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.
Hypnotized
Soraya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got me feeling like a prize
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Both of us harmonised
Both of us harmonised
Our connection took me by surprise
I know you feel it too
I know you feel it too
And you want it to
I know you feel it too
And you want it to
I know you feel it too
And you want it to
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And it resonate with me
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And I'm where I wanna be
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Both of us harmonised
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Our connection took me by surprise
Fuck the club
With you I'd like to stay in
Dancing together
Both our hips swaying
At home adventure
So intoxicating
With you no pressure
Yet my heart is racing
I know you feel it too
And you want it to
I know you feel it too
And you want it to
I know you feel it too
And you want it to
I know you feel it too
And you want it to
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And it resonate with me
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And I'm where I wanna be
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Both of us harmonised
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Our connection took me by surprise
We in unison like pasta and pesto
We be writing the good vibe manifesto
Hungover but you still make me feel fresh though
I know that our love will never plateau
No need
For insecurities
they go out the window
Lonely
A past reality
a thing I now feel no more
No need
For insecurities
they go out the window
Lonely
A past reality
a thing I now feel no more
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And it resonate with me
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And I'm where I wanna be
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Both of us harmonised
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Our connection took me by surprise
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And it resonate with me
You got me hypnotised
I feel your energy
You open up my eyes
And I'm where I wanna be
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Both of us harmonised
Got me feeling energised
Got me feeling like a prize
Our connection took me by surprise
The lyrics to Soraya's song "Hypnotized" express the transformative power of a deep connection with someone. The song begins with the singer feeling energized and valued, as if they are a prized possession. They emphasize the harmonious relationship between them and their partner, a connection that took them both by surprise. The lyrics convey the understanding that the partner shares the same feelings and desires as the singer.
The chorus repeats the phrase "You got me hypnotized," signifying how the partner's presence and energy captivate and enthral the singer. The partner's energy opens their eyes to a new perspective, resonating deeply within them. The singer expresses contentment, stating that being with their partner is where they truly want to be.
The second verse introduces a desire to escape the club scene and stay in with the partner, dancing and swaying their hips together. The home becomes an adventurous and intoxicating environment, where there is no pressure but the heart races with excitement. The lyrics reflect the reassurance that the partner shares the same emotions and wants the same connection.
Overall, the song captures the powerful and transformative effects of a deep connection with someone, highlighting the electrifying energy and resonating presence of a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Got me feeling energised
I feel invigorated and full of energy
Got me feeling like a prize
I feel valuable and worthy
Both of us harmonised
We are in sync and in perfect harmony
Our connection took me by surprise
Our bond came unexpectedly and caught me off guard
I know you feel it too
I am aware that you also experience the same emotions
And you want it to
And you desire for it to continue
You got me hypnotised
You have captivated and fascinated me
I feel your energy
I sense your vibrant and powerful presence
You open up my eyes
You broaden my perspective and help me see clearly
And it resonate with me
And it deeply resonates with my soul
And I'm where I wanna be
And I am exactly where I desire to be
Fuck the club
I have no interest in going to crowded places
With you I'd like to stay in
I prefer to spend time with you at home
Dancing together
We move in rhythm and harmony
Both our hips swaying
Our bodies effortlessly move and dance
At home adventure
Our time together is filled with excitement and exploration
So intoxicating
It is incredibly thrilling and captivating
With you no pressure
When I'm with you, there is no stress or expectation
Yet my heart is racing
Yet I feel a strong and fast heartbeat
We in unison like pasta and pesto
We are perfectly matched and complement each other
We be writing the good vibe manifesto
We are creating a declaration of positive energy and happiness
Hungover but you still make me feel fresh though
Even when I feel tired or worn out, you rejuvenate my spirit
I know that our love will never plateau
I am confident that our love will continue to grow and never stagnate
No need for insecurities
I have no reason to doubt or feel uncertain
They go out the window
Those insecurities are completely eliminated
Lonely, a past reality
Feeling lonely is now a thing of the past for me
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Soraya Jansen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind