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.
2. Soraya Arnelas, a Spanish singer who represented Spain during Eurovision Song Contest 2009.
So far away
Soraya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
everything that I see
every sound that fills my head
brings it rushing back to me
You'd think by now I know
You'd think by now I'd understand
when this yearning shows it's face
It takes me so far away
it hits me so close to home
It brings me to that place
that I covered long ago
When I see that child
when I'm captured by her stare
no matter where I may run
I cannot hide anywhere
I'm challenged by her past
I'm challenged by her memories
I'm challenged by these feelings
that have distanced her from me
It takes me so far away
it hits me so close to home
It brings me to that place
that I covered long ago
And if I turn away
soon it's at my side
as if to say "your time is flying by"
and I wonder if I'll ever
fall back to my old ways
I wonder if I'll ever
find peace in my days
It takes me so far away
it hits me so close to home
It brings me to that place
that I covered long ago
So far away ...
So close to home
To that place that I cover long ago
Soraya's song "So Far Away" is an emotional and introspective reflection on the past and how it continues to influence the present. The opening lines of the song express how every experience, sight, and sound triggers a flood of memories from the past. Despite having lived through these memories, the singer reveals that they still struggle to understand and reconcile with them. The mention of yearning insinuates that the memories elicit a sense of longing, possibly for a time before things changed.
The core theme of the song is revealed in the chorus when Soraya sings, "It takes me so far away, it hits me so close to home, it brings me to that place that I covered long ago." The song is about the singer's inability to escape from the influence of the past, no matter how far they run. The past is not only haunting but also seems to confront the singer everywhere, leading them to question if they will ever find peace in their days.
Soraya's use of pronouns in the song provides a sense of ambiguity, leaving it unclear whether the singer is reflecting on their own past, a friend's past, or the past of the little girl mentioned in the song. However, the verses' content suggests that the singer may be reflecting on their own struggles with past memories, including past versions of themselves. The song's overall message highlights the importance of coming to terms with the past rather than trying to run away from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Everywhere I go
No matter where I am, my memories always follow me
everything that I see
Everything I look at reminds me of something from my past
every sound that fills my head
Every noise triggers a memory and fills me with emotion
brings it rushing back to me
My memories flood my mind and I feel overwhelmed
You'd think by now I know
Despite my experiences, I still struggle with the same feelings
You'd think by now I'd understand
I wish I could understand why I still feel this way
when this yearning shows it's face
My desire to return to the past becomes apparent
I am nothing in it's hand
My desire controls me, not the other way around
It takes me so far away
My memories transport me to another time and place
it hits me so close to home
Even though I'm far away, my memories make me feel like I'm back home
It brings me to that place
My memories take me back to a specific place and time
that I covered long ago
I did my best to forget and move on from this place
When I see that child
Seeing a child triggers intense emotions and memories
when I'm captured by her stare
When I make eye contact with a child, I feel trapped by my memories
no matter where I may run
I can't escape my past by simply moving to a different location
I cannot hide anywhere
My memories will always find me, no matter how hard I try to hide
I'm challenged by her past
The child's past reminds me of my own struggles and challenges
I'm challenged by her memories
The child's memories trigger my own memories, making me feel overwhelmed
I'm challenged by these feelings
My emotions are difficult to manage and control
that have distanced her from me
My past has created a divide between me and this child
And if I turn away
I try to ignore and avoid my memories
soon it's at my side
My memories quickly come back to me, no matter how hard I try to ignore them
as if to say "your time is flying by"
My memories remind me that time is passing and I need to make the most of it
and I wonder if I'll ever
I question whether or not I'll be able to move on from my past
fall back to my old ways
I'm afraid that I'll revert to my old habits and emotions
find peace in my days
I hope to find inner peace and contentment one day
So far away ...
My past feels distant and removed from my current reality
So close to home
My past is still very present and affects my daily life
To that place that I cover long ago
My memories take me back to a specific place and time that I tried to forget
Contributed by Aria R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@karmalewis2064
I have been searching for this song on and off since 2001 - after loving it as a young teen in 1999 on a compilation CD - I am so saddened that she has passed away - I connect to this song so much and listening to some of her other tracks right now she was a very talented artist. RIP. xx
@gustavoinfinito3841
What an angelical voice she had :(.
@josejuanperezramos
No sabes si alguna disquera ha lanzado un recopilatorio o Greatest Hits de Soraya, como que no la han reconocido como debe. Aunque no la conoci siempre fui fan de ella cuando lanza su primer cd en 1996, tenia yo 16 años y su muerte, aunque no fui familiar me dolio mucho porque su rostro y canciones demostraban Sinceridad, Paz y Humanismo. Ojala le hagan homenajes, porque su legado si la ha convertido en Leyenda. Saludos desde Mexico donde siempre se le querra.
@troyaoficial3417
This song peaked # 51 on the Australian Chart
@mickstunes6383
It got plenty of radio play back then. Thankfully so because I never would've heard it otherwise. It's a beautiful song.
@oollarves
Soraya aún vive en cada uno de nosotros, sus fans. ❤️
@sorayaforever
No tienes porque, SORAYA VIVE! y vivira eternamente en nosotros, yo la recuerdo en mis clases dia con dia cuando les enseño a mis alumnas lo importante que es la autoexploracion para la prevencion oportuna del cancer de seno.
@yadirarojas2000
Soraya siempre estaras presente. Tu dulzura y talento no se pueden olvidar. Dios te quiso en mejor sitio. Te extrañamos.
@PeterLamilla
Feliz cumpleaños Soraya =)
@sashisashimi
I'll never forget you Soraya. Thank you so much for your music that touches me deep inside. You live forever in your Songs thank you