He was a primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova style, and his songs have been performed by many singers and instrumentalists within Brazil and internationally.
In 1965 his album Getz/Gilberto was the first jazz album to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It also won for Best Jazz Instrumental Album – Individual or Group and for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. The album's single "Garota de Ipanema" ("The Girl from Ipanema"), one of the most recorded songs of all time, won the Record of the Year. Jobim has left many songs that are now included in jazz and pop standard repertoires. The song "Garota de Ipanema" has been recorded over 240 times by other artists. His 1967 album with Frank Sinatra, Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim, was nominated for Album of the Year in 1968.
Antônio Carlos Jobim was born in the middle-class district of Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro. His father, Jorge de Oliveira Jobim (São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, April 23, 1889 – July 19, 1935), was a writer, diplomat, professor and journalist. He came from a prominent family, being the great nephew of José Martins da Cruz Jobim, senator, privy councillor and physician of Emperor Dom Pedro II. While studying medicine in Europe, José Martins added Jobim to his last name, paying homage to the village where his family came from in Portugal, the parish of Santa Cruz de Jovim, Porto. His mother, Nilza Brasileiro de Almeida (c. 1910 – November 17, 1989), was of Indigenous Brazilian descent from Northeastern Brazil.
When Antônio was still an infant, his parents separated and his mother moved with her children (Antônio Carlos and his sister Helena Isaura, born February 23, 1931) to Ipanema, the beachside neighborhood the composer would later celebrate in his songs. In 1935, when the elder Jobim died, Nilza married Celso da Frota Pessoa (died February 2, 1979), who would encourage his stepson's career. He was the one who gave Jobim his first piano. As a young man of limited means, Jobim earned his living by playing in nightclubs and bars and later as an arranger for a recording label, before starting to achieve success as a composer.
Jobim's musical roots were planted firmly in the work of Pixinguinha, the legendary musician and composer who began modern Brazilian music in the 1930s. Among his teachers were Lúcia Branco and, from 1941 on, Hans-Joachim Koellreutter, a German composer who lived in Brazil and introduced atonal and twelve-tone composition in the country. Jobim was also influenced by the French composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, and by the Brazilian composers Heitor Villa-Lobos and Ary Barroso. The bossa nova guitar style in Jobim's music has become firmly entrenched in jazz culture. Among many themes, his lyrics talked about love, self-discovery, betrayal, joy and especially about the birds and natural wonders of Brazil, like the "Mata Atlântica" forest, characters of Brazilian folklore and his home city of Rio de Janeiro.
In early 1994, after finishing his album Antonio Brasileiro, Jobim complained to his doctor, Roberto Hugo Costa Lima, of urinary problems. He underwent an operation at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City on December 2, 1994. On December 8, while recovering from surgery, he had a cardiac arrest caused by a pulmonary embolism, and two hours later another cardiac arrest, from which he died. He was survived by his children and grandchildren. His last album, Antonio Brasileiro, was released posthumously three days after his death.
His body lay in state until given a proper burial on December 20, 1994. He is buried in the Cemitério São João Batista in Rio de Janeiro.
Imagina
Antônio Carlos Jobim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A gente se peder
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A lua se apagar
Quando a lua começa a murchar
Lua cris
É preciso gritar e correr, socorrer o luar
Meu amor
Abre a porta pra noite passar
E olha o sol
Da manhã
Olha a chuva
Olha a chuva, olha o sol, olha o dia a lançar
Serpentinas
Serpentinas pelo céu
Sete fitas
Coloridas
Sete vias
Sete vidas
Avenidas
Pra qualquer lugar
Imagina
Imagina
Sabe que o menino que passar debaixo do arco-íris vira moça, vira
A menina que cruzar de volta o arco-íris rapidinho vira volta a ser rapaz
A menina que passou no arco era o
Menino que passou no arco
E vai virar menina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A gente se perder
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A lua se apagar
The lyrics of "Imagina" by Antônio Carlos Jobim evoke a sense of imagination and the possibility of transcending societal norms and expectations. The repetition of the word "imagina" (imagine) in the chorus reinforces this theme and encourages listeners to explore their imaginative powers.
