Shakira

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Lucky you were born that far away so
We could both make fun of distance
Lucky that I love a foreign land for
The lucky fact of your existence
Baby, I would climb the Andes solely
To count the freckles on your body
Never could imagine there were only
Ten million ways to love somebody

[Pre-Chorus]
Le ro lo le lo le, le ro lo le lo le
Can't you see?
I'm at your feet

[Chorus]
Whenever, wherever
We're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal, my dear
Thereover, hereunder
You'll never have to wonder
We can always play by ear
But that's the deal, my dear

[Verse 2]
Lucky that my lips not only mumble
They spill kisses like a fountain
Lucky that my breasts are small and humble
So you don't confuse them with mountains
Lucky I have strong legs like my mother
To run for cover when I need it
And these two eyes that for no other
The day you leave will cry a river
[Pre-Chorus]
Le ro lo le lo le, le ro lo le lo le
At your feet
I'm at your feet

[Chorus]
Whenever, wherever
We're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal, my dear
Thereover, hereunder
Or up above, don't wonder
We can always play by ear
But that's the deal, my dear

[Bridge]
Le ro le le lo le, le ro le le lo le
Think out loud, say it again
Le ro lo le lo le lo le
Tell me one more time
That you'll live
Lost in my eyes

[Chorus]
Whenever, wherever
We're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal, my dear
Thereover, hereunder
You've got me head over heels
There's nothing left to fear
If you really feel the way I feel
Whenever, wherever
We're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal, my dear
Thereover, hereunder
You've got me head over heels
There's nothing left to fear
If you really feel the way I feel

It’s not difficult to agree that Shakira is a legend in the music world. One of her most iconic songs which lead to her breakthrough is “Whenever, Wherever”. This Latin-pop track that has Andean elements was released in August 2001 by Epic Records as the first single for her album Laundry Service.

About Whenever, Wherever

“Whenever, Wherever” is a song that was written, composed, and produced by Shakira and Tim Mitchell, along with additional songwriting credits given to Gloria Estefan. The song has two versions, the English version, and the Spanish version called “Suerte”. Both versions are sung entirely by Shakira.

The instrumentation of “Whenever, Wherever” is filled with plenty of Andean panpipes, bongos, guitar feedback, and chanting. The lyrics of the track focus on how the singer has been lucky to find her soulmate and that they will be together “whenever, wherever”.

The song became successful in the United States certified Gold, and number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a hit globally, having topped the charts in 29 countries, including Columbia, Europe, South America, and Oceania. The track’s success continued increasing through the years, and to date, it has sold over 8.5 million copies globally.

The music video of the song was directed by Francis Lawrence and was recorded in Los Angeles. In the clip, Shakira dances on a beach, surrounded by sea-inspired props, and then performs a dance routine with a troupe in a forest.

The song was first performed by Shakira during her Tour of the Mongoose and has since become a staple in her live performances as it is often included in her round of encores. The song has received numerous criticisms for its lyrical content, with some people believing that the track portrays Latin America as exotic.

The success of “Whenever, Wherever” helped to raise Shakira’s profile globally and paved the way for the singer to create her music in her unique style that embraced her mixed heritage.

The song’s unique instrumental arrangements made it a standout track since it deviated from the typical pop songs that were being released at the time. The fusion of different cultural sounds in “Whenever, Wherever” not only offered a fresh perspective to pop music but also highlighted Shakira’s Andean roots, making it very significant to her dedicated fan base.

The Conclusion

In essence, “Whenever, Wherever” is undoubtedly one of Shakira’s most popular songs. The dance hit’s success has had a lasting impact on the pop industry and has helped to pave the way for more multi-ethnic pop stars. The song's fusion of different sounds, including Latin, Andean, and pop, showcases Shakira’s culture and heritage as well as makes it a classic that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of music lovers worldwide.

• Release Date: August 27, 2001
• Artist: Shakira