She was born in 1934 and she had the ambition to be a ballet dancer. She studied with Madeleine Rosay at the Teatro Municipal's corp de ballet in Rio de Janeiro, but she would also practice singing and playing the piano.[1]
Telles preceded the advent of bossa nova, and began covering songs by such influential composers as Antonio Carlos Jobim, and worked with others such as Luiz Bonfá. She also did several tribute albums to Antonio Carlos Jobim. One of the most famous classic bossa nova songs was written for her by Jobim, its namesake her nickname - "Dindi".
By the early 1960s, she had made her first trip to the United States, recording U.S.A. with Barney Kessel (among others) for Philips. Her husband, producer Aloysio de Oliveira, proved instrumental in her later signing to Odeon and Elenco, two labels where he worked. Telles had just recorded her second tribute to Jobim, 1966's The Music of Mr. Jobim (or Sings the Wonderful Songs of Antonio Carlos Jobim), when she was killed in a car accident at the age of 32. Telles is the mother of singer, musician and songwriter Claudia Telles, born August 26, 1957. [2]
Bonita
Sylvia Telles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What magic words would capture you
Like a soft evasive mist you are Bonita
You fly away when love is new
What do you ask of me Bonita
What part do you want me to play
Shall I be the clown for you Bonita
I will be anything you say
Don't run away Bonita
Bonita
Don't be afraid to fall in love with me
I love you
I tell you I love you,
Bonita
If you love me
Life will be beautiful
Bonita, Bonita
"Sylvia Telles's song Bonita" tells the story of a man who is trying to woo the elusive Bonita, who he sees as a soft, evasive mist that flies away when love is new. The singer tries to understand what Bonita wants from him, asking whether he should be the clown or play any part she wishes. The song's chorus states the singer's love and begs Bonita not to run away, but instead to fall in love with him. He seems to reassure her that if she loves him, life will be beautiful.
The song's lyrics paint Bonita as a mysterious, transitory figure that the singer yearns to capture. He sees her as something that can easily dissipate when the newness of love tells away. The song's pacing is upbeat and has an almost joyful quality, but the lyrics' message is one of desperation and pleading love. The singer seems to be saying that he will do anything for Bonita, and she only has to love him back.
Line by Line Meaning
What can I say to you Bonita
I don't know what words to use to express my feelings to you, Bonita.
What magic words would capture you
I wish I knew the perfect words that would make you mine, Bonita.
Like a soft evasive mist you are Bonita
You are like a gentle mist that is hard to catch, Bonita.
You fly away when love is new
You tend to run away when a relationship is starting, Bonita.
What do you ask of me Bonita
What do you want from me, Bonita?
What part do you want me to play
In your life, what kind of role do you need me to play, Bonita?
Shall I be the clown for you Bonita
Would you like me to be the entertainer in your life, Bonita?
I will be anything you say
I am willing to do anything for you, Bonita.
Bonita
My beautiful one, Bonita.
Don't run away Bonita
Please don't run away from me, Bonita.
Don't be afraid to fall in love with me
I want you to know that it's safe to love me, Bonita.
I love you
I am in love with you, Bonita.
I tell you I love you,
I am expressing my love for you, Bonita.
If you love me
If you feel the same way about me, Bonita,
Life will be beautiful
Our lives will be beautiful together, Bonita.
Bonita, Bonita
My beautiful one, Bonita.
Writer(s): Gene Lees, Ray Gilbert, Antonio Carlos Jobim Copyright: Corcovado Music Corporation, Ipanema Music Corp., Ipanema Music Ltd., Ipanema Music
Contributed by Max M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.