# The best bossa nova songs

The classics every list repeats (Cultura Genial, Letras, Esquina Musical): Jobim, Vinicius, João Gilberto and company.

- 1 vote · 12 items
- Sep 26, 2023 · leitora.curioso
- https://even.best/en/l/633/the-best-bossa-nova-songs

## Top 12

1. **Chega de Saudade** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes; recorded by João Gilberto in 1958, ground zero of the genre.
2. **The Girl from Ipanema** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, 1962. The bossa nova anthem; the version with Astrud Gilberto went worldwide.
3. **Waters of March** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim, 1972. The duet with Elis Regina is considered one of the greatest Brazilian recordings.
4. **Desafinado** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim and Newton Mendonça; made famous by João Gilberto.
5. **How Insensitive** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, 1961. The most melancholic, about regret.
6. **Song of the Jet** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim, 1962. Rio seen from above by a Carioca in love.
7. **Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim. 'A little corner, a guitar…'; also known as Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.
8. **O Barquinho (Little Boat)** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Roberto Menescal and Ronaldo Bôscoli, 1961. A Rio summer on a little boat.
9. **Manhã de Carnaval** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Luiz Bonfá and Antônio Maria. From the film Black Orpheus, Palme d'Or and 1959 Oscar winner.
10. **Samba da Bênção** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes. 'It's better to be happy than sad'.
11. **Wave** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim, 1967. Title track of his instrumental album recorded in the US.
12. **Água de Beber** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes. One of the most recorded standards abroad.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.