How Insensitive
"How Insensitive" (Portuguese: Insensatez) is a bossa nova and jazz standard song composed by Brazilian musician Antônio Carlos Jobim. The original lyrics are by Vinícius de Moraes (in Portuguese); an English version was written by Norman Gimbel. Jobim recorded the song in 1994 with Sting on lead vocals for his last studio album Antônio Brasileiro.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2021) |
| "Insensatez" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Antônio Carlos Jobim | |
| from the album The Composer of Desafinado, Plays | |
| Language | Portuguese |
| English title | "How Insensitive" |
| Released | 1963 |
| Genre | Bossa nova |
| Length | 2:53 |
| Label | Verve |
| Composer | Antônio Carlos Jobim |
| Lyricists |
|
| Producer | Creed Taylor |
| The Composer of Desafinado, Plays track listing | |
12 tracks
| |
"How Insensitive" (Portuguese: Insensatez) is a bossa nova and jazz standard song composed by Brazilian musician Antônio Carlos Jobim. The original lyrics are by Vinícius de Moraes (in Portuguese); an English version was written by Norman Gimbel.[1] Jobim recorded the song in 1994 with Sting on lead vocals for his last studio album Antônio Brasileiro.[2]
Background
[edit]In Brazil the song goes by the title "Insensatez", which translates more accurately to "Foolishness". The beginning of the song resembles Chopin's prelude in E minor.[3]
Recorded versions
[edit]The song has been performed and recorded often by a diverse group of singers, such as:
- Frank Sinatra and Antônio Carlos Jobim on their 1967 album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim[4]
- Peggy Lee on her 1964 album In Love Again![5]
- Andy Williams on his 1966 album The Shadow of Your Smile[6]
- Vic Damone on his 1966 album Stay with Me[7]
- Nancy Wilson on her 1968 album Easy[8]
- Shirley Bassey on her 1979 album The Magic Is You[9]
- Olivia Newton-John on her 2004 release Indigo: Women of Song[10]
- Petula Clark on her 1967 album These Are My Songs[11]
- William Shatner as part of a medley on his 1968 The Transformed Man[12]
- Iggy Pop on his 2009 release Préliminaires[13]
- Sinéad O'Connor on her 1992 album Am I Not Your Girl?[14]
- Robert Wyatt on his 2003 release Cuckooland[15]
- Pat MacDonald on his 2004 album In the Red Room[16]
Musicians who covered the composition in the jazz genre:
- Joao Gilberto
- Laurindo Almeida
- Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfá on their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore![17]
- Wes Montgomery on his 1966 album Tequila[18]
- Sergio Mendes on his 1967 album Quiet Nights[19]
- Stacey Kent on her 2013 album The Changing Lights[20]
- George Shearing on his 1985 album Grand Piano[21]
- Diana Krall on her 2006 album From This Moment On[22]
- Pat Martino on his 1972 album The Visit[23]
- Pat Metheny[3]
- Larry Coryell and Emily Remler on their 1985 album Together[24]
- Roy Hargrove on his 2000 release Moment to Moment[25]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Original versions of How Insensitive written by Norman Gimbel". Secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "Antonio Brasileiro / Antônio Carlos Jobim". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b Gioia, Ted (2012). The Jazz Standards. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-19-993739-4.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ "Peggy Lee – In Love Again! (1964, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
