20. Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (feat. Freshlyground) (2010)
Of all Shakira’s World Cup anthems, it’s the joyfully ridiculous “Waka Waka” from the 2010 tournament in South Africa that hits hardest. Featuring Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, the Colombian superstar reimagines preening football stars like Ronaldo as soldiers on a front line.
[Image: Shakira poses on the pitch ahead of the 2010 World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photograph: Jamie Squire/FIFA/Getty Images]
19. Anitta & Shakira – “Choka Choka” (2026)
A keen collaborator across genres, Shakira teams up with Brazilian superstar Anitta on the head-bobbing “Choka Choka.” Blending baile funk with elements of hip-hop and dance—that siren-like synth sound is an unmistakable call to the dancefloor—it’s a riotous two minutes that makes you want to move.
18. “Las de la Intuición” (2005)
After becoming one of the world’s biggest superstars with her 2001 English-language debut Laundry Service, Shakira rented an estate in Madrid to work alone on the follow-up Fijación Oral, Vol. 1. A celebration of female intuition set to a pulsing synth line and soft rock backbone, “Las de la Intuición” shows her mastery of easy, breezy melody.
17. Karol G & Shakira – “TQG” (2023)
Originally written as a solo track by Karol G, “TQG” became a duet after the fellow Colombian realized Shakira had also recently been treated poorly by a man. The title’s acronym translates to “Too Big for You,” and Shakira channels that boldness into a verse where she shrugs off the idea of an ex moving on—because, after all, she’s Shakira.
[Shakira review – she-wolf roars again in playful victory lap from Colombian superstar Read more]
16. “Chantaje” (feat. Maluma) (2016)
In this reggaeton battle of the sexes—its title translates to “Blackmail”—Shakira leads her superstar countryman Maluma on a merry dance. Unsure of where he stands, Shakira innocently claims not to be in charge of the relationship, before singing about not belonging to anyone, thank you very much, on the song’s addictive chorus.
15. “Can’t Remember to Forget You” (feat. Rihanna) (2014)
In the canon of proper superstar pop duets, this Police-esque team-up with pre-Anti Rihanna feels strangely overlooked. At the time, Shakira was heading down a bland EDM cul-de-sac (there was a Pitbull collab), so its bouncy reggae, ska horns, and sleek new wave came as a surprise. But there’s a lot to enjoy here, not least the pair unleashing their distinctive voices.
[Image: At the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images]
14. “Ciega, Sordomuda” (1998)
Similar to “Estoy Aquí,” her 1995 breakout hit, “Ciega, Sordomuda” (Blind, Deaf and Mute) showcases Shakira’s talent for turning the drama of love into a full-blown epic. Over occasional bursts of mariachi trumpets and galloping pop-rock, Shakira describes herself as “baggy-eyed, scrawny, ugly, unkempt, clumsy, dumb, slow, foolish, crazy” in the face of a man she’s dangerously obsessed with.
13. “Did It Again” (2009)
Eager to build on the success of 2005’s Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, Shakira enlisted Pharrell for the follow-up album She Wolf. On the best of their four songs, Shakira rides Pharrell’s clattering, off-kilter beat and minimalist synth riff with aplomb, delivering the song’s fictional story about being the other woman with the passion of a scenery-chewing telenovela star.
12. “Te Felicito” (feat. Rauw Alejandro) (2022)
Released as her long-term relationship with Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué was falling apart, “Te Felicito” would later appear on her 2024 breakup album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women No Longer Cry). Regardless of the tabloid context, it’s a brilliant song, blending electropop and reggaeton to create a ridiculously catchy midtempo kiss-off.
[Image: Shakira performing during the World Cup opening ceremony at Mexico City Stadium]Here’s the rewritten text in fluent, natural English:
11. Poem to a Horse (2001)
There’s always been something wonderfully offbeat about Shakira’s songwriting. This track from Laundry Service tells the story of a lazy boyfriend who’s hooked on “hydroponic pot” and can’t be bothered to look up and see what he’s lost. Talking to him is like eating soup with a fork, or reading poetry to a horse. She delivers it all with fierce passion over a captivating mix of soul and Nirvana-style rock.
10. Inevitable (1998)
Shakira had just turned 21 and was now managed by Emilio Estefan, who had helped stars like his wife Gloria Estefan and Enrique Iglesias break into the US market. A lot was riding on her fourth album, ¿Dónde Están los Ladrones? She wanted to evolve her sound without losing her young fans. On songs like the gentle Inevitable, with its melodic nods to Radiohead and Alanis Morissette, she showed she could turn heartbreak into stadium-sized anthems.
9. Don’t Bother (2005)
Co-written with the Matrix, the team that made Avril Lavigne a superstar, Don’t Bother is an odd one. Lyrically, it’s classic Shakira surrealism: a tall love rival is described as having looks that defy gravity, while Shakira compares herself to a flea or maybe a cat. Still, Don’t Bother is a lot of fun. Its slow-burning verses, reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson, build into a huge chorus centered on the line, “don’t bother, I won’t die.”
8. Objection (Tango) (2001)
One of six singles from the 13-million-selling English-language album Laundry Service, the fiery Objection (Tango) skips through musical styles—No Doubt, the B-52s, surf-rock, new wave, tango—with the quick-footed energy of a professional dancer. Throughout, Shakira holds it all together with her captivating vocal melodies.
