stuck in my head...

For some reason, I've had an urge to listen to "La Tortura" on my ipod repeatedly... it is hands down one of my favorite songs ever... Shakira + Alejandro Sanz = magic!

I love everything about this video! The words, Shakira's mesmerizing dancing, Alejandro Sanz's slightly raspy yet rich voice... and I really appreciate Shakira's slightly grungy look for this production, complete with untamed curly hair... you can see her freckles! This song has stuck with me for a while and I don't think it'll be leaving anytime soon.

more of Shakira's gorgeously natural look
(but slightly made up... can't see her freckles here)

Not everyone can appreciate her voice - at times it has a guttural quality and she oftentimes sings a key or so deeper. But I love it because it's unique and encourages you to think on the words... the perfect medium for an alternative folksy-rock-pop chanteuse with plenty of messages.

A prime example of her listen-to-my-words style... "Pies Descalzos" from her earlier work (before she broke into the hearts of the mainstream US audience...)

She even dances barefoot (pies descalzos) here!

Not that there's anything wrong with makeup or changing your style or making lots more money, just noting that there has been a definite change in Shakira's style... you'd have to be deaf, dumb, and blind to not see that.

Shakira's newer material is very catchy and has brought this talented artist a lot more attention. The jump to a more glamourpuss and sexy look - as well as a more polished and heavily-produced sound style - starts with "She Wolf."

On the surface the song seems to be about club-crawling and bringing out your inner animal, whatever that may be. But History International has once again, taught me something new: back in Campagna during the days of the Roman Empire, a lupinaria was the term for a brothel. Literally, lupinaria means "den of the wolves," specifically a lady-wolf according to the guest speakers on History International. Prostitutes were referred to as she-wolves in slang at the time. Thus, Shakira adds a layer of hidden meaning - that stigma and shame (seen the cage?) associated with sex workers or even women who are liberated in their sexuality - to the palimpsest that is "She Wolf." That judgement is undoubtedly echoed in the comments left by those who are too quick to judge Shaki as a sellout.

"Rabiosa" is a fun collaboration with hitmaker Pitbull and makes you want to dance. It's a very good dance song but that's all it really is - a dance song. That and a risqué music video with Shakira taking her belly-dancing ways to another level.

Don't get me wrong, I still like this song and I always pump this jam while driving in the car (that's right, I gotta pump this jam!) I like the way she looks with the short bob and I like the party atmosphere of the song... I just happen to like her older work - the likes of "La Tortura" - a bit more.