Shakira is the only artist I have consistently listened to in a language other than English. In fact, I prefer the albums she has recorded in her native Spanish over her English-language projects.
I don’t know if that speaks to something unique in Shakira’s music that helps me get over that barrier, or if I just haven’t spent enough time listening to other artists in their native tongues. Maybe a bit of both.
Two years after Pies Descalzos made her name, Shakira released 1998’s Dónde Están los Ladrones?, a wonderful album that remains her creative peak.
The album’s title (which translates to “Where are the thieves?”) was inspired by an incident in which Shakira’s luggage was stolen at the Bogota airport. She lost her notebook of lyrics for her next album and was forced to start from scratch. This was in the days before external hard drives.
Seeing Shakira at the inaugural celebration the other day (on TV, that is) reminded me that it’s been awhile since I featured her on the blog. Having picked a ballad last time, I’ve decided to go with a more fast-paced tune today.
‘Ojos Asi’ is the closing track on Shakira’s excellent Donde Estan los Ladrones? album. It mixes Latin beats with Indian and Arabic influences into a heady, sultry dance track. The titles means “Eyes Like Yours” in Spanish, and having not looked into the translation, I’m assuming this is another love song.
I’m a lyrics guy.
I’ve never been into instrumental music, apart from the occasional jazz or classical album that slips through the cracks. I hate jam bands. I like verses, choruses and bridges. I like words in my music.
So I never found room for foreign language artists in my collection. I’ve enjoyed a Puccini aria or two, sure, but no international pop or rock stars. I just didn’t see myself getting into songs performed in another language.
And then I found Shakira.
Meet Me In Montauk 