About The Song
Bossa Nova Baby was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and recorded by Tippy and The Clovers (Tiger 201) in 1962. Their recording did not chart.
Elvis sang Bossa Nova Baby in his 1963 film Fun In Acapulco. The recording session took place on January 22, 1963, at Radio Recorders.
“Bossa Nova Baby” became a modest hit in the United States. The track climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 10 weeks. The tune appeared on the album Elvis: 2nd to None. That record reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 16 weeks. On the rhythm & blues chart, Bossa Nova Baby peaked at #20. It was the last Elvis single to appear on the rhythm & blues chart. Bossa Nova Baby became a million-seller and is one of only two bossa nova records to make the charts. The other was Eydie Gorme’s Blame It On The Bossa Nova (Columbia 42661), which reached #7 on the Hot 100 chart in 1963.
“Bossa Nova Baby” also played a unique role in Baz Luhrmann’s film Elvis. In that movie, it’s featured in a mashup with the Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” The sequence seems to imply that Elvis went from being a rock ‘n’ roller in the 1950s to a pop singer akin to the Backstreet Boys in the 1960s.
“Bossa Nova Baby” is a classic song even if Stoller preferred Tippie and The Clovers’ take on the track.
Video
Lyrics
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’
For there 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 novaI said, “Hey little mama,
Let’s sit down
Have a drink and dig the band”
She said, “Drink, you fink
Oh, fiddle-de-dink
I can dance with a drink in my hand”
She said “Hey Bossa nova, baby
Keep on workin’
For there ain’t no time to drink”
She said “Go, Bossa nova, baby
Keep on dancin’
‘Cause I ain’t got time to think”
Bossa nova, bossa nova
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’
For I ain’t got time for that”
She said, “Go Bossa nova, baby
Keep on dancin’
Or I’ll find myself another cat”
Bossa nova, bossa nova
Bossa nova, bossa nova
Bossa nova, bossa nova