Bebel Gilberto's Fantasy Island Tracks

If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? This castaway, world renowned and multi-Grammy-nominated Bebel Gilberto, daughter of bossa nova icon Joao Gilberto, will have grown up hearing history in the making several times, and probably in her living room! And so we asked: of everything you've ever heard, which songs would you choose to accompany you? It's our little way of finding out which songs from great artists of the past inspired the great artists of today. Will she choose any of her father's?

by Bebel Gilberto

Being the offspring of music royalty has been a blessing rather a curse, Luckily in the case Bebel Gilberto, it has been the former; every since she enchanted fans and critics worldwide with her solo debut release in 1986. She catapulted onto the global music scene with a track on the celebrated compilation album, Red Hot + Rio, followed by the worldwide success of her hit breakout album Tanto Tempo in 2000. The album featured her trademark electronic bossa nova, taking over clubs around the world; positioning Bebel as one of the biggest selling Brazilian recording artists in the U.S. since the 1960s.

Critically acclaimed albums followed, including Bebel Gilberto (2004), on which she refined her sound to create an acoustic lounge style that showcased her strengths as a Brazilian composer, and Momento (2007), which masterfully fused all her different musical styles. Bebel’s 2009 Grammy-nominated album All in One brought to the fore Bebel’s personality and love for organic rhythms. In 2014, Bebel Gilberto released a live DVD called Bebel Gilberto in Rio, featuring a concert on the beach in Rio. Returning to her trademark sultry Brazilian rhythms infused with electronic beats, Bebel followed up with a studio album Tudo, released in 2015.

So, Bebel, here’s the question: If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need, to get you through those times of despair?

'Isn't She Lovely' by Stevie Wonder

"I heard this song for the first time in my life in a Christmas party when I was around 11. I never stop loving Steve wonder since then"

'Secret Life of Plants' by Stevie Wonder

"When I got older I got this double LP and could never stop listening to these beautiful melody and words. Everything about it inspired me, from the pale green art work to the beauty of the music, this is always a classic for me."

'Could it be Magic' by Donna Summer

"When I heard for the first time this version, I was absolutly crazy about the classical piano intro. George Moroder definetly was my biggest pop influence. I absolutely love this song. I can't find the original cut on line, as now they cut that beautiful intro. Any way- I'm crazy about the work this couple did together. And, untill today, I can listen to this track again and again."

'Raposdy in Blue' - By George Gershwin

"When I saw the Woody Allen film 'Manhattan' for the first time, I was blown away by Gershwin's sound track arranjend by Zubin Mehta. Of course I had heard the song since I was a child, but as a teengaer is when I had the maturity to appreciate it. Ever since then, I could 'not stop loving this song."

'Lua e Estrela' by Vinicius Cantuaria

"When I heard this song for the first time, it was through the voice of Caetano Veloso. I was absolutely in love with the arrangement by Thomas improta and the whole interpretation by Caetano Veloso.
Later on I payed this same song w my dad,in São Paulo at the municipal theatre. when we first tour together. I was 14 at that time."

Você vai me seguir - Chico Buarque

"This is one of the songs I love most from my uncle Chico Buarque. I love the melody, I love the words, I love so much my uncle's music that I could be listening to him my entire life. And keep learning new words. He is the biggest writer in my opinion from Brasil, his words are so romantic, political and perfectly articulated. Love my uncle to death!!!"

'Vênus as a Boy' by Bjork

"When I heard this song for the first time I completely fell in love with BJORK. I listened to this song every time I want to get in good mood"

'5:55' by Charlotte Gainsbourg
"I absolutely love this whole album.. lately as I'm traveling so much ;this song became my favorite, but I love every song from this album."