7. Men in This Town (2009)
Co-written by Sam Endicott of the mid-2000s dance-rock band the Bravery, Men in This Town takes a pretty unlikely idea—that Shakira might have trouble finding a man in LA—and turns it into a sleek new wave banger. Name-dropping Matt Damon, the song’s bold chorus builds to a swirling, psychedelic finish.
6. Shakira: Bzrp Music Session, Vol. 53 (2023)
The title might be a mouthful—it’s part of a series by Argentine producer Bizarrap—but the lyrics are razor-sharp. Shakira takes aim at her ex-boyfriend Piqué, calling out his new girlfriend, his mother (who lived next door to him), and even the Spanish authorities who investigated her for tax evasion (the case was later dropped). The celebrity gossip is even more delicious paired with the song’s bubbling synthpop.
5. Underneath Your Clothes (2001)
One of Laundry Service‘s two undeniable global hits, the somber Underneath Your Clothes shows Shakira’s talent for taking popular mini-genres—in this case, delicate, Jewel-style singer-songwriter quirkiness—and filling them with personality. Evoking the Bangles’ 80s hit Eternal Flame, what could have been a overly sentimental ballad about finding the right person is instead given a unique framework about battles and conquered territories.
4. Beyoncé & Shakira – Beautiful Liar (2007)
“Bey-on-say, Bey-on-say.” Pause. “Sha-ki-ra, Sha-ki-ra.” Not many songs can turn what is basically a roll call into an unforgettable earworm, but the sensual Beautiful Liar is packed with hooks. This duet, added to the re-release of Beyoncé’s B’Day album, brings out the best of both artists. Beyoncé’s honeyed vocals blend with Shakira’s grittier tones over a mix of flamenco and R&B that peaks in one of pop’s greatest bridges.
3. Hips Don’t Lie (2006)
Featuring Wyclef Jean, Hips Don’t Lie became Shakira’s first number-one single in the US and remains her most iconic song. Built around a sample from the 1960s Latin jazz track Amor Verdadero, the song is pure joy—a celebration of dance, attraction, and letting loose. Its infectious rhythm and Shakira’s playful delivery make it impossible not to move along.
2. Whenever, Wherever (2001)
The lead single from Laundry Service, Whenever, Wherever introduced Shakira to a global audience. With its Andean panpipes, catchy chorus, and lyrics about devotion across any distance, the song became a worldwide phenomenon. It’s a perfect blend of Latin pop and rock, showcasing Shakira’s unique voice and her ability to craft a truly universal hit.
1. She Wolf (2009)
The title track from her third English-language album, She Wolf is a sleek, electro-pop masterpiece. Lyrically, it’s about a woman embracing her wild side, and musically, it’s just as adventurous. The song’s minimalist production, built around a pulsing synth bassline and Shakira’s breathy vocals, creates a hypnotic, futuristic sound. It’s bold, strange, and utterly captivating—a true one-off.MA Press, Inc./Alamy
3. “Hips Don’t Lie” (featuring Wyclef Jean) (2006)
Even though its backstory might seem like a cynical move by a major label—it was first released in 2004 as “Dance Like This” for the Dirty Dancing 2 soundtrack—”Hips Don’t Lie” still captures the carefree feel of a summer vacation in just three and a half minutes. Latin pop, reggaeton, and salsa blend with hip-hop as Shakira glides through her most iconic song.
2. “Whenever, Wherever” (2001)
If that hit is all about her hips, then the wonderfully quirky, Andean-inspired “Whenever, Wherever” is best known for focusing on Shakira’s chest. Translated into English by Gloria Estefan, it’s probably the only US Top 10 single that celebrates smaller breasts and their inability to be mistaken for mountains. Like all of Shakira’s best songs, this incredibly catchy track is both hypnotic and heartfelt.
1. “She Wolf” (2009)
At a time when dance-pop ruled the charts thanks to the Black Eyed Peas and an emerging Lady Gaga, Shakira kicked off her eighth album with a mix of high-energy pop, Italo disco, and new wave. Co-written with the Bravery’s Endicott, it includes a lyric where she compares her role in a relationship to an abused office coffee machine. She also casually drops the word “lycanthropy” into the first verse without missing a beat. While other artists played it straight with pop songwriting clichés, Shakira turns relationship boredom into a campy horror story, with herself as the possessed, breathless lead. A true original from a true original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the article Hits dont lie Here are Shakiras 20 best songs rankedfrom World Cup anthems to superstar duets
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is this article about
Its a ranked list of Shakiras 20 greatest songs covering her biggest hits from her early career to her famous World Cup anthems and collaborations with other artists
2 Which Shakira song is ranked 1
The article likely places Hips Dont Lie at the top as its her most iconic and commercially successful single
3 Does the list include her World Cup songs
Yes Expect to see Waka Waka and possibly La La La in the ranking
4 What are some of the superstar duets mentioned
The list features collaborations like Beautiful Liar Cant Remember to Forget You and Whenever Wherever
5 Is this list only in English
No The ranking includes both her Englishlanguage pop hits and her Spanishlanguage classics such as Ojos Así and Estoy Aquí
IntermediateLevel Questions
6 How are the songs ranked in the article
The ranking is based on a mix of commercial success cultural impact and lasting popularity with fans
7 Which deep cut or lesserknown song might appear in the top 20
You might find Inevitable or She Wolf ranking higher than casual listeners expect
8 How does the article handle Shakiras evolution from rockera to pop star
It highlights her early rockinfluenced hits like
