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.
maria do mar
Luísa Sobral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maria era do mar mas o mar não era dela
E por viver numa ilha
No meio do azul plantada maria além do nome
Tinha o mar como morada
Maria, Maria do Mar se o vento voltar
O dia há-de vir em que um queira ficar
E só no teu nome navegar
Sabe prever tempestades conhece as marés
E os peixes que bem cedo
Lhe vêm beijar os pés
Maria, Maria do Mar se o vento voltar
Solta o cabelo vai ver os barcos partir
O dia há-de vir em que um queira ficar
E só no teu nome navegar
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Uh uh uh uh uh uh uh uh
Maria, Maria do Mar se o vento voltar
Solta o cabelo vai ver os barcos partir
O dia há-de vir em que um queira ficar
E só no teu nome navegar
E só no teu nome navegar
E só no teu nome navegar
The lyrics of "Maria do Mar" by Luisa Sobral tell the story of Maria, a woman who lives by the sea and feels a deep connection to it. The song describes how Maria gazes at the sea every day through her window, symbolizing her strong bond with the ocean. Despite being intimately tied to the sea, the lyrics suggest that Maria does not possess the sea; instead, she is part of it and belongs to it in a spiritual sense. This distinction highlights the idea that while Maria may live by the sea, she understands that she is just a small part of its vastness and power.
Living on an island surrounded by the deep blue sea, Maria is depicted as someone who is deeply rooted in her environment. The ocean is not just a physical presence in her life but also a spiritual one, serving as her home and defining her identity. The repetition of the phrase "Maria do Mar" emphasizes this connection, as if her name and the sea are inseparable entities. This bond with the sea is portrayed as a fundamental aspect of Maria's existence, shaping her perceptions and experiences.
The lyrics also evoke a sense of longing and anticipation in Maria's life. The mention of the wind and the sight of boats departing suggest a theme of departure and change. Maria is encouraged to let her hair loose and watch the boats sail away, implying a sense of freedom and acceptance of transient experiences. The lyrics hint at a future day when someone may choose to stay by her side, navigating through life with her only by her name. This reflects Maria's openness to new connections and possibilities, despite her deep-rooted connection to the sea.
The repetitive refrain "E só no teu nome navegar" reinforces the idea of navigating through life with Maria's name as a guiding force. It suggests that Maria's identity and connection to the sea are essential elements that influence her journey through life. The soothing and meditative melody of the song, coupled with the poetic imagery, conveys a sense of acceptance, resilience, and introspection. Overall, "Maria do Mar" captures the essence of a woman deeply connected to the sea, finding solace, wisdom, and a sense of belonging in its vastness.
Line by Line Meaning
Todos os dias Maria olhava o mar pela janela
Every day Maria looked at the sea through the window
Maria era do mar mas o mar não era dela
Maria belonged to the sea but the sea didn't belong to her
E por viver numa ilha
And for living on an island
No meio do azul plantada maria além do nome
In the middle of the blue, Maria, beyond her name, was planted
Tinha o mar como morada
Had the sea as her dwelling
Sabe prever tempestades conhece as marés
Knows how to predict storms, knows the tides
E os peixes que bem cedo Lhe vêm beijar os pés
And the fish that come early to kiss her feet
E só no teu nome navegar
And only sail in your name
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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