the girl from ipanema
Stan Getz / Astrud Gilberto 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 a-a-a-h
When she walks she's like a samba
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 a-a-a-h
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 as 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 just doesn't

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Girl from Ipanema" describe an enchanting woman from the Brazilian neighborhood of Ipanema, who captures the attention of everyone around her as she walks along. She is described as tall, tan, young, and lovely, with a graceful samba-like walk that mesmerizes those who see her. As she passes by, everyone stops to take notice, their breaths taken away in admiration. However, while the singer watches her longingly, she remains unaware of his affections. He laments his inability to express his love, despite wanting to give his heart to her.


The song captures the essence of the Brazilian concept of "saudade," a feeling of longing and melancholy nostalgia for something or someone that may never be attainable. The lyrics describe the universal experience of unrequited love and the pain of watching someone from afar, knowing that they will never return the love.


Line by Line Meaning

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema is tall, has tanned skin, is youthful and beautiful


The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl from Ipanema takes a stroll


And when she passes, each one she passes goes a-a-a-h
Every person who sees her is mesmerized and attracted to her


When she walks she's like a samba
She walks with rhythm and grace, like a samba dance


That swings so cool and sways so gentle
Her walk is smooth and soft, with a subtle movement


That when she passes, each one she passes goes a-a-a-h
Everyone who sees her is left spellbound


Oh, but I watch her so sadly
I look at her with a heavy heart


How can I tell her I love her
I am in love with her and don't know how to express my feelings to her


Yes, I would give my heart gladly
I am willing to give everything for her love


But each day as she walks to the sea
Every day, she walks towards the sea


She looks straight ahead, not at me
She doesn't notice me and her attention is elsewhere


The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl from Ipanema takes a stroll


And when she passes, I smile, but she
I grin when she walks by, but she


Doesn't see. She just doesn't see
Does not acknowledge my presence




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CINDY WILSON, CYNTHIA WILSON, FRED SCHNEIDER, KATE PIERSON, KEITH STRICKLAND, RICKY WILSON, ROBERT WALDROP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@maycanlas6665

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 gently
That when she passes Each one she passes goes, ah
Oh, but he watches so sadly
How can he tell her he loves her
Yes, he would give his heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at him
Tall, and tan, and young, and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes He smiles, but she doesn't see
Oh, but he sees her so sadly
How can he tell her he loves her
Yes, he would give his heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at him
Tall, and tan, and young, and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes he smiles, but she doesn't see
She just doesn't see, no she just doesn't see
But she doesn't see, she doesn't see, no she just doesn't see



All comments from YouTube:

@brianmolstad1255

When I started dating my wife in 1964 this was one of the very first songs we listened to and bought. She died two weeks ago and I still love her and remember this like it was 1964. God bless you Elisabeth.

@kellao2481

Aw rip❤

@Jinping-CoronaEatingShow

God blass you

@bruceeide4359

May Good God Bless you sir, for your faithfulness and love toward your forever soulmate.

@GroundhogzGarage

That’s a beautiful memory of your time together.

@stevecinquemani6225

@@Jinping-CoronaEatingShow ²

172 More Replies...

@abelincoln3287

What a lovely vision she was and a unique and beautiful voice. She had a shy and timid presentation, and still delivered a classic performance. RIP

@diegoacuna4493

🕊

@bigballermakingmyends2797

😥😥😥

@oliviahackshaw5267

yes,just heard of her passing and playing this in memoriam

More Comments

More Versions