Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim (January 25, 1927 – December 8, … Read Full Bio ↴Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim (January 25, 1927 – December 8, 1994), also known as Tom Jobim (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈtõ ʒoˈbĩ]), was a Brazilian songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, and pianist/guitarist. 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.
Widely known as the composer of "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema), one of the most recorded songs of all time, Jobim has left a large number of songs that are today included in the standard Jazz and Pop repertoires.

Corcovado
Jobim Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Um cantinho e um violão
Este amor, uma canção
Pra fazer feliz a quem se ama

Muita calma pra pensar
E ter tempo pra sonhar

Da janela vê-se o Corcovado

O Redentor que lindo

Quero a vida sempre assim com você perto de mim
Até o apagar da velha chama

E eu que era triste
Descrente deste mundo
Ao encontrar você eu conheci
O que é felicidade meu amor

O que é felicidade, o que é felicidade

Overall Meaning

The first verse of "Corcovado" sets a peaceful and romantic scene. The singer describes a cozy nook, a guitar, and a love song that can bring happiness to the person they love. The second verse emphasizes the need for calmness and time to contemplate and dream. The song then shifts its attention to the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, where the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer stands. The beauty of the view from the window is praised, highlighting the wonder of the natural world.

The chorus is a declaration of love and a desire to remain close to the loved one throughout life, until the flame of their love fades away. The final verse is a reflection on the transformative power of love. The singer was once unhappy and disillusioned, but upon meeting their love, they discovered what true happiness is. The final repetition of the question, "o que é felicidade?" (What is happiness?), shows that the answer lies in the love shared between the two.

Overall, the song exudes a peaceful and intimate atmosphere, where love is the silver lining that brings happiness and meaning to life. It's a gentle reminder that the beauty and grandeur of the natural world is made even more special when experienced alongside someone we love.

Line by Line Meaning

Um cantinho e um violão
A small corner and a guitar

Este amor, uma canção
This love, a song

Pra fazer feliz a quem se ama
To make happy the one you love

Muita calma pra pensar
A lot of calmness to think

E ter tempo pra sonhar
And have time to dream

Da janela vê-se o Corcovado
From the window, one sees Corcovado

O Redentor que lindo
The Redeemer, how beautiful

Quero a vida sempre assim com você perto de mim
I want life to always be like this with you near me

Até o apagar da velha chama
Until the old flame dies out

E eu que era triste
And I who was sad

Descrente deste mundo
Disbelieving in this world