The first verse introduces the idea of getting lost and the moon going out tonight. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for breaking free from conventional boundaries and embracing the unknown. The use of the word "cris" to describe the moon fading away suggests a sense of urgency, as if something important is at stake. The lyrics then call for action, urging one to shout and run to save the moonlight. This can be seen as a call to embrace and protect the beauty and magic of the world around us.
The second verse introduces the idea of opening the door for the night to pass and observing the sun, rain, and the cycle of day and night. The mention of confetti and colorful ribbons in the sky paints a vivid picture of festivities and celebration. This imagery symbolizes the limitless possibilities and directions that life can take. The lyrics mention "seven paths" and "seven lives," suggesting that there are multiple paths and opportunities for us to explore and experience.
The third verse introduces a playful and thought-provoking concept. It suggests that a boy passing under a rainbow becomes a girl, and a girl crossing back over the rainbow becomes a boy again. This challenges traditional gender roles and norms, emphasizing the fluidity and complexity of gender identity. It encourages the listener to imagine a world where gender is not fixed, but rather where individuals have the freedom to express themselves authentically, regardless of societal expectations.
The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song reinforces the overall message of imagination and the possibility of breaking free from limitations. It invites the listener to continue imagining and exploring the boundless potentials of life. Overall, "Imagina" celebrates the power of imagination and encourages listeners to embrace their creativity, challenge societal norms, and live authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
Imagina
Imagine
Imagina
Imagine
Hoje à noite
Tonight
A gente se perder
We getting lost
Imagina
Imagine
Imagina
Imagine
Hoje à noite
Tonight
A lua se apagar
The moon extinguishing
Quem já viu a lua cris
Who has ever seen the crescent moon
Quando a lua começa a murchar
When the moon begins to wane
Lua cris
Crescent moon
É preciso gritar e correr, socorrer o luar
You have to scream and run, rescue the moonlight
Meu amor
My love
Abre a porta pra noite passar
Open the door for the night to pass
E olha o sol
And look at the sun
Da manhã
Of the morning
Olha a chuva
Look at the rain
Olha a chuva, olha o sol, olha o dia a lançar
Look at the rain, look at the sun, look at the day being launched
Serpentinas
Confetti
Serpentinas pelo céu
Confetti through the sky
Sete fitas
Seven ribbons
Coloridas
Colorful
Sete vias
Seven paths
Sete vidas
Seven lives
Avenidas
Avenues
Pra qualquer lugar
To anywhere
Imagina
Imagine
Imagina
Imagine
Sabe que o menino que passar debaixo do arco-íris vira moça, vira
Knows that the boy who passes under the rainbow becomes a girl, becomes
A menina que cruzar de volta o arco-íris rapidinho vira volta a ser rapaz
The girl who quickly crosses back the rainbow becomes a boy again
A menina que passou no arco era o
The girl who passed through the arch was the
Menino que passou no arco
Boy who passed through the arch
E vai virar menina
And will turn into a girl
Imagina
Imagine
Imagina
Imagine
Imagina
Imagine
Imagina
Imagine
Hoje à noite
Tonight
A gente se perder
We getting lost
Imagina
Imagine
Imagina
Imagine
Hoje à noite
Tonight
A lua se apagar
The moon extinguishing
Lyrics © CORCOVADO MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Francisco Buarque De Hollanda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Phipps
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A gente se peder
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A lua se apagar
Quem já viu a lua cris
Quando a lua começa a murchar
Lua cris
É preciso gritar e correr, socorrer o luar
Meu amor
Abre a porta pra noite passar
E olha o sol
Da manhã
Olha a chuva
Olha a chuva, olha o sol, olha o dia a lançar
Serpentinas
Serpentinas pelo céu
Sete fitas
Coloridas
Sete vias
Sete vidas
Avenidas
Pra qualquer lugar
Imagina
Imagina
Sabe que o menino que passar debaixo do arco-íris vira moça, vira
A menina que cruzar de volta o arco-íris rapidinho vira volta a ser rapaz
A menina que passou no arco era o
Menino que passou no arco
E vai virar menina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A gente se perder
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A lua se apagar
José Matos Contador de Histórias
Interessante imaginar que, algum dia, Tom Jobim tenha escrito isso: "comprei papel (desses que os compositores de “verdade” usam!)"
