Soltera

Album: yet to be titled (2024)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • After her high-profile split from Gerard Piqué, the father of her children, Shakira fully leaned into her newfound independence. "Soltera" (which translates to "Single") is a triumphant anthem celebrating freedom and self-liberation where she declares to the world that being single can be just as exhilarating as being in love.
  • Shakira sets the scene in the opening verse: she's hitting the club, with a new bunch of friends who know how to have a good time.

    The chorus is a joyful declaration of independence, as Shakira claims her right to let loose and unapologetically have fun. After all, she's earned it. She's shaking off the weight of the past and embracing the freedom to do as she pleases.

    By the time we reach the second verse, Shakira's fielding attention from all sides. But as someone who's been burned before, she's not in a hurry to give her heart away again. She's Shakira, after all, and she's going to be selective.
  • "Soltera" marks a shift from Shakira's earlier post-breakup anthems, like her collaborations with Bizarrap and Karol G. Where those songs focus on recovery, this one is all about relishing the joys of singlehood.
  • Shakira co-wrote "Soltera" with her trusted collaborators Keityn and Edgar Barrera, and the track also credits Argentine DJ and producer Bizarrap, with whom she previously teamed up for "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53."
  • Musically, the song is a breezy blend of tropical pop and afrobeats - a vibrant, joyful sound that matches the song's celebratory theme. Shakira co-produced the track with Alexander "A.C." Castillo, whose resumé includes work with Nicki Minaj ("Trini Dem Girls") and Justin Bieber ("Been You"). He also worked with Shakira on her 2017 song "Me Enamoré," which tells the story of how she fell in love with Piqué. By hooking up with Castillo again on this celebration of singledom, she's bringing things full circle.
  • Shakira filmed the music video at Miami's LIV Nightclub on September 14, 2024. There are cameos from the likes of Winnie Harlow, Anitta, Danna, and Lele Pons.
  • The video took Best Latin at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. Shakira was the grande dame of the category, defeating Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Karol G and Peso Pluma.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.