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.
Dois Namorados
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fosse mudar rápido assim
Pois eu era mais velha
Que os velhinhos do jardim
Quando os dias não passavam
E só falava na saúde vi-te na rua
Reconheci-te dos nossos tempos de juventude
Não tinhas casal nem tinhas ninguém
E disseste ser feliz assim
Que a única mulher
De quem gostaste de verdade
Mas que já tinha cara-metade foi de mim
E dormimos encaixados dois namorados
Sem tempo a perder
Cabelos brancos desalinhados
Pés entrelaçados já sem medo de adormecer
E eu que acreditava que a vida só nos dava
Um amor assim uma só vez
Dou-te um abraço apertado
E vamos de braço dado
Pra todos verem o que a vida fez
E dormimos encaixados dois namorados
Sem tempo a perder
Cabelos brancos desalinhados
Pés entrelaçados já sem medo de adormecer
Já sem medo de adormecer
In Luísa Sobral's song "Dois Namorados," the lyrics depict a poignant story of unexpected love and newfound happiness in later stages of life. The singer reflects on a time when it seemed unlikely that their life would change so swiftly, given their advanced age compared to the elderly folks in the neighborhood. The opening lines set the tone for a tale of transformation and the unforeseen nature of love.
As the lyrics progress, the singer recalls a time when days felt stagnant and health concerns dominated their thoughts until a chance encounter on the street reignited a spark from their youth. The reunion with a figure from the past, who was previously unattached and content with their solitude, triggers a revelation about missed opportunities and unrequited feelings. The mention of a missed chance at true love adds a layer of regret and longing to the narrative.
The lyrics beautifully describe a tender moment shared between the singer and this long-lost love, as they find solace and comfort in each other's embrace. The imagery of sleeping intertwined like two young lovers, with silver hair tousled and feet intertwined, symbolizes a rejuvenation of spirits and a newfound sense of intimacy and connection. It's a poignant depiction of love rekindled and cherished in the later years of life.
In the final verses, the singer expresses a profound realization that love can come unexpectedly and that life's twists and turns can lead to a second chance at happiness. The vulnerability and acceptance of aging are encapsulated in the image of two lovers unafraid to fall asleep in each other's arms, with a sense of peace and contentment. The song celebrates the beauty of love that transcends age and time, emphasizing the transformative power of companionship and shared experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Quando nada indicava que a vida que levava
When everything seemed routine, a change unexpectedly came
Fosse mudar rápido assim
And life quickly shifted
Pois eu era mais velha
Though I was older
Que os velhinhos do jardim
Than the elderly in the garden
Quando os dias não passavam
When the days dragged on
E só falava na saúde vi-te na rua
And all I talked about was health until I saw you on the street
Reconheci-te dos nossos tempos de juventude
I recognized you from our youth
Não tinhas casal nem tinhas ninguém
You had no partner, no one
E disseste ser feliz assim
And you said you were happy that way
Que a única mulher
That the only woman
De quem gostaste de verdade
You truly loved
Mas que já tinha cara-metade foi de mim
But who already had a soulmate was me
E dormimos encaixados dois namorados
And we slept entwined like two lovers
Sem tempo a perder
With no time to waste
Cabelos brancos desalinhados
Disheveled white hair
Pés entrelaçados já sem medo de adormecer
Feet intertwined, unafraid to fall asleep
E eu que acreditava que a vida só nos dava
And I believed that life only gave us
Um amor assim uma só vez
Such a love only once
Dou-te um abraço apertado
I give you a tight hug
E vamos de braço dado
And we walk arm in arm
Pra todos verem o que a vida fez
For everyone to see what life brought us
Já sem medo de adormecer
No longer afraid to fall asleep
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheSusamix
Preciosa música e historia. Muito obrigado Luisa Sobral!! Aquí os dejo la traducción en español de "Dois namorados"
Cuando nada indicaba
que la vida que llevaba
fuese a cambiar así de rápido,
pues yo era más vieja que los ancianos del jardín.
Cuando los días no pasaban
y sólo hablaba de salud,
te vi en la calle, te reconocí
de nuestros tiempos de juventud.
No te habías casado
ni tenías a nadie
y dijiste ser feliz así.
Que la única mujer
que quisiste de verdad,
pero que ya tenía media naranja,
fui yo.
Y dormimos encajados,
dos enamorados
sin tiempo que perder.
Cabellos blancos desaliñados,
pies entrelazados,
ya sin miedo de dormir.
Y yo que creía
que la vida sólo nos daba
un amor así una sola vez.
Te doy un abrazo apretado
y vamos de bracilete1
para que todos vean lo que la vida hizo.
Y dormimos encajados,
dos enamorados
sin tiempo que perder.
Cabellos blancos desaliñados,
pies entrelazados,
ya sin miedo de dormir.
Ya sin miedo de dormir
@ederdepaula2068
Quando nada indicava
Que a vida que levava
Fosse mudar rápido assim
Pois eu era mais velha
Que os velhinhos do jardim
Quando os dias não passavam
E só falava na saude
Vi-te na rua, reconheci-te
Dos nossos tempos de juventude
Não tinhas casado
Nem tinhas ninguém
E disseste ser feliz assim
Que a única mulher
De quem gostaste de verdade
Mas que já tinha cara-metade
Foi de mim
E dormimos encaixados
Dois namorados
Sem tempo a perder
Cabelos brancos desalinhados
Pés entrelaçados
Já sem medo de adormecer
E eu que acreditava
Que a vida só nos dava
Um amor assim uma só vez
Dou-te um abraço apertado
E vamos de braço dado
Para todos verem o que a vida fez
E dormimos encaixados
Dois namorados
Sem tempo a perder
Cabelos brancos desalinhados
Pés entrelaçados
Já sem medo de adormecer
Já sem medo de adormecer
@loboclaud
Apenas a Luisa Sobral consegue fazer pérolas destas! Talento e sensibilidade fabulosos!
@danielaparreira2486
O amor puro e genuíno é o único que consegue ser inquebrável e resistente à medida que a própria vida avança até à sua natural decadência. Uma bonita história apaixonante entre dois seres que já viveram muito um ao lado do outro 💙
@miguelaraujojorge
Maravilha
@googlesantatrackerlive9765
WHY PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE IS SO BEAUTIFUL?
WHY YOU'RE SO BEAUTIFUL?
WHY YOUR VOICE IS SO BEAUTIFUL?
@hollyeatsgravel
Luisa, I saw you play this live in Melbourne, Australia tonight, and had to watch the video clip as soon as I got home, after hearing the gorgeous story behind this song. Their love is so magical, as is the way you tell stories! Thank you for a wonderful night x
@kazumifujii6267
Canção maravilhosa, me tocou o coração, obrigada Luísa pela tua música
@anacastelobranco6175
Chorei, emocionei me, lindo, lindo, lindo. ❤
@Britwinnie
Obrigada Luisa, por teres partilhado esta linda história de amor. ❤
@joaquimngunza5129
Lindamente... Adoro a voz dela. Sou angolano e apaixonei-me pela sua beleza inestimável vocalidade!❤👌🏾
@fernandaguedes9267
Luisa, me emociono a cada letra tua,obrigada por ter tanto sentimento em músicas.