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.
Querida Rosa
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que algum jardim viu nascer
Pode haver no teu canteiro uma rosa parecida
Mas nenhuma tem o cheiro
Da flor da minha vida
Querida Rosa, minha prosa, poesia
És a mais bela sem saber
Pra ter colher, primeiro
Terá antes de me ver morrer
Serei o teu fiel jardineiro
Mesmo quando a primavera terminar
Se te crescer um espinho
Cuidarei com carinho
Para que ele não te possa magoar
Querida Rosa, se o mundo acabasse
E só ficasses tu e eu
Para mim bastaria saber que acordaria
Cada dia com um beijo teu
Serei o teu fiel jardineiro
Mesmo quando a primavera terminar
Se te crescer um espinho
Cuidarei com carinho
Para que ele não te possa magoar
Se te crescer um espinho
Cuidarei com carinho
Para que ele não te possa magoar
"Querida Rosa" by Luísa Sobral is a beautiful and heartfelt song that uses the metaphor of a rose to express love, devotion, and the importance of nurturing and protecting someone special. In the first verse, the singer compares the person they're addressing, likely called Rosa, to the most beautiful flower in any garden. They acknowledge that there may be other roses in the world, but none can compare to the unique scent and beauty of the one they hold dear. This sets the tone for a declaration of deep affection and admiration.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the special place that Rosa holds in the singer's heart. They describe her as their "prose, poetry," highlighting how she inspires their creativity and brings beauty and meaning to their life. The lines "E se alguém vier certeiro / Pra ter colher, primeiro / Terá antes de me ver morrer" convey a sense of protectiveness and possessiveness, suggesting that the singer would go to great lengths to ensure Rosa's wellbeing and happiness.
The verse about being Rosa's faithful gardener reinforces the theme of care and protection. The singer pledges to tend to Rosa like a fragile flower, even when the metaphorical spring of their relationship comes to an end. The reference to a thorn growing and the promise to handle it delicately symbolize the challenges and difficulties that may arise in their relationship, but the singer vows to handle them with tenderness and love.
The closing lines of the song paint a picture of a world where only Rosa and the singer exist, highlighting the central role she plays in their life. The promise of waking up to her kiss every day is a testament to the singer's profound love and commitment. The repetition of the lines about caring for any thorns that may grow serves as a final reassurance of the singer's dedication to protecting Rosa from harm and preserving their bond. Overall, "Querida Rosa" is a tender and poetic declaration of love, loyalty, and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Querida Rosa, és a flor mais bonita
Beloved Rose, you are the most exquisite flower.
Que algum jardim viu nascer
That any garden has ever had the privilege to witness bloom.
Pode haver no teu canteiro uma rosa parecida
There may be a similar rose in your bed of flowers,
Mas nenhuma tem o cheiro
But none possess the fragrance
Da flor da minha vida
Of the flower that embodies my existence.
Querida Rosa, minha prosa, poesia
Dearest Rose, you are my prose, my poetry,
És a mais bela sem saber
You are the most beautiful without even realizing it.
E se alguém vier certeiro
And if someone arrives with certainty
Pra ter colher, primeiro
Seeking to take you first,
Terá antes de me ver morrer
They must confront my demise before they can succeed.
Serei o teu fiel jardineiro
I shall be your devoted gardener,
Mesmo quando a primavera terminar
Even when spring comes to an end.
Se te crescer um espinho
If a thorn should grow upon you,
Cuidarei com carinho
I will tend to it with care,
Para que ele não te possa magoar
So that it does not cause you harm.
Querida Rosa, se o mundo acabasse
Dearest Rose, if the world were to end,
E só ficasses tu e eu
And it was just you and me remaining,
Para mim bastaria saber que acordaria
It would be enough for me to know that I would awaken
Cada dia com um beijo teu
Each day with your kiss greeting me.
Serei o teu fiel jardineiro
I shall be your devoted gardener,
Mesmo quando a primavera terminar
Even when spring comes to an end.
Se te crescer um espinho
If a thorn should grow upon you,
Cuidarei com carinho
I will tend to it with care,
Para que ele não te possa magoar
So that it does not cause you harm.
Se te crescer um espinho
If a thorn should grow upon you,
Cuidarei com carinho
I will tend to it with care,
Para que ele não te possa magoar
So that it does not cause you harm.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Camila Anastasia Gallardo Montalva, Ximena Munoz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind