Shakira unleashed Pies Descalzos 29 years ago, marking her third studio album following Magía (1991) and Peligro (1993). Since its release on Oct. 6, 1995, under Sony Music Colombia, the 13-track set co-written entirely by the Colombian artist and Luis Fernando Ochoa is a staple in Latin music thanks to its timeless songs such as “Estoy Aquí,” “Antología” and “¿Dónde Estás Corazón?”
The album’s commercial success put a then-emerging Shakira on the map, peaking at No. 5 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart in summer 1996. But beyond its Latin pop and alternative rock fusions, it was the then-18-year-old’s lyricism that instantly enchanted and connected with fans.
Shakira was young. She was vulnerable. She was in love — and it all reflected in her compositions.
Over the years, her sound has consistently evolved, but her emotional lyrics have remained intact, drawing inspiration from personal experiences that mirror fearless versions of herself, now even more so, as a single mother of two.
Since her very public breakup in 2022 from her longtime partner, and father of her two children, soccer star Gerard Piqué, Shakira has gravitated to music as a healing method. Just last month, she delivered “Soltera,” a vibrant tropical tune about enjoying the single life. Her therapeutic breakup journey, however, traces back to her first collaborative effort with Ozuna, “Monotonía” — and evidently gave life to her latest studio album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.
Below, Billboard shares five Shakira songs that best showcase her healing evolution.
“Monotonía”
Image Credit: Jaume de la Iguana
The quintessential no-holds-barred duet released in 2022 was the first sign that Shakira was having relationship problems. Powered by a bachata tune, Shak doesn’t hold back, and is as honest as one can get singing about heartbreak and the end of what seemed to be a perfect relationship. “It wasn’t your fault, nor was it mine; it was the monotony’s fault/ I never said anything, but it hurt/ I knew this would happen,” she sings through tears in the song’s graphic music video that generated more than 10 million views within 14 hours of its release on YouTube.
When the Colombian and Argentine hitmaker joined forces for Shak’s first single of 2023, all hell broke loose. In the nearly four-minute dance-pop track, Shak is more unapologetic and empowered than ever, spitting diss verses to her ex-boyfriend and even throwing a jab at his new girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti. “I’m not getting back with you, don’t cry for me, nor beg me/ I understand that it’s not my fault that they criticize you/I only make music, sorry that it bothers you,” she chants. The banger rapidly made history as the biggest debut for a Latin song on YouTube, with an estimated 50 million views in 24 hours.
In perfect timing, Shakira and Karol G (who was dealing with ex-boyfriend, Anuel AA, drama on social media at the time) joined forces on “TQG.” Short for “Te Quedó Grande,” which loosely translates to “I was too good for you,” is a somber, hard-hitting reggaetón song that’s packed with fierce lyrics about getting over an ex and successfully moving on. “It hurt me to see you with the new one, but I’m already doing my own thing,” declares Shakira on the track that spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. The Ovy on the Drums-produced banger also debuted No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. tallies, and peaked at No. 7 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
From monotony in her relationship to slamming her ex to embracing her self-worth, Shakira delivered an emotional open letter to her children in “Acóstico.” Co-written by Shakira, Keityn, Lexuz and other contributions at La Creme, the stripped-down piano ballad is a poetic composition constructed so that the initial letter of each line of lyrics, taken consecutively, spells out the names of her two sons: Milan and Sasha. Released on Mother’s Day last year, the heartfelt song is about a mother who can turn her pain into strength through the love of her kids.
Embracing her newfound freedom, Shakira sings about the pleasures of being single in “Soltera.” Furthermore, the tropical-pop fusion with notes of Kizomba and Calypso rhythms encapsulates a celebration of self-liberation. “I have the right to misbehave/ To have a good time/ I’m on my own and now I can do what I want to do/ It’s good to be single,” she zestfully sings. In celebration of her new single, the Colombian artist has been promoting the song with her star-studded girl group that includes Anitta, TINI, Natti Natasha, Lele Pons, and Danna, to name a few.
Billboard Latin Music Week is returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with confirmed superstars including Feid, Gloria Estefan, Pepe Aguilar, Alejandro Sanz, Thalía, Maria Becerra, Peso Pluma, and Young Miko, among many others. For tickets and more details, visit Billboardlatinmusicweek.com.
