“Wave” is a bossa nova and jazz standard song written by Antônio Carlos Jobim and recorded on his 1967 album of the same name. The original version was instrumental, but later on Tom added the lyrics in Portuguese also the song gained an English version for the lyrics.
Antônio Carlos Jobim was a Brazilian composer, also known as Tom Jobim, who was also pianist, songwriter, arranger, and singer.
Tom was one of the creators of the bossa nova style of Brazilian music. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1927 and passing away in 1994, Jobim was a prolific composer who wrote many songs that have become standards in the jazz and pop repertoire.”
The song’s popularity can be attributed to its catchy melody and the way it captures the essence of Brazilian music and has been covered by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Elis Regina with Toots Thielemans. This song has been recorded nearly 500 times by jazz artists.
Now, let’s talk about two instrumental arrangements written for this song. The first one is for mandolin solo with guitar accompaniment.
The second arrangement is for violin solo with guitar accompaniment and Cello playing the bass line. You can find the sheet music for this arrangement on Musescore.
The mandolin arrangement is a great example of how the song can be played with a light and airy feel. The guitar accompaniment provides a nice rhythmic foundation, while the mandolin solo adds a touch of virtuosity to the performance. The mandolin has a bright and cheerful sound that is perfect for playing bossa nova music.
The violin arrangement, on the other hand, is a more somber and introspective take on the song. The violin solo is hauntingly beautiful, and the cello provides a rich and warm bass line that complements the guitar accompaniment perfectly. The violin is a versatile instrument that is used in many different styles of music, from classical to rock, jazz or bossa nova.
Antônio Carlos Jobim was a master of melody and harmony, and “Wave” is a perfect example of his genius. The song’s melody is simple and catchy, yet it has a sophisticated harmonic structure that is typical of Jobim’s music. The song’s chord progression is a classic example of the bossa nova style, with its use of extended chords and chromatic harmony.
“Wave” is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by music lovers all over the world. Its popularity is a testament to the genius of Antônio Carlos Jobim and the beauty of Brazilian music. I hope you enjoy listening to the two instrumental arrangements of the song that I have recommended. If you are interested in learning more about Jobim and his music, I recommend checking out some of his other songs, such as “The Girl from Ipanema”.
Lyrics in English
So close your eyes, for that’s a lovely way to be
Aware of things your heart alone was meant to see
The fundamental loneliness goes whenever two can dream a dream together
You can’t deny, don’t try to fight the rising sea
Don’t fight the moon, the stars above, don’t fight me
The fundamental loneliness goes whenever two can dream a dream together
When I saw you first, the time was half past three
When your eyes met mine, it was eternity
By now we know the wave is on it’s way to be
Just catch the wave, don’t be afraid of loving me
The fundamental loneliness goes whenever two can dream a dream together
When I saw you first the time was half past three
When your eyes met mine it was eternity
By now we know the wave is on it way to be
Just catch that wave don’t be afraid of loving me
The fundamental loneliness goes whenever two can dream a dream together
Together
Together
Lyrics in Portuguese
Vou te contar
Que os olhos já nem podem ver
Coisas que só o coração pode entender
Fundamental é mesmo o amor
É impossível ser feliz sozinho
O resto é mar
É tudo que não sei contar
São coisas lindas que eu tenho pra te dar
Fundamental é mesmo o amor
É impossível ser feliz sozinho
Da primeira vez, era a cidade
Da segunda, o cais, a eternidade
Agora eu já sei
Da onda que se ergueu no mar
E das estrelas que esquecemos de contar
O amor se deixa surpreender
Enquanto a noite vem nos envolver
Da primeira vez, era a cidade
Da segunda, o cais, a eternidade
Agora eu já sei
Da onda que se ergueu no mar
E das estrelas que esquecemos de contar
O amor se deixa surpreender
Enquanto a noite vem nos envolver
