Top 8 Shakira songs that define her musical brilliance

Shakira's climb to worldwide fame is not just a tale about music, but also one that blends cultures, new looks, and strong performance skills. Born from the rich beats of her Colombian roots, Shakira has incorporated Latin, pop, rock, and even Middle Eastern sounds into her music that feels both very her own and is widely loved.

What makes Shakira stand out isn't just her distinct voice or her famous moves, but her ability to connect all over the world, breaking language barriers and changing what it means to be a global star. Her list of songs is more than just hits; it's an account of change, tough spirit, and stories that keep moving fans across all generations.

Shakira's music does more than mix styles; she combines profound lyricism with a lively beat. From her slow, sad songs to her fast, dance beats that are loved around the world, she gives us more than fun; she makes us feel connected. Her sound, full of Latin folk, pop, reggaeton, and rock, demonstrates her roots and bold art. She doesn't just follow what's hot; she makes her paves her own path.

Her songs stay with us, in our hearts and on our playlists, for a long time. Over the years, she has made music that speaks to both the heart and the world, bridging lands and people with her clear voice and evolving style.

More than her sound, she's known for her lively shows, where her famous hip-shake dance, a mix of Arabic and Latin moves, holds the eyes of fans all over. More than just a singer, Shakira acts as a bridge for her culture, a representation of her roots to people far and wide.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the top 8 Shakira songs of all time

When we talk about Shakira's discography, picking just a handful of songs is hard. A singer who has been singing for decades, across many lands, in multiple tongues, has shown again and again that she's more than just a pop star – she's a cultural icon.

Whether she's sharing deep feelings in a simple song or setting dance floors on fire with lively hits, Shakira exhibits true feeling and drive in her performances that reach people all around the globe.

1) Whenever, Wherever (2001)

Part of Laundry Service, Shakira dropped Whenever, Wherever in 2001. Much more than a new chapter in her discography, the song was a cultural shift. It changed the global pop landscape: mixing old Latin sounds like Andean pan flutes with pop beats and her distinct voice.

The song stood out not only for its unique sound but also for its bold lyricism, a portrait of joy, love, fate, and fight.

With an extremely catchy chorus, the raw power of the tune, wild, free, and full of life, made it a big hit. In an industry full of Western pop stars, Whenever, Wherever stretched the limits of who could do well in the world of music.

The song's top spot on charts didn't just shoot Shakira to fame; it also set the stage for Latin sounds in global pop, an impact that still echoes in contemporary pop.

2) Hips Don't Lie (2005)

Shakira and Wyclef Jean invited everyone to a party through Hips Don't Lie. Released in 2005, the song combined Caribbean drums with a Latin style in a way that was new and exciting.

Shakira's one-of-a-kind voice, deep, full of life, and smooth in rhythm, makes the song come alive, while loud horns and the strong beat make you want to dance. What made it stand out, though, was how it brought cultures together with ease.

Shakira: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour - New Jersey - Source: Getty

No matter if you spoke Spanish, English, or none at all, the beat gave a voice to all. It charted very well across countries, topping more than 50 countries.

A decade and a half later, the record is still an earworm, constantly played at parties, weddings, and countless occasions!

3) Underneath Your Clothes (2002)

From Shakira's 2001 Laundry Service album, Underneath Your Clothes, was a shift for the artist. The new soft sound was a break from the full-of-life mix of rock, Latin, and pop. It revealed a softer and deeper part of her musical self.

The song is not just about love; it's a soft, introspective record and a demonstration of a strong, long-lasting tie. Her voice, often loud and strong, is gentle, sharing a true and personal emotion that touched people all over the world.

Much more than its sweet tune or deep words, Underneath Your Clothes presented a new side of Shakira as an artist. At a time when pop songs were often just about superficial love or infatuation, Shakira gave us more. She sang a song about care, trust, and beauty beyond the surface. The song had a positive critical reception.

4) Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (2010)

Released in 2010, Shakira's Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) was much more than the FIFA World Cup; it was a wake-up call to come together. The song soon got a life of its own, mixing Afro-Caribbean sounds, fun drum beats, and Shakira’s clear voice into a song that went beyond borders.

