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.
I Remember You
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The garden where we used to go
They don't remind me of you
’Cause they're just places that
I used to know
The songs that we our sing along in your car
They don't remind me of you
But I'd like to know if I have your mind
Or you too have learned
How to leave the past behind
Or you send me a kiss
And say there goes somebody I used to miss
But I'd like to know if I have your mind
Or you too have learned
How to leave the past behind
Or you send me a kiss
And say there goes somebody I used to miss
The movies that we light
Where no one ever died
Don't need 'em to remind me of you
'Cause I remember you all the time
Luísa Sobral's "I Remember You" paints a vivid picture of nostalgia and the complexities of moving on after a relationship. The opening lines introduce the setting—a coffee shop and a garden—where significant memories were forged. However, Sobral quickly dismisses these locations as mere "places I used to know." This suggests a deeper emotional detachment from the physical spaces that once held meaning. The repetition of the phrase "they don't remind me of you," implies that despite their past significance, these places have lost their association with the person she once loved. It indicates a struggle between remembering the past and the desire to detach from those memories, pointing to the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and how it can both comfort and confine us.
As the lyrics progress, Sobral shifts her focus to the shared experiences encapsulated in music and sing-alongs. The songs that play in the car become a metaphor for shared moments and intimacy, yet again are relegated to a status of insignificance, as they "don't remind me" of the person anymore. This evolution in her emotional landscape illustrates a journey of self-discovery. She recognizes that the person she once loved has become a ghost of her past, merely a "someone that I once knew.” The phrasing here suggests both an acceptance of the disconnection and a yearning for reconnection, revealing the inner conflict between wanting to forget and the difficulty of fully moving on when echoes of someone linger.
The chorus exposes the heart of the singer's contemplation. She questions whether the person she once loved also dwells on their shared history or has learned to "leave the past behind." The duality of their experiences emphasizes a common struggle in relationships, balancing fond memories with the need to progress in life. The idea of receiving a kiss as a token of attachment or farewell is particularly poignant, hinting at a desire for acknowledgment of what once was, perhaps even a glimmer of hope for rekindling their connection. The lines encapsulate the universal experience of longing, set against the backdrop of time, as they traverse the landscape of personal history and emotional healing.
In the concluding lines, Sobral revisits the notion of memories tied to art and entertainment, drawing a contrast between light-hearted escapism and the weight of emotional reality. The movies where "no one ever died" symbolize a desire for simplicity, a fantasy that lacks the complexities of real life and love. Yet, despite this yearning for escapism, she ultimately acknowledges the permanence of her memories. "I remember you all the time" captures the essence of how memories shape and define personal identity, even as one tries to navigate the waters of moving on. This sentiment reflects the bittersweet acknowledgment that while certain memories may fade in their emotional power, they can never be completely erased, serving as a reminder of both joy and pain woven into the fabric of one’s life.
Line by Line Meaning
The coffee shop where we met
The specific location that served as the backdrop for our initial encounter.
The garden where we used to go
The tranquil space we frequented together, filled with memories of our shared moments.
They don't remind me of you
These places no longer evoke thoughts of you, despite their significance.
’Cause they're just places that
Because they are merely locations that hold no emotional connection to the past.
I used to know
That I once recognized but now feel detached from their former meaning.
The songs that we would sing along in your car
The melodies that brought us joy during our rides together, once intimate moments now fading.
They don't remind me of you
These tunes no longer stir thoughts of you within me.
’Cause you're just someone that I once knew
Because you have become merely a figure from my past whom I no longer connect with.
But I'd like to know if I have your mind
I wonder if our thoughts and feelings still intertwine in any way.
Or you too have learned
Or if you've also acquired the wisdom of letting go.
How to leave the past behind
How to separate oneself from earlier experiences and memories.
Or you send me a kiss
Alternatively, if you express your feelings through simple gestures of affection.
And say there goes somebody I used to miss
And acknowledge me as a person you once held dear but have since moved on from.
But I'd like to know if I have your mind
Again, I ponder if you're still thinking of me as I think of you.
Or you too have learned
Or if you've similarly found strength in moving forward.
How to leave the past behind
How to free yourself from the weight of bygone days.
Or you send me a kiss
Or still find moments to convey tenderness through small gestures.
And say there goes somebody I used to miss
Or recognize me as a fragment of your past you've chosen to let go.
The movies that we light
The films we enjoyed together, illuminating our shared enthusiasm.
Where no one ever died
In stories devoid of tragedy, reflecting our lighter moments.
Don't need 'em to remind me of you
I don’t require these films to evoke memories of you in my mind.
’Cause I remember you all the time
For thoughts of you are ever-present, lingering in my heart and mind.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind