Girl
SANTOROS 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

SANTOROS's song "Girl" is a cover of the iconic bossa nova hit "The Girl from Ipanema" originally composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes. The lyrics depict a stunning, tall, tan, and young girl walking on the streets of Ipanema, captivating and enthralling all those who come across her. The girl walks with such grace that she moves like a samba, swaying gently and coolly, leaving everyone who sees her in awe. The singer is an admirer who watches her longingly, wishing he could express his love to her, but he knows she is unreachable. She walks straight ahead, never looking at him, leaving him alone with his unrequited love.

The song's melody complements the enchanting imagery of the lyrics, making for a beautifully crafted and relaxing tune that has been popular for over five decades. However, the original lyrics were in Portuguese, and it was only after Norman Gimbel translated them into English that the song became a worldwide sensation. The lyrics' simple yet powerful premise of unattainable love is a universal emotion that resonates with many people all over the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl is tall, has a tanned complexion, is young and is pretty

The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl is strolling on the streets of Ipanema

And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
The girl is so attractive that everyone who sees her is awestruck

When she walks, she's like a samba
The girl's walking style is similar to the dance form of Samba

That swings so cool and sways so gentle
Her movements are smooth and effortless, yet attractive

But he watch her so sadly
The singer watches the girl with a sense of sadness

How can he tell her he loves her
He is unable to express his love for her

Yes I would give my heart gladly
The singer is willing to give his heart to the girl

But each day, that she walks to the sea
The girl walks to the sea every day

She looks straight ahead, not at he
The girl looks ahead and does not notice the singer

And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see
The singer smiles when the girl passes, but she does not realize it