Shakira Whenever Wherever
Editor's Review:With the inaugural English single off Laundry Service by Shakira Whenever Wherever could not be a better start to a successful yet promising crossover career. The smash begins with an eletric guitar, then goes into a butt-shakin' tropical beat fiesta. The verses are also quite "tropical" more than rocky. The chorus, however, is laden with rock and tropical flavors. Like the start, the song ends quietly, this time with a flute in C#. Lyrically, as usual, we are exposed to a pleasant mystery. First, a bit of a teaser. After eight years and six albums of releasing Spanish-language hits, this is her first English-language crossover hit. So what better way would there be to kick the commerical crossover with a song about crossing over...from one land to another far far away to meet a man with freckles? This is what the first verse and chorus are revealing to us - travelling the distance to start a long-distance relationship, i.e., one played "by ear". Now, the second verse she may seem like she's selling herself. But, as usual with Shakira's lyrics, you have to look beyond the surface. In short she's breaking away from being stuck in a cage in her homeland.
Of course she needs the strong legs to crossover away from where she was. Additionally, she is not shy, therefore will not "mumble". Instead she has a gift that blends with many far away distance places - men looking for "spilling kisses" Her breasts are her breasts - small and humble. Not to be confused with the mountaineous terrain where she came from. But most importantly: her eyes, which see the primary reason why she's happy for travelling the distance - the man who she crossed over to sing to. If this is not the most intelligent way to write a crossover Latin hit - the first one in English - then I don't know what is. And I haven't even mentioned the thought of the song making ME want to pack up my bags and head the distance to the Carribean. It's only cause I haven't actually planned to do so. Yet.
Shakira Whenever Wherever - digital music download availability
Charts: U.S. pos: #6 Album: Laundry Service (2001) Shakira Whenever Wherever - top
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