The Girl from Ipanema
John Holt Lyrics


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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

John Holt's song, The Girl from Ipanema, tells the story of a tall, tan, young and beautiful girl who walks along the streets of Ipanema, capturing the attention of every man who lays eyes on her. Her samba-like walk mesmerizes everyone around her, and each time she passes by, people are left with an indescribable feeling - "ah." However, there is one man who watches her walk sadly, longing to tell her that he loves her. He would give his heart gladly to her, but every day, as she walks towards the sea, she looks forward, and not at him.


The overall theme of the song is unrequited love, and it portrays the sadness and longing of a man who cannot express his love to the woman of his dreams. The lyrics describe how the girl from Ipanema is this exotic and alluring figure, almost untouchable to the singer, and it becomes apparent as the song progresses that she is out of his reach. The final line of the song drives this point home as the singer mentions that the girl never notices him, even when he smiles at her.


In summary, The Girl from Ipanema is a classic song that describes the unattainable allure of a young, beautiful woman, and how it can leave a man feeling hopeless and lost. Through vivid descriptions of her walk and the singer's own emotions, this song perfectly encapsulates the idea of unrequited love.


Line by Line Meaning

Tall and tan and young and lovely
She is tall, perfect-tan, young, and beautiful.


The girl from Ipanema goes walking
She is from Ipanema and she is walking.


And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
Everyone who sees her admires her beauty.


When she walks, she's like a samba
Her walking is graceful and rhythmic like a samba dance.


That swings so cool and sways so gentle
Her walking style is cool and gentle.


That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
Her aura is so beautiful that people can't help but admire her.


(Ooh) But he watch her so sadly
He also admires her beauty, but it makes him sad.


How can he tell her he loves her
He wants to tell her that he loves her, but he doesn't know how.


Yes I would give my heart gladly
He is willing to give her his heart.


But each day, that she walks to the sea
Every day, she walks to the sea.


She looks straight ahead, not at he
She doesn't notice him because she's looking straight ahead.


Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
She is tall, tan, young, and lovely.


The girl from Ipanema goes walking
She is from Ipanema and she is walking.


And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see
He smiles when she passes by, but she doesn't notice him.


(Doesn't see)
She doesn't notice him.


(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)
She never notices him.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

kukol

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 moves so gentle that
When she passes, each one she passes goes Hi

Oh but I watch her so sadly
How can I tell her, "I love you?"
Yes, I would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking and
When she passes, I smile but she doesn't see,
No she doesn't see
She just doesn't see

Oh but I watch her so sadly
How can i tell her i love her?
Yes, i would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, I smile but she doesn't see
She just doesn't see
No she doesn't see
She just doesn't see
No she doesn't see



All comments from YouTube:

Dom Provoste

o cara realmente é foda, mandou garota de ipanema impecável! top!!!!!!!

Poeta Magno Aragão

Mandou bem!!!
Garota de Ipanema/Rio🤩

kukol

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 moves so gentle that
When she passes, each one she passes goes Hi

Oh but I watch her so sadly
How can I tell her, "I love you?"
Yes, I would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking and
When she passes, I smile but she doesn't see,
No she doesn't see
She just doesn't see

Oh but I watch her so sadly
How can i tell her i love her?
Yes, i would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, I smile but she doesn't see
She just doesn't see
No she doesn't see
She just doesn't see
No she doesn't see

Curtis Alleyne

A classic one of favourite John Holt songs

Maria Gornell

Always loved his version, R.I.P

msgee83

i love this song so much,its not a very known john holt tune,but my mum had it on vynil when i was little,thanks for posting x

Jefferson Oliveira

Mto legal!!

Gary Grant

rip king holt true legend

Becks90

I've been LOOKING FOR THIS FOR AGES!! THANKS FOR POSTING : D

Professor Mause

He has a voice you could eat !

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