Bim Bom was introduced by João Gilberto in August 1958 as the B-side to Chega de Saudade. Recorded on 10 July and arranged and conducted by Antônio Carlos Jobim, Bim Bom was Gilberto’s only original composition apart from Hô-bá-lá-lá on his debut album Chega de Saudade, released in March 1959.
Bim Bom was written as early as 1955 or 1956 in João Gilberto do Prado Pereira de Oliveira’s hometown of Juazeiro, inspired, so the legend goes, by the rhythmic walk with which the laundresses on the banks of the São Francisco River balanced their laundry on their heads.
Although it was recorded only a few times in Brazil in the 1960s, Bim Bom enjoyed considerable popularity in the USA from 1962 onwards, fuelled by Stan Getz’s recording on his Big Band Bossa Nova album, arranged by Gary McFarland. Arranged by Gil Evans, Bim Bom became one of Astrud Gilberto’s best-known interpretations in 1966.
Selected recordings of Bim Bom:
1. João Gilberto from the single Chega de Saudade b/w Bim Bom (1958, Odeon14.360) and the album Chega de Saudade (1959, Odeon MOFB 3073)
Artwork for Chega de Saudade by César G. Villela with photographs by Francisco Pereira
2. Oscar Castro Neves from the album Bossa Nova Mesmo (1960, Philips P 630.424 L)
3. Juarez Araújo from the album Bossa Nova nos ‘States’ (1962, Masterplay MDL 13020)
4. Stan Getz from the EP Big Band Bossa Nova (1962, Verve/Copacabana VMLP 14017)
Artwork for Big Band Bossa Nova with painting by Olga Albizu
5. Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 from the album Equinox (1967, A&M Records [USA] SP 4122 and Fermata [BRA] FB-184)
Artwork for Equinox by Peter Whorf Graphics
6. Milton Banana from the album Todo Dia é Dia (1968, Odeon MOFB 3524)
Artwork for Todo Dia é Dia by Studio Maitry
Selected medleys including Bim Bom:
1. Lennie Dale e Bossa Três from the album Um Show de Bossa (1964, Elenco ME-12)
Artwork for Um Show de Bossa by César G. Villela with photographs by Francisco Pereira
Selected recordings of Bim Bom originally not issued in Brazil:
1. João Gilberto from the album Getz/Gilberto #2 (1965, Verve Records [USA] V6-8623)
Artwork for Getz/Gilberto #2 by Acy Lehman with painting by Olga Albizu
2. Astrud Gilberto from the album Look to the Rainbow (1966, Verve Records [USA] V6-8643)
Artwork for Look to the Rainbow by Acy Lehman with photograph by Joel Elkins
3. Ornella Vanoni from the album Ai Miei Amici Cantautori (1968, Ariston Records [Italy] AR/LP 10020)
4. Sadao Watanabe from the album Sadao Meets Brazilian Friends (1968, Columbia [Japan] XMS-10003-CT)
BIM BOM
Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bim
É só isso o meu baião • E não tem mais nada, não • O meu coração pediu assim, só
Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bim bim
É só isso o meu baião • E não tem mais nada, não • O meu coração pediu assim, só
Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Bim bom bim bim bom bom • Só tem bom bim bom bim bim
Brazilliance 