A successful Colombian music star, she had two number-one songs on Billboard's Latin Pop Airplay charts. She won a 2004 Latin Grammy Award for the self titled album "Soraya" as "Best Album by Songwriter", which she produced, and a 2005 Latin Grammy Awards nomination for "Female Pop Vocal Album" for her album El Otro Lado de Mí (literally "The Other Side of Me"). She was the opening act for the 2005 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Her career spanned ten years, and she recorded five albums.
She was born Soraya Raquel Lamilla Cuevas in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, a year after her father, mother, and brother moved to the United States from their native Colombia. The family moved back to Colombia when she was a baby, but when Soraya was eight years old, they returned to New Jersey. "Soraya" is a very common name in the Middle East, and its meaning can be translated "rich" or "princess". Soraya's maternal side of the family was Lebanese Christians who emigrated from Lebanon to Colombia. Soraya's mother, Yamila Gharib Cuevas, had been a housewife in Colombia. Soraya's father, Gregorio, worked for an exporting company in Colombia; in the U.S., life was hard for the family, so to make ends meet, he worked three or four jobs.
Soraya first became interested in music at the age of five when she heard her uncle playing music in Colombia. Her uncle played "Pueblito Viejo", a Colombian traditional folk song using an instrument called the tiple, which is a kind of guitar with triple strings. Her parents bought her a guitar, which she taught herself how to play. She became proficient in classical violin, and her first 'public' performance was at Carnegie Hall in New York City as a member of the N.Y.C. Youth Philharmonic. She was valedictorian of her class at Point Pleasant Boro High School, where she began writing her own music.
Soraya was only twelve years old when her mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer; she was eighteen when her mother had a recurrence and twenty-two when her mother died, in 1992. Soraya had said that her sense of responsibility increased because she needed to take care of her mother and do all of the chores around the house. She would also go to the doctor's office with her mother; together they did breast-cancer research and participated in the Race for the Cure.
Soraya attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she studied English literature, French philosophy, and women's studies. Initially, Soraya worried she might be too shy to play before big crowds, but she eventually triumphed over her fear and realized her tremendous talent as a live performer when she played to rapt audiences at coffee houses and rallies around the sprawling Rutgers campus. She worked as a flight attendant before starting her music career.
Soraya obtained a record contract with Polygram Records/Island Records in 1996. Her first album, released simultaneously in both English and Spanish was titled "On Nights Like This / En Esta Noche". Both versions received positive critical acclaim and enabled her to tour in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, as a guest performer in concerts for famous musicians such as Natalie Merchant, Zucchero, Sting, Michael Bolton, and Alanis Morissette.
Her songs climbed to the top of the charts just about everywhere in Latin American, European, and U.S.' Hispanic markets. Her first single "Suddenly/De Repente" reached #1 in Billboard Latin Pop listings, with the English version receiving some mainstream Adult Contemporary airplay. Her second album, Torre de Marfil / Wall of Smiles, titled after a song co-written with her idol Carole King was released in late 1997, and helped her attain worldwide recognition.
Unfortunately, in 2000, she was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer, shortly after the release of her third album "Cuerpo y Alma / I'm Yours" — just days before she was about to tour and promote it. She took time off to fight this deadful disease.
Feeling healthy and in remission, Soraya returned to the music scene in 2003 with the release of her fourth and self-titled album "Soraya". The songs reflected her struggles, beliefs, and love for life. She composed, produced, and arranged this Latin Grammy winner for "Best Album by a Singer-Songwriter" and once again - Soraya was at the top.
She created one more successful album - "El Otro Lado de Mí", before she finally succumbed to the disease in 2006.
Soraya died of breast cancer on May 10, 2006, aged 37. She was first diagnosed in 2000, at the age of 31, after finding a lump while conducting a routine self-examination. She was diagnosed at Stage III and had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction as well as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In addition to her own death, Soraya lost her mother, a grandmother, and a maternal aunt to breast cancer.
Breast cancer advocateSoraya was a breast cancer advocate for support and education, especially of Hispanic women. Soraya became the first Latin spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, touring the Americas to raise awareness. During September and October, she took a break from her music career to focus on breast awareness.
In order to encourage other women like herself, Soraya wrote and recorded "No One Else/Por Ser Quien Soy", a song that reflects her experience in fighting breast cancer. Both tracks can be downloaded on her official website. All proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
"I know there are many questions without answers, and that hope doesn't leave with me, and above all, that my mission does not end with my physical story" were Soraya's last words to her fans and the media before her passing.
