Luísa Sobral. A voice, guitar, paper and pen. From this an entire musical u… Read Full Bio ↴Luísa Sobral. A voice, guitar, paper and pen. From this an entire musical universe is created in each composition. 24 years of open choices. Instinctive and expectant. «The Cherry on my Cake» is the fruit of all those possibilities. Songs full of images. Videos that are imagined for the rhythm of each song. It’s her first full-length album under in her own name, outcome of a musical journey that started at the early age of 12.

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.

Natal Mais Uma Vez
Luísa Sobral Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Na hora do final da noite de natal
Apagam-se as luzes vão todos dormir
Mas o relógio não quer seguir

E mesmo no final da noite de natal
Num só segundo só de uma vez
Sonhas viver o dia todo outra vez

E voltas à manhã de natal onde todos acordam
Mais cedo que o normal
Onde os pijamas são vestidos de gala
E os presentes estão espalhados pela sala

Quando chegas ao final dessa noite de natal

Se o pedires num desejo contares até três
Verás que volta a ser natal mais uma vez

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Natal Mais Uma Vez" by Luísa Sobral capture a sentimental and nostalgic reflection on the essence of Christmas. The opening lines evoke the peaceful and serene atmosphere of Christmas night, as the lights are switched off and everyone retreats to rest. However, there is a sense of reluctance in the ticking of the clock, hinting at a desire to prolong the magic of the moment.

As the song progresses, there is a dreamlike quality in the portrayal of reliving the entirety of Christmas day in a fleeting instant. This highlights the deep yearning to savor and cherish the joy and togetherness that define the holiday season. The juxtaposition of the swift passage of time with the longing for an eternal moment encapsulates the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and memory.

The imagery painted in the following verses takes us back to the morning of Christmas, a time of anticipation and excitement where even the act of donning pajamas becomes a special occasion. The scene is set with gifts strewn across the room, symbolizing the abundance of love and generosity that characterizes the festive period. This vivid description enhances the sense of warmth and familial bonds associated with Christmas morning.

The concluding lines of the song offer a poignant revelation, suggesting that the cyclical nature of time may find solace in the perennial return of Christmas. The notion that one can experience the joy and magic of the holiday season anew with a simple wish conveys a message of hope, renewal, and the eternal spirit of Christmas. Through its introspective lyrics and evocative storytelling, "Natal Mais Uma Vez" encapsulates the essence of Christmas as a time of reflection, gratitude, and the enduring power of traditions and memories.

Line by Line Meaning

Na hora do final da noite de natal
As festividades de Natal estão chegando ao fim e a noite está prestes a acabar.

Apagam-se as luzes vão todos dormir
As luzes são desligadas e todos vão para a cama dormir, encerrando o dia festivo.

Mas o relógio não quer seguir
No entanto, o relógio parece resistir em marcar o fim da noite de Natal, como se quisesse prolongar o momento.

E mesmo no final da noite de natal
Mesmo no final da noite de Natal,

Num só segundo só de uma vez
em apenas um instante,

Sonhas viver o dia todo outra vez
sonhas em reviver todo o dia novamente, como se desejasses prolongar a magia do Natal.

E voltas à manhã de natal onde todos acordam
E retornas à manhã de Natal, quando todos estão despertando

Mais cedo que o normal
mais cedo do que o habitual,

Onde os pijamas são vestidos de gala
quando as roupas de dormir são usadas como trajes de gala,

E os presentes estão espalhados pela sala
e os presentes estão dispostos pela sala

Quando chegas ao final dessa noite de natal
Quando chegas ao final dessa noite de Natal,