Carta que Tom Jobim escreveu em 22/01/1947 (3 dias antes de completar 20 anos de idade) para a namorada Tereza, onde fala sobre a primeira música que compôs, a valsa sentimental que, muitos anos depois, receberia letra de Chico Buarque e passaria a se chamar Imagina.
"Querida Tê 22-1-47
Compuz uma valsa: Portugal gostou, Paulinho gostou, Helena adorou (a bichinha é fã do irmão) e eu também gostei.
Pensei muito em dar um nome bonito para a dita, porém... nada. Enquanto eu a imaginei só uma idéia me ocorreu e esta idéia era feliz: (e fez com que a valsa fosse alegre, embora sentimental): Quando a Tê ficar boa. Infelizmente isto não serve para nome de valsa mas que ela diz isso muito claramente; é uma verdade sentimental da qual não se pode duvidar.
Falarei um pouco mais da minha valsa, deixas?
Escrevi a valsa – comprei papel (desses que os compositores de “verdade” usam!) e me armei de lápis e borracha. Mas, ia já me esquecendo, antes de tudo isto abri a “Teoria Musical” e estudei o ¾ o mais que pude. Depois fui para o piano e (como foi duro!) - escrevi.
Dias depois conheci, por intermédio do Portugal, uma professora de piano (D. Lucia Branco) muito simpática. Tendo ido a sua casa pedi-lhe, entregando-lhe o que havia escrito, para que tocasse.
Fui para bem longe e esperei _ Quando ouvi o que era meu tocado por mãos estranhas, e tão bem tocado, me senti feliz.
_Portugal vibrou e D. Lúcia me pôs num pedestal.
Neste dia fui para a casa tão satisfeito que nenhuma enxaqueca estúpida poderia me alcançar..."
A D. Lucia Branco nem imaginava que estava diante de quem viria a ser o maior compositor de todos os tempos!
francis raluy tomas
Paola Morelenbaum, una de las voces mas lindas de Brasil y una afinación simplemente perfecta. Creo que nunca tubo el reconocimiento que realmente merecía y merece.
Henrique Nascimento
Es la verdad.
Daniele Bizzineli
Imagina se esse tempo de ouvir musicas boas, voltasse?!?!
julio cesar pimenta guedes
Primeira vez que ouço, lindissima! Chico, que poeta, Tom e The Beatles, os maiores da historia, sem discussão!!!
francis raluy tomas
+ ABBA
Mokhas45
Espetacular ❤️
Pedro S.
Obra prima, primeira música do Tom
Lena
Mas só a música instrumental, porque a letra é do Chico Buarque.
Alex Phipps
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A gente se peder
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A lua se apagar
Quem já viu a lua cris
Quando a lua começa a murchar
Lua cris
É preciso gritar e correr, socorrer o luar
Meu amor
Abre a porta pra noite passar
E olha o sol
Da manhã
Olha a chuva
Olha a chuva, olha o sol, olha o dia a lançar
Serpentinas
Serpentinas pelo céu
Sete fitas
Coloridas
Sete vias
Sete vidas
Avenidas
Pra qualquer lugar
Imagina
Imagina
Sabe que o menino que passar debaixo do arco-íris vira moça, vira
A menina que cruzar de volta o arco-íris rapidinho vira volta a ser rapaz
A menina que passou no arco era o
Menino que passou no arco
E vai virar menina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A gente se perder
Imagina
Imagina
Hoje à noite
A lua se apagar
Yasmin Santos
Acho lindo a forma como o Chico e a Paula se olham no final... Perfeição!