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Bossa Nova Baby |
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Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller Recorded: January 22, 1963, RCA Radio Recorders, Hollywood. Released master is take 11. Single: w/ "Witchcraft", RCA 47-8243, October 1, 1963 Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, 447-0642, August 1964 RIAA Certified: Gold (as of 03/27/1992) Highest U.S. Charts Positions: #8 on Billboard's Hot 100 #20 on Billboard's Rhythm & Blues chart (Elvis' last single to appear on this chart) 1st LP release: Fun In Acapulco - December 1963 |
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Fans and critics seem to agree that "Bossa Nova Baby" stands out pretty strongly from the rest of the Fun in Acapulco soundtrack. But then again Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller didn't write too many bad songs! Tippie and the Clovers first recorded "Bossa Nova Baby" and released the single in 1962 on the Tiger label, and although it didn't chart, Mike Stoller prefers it: "I like the original version of Bossa Nova Baby done by Tippie and the Clovers better than Elvis' version. It's got a Latin feel and it had certain elements of bossa nova, but it wasn't the real thing. The Clovers' version was much cooler than Elvis' version." I can't completely attest to the coolness of the Clovers, not having heard anything but this short sample, but have a listen for yourself, and maybe you'll agree with Mike!
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Elvis' version, of course, had to make some concessions to the setting of the film, and ended up having a Hollywood-Mexican-Mariachi-band instrumental break complete with some not-quite-south-of-the-border whoops and shouts. The brass then gives way to an electric guitar solo just to remind us that this is an American version of a Mexican version of a Brazilian style of dance music and by the time Elvis and the boys get through with it, there's very little Bossa Nova left (for better or worse)!
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| It's pretty strong latin-tinged pop-rock for 1963, though, and with "Witchcraft" as a B-side, it made for a solid single! I tend to hear "Bossa Nova Baby" as a musical precursor to "Viva Las Vegas": a little pinch of Latino, a little Hollywood schmaltz, and a whole lotta Elvis' fast-paced vocal bravado. Maybe silly by later standards, but as an early-Sixties Elvis movie song, "Bossa Nova Baby" is pretty spicy! |
Other Spins(What did the critics and fans say?)'Bossa Nova Baby' is something like the old Presley, and contrasts with the inferior material he had previously used in his films. This is a fast, modern record, notably because of its use of organ. There is a touch of rock about the song, together with a Bossa Nova feel which is magical. In spite of the fast pace, every word is crystal-clear and in its way this is a classic recording. Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley: A Study in Music, 1979 Elvis in a rocking groove with trumpets and the Jordanaires yelling in chorus. Martin Torgoff, The Complete Elvis, 1982 Check out other Elvis fans' opinions on the Elvis News page for Bossa Nova Baby. Check out other opinions at Rate Your Music "Bossa Nova Baby" Links
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I said, 'Take it easy, baby I worked all day And my feet feel just like lead You got my shirt tails flyin' all over the place And the sweat poppin' out of my head' She said, 'Hey, Bossa nova, baby, keep on a workin' This ain't no time to quit' She said, 'Go, Bossa nova, baby keep on dancin' I'm about to have myself a fit' Bossa nova, Bossa nova I said, 'Hey little mama, let's sit down Have a drink and dig the band' She said, 'Drink, drink, drink, oh, fiddle-de-dink I can dance with a drink in my hand' She said 'Hey Bossa nova, baby, keep on workin' This ain't no time to drink' She said 'Go, Bossa nova, baby, keep on dancin' 'Cause I ain't got time to think' I said, 'Come on, baby, it's hot in here And it's oh so cool outside If you lend me a dollar I can buy some gas And we can go for a little ride' She said, 'Hey Bossa nova, baby, keep on workin' I ain't got time for that' She said, 'Go Bossa nova, baby, keep on dancin' Or I'll find myself another cat' |
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