Lou Rawls
The girl from Ipanema Lyrics
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by Antonio Carlos Jobim / Vinicius De Moraes / Norman
Gimbel
Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes
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-ah!"
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
"The Girl From Ipanema" is a classic bossa nova song that tells the story of a beautiful young woman who captures the attention of everyone around her. The lyrics describe her physical attributes and the way that the people around her react to her presence, but there is one person who feels left out - the singer of the song. He watches her pass by every day, but she never notices him, leaving him feeling sad and unimportant. The mood of the song is one of longing and unrequited love, with the singer wishing that he could somehow capture the attention of this beautiful woman.
The lyrics of "The Girl From Ipanema" are filled with vivid descriptions of the woman's beauty and the way that she moves, creating a colorful image in the listener's mind. The use of repetition in the chorus, with each person she passes going "a-a-ah!" emphasizes the impact that she has on those around her. This song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and it remains a beloved classic of the bossa nova genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema is tall, tanned, young, and beautiful
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The girl from Ipanema takes walks
And when she passes, each one she passes goes "a-a-ah!"
People who see her admire her so much they sigh in awe
When she walks she's like a samba that Swings so cool and sways so gentle,
Her walk is graceful and mesmerizing, like the dance Samba
That when she passes, each one she passes goes "a-a-ah!"
People cannot help but be amazed at her beauty
Oh, but I watch her so sadly
The singer admires her but also feels sad
How can I tell her I love her?
The singer is in love with her but cannot express it
Yes, I would give my heart gladly
The artist loves her so much he would give everything to her
But each day when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead not at me
The girl does not notice the artist even though he watches her daily
And when she passes I smile, but she doesn't see
She just doesn't see
The artist smiles at her, but she does not acknowledge him
Contributed by Bentley V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Grandtrunk
A man who had it ALL! Voice, looks, incredible styling. So unique!
@mgpanther81
So many artist have taken this song out for a ride. No one has ever made it as cloaked in cool as Lou Rawls. He had his own thing and no one could touch the richness of it.
@yvettemcphee5116
I simply adore Lou Rawls! He lives through his timeless singing style and his stage presence. I used to enjoy seeing him break into a little shuffle dance move while singing. So cool! His grace and classy demeanor remain apart of his legacy. Love you, Lou! Yvette M.
@ezrawatkins
pure genius, he was my man throughout 70s and still is a joy to listen to. He has left us the smooth, velvety voice you don't get anymore. love him
@todmiller8269
Ras Lobo hi
@TheAgentdanascully
What sort of person Dislikes this? Really? Lou Rawls did this classic 150% justice.
@rievans57
God I love this record. A great example of a great song meeting a great singer.
@jerryj920
December 1st: Happy birthday R&B-Jazz-Gospel Singer Louis Allen "Lou" Rawls (1933-2006)-3 x Grammy Award winner: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Thank you and God bless. RIP...thanks for the upload, marco27c1. Blessings
@paolofadani9523
Straordinario!!!! Che voce!
Il piano meraviglia!
@madamex129
Lou was a master...miss him. Thanx.