Like a Lover is the English version of the Brazilian song O Cantador. The original Portuguese piece was written by Dori Caymmi and Nelson Motta and was first released by Elis Regina in November 1967. The English lyrics were written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 recorded Like a Lover in October 1967 and released it in February 1968 on their self-titled album, with a tasteful arrangement by Dave Grusin. The tune sits in the Brazilian pop-jazz / bossa nova lineage and helped bring Mendes’ Brasil '66 sound to a broader audience.