While the joyous and lively chorus took the heart of the World Cup, the song's draw wasn't just for soccer lovers; it spanned the globe, playing at both big shows and small home meets. What made Waka Waka stand out was not only its fun tune but its theme, a shared aim of hope and good that spoke to a world in need of harmony.

The delightful music video with dancers as well as sports stars from all over made its open-hearted theme ring even louder. Years on, Waka Waka still holds a spot in people's hearts, not just as one of Shakira's top songs, but also as a lasting sign of joy, tough spirit, and music’s power to bring us together.

5) She Wolf (2009)

In 2009, Shakira presented a bold new side of herself in her hit record She Wolf. This beat-driven, electro-pop track was a big shift away from the Latin rock and pop blend that made her famous. She didn't tread the usual path. This song was a brave jump into an electronic sound that indicated she was ready to shake things up. The track rests on deep, synth beats and has a strong bass.

It's full of wild, raw power. The words tell us about a woman casting off limits and outside push, finding her own free way with a playful spark. Shakira's voice moves smoothly over the beat, a combination of soft whispers with high, strong waves of sound, pushing the idea of change. The video that came with it gave us a story in pictures, showing her as trapped yet strong at the same time.

This mix made the song's point about breaking free stand out more. She Wolf was not just a new sound - it was a fresh start that pushed her art into a new direction. It locked her in place as an artist who breaks rules and does not fear new paths, all while keeping the unique fire that always made her stand out.

6) Try Everything (2016)

In the 2016 Disney movie Zootopia, Shakira gave her voice to Gazelle, a cartoon pop star, and sang the song Try Everything. The song's catchy beat and hopeful words matched the movie's main idea about not giving up and chasing dreams no matter what.

Shakira's role as Gazelle touched many people across all ages. The song pushed them to keep going through hard times and take on life's tough challenges. It spoke to kids and grown-ups alike.

Try Everything, more than just a fun record, became a strong call to boost hope, pushing people to face hard times with boldness and following their hearts. The combination of pop with a deep lyricism established her as an artist capable of putting out fun, yet inspiring music.

7) La Tortura (2005)

Released in 2001, part of Fijación Oral, Vol. 1, La Tortura, skyrocketed Shakira and Spanish music into the mainstream world stage. Featuring Alejandro Sanz, the song combines pop with reggaeton and recites a tale of lost love and yearning.

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour - New Jersey - Source: Getty

The record set the stage for a new time for Latin pop, indicating that even with language barriers, strong tunes and true feelings can cross borders. It did more than just sell well; La Tortura was a sign, a path for Latin stars to occupy space worldwide, and shaped the sound of later music hits.

Its catchy tune and strong beat made it a hit on both the radio and in dance clubs. The toxic nature of lost love touched many hearts. By mixing old Latin sound with modern pop, the song remains iconic and still holds up. A key song in her discography, La Tortura, is known for mixing deep feeling with beat, and bringing different people together with shared feelings of love and hurt.

8) Ojos Así (1998)

From Shakira's 1998 hit Dónde Están los Ladrones?, the song Ojos Así stands out, combining Middle Eastern with a Latin vibe, a testament to her skill in mixing different music styles and genres.

The tune is rich and fast-paced, with a beat, combined with complex songwriting, which makes it feel both new and gripping. This song really shows Shakira's early art style, as she blends a range of styles and sounds to make something that stands out. The words, which mix Spanish and Arabic, show how she incorporates cultures and highlights her bold move to try new things in music.

When she sings Ojos Así, her strong voice filled with feeling, transitions from high to low. Ojos Así is praised as one of her most unique and captivating songs. It depicts the mix of cultures that mark almost all her work.

Shakira's list of songs is a bright mix that is a testament to her growth as a singer and her will to mix up genres and constantly experiment. Her music has given a voice to people across generations.

In the end, her work is a reflection of her artistic growth, appreciation for her culture as well as many others, and the strong impact she's had on music and people.

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Edited by IRMA

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