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.
O Verdadeiro Amor
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O mundo inteiro iria ver
O verdadeiro amor acontecer
E esse amor seria para o mundo inspiração
E em cada canto, cada lugar
Alguém se iria apaixonar
Que anseia a liberdade
Mas teme a perpetuidade
De amar sem ser inteiro
Mas eu sou tão tua e tu não és meu
E o mundo inteiro não irá ver
O verdadeiro amor acontecer
These lyrics from Luísa Sobral's song "O Verdadeiro Amor" express a longing for a love that is reciprocated and genuine. The opening line, "Se eu fosse tua e tu fosses meu" (If I were yours and you were mine), indicates a desire for a deep and committed connection. The following line, "O mundo inteiro iria ver o verdadeiro amor acontecer" (The whole world would see true love happening), suggests that such a love would be so powerful and pure that its impact would be felt by all.
The second paragraph expands on this idea, presenting this love as an inspiration for the world. It implies that this love would serve as a model for others, encouraging people to fall in love in every corner and every place. The sentiment being conveyed is that this love is not only personal but has the potential to have a positive influence on others as well.
The third paragraph introduces a conflict within the singer's emotions. They describe their heart as a prisoner of love, longing for freedom but also fearing the permanence of loving someone without being loved in return fully. This contradiction represents the vulnerability and uncertainty that often accompanies unrequited love. The singer expresses a hesitancy to fully invest in a relationship where their feelings might not be reciprocated.
The final paragraph observes a dissonance between the singer's feelings and the reality of their situation. While they feel deeply connected to the person they address, the reciprocation is not apparent. The line "E o mundo inteiro não irá ver o verdadeiro amor acontecer" (And the whole world will not see true love happening) highlights the frustration and sadness of the singer, who longs for their love to be acknowledged and shared with the world. It emphasizes the disappointment of a love that remains unfulfilled and hidden.
Overall, these lyrics evoke a bittersweet longing for a love that is both genuine and reciprocated. They capture the complexity of unrequited feelings, the aspirations for a love that inspires others, and the pain of loving someone who does not love back in the same way.
Line by Line Meaning
Se eu fosse tua e tu fosses meu
If I were yours and you were mine
O mundo inteiro iria ver
The whole world would see
O verdadeiro amor acontecer
True love happening
E esse amor seria para o mundo inspiração
And that love would be inspiration for the world
E em cada canto, cada lugar
And in every corner, every place
Alguém se iria apaixonar
Someone would fall in love
Dentro do meu peito há um amor prisioneiro
Inside my chest, there's a prisoner love
Que anseia a liberdade
Longing for freedom
Mas teme a perpetuidade
But fears eternity
De amar sem ser inteiro
Of loving without being whole
Mas eu sou tão tua e tu não és meu
But I am so yours and you are not mine
E o mundo inteiro não irá ver
And the whole world will not see
O verdadeiro amor acontecer
True love happening
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind