Poem to a Horse

Last updated
"Poem to a Horse (Live)"
Shakira - Poem to a Horse - Whenever, Wherever.jpeg
Single by Shakira
from the album Live & off the Record
ReleasedFebruary 13, 2004
Genre
Length4:09
Label Epic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Shakira
  • Luis Ochoa
Shakira singles chronology
"The One"
(2003)		"Poem to a Horse (Live)"
(2004)		"La Tortura"
(2005)
Music video
"Poem to a Horse" on YouTube

"Poem to a Horse" is a song recorded by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for her first English-language studio album, Laundry Service (2001). The track was released as the album's eighth and final single in 2004 and as a single from Shakira's second live album Live & off the Record . A rock and soul song written and produced by Shakira and Luis Ochoa, lyrically it discusses marijuana addiction and narcissism.

Contents

Background and release

"I used the literary figure of personification, but in reverse: instead of turning an object into an animal or a person, I did the opposite."

—Shakira on "Poem to a Horse". [1]

"Poem to a Horse" was initially released as the ninth track off Shakira's fifth studio album Laundry Service (2001). [2] In 2002, Shakira embarked on Tour of the Mongoose to promote the album, [3] [4] and "Poem to a Horse" was included on the setlist. [5] The tour date in Rotterdam on 22 April 2003 was recorded, and most of it was released on 30 March 2004 under the title Live & off the Record . [6] [7] "Poem to a Horse" was released as a single off the live album, [8] [9] getting a CD release as the only track, [10] and as a double single with "Whenever, Wherever (Live)". [11] An edited version of the live recording was also released with the lines referencing drugs muted. [12]

"Poem to a Horse" is a rock and soul [13] song featuring guitars and horns as prominent instruments. [14] Its lyrics delve into social criticism via the theme of a relationship ending due to the partner's marijuana addiction. It portrays Shakira's frustration with her partner, who is more interested in marijuana than engaging with her. The lyrics describe the partner's use of "hydroponic pot" to feed his "empty brain," highlighting mental deterioration. Shakira uses the metaphor of 'poem to a horse' to illustrate the futility of communicating with someone so detached. [12] [15] [16] The lyrics also critique how the societal encouragement of narcissism strains relationships. [17] In 2021, Shakira admitted the song being one of her boldest ventures into poetic expression, as in its lyrics she likened her romantic partner to a horse. [1]

Reception

In an album review, Alexis Petridis from The Guardian described how "Poem to a Horse" "mixes Nirvana-influenced guitars with a soul horn section to mind-boggling effect". [14] Jessica Roiz from Billboard wrote how "younger Shak is known for hits like 'Si Te Vas', [...] and 'Poem to a Horse', where she strong and proudly walks away from a narcissist." [18] Cabeza de Gato ranked the song in their list of 10 songs with Shakira's most intelligent lyrics. [17]

Music video

The music video for "Poem to a Horse" was released in February 2004. The video contains a live performance of the song at the Tour of the Mongoose date in Rotterdam as well as clips from her ‘’Live & off the Record’’ documentary.

Live performances

"Poem to a Horse" was performed by Shakira on Tour of the Mongoose in 2002-2003. [5] According to a photograph published by Albert Menéndez from Shakira's band, the song will be on the setlist of Shakira's 2025 Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. [19]

Track listings

CD single: Poem to a Horse (Live)

  1. "Poem to a Horse" - 4:08
  2. "Poem to a Horse" (Live) - 5:11

CD single: Poem To A Horse (Live) / Whenever, Wherever (Live)

  1. "Poem to a Horse" (Live) - 5:11
  2. "Whenever, Wherever" (Live Radio Edit) - 3:31
  3. "Whenever, Wherever" (Live) - 5:28

Related Research Articles

<i>Laundry Service</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Shakira

Laundry Service is the fifth studio album and first English-language album by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, globally released on 13 November 2001 by Epic Records. After her fourth studio album Dónde Están los Ladrones? became a success in Latin America, Spain, the Middle East and the Latin community in the United States, Shakira was encouraged by American singer Gloria Estefan to record songs in English as she believed her friend had the potential to cross over into the English-language pop market. Shakira was hesitant at first, but then decided to learn English well enough to write songs in the language. The title of the album reflects Shakira's views on love and music. It was released as Servicio de Lavandería in Hispanic regions in January 2002. Laundry Service is primarily a pop rock record but it also experiments with Andean music, dance-pop, Middle Eastern music, rock and roll and tango music. The album's theme is love and romance. Every song on it was written and produced by Shakira under the guidance of Emilio Estefan.

<i>Live & off the Record</i> 2004 live album by Shakira

Live & off the Record is the second live album by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira. The album was released in 2004, consisting of a two-disc CD and DVD compilation. The CD includes recordings of live performances recorded during 2003 and 2004, and the DVD includes footage from Shakira's Tour of the Mongoose live performance in Rotterdam, Netherlands on 22 April 2003. The album was certified gold by the RIAA in May 2004. It was number one on the US Top Music Videos chart on 17 April 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ojos Así</span> 1999 single by Shakira

"Ojos Así" is a song by Colombian singer Shakira from her fourth studio album, Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). Infused with nuances of Arabic pop, the lyrics tell of the singer traveling the world but not having seen eyes like her lover's. It was released as the album's fifth single in October 1999 by Sony Music Colombia. It was written by Shakira, composed and produced by her, Pablo Flores, and Javier Garza. The song was later adapted into English by Gloria Estefan as "Eyes Like Yours" and included on her first English studio album Laundry Service (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whenever, Wherever</span> 2001 single by Shakira

