Bossa nova Bossa nova Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music, which was developed and popularized in the 1950s and 1960s and is today one of the best-known Brazilian music styles abroad. The phrase "bossa nova" means literally "new trend" or "new wave" (). A lyrical fusion of samba and jazz, bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially among young musicians and college students. In Brazil, the word "bossa" is an old-fashioned slang for something that is done with particular charm, natural flair or innate ability. As early as 1932, Noel Rosa used the word in a samba:
Blame It on the Bossa Nova Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) enter her office to meet her for the first time. Former San Francisco 49ers head coach George Seifert performs the song karaoke-style in a Visa commercial that aired during the 1990s. Jack Mac Ferland from "Will and Grace" sings it too when he prepares his "garlic jazz" in season one. Movie soundtrack appearances for "Blame It on the Bossa Nova" include "The Big Picture" (1989), "Mermaids" (1990) and "Doubt" (2008). "Blame It on the Bossa Nova" is also featured in episode seven of the first season of the HBO program "Big Love". It is playing on