Charles L. Byrd (September 16, 1925 - November 30, 1999), better known as C… Read Full Bio ↴Charles L. Byrd (September 16, 1925 - November 30, 1999), better known as Charlie Byrd, was a famous jazz guitarist, born in Suffolk, Virginia. He was the only jazz guitarist of that era whose primary instrument was the classical guitar which gave him his uniquely identifiable sound.

Byrd primarily looked up to Django Reinhardt. He moved to Washington, D.C., to study classical guitar with the renowned Sophocles Papas. He later moved to Italy where he studied with Andrés Segovia. In the early 1960's he was on a State Department tour in South America where he was introduced to a new music, the bossa nova, which was the musical passion of Brazil beginning in the late 50's. Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz had been in Brazil about six months earlier than Byrd, also on a State Department tour, where he, too, was exposed to the bossa nova. A short time later Getz called Byrd in D.C. and suggested the idea that they collaborate on a bossa nova album. That album was the introduction of bossa nova to North America.

He is perhaps most well known as a collaborator with Stan Getz on the Jazz Samba album, which featured many themes of bossa nova, and of course, samba.

The Girl from Ipanema
Charlie Byrd Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tall and tan and young and lovely
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

(Ooh) But he watch her so sadly
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)

Overall Meaning

Charlie Byrd's song "The Girl from Ipanema" is a classic bossa nova tune that speaks of a breathtakingly beautiful woman. The song features soft and mellow guitar tunes that perfectly describe the woman's elegance and grace. She is tall, tan, and young, exuding beauty that mesmerizes everyone who lays eyes on her. The lyrics indicate that whenever she goes walking, every person she passes is left breathless, lost in awe of her charm.

The song goes on to say that her walking is like a Samba, her hips sway gently and her steps are cool. When she passes by, everyone stares at her in amazement, as if she is a goddess or an enchantress. The song then speaks of a character that watches her so sadly, admiring her from afar but tragic that he cannot tell her he loves her. The beat of the song picks up, and the lyrics describe how he would gladly give his heart to her if he could only speak to her. Unfortunately, she walks past him every day, looking straight ahead, never noticing him even once.

Overall, the song tells a story of a man hopelessly in love with a woman he can never have. The Girl from Ipanema represents beauty and femininity, while the man represents the common man, who can only admire her from a distance. The song is a tribute not just to the girl's beauty but also to her mystique.

Line by Line Meaning

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema is an attractive young woman who is tall, has a tan complexion, and is beautiful.

The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl from Ipanema frequently takes walks in the neighborhood.

And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
Every person who sees the girl from Ipanema admires her and makes a sound of joy or wonder.

When she walks, she's like a samba
The girl from Ipanema's movements are similar to those of a samba dancer, graceful and rhythmic.

That swings so cool and sways so gentle
She has a certain easy style when she moves, effortlessly swaying her body side-to-side.

That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
Everyone who sees her is struck by her beauty and can't help but express it.

But he watch her so sadly
Despite her charm, one man watches her with a sad longing, as he has feelings for her that aren't reciprocated.

How can he tell her he loves her
He is hesitant to express his feelings and afraid of putting their current relationship at risk.

Yes I would give my heart gladly
The sadness he feels comes from thinking about giving up his love, which he would do gladly.

But each day, that she walks to the sea
Every day, the girl from Ipanema takes a walk towards the sea.

She looks straight ahead, not at he
The girl from Ipanema never notices the man watching her, remaining oblivious him.

The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl from Ipanema continues her walks every day by herself, unaware of the man's love.

And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see
Although she doesn't see the man watching her, he still smiles every time she passes by him.

(Doesn't see)
The girl from Ipanema has no idea that he's in love with her.

(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)
No matter how many times she walks past him, the girl from Ipanema never acknowledges the man watching her.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore
Written by: Norman Gimbel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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