"Whenever, Wherever" is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, released on 30 August 2001 by Epic Records as the lead single from her debut English-language studio album, Laundry Service (2001), her fifth overall. The song was written, composed, and produced by Shakira, with additional musical composition and production from Tim Mitchell, and additional English lyrics written by Gloria Estefan. The song is a mix of Latin music and worldbeat that is heavily influenced by Andean music. In the Spanish version, titled "Suerte", Shakira sings about how fortunate she is to have found her romantic partner. The English lyrics are very similar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No (Shakira song)</span> 2005 single by Shakira featuring Gustavo Cerati

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underneath Your Clothes</span> 2002 single by Shakira

"Underneath Your Clothes" is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for her third studio album and English-language debut, Laundry Service (2001). The power ballad was the second English-language single released from the album; being released on 11 February 2002. It features lyrics by Shakira with music and production from Shakira and Lester Mendez. Lyrically, the song tells the story of the unconditional love that a woman has for her boyfriend, with lyrics about being worthy of somebody's love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estoy Aquí</span> 1995 single by Shakira

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Objection (Tango)</span> 2002 single by Shakira

"Objection (Tango)" is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for her fifth studio album and first English-language album Laundry Service (2001). It was the first song Shakira wrote in English after being encouraged by American singer Gloria Estefan to record material in the language. She also produced the track along with Lester Mendez. "Objection (Tango)" musically combines elements of pop rock and tango, and contains instrumentation from the bandoneón and guitar. Through the lyrics of the song, Shakira aims to end a love triangle she is a part of. The song was released as the fourth single from the album on 24 May 2002. A Spanish version of the song, entitled "Te Aviso, Te Anuncio (Tango)" ("I'm Warning You, I'm Telling You"), was also recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Día de Enero</span> 2006 single by Shakira

"Día de Enero" is a song by the Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira. It was released as the third single from her sixth studio album, Fijación Oral Vol. 1, on January 19, 2006, by Epic Records. Written as a love letter to her then partner Antonio de la Rúa, the son of former president of Argentina, Fernando de la Rúa, the lyrics reference the controversy surrounding their relationship due to the Argentina's 2001 crisis during De la Rúa's presidency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Dejo Madrid</span> 2002 single by Shakira

"Te Dejo Madrid" is a song recorded by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for her fifth studio album, Laundry Service (2001). It was written by the singer about the city of Madrid, the capital of Spain. The music video for it featured the singer as a bullfighter. Although it was released as the second single from the album in several European countries in 2002, it was not released in the United States. "Te Dejo Madrid" was a commercial success in Spain, peaking at number seven, but did not repeat the success of Shakira's previous singles in Latin America, peaking at number 45 on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The One (Shakira song)</span> 2002 single by Shakira

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tour of the Mongoose</span> 2002–03 concert tour by Shakira

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"La Pared" is a song written, produced and performed by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira. It was released as the fourth single following "Día de Enero" from her sixth studio album Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005) in Latin America and Spain in October 2006. "La Pared" is a pop rock song composed by Shakira and co-produced by Shakira and Lester Mendez. The song garnered positive reviews from music critics, who praised its impactful lyrics and highlighted Shakira's vocal prowess.

References

  1. 1 2 Mundo, Sputnik (2021-11-14). "Shakira desvela los secretos de 'Laundry Service' por su 20 aniversario | Videos". Sputnik Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  2. ↑ Legaspi, Althea (2021-11-12). "Shakira Drops 20th Anniversary 'Laundry Service' Expanded Reissue". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  3. ↑ Monroe, Ygor (2024-11-08). "Shakira rompe barreiras com a "Tour of the Mongoose" e redefine o pop global". Caderno Pop (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  4. ↑ "Shakira suffered major loss on first World Tour due to THIS reason". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  5. 1 2 "Shakira Average Setlists of tour: Tour of the Mongoose | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  6. ↑ www.eldia.com, Diario El Dia de La Plata. "Diario El Dia de La Plata www.eldia.com". www.eldia.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  7. ↑ Basanta, Elena (2023-03-31). "A un paso de cumplir dos décadas, 'Live & Off the Record' es uno de los discos más versátiles de Shakira". CADENA 100 (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  8. ↑ Col, Lo Ultimo (2024-10-17). "Shakira y su nueva fecha en Barranquilla llevaron a los fans a recordar trabajo de Luis Fernando Ochoa". Lo último Colombia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  9. ↑ Clarín, Redacción (2004-04-14). "Para fanáticos y para chismosos". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  10. ↑ Shakira - Poem To A Horse (Live), 2004, retrieved 2024-12-18
  11. ↑ Shakira - Poem To A Horse (Live) / Whenever, Wherever (Live), 2004, retrieved 2024-12-18
  12. 1 2 Shock, Redacción (2022-01-14). "'Poem to a horse', la canción de Shakira sobre un adicto a la marihuana". Shock (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  13. ↑ "La Capital On Line - Sección - - Shakira y Britney Spears disputan el trono del pop con sus nuevos discos". archivo.lacapital.com.ar. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  14. 1 2 Petridis, Alexis (2002-03-08). "Thong songs". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  15. ↑ "La crítica social en las canciones de Shakira: de 'Se quiere, se mata' a 'Octavo día'". EuropaFM (in Spanish). 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  16. ↑ Perú, El Comercio (2023-09-24). "Shakira: "El jefe" y otras canciones con crítica social". El Comercio Perú (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  17. 1 2 "Las 10 letras más inteligentes de Shakira – Cabeza de Gato" (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  18. ↑ Roiz, Jessica (2023-01-17). "What's the Best Shakira Song to Get Over an Ex? Vote!". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  19. ↑ "Filtran por error el setlist de los conciertos de Shakira; estos son los detalles". El Universal (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-01-01.
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