Lewis has become a multi-platinum selling artist and three time Grammy Award nominee. She was proclaimed 'Top New Artist' by Billboard magazine in 2008. Her two albums Spirit and Echo, released in 2007 and 2009 respectively, have collectively sold in excess of 10 million copies worldwide and topped the charts in numerous countries. Lewis's debut tour, The Labyrinth, took place in 2010. As of December 2012, Lewis has sold 28 million records worldwide. Her third album Glassheart was released 12 October 2012. It was preceded by the single "Collide", which became her seventh top-five hit in the UK. With the release of Hurt: The EP and "Trouble", Lewis has had nine top-ten hits in the UK.
Lewis' debut single A Moment Like This became the fastest selling UK single after being downloaded over 50,000 times within thirty minutes of its release. Her second single, Bleeding Love, reached number one positions in over thirty singles charts around the world. In November 2008 she set a record in the UK for the fastest selling download-only release with her cover version of the Snow Patrol song Run which sold 69,244 copies in two days. Lewis's debut tour, The Labyrinth, started in 2010.
Lewis was born in the London Borough of Islington, to Aural Josiah "Joe" Lewis of Afro-Guyanese descent, and Maria Lewis of Welsh, Italian and Irish descent. Her parents enrolled her at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, and from there she attended the Italia Conti Academy and the BRIT School, where she learned to play instruments such as the guitar and piano, in the hope of becoming a singer-songwriter. Lewis wrote her first full-length song at the age of 12. She initially trained in opera, but went on to singing jazz and blues, eventually leading to popular music, citing Minnie Riperton, Eva Cassidy and Stevie Wonder as her main influences. After leaving the BRIT School at 17, she took a number of jobs to fund studio time, recording a demo album called Twilight. The album, almost exclusively comprising her own compositions, was recorded under Spiral Music, a production company based in Fulham. "I tried to secure a record deal by doing things my own way. I worked very hard but I never managed to land a contract", said Lewis. Other demos were recorded under licence from UEG Entertainment, later included on an album called Best Kept Secret. However, none of Lewis's demos were released and she considered taking a hiatus from her music career to attend university until her boyfriend persuaded her to enter The X Factor which subsequently severed her connections with UEG.
Songfacts says that Collide, the first single from Leona Lewis's third album finds her taking a more dance pop route than on her previous material. She said, "I'm excited for people to see a different side to my music. I'm a fan of so many different genres and styles. For me this song has all the great ingredients of a summer anthem." The song got its first play on Scott Mills' Radio One show on July 15, 2011 and will be released on September 4, 2011.
Lewis' third studio album, Glassheart, is due for release in 2012.
Chiquitita
Leona Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what's wrong
You're enchained by your own sorrow
In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow
How I hate to see you like this
There is no way you can deny it
I can see that you're, oh, so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita
You and I know
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita
You and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song
Chiquitita
So the walls came tumbling down
And your love's a blown out candle
All is gone and it seems too hard to handle
Oh, chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song
Chiquitita
Leona Lewis's song Chiquitita is a poignant ballad that speaks to the soul of someone who is grappling with sorrow and sadness. The song is a gentle nudge to the concerned person to open up and confide in somebody about what's wrong. The lyrics of the song clearly suggest that the person in question is experiencing profound sorrow that seems to have taken over their lives. They appear to be downhearted and despondent, with no hope for tomorrow. However, the singer is there to offer a shoulder to lean on and a sympathetic ear to listen while the person can pour their heart out.
Leona Lewis's Chiquitita is about the cyclical nature of heartache and the fact that the pain and grief of sorrow won't last forever. The lyrics offer the assurance that the hurting will eventually come to an end, and the person will be able to rise up and be whole once again. The lyrics also suggest that it's okay to cry and be sad because the sun is still shining above, and tomorrow is a new day. The song symbolizes hope, love, and eternal support that can help anyone cope with the hard times of life.
Overall, the song Chiquitita encourages people to overcome their sadness by seeking support from their companions. While life can be harsh and depressing, having someone to talk to and share your feelings with can help ease the burden and lift your spirits.
Line by Line Meaning
Chiquitita
Addressing a loved one by name, expressing concern
Tell me what's wrong
Asking for an explanation for their sadness
You're enchained by your own sorrow
Acknowledging their pain and feeling trapped by it
In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow
Noticing the lack of optimism or positivity they have for the future
How I hate to see you like this
Expressing sadness as well as regret that this is happening to them
There is no way you can deny it
Acknowledging that their sadness is obvious
I can see that you're, oh, so sad, so quiet
Noticing their downcast demeanor and lack of activity
You and I know
Understanding that heartbreak is a shared experience
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
Reflecting on the transience of personal tragedy and the marks it leaves
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
Offering reassurance that they will eventually find happiness again and mend
You will have no time for grieving
Implying that the sadness will pass quickly as they move forward
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Pointing out that life and the world go on despite their struggles
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Encouraging them to find joy, possibly through music or memories
Sing a new song
Inviting them to move on from their sadness and find a new path or outlook
So the walls came tumbling down
Alluding to a significant life change or event that led to their sadness
And your love's a blown out candle
Metaphorically saying their relationship (or other aspect of life) has ended
All is gone and it seems too hard to handle
Acknowledging how devastating the loss or struggle feels
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.