Shakira: Top 10 Greatest Songs

Shakira is a Columbian singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer. She has sold over 75 million records worldwide and is the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time. Shakira has won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, eight Latin Grammy Awards, and four MTV Video Music Awards. Here are her top 10 greatest songs:

1. “Can’t Remember to Forget You”

The Can’t Remember to Forget You song was released in January 2014 as the lead single from Shakira’s self-titled tenth studio album. The song, which features vocals from Rihanna, peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

2. “Empire”

It was written by Steve Mac and Ina Wroldsen, while production was handled by Mac and Shakira. The song was released as the second single from the album on 22 February 2014. “Empire” is a downtempo rock ballad about finding a love so powerful their empire could make “the world unite”.

3. “La La La (Brazil 2014)”

The song was first released to contemporary hit radio in Italy on 24 April 2014, as the third single from the album and was later released in a remix bundle in the United States via RCA Records. The song is an uptempo dance-pop song built over drums and chants. A Spanish-language translation of the song titled “La La La” was also released.

4. “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”

It was released on 7 June 2010, as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was held in South Africa. The song peaked at number one on the South African Singles Chart, and became the best-selling World Cup song of all time.

5. “Hips Don’t Lie”

The song “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira is a pop song that was released in 2006. The song became one of the most popular songs of the year and won numerous awards. The song is about a woman’s hips and how they can be used to attract a man. The song has a very catchy beat and is very danceable. The lyrics are also very suggestive, which may be why the song was so popular.

6. “She Wolf”

It was released on October 9, 2009, by Epic Records as the lead single from Shakira’s fourth studio album of the same name. “She Wolf” is a synth-pop song with elements of rock, and lyrics that revolve around Shakira’s wild side, referring to her as a “she-wolf”. The song was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised its production, composition and Shakira’s vocal performance.

7. “Underneath Your Clothes”

It was released in 2001 as the second single from her third studio album, Laundry Service. Lyrically, the song tells the story of the unconditional love that a woman has for her boyfriend, with lyrics about being worthy of somebody’s love for being a good person and having maternal instincts.

8. “La Tortura”

It was released on 13 April 2005, by Epic Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Shakira, with additional writing and production from longtime collaborators Luis Fernando Ochoa and Lester Mendez respectively. “La Tortura” is a song with prominent influences of reggaeton, and lyrically tells the story of a woman who has been emotionally “tortured” because her boyfriend cheated and eventually left her for another, and has now returned begging forgiveness.

9. “Wherever, Whenever”

It was released as the third single from her second studio album, Laundry Service, on June 11, 2002. The song was written by Shakira and Tim Mitchell, and produced by Shakira and Luis Fernando Ochoa. “Wherever, Whenever” is a pop ballad with influences of Latin music. The lyrics are about fate and how Shakira is willing to wait for her love. The song was received positively by music critics, who praised its production and Shakira’s vocals.

10. “Try Everything”

“Try Everything” is a song recorded by Shakira for the 2016 Walt Disney Animation Studios film Zootopia, and written by Sia, Tor Hermansen, and Mikkel Eriksen. In the film, it is featured as a song recorded by a singer named Gazelle (voiced by Shakira). It is first heard when Judy Hopps plays it on her MP3 player on the train to Zootopia. It is heard again during the end credits (performed by Gazelle for the citizens of Zootopia). The song appears on the soundtrack album to Zootopia, and was released as a single in February 2016.