Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 2005…
#8 – Fijacion Oral, Vol. 1 & Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 – Shakira
Today’s pick is a bit of a cheat, in that I’m squeezing two albums into one slot. But Shakira’s two-volume project, separated by five months, certainly feels like one extended album.
Fijacion Oral, the first (and better) volume, is performed entirely in Spanish, while Oral Fixation is fully English-language. The albums share a few titles but mostly tread different territory.
Continuing my countdown of 2024 notable album releases by women…
The Ladies of 2024
#4 – Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran
A couple of weeks ago I declared that I’m not primarily a lyrics guy. Exhibit A would be my enduring affection for the Spanish-language output of Shakira.
I enjoy the Colombian singer-songwriter’s English-language work as well, but it definitely takes a back seat to the great work she has done in her native tongue.
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.
‘The Day and the Time’ is a track from Shakira’s 2005 album Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, an English-language record that was released five months after Fijación Oral, Vol. 1, a Spanish-language counterpart.
Most of the songs on each album are unique, but two overlap. Today’s track is the English-language version of a song called ‘Dia Especial.’ The same music is used but Shakira’s vocal track is replaced.
‘Don’t Bother’ is the lead single from Shakira’s 2005 album Oral Fixation Vol. 2, the English-language follow-up to Fijacion Oral, Vol 1 from early that same year. This was Shakira’s second English-language album.
With a few exception, I’ve always preferred Shakira’s Spanish-language work, and this song is a good example of why. The lyrics are just odd to the point of distraction.
Meet Me In Montauk 