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| Shakira: Laundry Service | | (And Why Some Things Might Have Been Better Off Lost In Translation) | | 01 November 2004 | | Shakira's first (predominantly) English language album is a sassier, happier affair than any of its predecessors, and gave her a first worldwide hit with the intensely poppy Whenever Wherever, included here in both English and Spanish... Why?
There has been some debate among fans as to the merits of the two versions of Whenever Wherever, but frankly this should be a non-starter - they are musically identical but the English lyric is clearly superior. The song's most famous line ("Lucky that my breasts are small and humble") translates in Spanish as simply "Lucky that my breasts are small" and the Spanish chorus not only falls back on repeated lyrics, but also manages to rhyme the word 'life' with itself, not one but twice, albeit in slightly differing senses.
FairgroundTown loves Shakira, especially in Spanish – our favorite Shakira songs are all in Spanish Me Quedas Tu, Si Te Vas, Pies Descalzos, Estoy Aqui. It's a long list; but Suerte (as the Spanish version of Whenever Wherever is known) would have been better off left on the cutting room floor.
Interesting enough, the album's other low-point is also a translation – this time from English to Spanish – Eyes Like Yours, which appeared on Shakira's previous (all-Spanish) album (Donde Estan Los Ladrones) as Ojos Asi. The Spanish version is poetry, but in English it is dreary and dull and a constant candidate for FairgroundTown's fast-forward button.
It drives home the point that translations of poetry don't work, especially when they are placed next to each other. There can be two or three ugly step-sisters at the ball, but only one Cinderella. |
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The point is we are all connected... through love... through loneliness... through one lamentable lapse in judgment!
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