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.
Pequena Dor
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quase nem sequer te dói
É só um ligeiro ardor
Que não mata mas que mói
É uma dor pequenina
Quase como se não fosse
É como a tangerina
Tem um sumo agridoce
Se a causa não se vê?
Se não é por desamor
Então é uma dor de quê?
Não exponhas essa dor
É preciosa e é só tua
Não a mostres,
Tem pudor
É um lado oculto da lua
Não é vício nem costume
Deve ser inquietação
Não há nada que a arrume dentro do teu coração
Talvez seja a dor de ser
Só a sente quem a tem
Ou será a dor de vir?
A dor de ir mais além
Certo é ser a dor de quem
Não se dá por satisfeito
Não a matas, guarda bem
Guardada no fundo do peito
Luísa Sobral's song Pequena Dor is about the pain that one experiences internally. The song portrays the idea that this pain, although small, may not always be visible to others. The singer explains that this 'small pain' is not caused by a lack of love, but something else that is not immediately clear. It is a pain that is uniquely experienced by the individual who is feeling it.
The singer advises the listener to keep this pain to themselves as it is something that is precious and private. The pain is not a habit or addiction but may stem from feelings of restlessness. The lyrics suggest that there is nothing that can completely get rid of this pain within one's heart. Perhaps it is the pain of feeling incomplete or the fear of the unknown, but the only certainty is that it belongs to those who never feel completely satisfied.
Overall, Pequena Dor is a introspective song that explores a common yet complex aspect of the human experience. It reminds us that each person's pain is unique to them and should be valued as a part of their internal journey.
Line by Line Meaning
A tua pequena dor
Refers to a pain that is small and personal to the individual.
Quase nem sequer te dói
The pain is almost unnoticeable.
É só um ligeiro ardor
Describes the pain as a mild burning sensation.
Que não mata mas que mói
The pain is not lethal but rather a persistent source of discomfort.
É uma dor pequenina
The pain is small in amplitude and intensity.
Quase como se não fosse
The pain is almost imperceptible.
É como a tangerina
The pain is similar to the bittersweet taste of a tangerine.
Tem um sumo agridoce
Just like the fruit, the pain has a bittersweet essence.
De onde vem essa dor
Questions the origin and source of the pain.
Se a causa não se vê?
If one can't identify the cause, then where is the pain stemming from?
Se não é por desamor
If it's not caused by a lack of love or affection, then what could it be?
Então é uma dor de quê?
Asks the question of what is causing the pain if it is not love-related.
Não exponhas essa dor
Advises not to reveal or externalize the pain.
É preciosa e é só tua
Emphasizes the value and uniqueness of the pain as an individual experience.
Não a mostres
Suggests keeping the pain hidden and protected.
Tem pudor
There is a sense of shame or modesty associated with the pain.
É um lado oculto da lua
Compares the pain to the hidden side of the moon, as something mysterious and not fully revealed.
Não é vício nem costume
The pain is not a habit or addiction.
Deve ser inquietação
Speculates that the pain may stem from inner restlessness or anxiety.
Não há nada que a arrume dentro do teu coração
The pain cannot be resolved or organized within one's heart.
Talvez seja a dor de ser
Suggests that the pain may stem from simply existing or being alive.
Só a sente quem a tem
Implies that only the person experiencing the pain can truly understand it.
Ou será a dor de vir?
Questions whether the pain is caused by the anticipation of something in the future.
A dor de ir mais além
The pain of going beyond one's comfort zone.
Certo é ser a dor de quem
The one certainty is that the pain is caused by someone who is not content or satisfied.
Não se dá por satisfeito
The person experiencing the pain is not happy or fulfilled.
Não a matas, guarda bem
Advises not to try to silence the pain, but rather to keep it safe and protected.
Guardada no fundo do peito
Encourages hiding the pain deep down inside one's heart.
Writer(s): rui veloso
Contributed by Sophia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.