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.
My Man
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He left me crying
He left me feeling so blue
My man has left me moaning
A love so deep and true
I don't know why
He left me hanging
My man has left this morning
Has left me here to die
But it has been said
Again and again
That they all come back
Once they have tasted the sand
I don't know why
He left me wondering
Wondering what I had done
My man has left this morning
To be the men of another woman
The lyrics to Luísa Sobral's song My Man describe the heartbreak and confusion of a woman whose lover has left her without explanation or warning. The singer expresses her sadness and despair at being left alone, crying and feeling blue. She reveals that the love she shared with her man was deep and true, which makes his departure even more painful.
The second stanza continues the theme of confusion and mystery surrounding the man's departure. The singer notes that he didn't even say goodbye, leaving her hanging and wondering what she had done wrong. She feels abandoned and betrayed, as if he has left her to die.
Despite her sadness and despair, the singer holds onto a glimmer of hope that her man may return. She mentions a common saying that "they all come back once they have tasted the sand," suggesting that her man may eventually realize his mistake and return to her.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why
I am unaware of the reason
He left me crying
He made me weep
He left me feeling so blue
He made me depressed
My man has left me moaning
He left me in agony
A love so deep and true
A genuine and profound affection
He left me hanging
He abandoned me
Didn't even say goodbye
He departed without bidding farewell
My man has left this morning
He left during the day
Has left me here to die
He left me alone to suffer
But it has been said
It is a common belief
Again and again
Repeatedly
That they all come back
Men often return
Once they have tasted the sand
After they have experienced other women
He left me wondering
He left me perplexed
Wondering what I had done
Questioning my actions
To be the men of another woman
To become devoted to another woman
Writer(s): luisa sobral
Contributed by Joseph B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.