Shepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 24th, 1937, but raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he studied piano, clarinet and alto saxophone before focusing on tenor saxophone (he occasionally plays soprano saxophone). He is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late sixties which focused on highlighting the injustices faced by people of African descent. He is also known for his 60's work with the New York Contemporary Five with co-founder Don Cherry and Shepp's collaborations with his "New Thing" contemporaries, most notably Cecil Taylor and John Coltrane, but also Roswell Rudd and Bobby Hutcherson.
Considered a jazz great, saxophonist Archie Shepp recorded albums like Poem For Malcolm and Live in Antibes for labels like Verve and Impulse. He was active in academia at SUNY Buffalo as a professor of African American Studies and the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a professor of music. He played with other notable musical radicals including Frank Zappa and provided the musical score to the movie Gotta Dance and is featured on the 1984 Wilebski's Blues Saloon Festival DVD.
The Girl From Ipanema
Archie Shepp Lyrics
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The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
When she walks, she's like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
How can he tell her he loves her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
But each day, that she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at he
Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see
(Doesn't see)
(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)
Archie Shepp’s version of the classic Bossa Nova song ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ is a poignant and introspective take on the popular tune. The opening lyrics, “tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking” describe the stunning beauty of the titular girl that everyone who passes her can’t help but notice. However, Shepp’s version goes on to highlight the bittersweet unrequited love of a man who watches her walk every day "to the sea" but she never sees him, as she continues to look straight ahead uninterested.
The lyrics perfectly capture the feeling of unreturned love and the sadness of the lone man who longs for her but cannot express his love. The use of the phrase "ah" rather than a specific word emphasizes the mystery of why each passerby is so captivated by the girl. Her cool and gentle sway is like that of a samba and creates a sense of joy and rhythm to the melody, which contrasts perfectly with the melancholic lyrics that describe the pain of unreciprocated love.
Overall, the song portrays a beautiful and alluring picture of a girl from Ipanema while simultaneously depicting the tragedy of love that cannot be expressed. The combination of these elements creates a truly emotive and introspective piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Tall and tan and young and lovely
She is tall, tanned, young and attractive
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
She walks along the streets of Ipanema
And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
People are mesmerized by her beauty and charm when she passes by them
When she walks, she's like a samba
Her walk is graceful and rhythmic like a samba dance
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
Her walk is effortless, cool, and gentle
That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
The people can't help but sigh or gasp as she passes them
(Ooh) But he watch her so sadly
The singer, who loves her, watches her with a heavy heart
How can he tell her he loves her
He feels helpless and doesn't know how to express his love for her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
He is willing to risk heartbreak to convey his love for her
But each day, that she walks to the sea
She walks towards the sea every day
She looks straight ahead, not at he
She doesn't notice him because she only focuses on what's ahead of her
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
She takes her daily walk in Ipanema
And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see
The singer smiles at her, but she doesn't acknowledge it
(Doesn't see)
She is oblivious to his presence or feelings
(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)
Despite his love for her and his efforts, she remains unaware of him
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Norman Gimbel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind