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.

Quando Te Vi
Luísa Sobral Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Quando te vi pela primeira vez
Meu coração freguês há muito te buscava
Eu sorri e dei-te a minha mão
E logo desde então sorri só p'ra ti

Quando te vi pela última vez
Levavas uma flor e um beijo embrulhado
E assim, chorando, compreendi

Que não sorris só p'ra mim

E nunca mais voltaste partiste noutra missão
Sorrir a quem sorrir e só então
Fazer chorar com o coração

Quando te vi pela primeira vez
Deixei a sensatez ao falar baixinho

Vi o amor, amei e agora sei
Não sorrirei mais a ninguém

Overall Meaning

In Luísa Sobral's song "Quando Te Vi," the lyrics speak about the powerful emotions and experiences associated with first and last encounters with a significant person. The singer vividly describes the moment when they first laid eyes on this person, expressing that their heart, a long-time customer, had been seeking them for a while. This suggests a sense of destiny and deep connection that was immediately felt upon meeting. The act of smiling and extending a hand highlights the warmth and openness that characterized this initial meeting, with the singer indicating that they smiled only for this special person from then on. This could symbolize the exclusive and intense focus of their affection and attention towards this individual.

The lyrics then shift to describing the last time the singer saw this person, who was carrying a flower and a wrapped kiss. The imagery of tears and understanding encapsulates the bittersweet nature of parting ways, as the singer realizes that the other person's smiles were not reserved solely for them. This realization brings a sense of melancholy and acceptance that the connection may not have been as unique or deep as initially believed. The emotions conveyed in this moment of farewell are poignant and reflective, capturing the complexity of human relationships and the inevitability of separation.

As the song progresses, it is revealed that the person never returned and embarked on another mission or journey, presumably to bring smiles to others and touch hearts in their own way. The idea of making others smile and cry with the heart adds layers of emotional depth and complexity to the narrative. It suggests that the person left a lasting impact on the singer, influencing their understanding of love, loss, and the transient nature of human connections. The sense of loss and longing for the departed individual is palpable in this verse, underscoring the significance of their presence in the singer's life and the void left in their absence.

In the final verse, the singer reflects on the transformative power of love and acknowledges that their encounter with this person changed them fundamentally. By leaving behind rationality and speaking softly, the singer embraced love wholeheartedly and now realizes that they will not smile for anyone else. This declaration conveys a sense of finality and emotional closure, indicating that the impact of this person's presence is indelible and has reshaped the singer's outlook on love and relationships. The lyrics capture the intensity and lasting resonance of a profound connection, as well as the poignant realization that some encounters are destined to leave an enduring mark on the heart.

Line by Line Meaning

Quando te vi pela primeira vez
Upon first seeing you

Meu coração freguês há muito te buscava
My heart, a long-time customer, had been searching for you

Eu sorri e dei-te a minha mão
I smiled and offered you my hand

E logo desde então sorri só p'ra ti
And ever since then, I only smile for you

Quando te vi pela última vez
When I saw you for the last time

Levavas uma flor e um beijo embrulhado
You carried a flower and a wrapped kiss

E assim, chorando, compreendi
And that way, crying, I understood

Que não sorris só p'ra mim
That you do not only smile for me

E nunca mais voltaste partiste noutra missão
And you never returned, you departed on another mission

Sorrir a quem sorrir e só então
To smile at whoever smiles, and only then

Fazer chorar com o coração
To make cry with the heart