After 50 years ‘Girl from Ipanema’ still draws visitors to Rio

Video posted April 26, 2012 in

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The song "Girl from Ipanema" first hit the airwaves 50 years ago, but it still can be heard around the world today. 

After climbing the music charts to become a pop sensation, the song spawned a new style of music called Bossa Nova.  It won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1965, beating The Beatles’ "I Want to Hold Your Hand," Barbra Streisand’s "People," Louis Armstrong’s "Hello, Dolly," and Petula Clark’s Downtown.

The song introduced Bossa Nova to audiences worldwide. The album stayed on Billboard charts for 96 weeks.

Many artists have covered the "Girl from Ipanema." Vocalist Astrud Gilberto and band leader Stan Getz made the Grammy-winning version. It has also been performed by Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Esther Phillips, Madonna (during a live performance in Rio), Cher, and most recently, the late Amy Winehouse.

Tom Jobim wrote the song at a bar only a block away from Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tourists still come to Ipanema to see the beach, the bar, and the girl that inspired the famous song.