Crossroads
Soraya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got to get some rest
I've been pacing around for hours
trying to understand this fate
step by step and around
I go in and out of my memory
a flashback here, a vision there,
Strange how some moments have just faded
strange how some feelings just aren't there
I'm standing at the crossroads of this world
that waits for me it lures me with caresses
like a feather on my cheek soothing me to sleep
And all the restlessness that consumed me
has disappeared and all my yearnings to fight
it have gone with my last tear I throw my life
into the hands of a forceI cannot see I pull away from what I know and unite with what I believe in
Strange how some moments have just faded
strange how some feelings just aren't there
I'm standing at the crossroads of this world
that waits for me it lures me with caresses
like a feather on my cheek soothing me to sleep
Though I've loved you all I know
I've earned my turn to think of me and only me
Here's to all we've known to the cross that we have born
something is coming to set me free ...
I'm standing at the crossroads of this world
that waits for me it lures me with caresses
like a feather on my cheek soothing me to sleep
In Soraya's song Crossroads, the singer is reflecting on a difficult decision she has had to make regarding her life's path. Jamie, the person she is speaking to, is tired from trying to help her understand her fate. The singer is struggling with memories of her past and visions of what could be ahead for her. She finds herself standing at the crossroads of life and the world is luring her with caresses, trying to ease her into a state of sleep.
Despite the confusion she feels, the singer is certain that she needs to make a change in her life. She has dedicated her love and attention to others for too long and now it is time for her to focus on herself. She is ready to throw her life into the hands of a force she cannot see, and unite with what she believes in. Though she has loved others, she has earned her turn to think only of herself. She stands at the crossroads of this world, ready to be set free and find her own path.
The lyrics of Crossroads convey a message of empowerment and self-discovery. The singer is at a turning point in her life and has realized that the only way to move forward is to let go of the past and focus on her own needs. The idea of standing at a crossroads represents the freedom to choose one's path and the courage to take that first step towards a new journey. Soraya's powerful vocals and the haunting melody of the song enhance the emotion behind the lyrics and make it a memorable and uplifting anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
Jamie said "My body's tired,
Jamie expressed that they are physically worn out and require rest.
I've got to get some rest
Jamie feels the strong need to take a break and recuperate.
I've been pacing around for hours
Jamie had been moving back and forth, feeling restless and seeking answers.
trying to understand this fate
Jamie is attempting to comprehend the outcomes of their actions.
step by step and around
Jamie feels trapped in circular thoughts and actions.
I go in and out of my memory
Jamie experiences lapses in memory and reminisces.
a flashback here, a vision there,
Jamie recalls past events and glimpses of possible futures.
I never quite felt so free
Jamie has never felt as liberated or unencumbered.
Strange how some moments have just faded
Jamie recognizes how some memories have become blurry or forgotten.
strange how some feelings just aren't there
Jamie acknowledges the absence of certain emotions.
I'm standing at the crossroads of this world
Jamie is metaphorically at a turning point in their life.
that waits for me it lures me with caresses
Jamie feels drawn towards new possibilities.
like a feather on my cheek soothing me to sleep
Jamie is comforted by the idea of starting fresh.
And all the restlessness that consumed me
Jamie used to feel overwhelmed by anxiety.
has disappeared and all my yearnings to fight
Jamie no longer feels the urge to resist change.
it have gone with my last tear I throw my life
Jamie lets go of their past struggles and embraces their future.
into the hands of a force I cannot see I pull away from what I know and unite with what I believe in
Jamie surrenders to fate and seeks guidance from their own principles.
Though I've loved you all I know
Jamie acknowledges their affection for others.
I've earned my turn to think of me and only me
Jamie believes they have the right to focus solely on themselves.
Here's to all we've known to the cross that we have born
Jamie looks back on their shared experiences and the challenges they've faced.
something is coming to set me free ...
Jamie anticipates a liberating change.
I'm standing at the crossroads of this world
Jamie is still at a pivotal moment in their life.
that waits for me it lures me with caresses
Jamie is still drawn towards new possibilities.
like a feather on my cheek soothing me to sleep
Jamie is still comforted by the idea of starting fresh.
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jessica J. Vanegas Pazzo
Hermosa cancion! Y espectacular canal! No pense encontrar esta joya y el album completo de Torre de Marfil en inglés. Gracias!