About this song
The song's real-life inspiration was Heloísa Eneida Paes Pinto Mendes Pinheiro, who was 17 at the time and walking to buy cigarettes for her mother. Vinícius de Moraes and Antônio Carlos Jobim were both married when they wrote it. The original recording was made in New York City, and the song won the Grammy for Record of the Year two years after its release.
What it's about
The song follows a young woman walking through Ipanema, a richer district of Rio, and the admiration she draws from those who see her pass.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 16 other songs, like “Ipanema by Ricky Bishop”.
- Covered 40 times, including “The Girl From Ipanema by Catalina Cara”.
- Written by Antônio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel and Vinícius de Moraes.
- Produced by Creed Taylor.
- Recorded at A & R Recording.
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