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.

What Do You See In Lily?
Luísa Sobral Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What do you see in Lily
That turns your world upside down?
Is it the freckle on her nose?
'Cause I have one too
And I know quite small but I
Can show it to you

What do you see in Lily

That makes you smile like a fool?
Is it her perfect lips
Slightly smaller than mine
Or the way her cheeks look when
She has too much wine?

I find myself wondering why fight a flower?
But I want you to see
That Lily doesn't love you
Likes she loves Louis
And Lily doesn't love you like me

What do you see in Lily
That makes me want to cry?
Is it all the books she reads
That make her look smart
Or the fact that she knows
All Louis' songs by heart?

I find myself wondering why fight a flower?
But I want you to see
That Lily doesn't love you
Likes she loves Louis
And Lily doesn't love you like me

Lily doesn't love you likes she loves Louis
And Lily doesn't love you like me

Overall Meaning

In Luisa Sobral's song "What Do You See In Lily?", the lyrics express the confusion and longing of the singer towards someone who is infatuated with another person named Lily. The first verse contemplates the reasons behind the allure of Lily, questioning what it is about her that captivates the person's attention. The mention of a freckle on Lily's nose becomes a symbol of uniqueness and individuality, as the singer also possesses one and offers to reveal it as well. This may suggest that the singer feels a sense of similarity or connection with Lily, but wonders why it is not reciprocated in the same way.

The second verse delves deeper into the effect Lily has on the person, causing them to smile foolishly. The focus shifts to Lily's physical features, specifically her lips and the way her cheeks look when she has consumed too much wine. These descriptions give a sense of admiration and fascination towards Lily's charm and beauty. However, it becomes evident that the singer is comparing themselves to Lily, acknowledging their own physical features as well.

The third verse unveils a sense of heartbreak and jealousy as the singer recognizes that Lily doesn't love the person in the same way they desire. The mention of books that make Lily appear smart reflects her intellectual depth, which may attract the person even more. Additionally, the fact that Lily knows all of Louis's songs by heart suggests a shared connection or history between Lily and Louis, possibly indicating a romantic involvement. This realization becomes a source of emotional pain for the singer, and they question why they continue to fight for someone's affection when it seems unlikely to be reciprocated.

The repetition of the lines "Lily doesn't love you like she loves Louis, and Lily doesn't love you like me" in the concluding lyrics emphasizes the singer's longing and frustration. These lines reaffirm the lack of reciprocal love between the person and Lily, highlighting the pain of knowing that Lily's heart belongs to someone else. The song ultimately captures the unrequited love and the conflicting emotions of desire, admiration, and heartbreak experienced by the singer towards Lily.

Line by Line Meaning

What do you see in Lily
I'm curious about what captivates you about Lily

That turns your world upside down?
That has such a profound impact on your life?

Is it the freckle on her nose?
Is it her unique features, like the freckle on her nose?

'Cause I have one too
Because I share a similar feature

And I know quite small but I
And although it may seem insignificant, I

Can show it to you
Can proudly reveal it to you

That makes you smile like a fool?
That brings such a joyful expression to your face?

Is it her perfect lips
Perhaps it's her flawless lips

Slightly smaller than mine
Slightly different in size than mine

Or the way her cheeks look when
Or the adorable blush on her cheeks when

She has too much wine?
She indulges in a bit too much wine?