I don’t know if I can defend — on artistic grounds — my enduring affection for Shakira.
Her lyrics are often absurd, and only sometimes intentionally. Her voice can be jarring, even grating. Her music tends toward mid-tempo soft rock with a dash of top 40.
And yet I own, and love, all eight of her studio albums — including five recorded in part or in full in Spanish.
The best explanation I can come up with is that the woman simply makes great records. I don’t hear a boring song on any of her albums. She takes interesting stylistic departures (some reggae here, a little salsa there, a bit of electronica to keep things interesting) that work despite the odds.
Shakira’s latest album, self-titled, is another unlikely winner. Two listens in, I already knew all the songs. Some “better” artists release albums I never quite get, but Shakira has yet to fail me.
I might not get it, but I’m happy about it.
Hid behind a wall
Piling up the bricks
Hoping they would fall
Girl meets a boy
Surrender to his charms
Leaves her old boyfriend
And crumbles in his arms
And if they wanna make me pay now
Then go on
Cause loving you was never wrong
Here is my life in the spotlight, spotlight
And it’s hurting my eyes
Because it’s so bright, so bright
But you are the thing I was missing and I couldn’t find
And I wouldn’t give you up even if I end up blind
Been busy for a while
Laying golden eggs
Some just want your money
Or whatever they can take
But you’re your own man
Don’t need anyone else
You’re here because you want me
And not for what I make
Hey, they better know
If there is a price to pay now, the game is on
Cause in the end you know I won
Here is my life in the spotlight, spotlight
And it’s hurting my eyes
Because it’s so bright, so bright
But you are the thing I was missing and I couldn’t find
And I wouldn’t give you up even if I end up blind
And every camera flash my way
And every word of every page
Well they can say whatever they want to
Cause what we got is just so real
That they can’t change the way I feel
Cause I would do it all again for you
Here is my life in the spotlight, spotlight
And it’s hurting my eyes
Because it’s so bright (so bright)
But you are the thing I was missing and I couldn’t find
And I wouldn’t give you up even if I end up blind
Here is my life in the spotlight, spotlight
And it’s hurting my eyes
Because it’s so bright (so bright)
But you are the thing I was missing and I couldn’t find
And I wouldn’t give you up even if I end up blind
I enjoy watching Shakira on The Voice. She is beautiful, sweet and interacts well with her three male co-judges (Adam Levine, Usher and Blake Shelton) . However, I still haven’t warmed up to her music, at least not most of the songs I have heard (which have been mostly through your blog). But hey, if you get enjoyment out of her music and her voice, even in the absence of looking at her, more power to ya!
I really loved that Hips Don’t Lie song. I mean LOVED it. Other than that, still a beautiful woman with a great voice but not so enthralled with other selections.
I don’t know much about her music, but no song I’ve heard ever draws me in all that much (if at all), but I agree with Dana that she is absolutely delightful on The Voice. Therefore, I’m happy to hear that she has a faithful fan in you 🙂