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.
Mãe
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Poderia deixar de haver dia
E até de haver verão mas deixar de gostar
Eu gosto de ti mais do que o mar
Não fazia mais carreirinhas
Via o mar virar chão
Mas deixar de gostar é que não
Então minha mãe, já sabes bem
O quanto eu gosto de ti
Vai ao infinito e mais além
Vai até onde não foi ninguém
Eu gosto de ti mais do que o céu
Podia não ver as estrelas nem andar de avião
Mas deixar de gostar é que não
The lyrics to Luísa Sobral's song "Mãe" express a deep and unconditional love for a mother. In the first stanza, the singer compares their love for their mother to the sun, stating that even if there were no more days or summers, they would still love her. This conveys the idea that their love for their mother transcends the passing of time and changing seasons. The imagery of the sun and the absence of daylight emphasizes the eternal and unwavering nature of their love.
Moving on to the comparison with the sea in the second stanza, the singer expresses that their love for their mother is greater than the vastness of the ocean. They playfully imagine a scenario where the sea would no longer create waves, but even in such a fantastical situation, their love for their mother would remain steadfast. This comparison highlights the infinite and boundless nature of the love that they feel for their mother.
In the third stanza, the singer directly addresses their mother, affirming the depth of their love for her. They assure their mother that their love extends to infinity and beyond, emphasizing that it goes beyond any limits or boundaries. The lyrics convey a sense of admiration, appreciation, and respect for the mother figure, portraying her as an extraordinary and cherished presence in the singer's life.
The final stanza brings in the comparison to the sky, with the singer stating that their love for their mother surpasses even the vastness of the heavens. They play with the idea of losing the ability to see stars or travel by plane, suggesting that external circumstances or worldly possessions are insignificant compared to the enduring love they feel for their mother. The repetition of the phrase "but to stop loving is not" underscores the unbreakable bond and enduring affection the singer has for their mother. Overall, the lyrics poignantly capture the depth of a mother-child relationship and the profound love that transcends all obstacles and challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Eu gosto de ti mais do que o sol
I love you more than the sun
Poderia deixar de haver dia
I could do without day
E até de haver verão mas deixar de gostar
And even without summer, but stop loving is out of the question
Eu gosto de ti mais do que o mar
I love you more than the sea
Não fazia mais carreirinhas
I wouldn't make sandcastles anymore
Via o mar virar chão
I saw the sea turning into land
Mas deixar de gostar é que não
But to stop loving is something I can't do
Então minha mãe, já sabes bem
So, my mother, you already know well
O quanto eu gosto de ti
How much I love you
Vai ao infinito e mais além
It goes to infinity and beyond
Vai até onde não foi ninguém
Goes where no one has gone before
Eu gosto de ti mais do que o céu
I love you more than the sky
Podia não ver as estrelas nem andar de avião
I could not see the stars or fly in a plane
Mas deixar de gostar é que não
But to stop loving is something I can't do
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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