A Felicidade

"A Felicidade" (Happiness) is a bossa nova song by Antônio Carlos Jobim, with lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, composed in 1958 for the French film Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus).^[1]

Jobim and Vinícius collaborated on several songs for the 1956 stage play, Orfeu da Conceição, but French producer Sacha Gordine wanted new material for the film version. According to author Ruy Castro, "The duo wrote three songs, mostly over the telephone, given that Vinicíus was now working for the Itamaraty in Montevideo: 'A felicidade,' 'Frevo,' and 'O nosso amor.'" Agostinho dos Santos sings "A Felicidade" during the opening credits of the movie, accompanied by Roberto Menescal on guitar.^[1]

The film won the Palme d'Or at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival and the 1960 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film,^[2] bringing worldwide attention to Jobim, Moraes, and the bossa nova movement.

A French version of the song, with lyrics by André Salvet, is known as "Adieu tristesse," and an Italian version, with lyrics by Mario Panzeri, is entitled "Felicità."^[3]

Recorded versions

• João Gilberto – A Felicidade/O Nosso Amor [78rpm, Odeon, 14.491] (1959) and Live in Montreux (1987)
• Sylvia Telles – Amor de Gente Moça (Musicas de Antonio Carlos Jobim) (1959)
• Bob Brookmeyer – Trombone Jazz Samba (1962)
• Willie Bobo – Bobo's Beat (1963)
• Billy Eckstine – Now Singing In 12 Great Movies (1963)
• Vince Guaraldi Trio – Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus (rec. 1964, released 2010 on remastered version)
• Antônio Carlos Jobim - The Wonderful World of Antonio Carlos Jobim (1965) and Inédito (1987)
• The Ramsey Lewis Trio – The In Crowd (1965)
• Astrud Gilberto – Look to the Rainbow (1966)
• Hugh Masekela – The Emancipation of Hugh Masekela (1966)
• Charlie Byrd – Byrd Song (1964) and More Brazilian Byrd (1967)
• Claudine Longet – Claudine (1967)
• Bola Sete – Bola Sete at the Monterey Jazz Festival (1967)
• Cal Tjader – Solar Heat (1968)
• Vinicius de Moraes – En 'La Fusa' Con Maria Creuza y Toquinho (1970)
• Milton Nascimento – Milton (1970)
• Kenny Drew Trio – Dark Beauty (rec. 1974, released 1991 on reissued version)
• Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – Jaywalkin' (1975)
• Tom Zé – Estudando o Samba (1976)
• Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Abraça Jobim (1981)
• Rosa Passos - Curare (1991)
• George Cables – Skylark (1995)
• Joe Henderson - Double Rainbow: The Music of Antonio Carlos Jobim (1995)
• Lee Konitz - Brazilian Rhapsody (1995)
• Eliane Elias - Eliane Elias Sings Jobim (1998)
• Gal Costa - Gal Costa Canta Tom Jobim Ao Vivo (1999)
• Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum – Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum (1999)
• Dori Caymmi – Influências (2001)
• Vinicius Cantuária – Silva (2005)
• Jeff Hamilton – From Studio 4, Cologne, Germany (2006)

References