in Ipanema, a seaside neighborhood located in the southern region of the city of Rio de Janeiro. It was inspired by a real girl named Helo Pinheiro who is the official “Girl From Ipanema.” Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes and English lyrics were later written by Norman Gimbel.
This is one of those tunes that you need to know even if you don’t want to know it! Chances are at one point in your life you will be asked to play this song; whether by the lady at the bar, the bride at the wedding, or the big tipper eating at the restaurant wanting to sit in with the band to display his Sinatra skills. So study up! There is no escape!
This tune is most commonly played in the key of F Major.
