Shakira’s
countdown of
Top 7 Most Iconic
Music Video
Published MARCH 2024
Harpsichord’s official song chart that attempts to guestimate which music videos from the Colombian singer, Shakira, are the most iconic. Factors in: Reported charting data and/or progression from YouTube views; online social media discussion — far as Twitter, Tik Tok; relevancy in the news; chatter amongst fans, as far as social media and in person exchanges; and artist’s own attention to the video. Most of this ranking is based off of Shakira receiving the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards Video Vanguard Award.
With this interactive countdown, you can click on the picture frames to watch the music videos, because we miss MTV and BET as much as you do…
harpsichord’s
Top 7 Most Iconic Shakira Music Videos
Published March 2024
7
Can’t Remember To Forget You
By Shakira ft Rihanna (2014)
Over a reggae-rock instrumental, both international bombshells sizzle while reminiscing about their former flames. “The only memory of us kissing in the moonlight,” they harmonize with one another. In a moment that resembles steamy lesbianism, there is an element of new wave and merengue music that calls to Shakira’s legendary style.
Last Chart: - -
Peak: No. 7
“Can’t Remember To Forget You” appears on the countdown of Rihanna 101 Most Popular songs of the Moment
6
La Tortura
By Shakira ft Alejandro Sanz (2005)
Withering about, the Columbian sensation sings about the torture of being in love. In the 2000s heyday of reggaeton, the main production instrumentation that stands out is the steamy strumming of an acoustic guitar, and the jubilancy of the accordion. A song that championed the genre of cumbia, became an international smash, topping the US Hot Latin Songs chart for 25 weeks.
Last Chart: No. 5
Peak: No. 5
5
TQG
By Karol G & Shakira (2023)
Colombian pop’s two biggest international superstars found themselves in the headlines for the same reason: toxic break ups. “TQG” is an acronym in Spanish for "Te Quedó Grande," which translates to “Too Big For You,” in English. Over a reggaeton beat, the ladies sing about just that, with them taking swipes at their exes, as well as Shakira returning the favor to Piqué’s alleged mistress. In the music video, they replicate what Shakira has done alongside Beyoncé in 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” imagery: dancing side by side, sensually and confidently, while asserting their feminine power.
Last Chart: No. 7
Peak: No. 5
“TQG” Is One of the 64 songs that appears in the inaugural issue of harpsichord zine
4
Beautiful Liar
By Beyoncé ft Shakira (2007)
Playing nearly identical twins, the biggest pop stars of the 2000s linked up for a magical experience that combined Bey’s knack for hip hop soul with Shakira’s fiery passion of reggaeton. The song about falling for the same guy while not knowing the other woman existed because of his deception, received an extra spark due to the incorporation of Arabic soundscapes. As diasporas collide perfectly, both ladies wowed audiences with a belly dancing break in the cinematic music video.
Last Chart: No. 2
Peak: No. 2
3
Whenever Wherever
By Shakira (2001)
Coming as the lead single from her first English-language album, ‘Laundry Service,’ this song is inspired by the Andean music of Shakira’s native South America. Blending tropical with Latin, the production’s main appeal is within thundering worldbeat drums, and the flute-like instruments known as panpipes and a quena. It’s Shakira’s yodeling vocals and belly dancing that made her a crossover icon – with this song and music video being regarded as one of her signatures.
Last Chart: No. 4
Peak: No. 3
2
She Wolf
By Shakira (2009)
To close out the decade, Shakira came with a fiery number that reminded global audiences of her classics. In the song, her signature falsetto and almost-whistle-like tone expresses her inner freak. Backboned by post disco and the emerging craze of subtle synth-pop EDM, the song lit up dancefloors. In the music video, she does a signature pretzel-form ballet pose that ended up being replicated at her 2023 Video Vanguard performance.
Last Chart: No. 4
Peak: No. 2
Hips Don’t Lie
By Shakira ft Wyclef Jean (2006)
2006 had been an action packed year for crossover pop music. Sampling “Amores como el nuestro” by Jerry Rivera from 1992 and Fernando Villalona’s “Carnaval (Baile En La Calle)” from 1985, this song became a major moment for Latin and Caribbean music– with the elements of hip hop (as the song was originally for Wyclef Jean’s posse, The Fugees). During his rap bridge, he mentions “Colombians and Haitians/I ain't guilty, it's a musical transaction.” Powered by reggaeton and the rhythm of salsa, its standout instrument is the trumpet used in Rivera’s song.
“I'm on tonight/You know my hips don't lie/And I'm starting to feel it's right” powers Shakira in the hypnotic hook that gloats about her signature dance moves. As she belly dances throughout the video, Wyclef mentions “No fighting” as a call for world peace. “I never really knew that she could dance like this (hey)/She make a man want to speak Spanish,” before proceeding into a few questions in the language as an attempt to holler at her at a fiesta. The song went No. 1 around the globe, topping the US Hot Latin Songs year-end chart in 2006. It’s considered one of the best selling singles of all time, and Shakira’s ultimate signature.
Last Chart: No. 1
Peak: No. 1
