single · October 1, 1963

Bossa Nova Baby

Elvis Presley

Play 30s preview

RCA Victor/LegacySee this day

rockrhythm and bluespop

This 1963 single, featuring a signature Presley vocal swagger, became a minor hit on the charts, showcasing his continued ability to deliver R&B-inflected pop. The A-side reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.

• The song was recorded on May 26, 1963, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. It was produced by Steve Sholes, a key RCA Victor producer who had signed Presley years earlier. The B-side, "I Feel That I've Known You Forever," was also recorded during the same sessions.
• This single was featured in Presley's 1964 film 'Viva Las Vegas,' though it was not part of the official soundtrack album. While the film was a commercial success, the single itself was overshadowed by other hits from the period.
• The song's title and vibe were inspired by the burgeoning Bossa Nova craze of the early 1960s, though Presley's take was distinctly rock and roll. It remains a popular deep cut among fans of his mid-period work.

Elvis Presley was a seminal figure in 20th-century popular music, known as the 'King of Rock and Roll.' In October 1963, he was at a transitional point in his career, balancing film work with recording sessions that leaned into pop and soundtrack material.