The empathy with the musical instruments started with the guitar. It was with the guitar that she realised were the chords of her parent’s music come from. From The Beatles and from many others. And it was on an early age that she gave herself to the unique melodies that the jazz immortalized. The capacity of a melody to stand by itself, without the instruments. She embraced such artists as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzerald, Chet Baker, and many others and with them in her heart she set off to the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, USA, to study music. In her 4 year stay in Boston she was nominated for the «Best Jazz Song» at the Malibu Music Awards (2008); «Best Jazz Artist» at the Hollywood Music Awards ; «International Songwriting Competition» (2007) and «The John Lennon Songwriting Competition» (2008).
More than being nominated or completing her studies, Luísa was also discovering herself every year that went by. Her musical identity would further develop in New York, where she moved after finish her degree in Boston (2009). In her bags a lot of what would eventually give shape to songs that where already wandering inside her head. Hers and her mother’s who confessed to her she had dreamed that her first album would be called «The Cherry on My Cake». Maternal magic that made a dream come true.
The learning of the jazz standards, the practice done by playing a Brazilian music in bars and the stamina of her creativity all filtered into songs that would either gain live in paper or in chords. One after another. Well thought melodies with images inside. «I Would Love To», «Don`t Let Me Down», «Why Should I», among other songs that came together in an EP («My Funny Clementine»). The emphasis on the starting theme was obvious: «Not There Yet». A triple time rhythm, like a jazz waltz, colorful, an imposing chorus and violins in heaven. The record composition wasn’t to become limited to the English language. Between trips to and from Portugal, Luisa performed at the Super Bock Super Rock festival in Stock 2009. At this gig she mentions how much she would like to have a song in Portuguese. Upon her return to the States Luisa sketches a poem and melody for “O Engraxador” (the shoe shine man). That is followed by “Xico and Dolores”. For the upcoming record the will for a Portuguese cover song was still very much present. Nobody would be better to fill this part than Rui Veloso, artist that Luisa’s father listens to insistently. Luisa registers Carlos Te’s lyric and tries a different version of “Saiu para a Rua”.
«The Cherry on my Cake» is the result of all of this: of the person who dreams to live in Paris - totally inspired by French cinema. Result of the hectic New York vibe, of the familiar affection for Lisbon. From Regina Spektor to Elis Regina. From Billie Holiday to Bjork. From the 50’s to ingenuousness. From sound to image. From voice and talent: “I have a good life” she concludes.
And So It Goes
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
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A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along
I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still feel I said too much
And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose
But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows
So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break
Luísa Sobral's song "And So It Goes" explores the vulnerability and cautiousness that arises from past heartbreak and the fear of repeating the same painful experiences in a new relationship. The lyrics depict a room within each person's heart, representing a safe space where wounds from previous lovers are healed. However, with the arrival of a new love interest, there is a sense of hesitation and wariness.
The singer converses with the new love interest, speaking with caution and vulnerability. They feel they may have revealed too much of themselves, and therefore, their silence becomes a defense mechanism to protect themselves from potential hurt. The reference to holding a rose symbolizes the bittersweet nature of love. Each time they have experienced love, they have also felt the pain and disappointment inevitably accompanying it. The phrase "so it goes" emphasizes the cyclical nature of love, how it repeats itself in both joy and heartbreak. The lyrics suggest that the new love interest may also soon know the rollercoaster of emotions that love brings.
Although the singer fears that their silence may drive the new love interest away, they ultimately decide to open up. They are willing to share the room in their heart, knowing that there is a risk of heartbreak. They acknowledge that they have experienced both the beauty and ugliness of love, which is why their eyes are closed to shield themselves from further pain. The last lines highlight their desire to be with the new love interest, but they also respect the latter's ability to make decisions and potentially break their heart.
Overall, "And So It Goes" captures the delicate balance between the fear of repeating past mistakes and the willingness to take a chance on love, knowing it may lead to heartbreak once again.
Line by Line Meaning
In every heart there is a room
Every person has a private and protected space within themselves
A sanctuary safe and strong
A place of refuge and strength
To heal the wounds from lovers past
To mend the emotional scars caused by past relationships
Until a new one comes along
Until a new love enters their life
I spoke to you in cautious tones
I spoke to you carefully and with reservation
You answered me with no pretense
You responded honestly and without artifice
And still feel I said too much
Despite that, I feel like I revealed more than I intended
My silence is my self-defense
I use silence as a way to protect myself
And every time I've held a rose
Each time I've experienced love or affection
It seems I only felt the thorns
I have often encountered pain and hurt instead of joy
And so it goes, and so it goes
That's just the way it is, and that's how it continues
And so will you soon I suppose
And you will follow a similar path, I assume
But if my silence made you leave
If my lack of communication caused you to depart
Then that would be my worst mistake
That would be the most regrettable error I could make
So I will share this room with you
I am willing to open up and share my inner self with you
And you can have this heart to break
You have the potential to hurt or damage my heart
And this is why my eyes are closed
This is why I prefer to keep my eyes shut
It's just as well for all I've seen
It's better this way considering what I have witnessed
And you're the only one who knows
You are the sole person who truly understands
So I would choose to be with you
I would willingly opt to be in a relationship with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
If I had the power to decide and if circumstances allowed
But you can make decisions too
However, you also possess the ability to make choices
And you can have this heart to break
And you too can potentially cause pain and heartbreak
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind