Her success was further solidified with the Spanish albums Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005), Sale el Sol (2010) and El Dorado (2017), all of which topped the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and were certified diamond (Latin) by the Recording Industry Association of America. Meanwhile, her English albums Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005), She Wolf (2009) and Shakira (2014) were all certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum in various countries worldwide. She served as a coach on two seasons of the American singing competition television series The Voice (2013–2014).
With a catalog of 145 songs, Shakira has sold over 80 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Forbes Colombia reported that as of 2018, she is the top-selling female Latin artist of all time. She is credited with opening the doors of the international market for other Latin artists. She has received numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, twelve Latin Grammy Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, thirty-nine Billboard Latin Music Awards, twenty-one Guinness World Records and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was named the Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade by Billboard twice (2000s and 2010s). For her philanthropic work with her Barefoot Foundation and her contributions to music she received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year awards in 2011. She was appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the US in 2011, and Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 2012.
Timor
Shakira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yale, Yale, East Timor, Timor
Timor, Timor
Timor, Timor
Going on and on and on and on
This is going on and on and on and on now
Said it once and say it twice, I want to save your time
It's alright, it's alright
'Cause the system never fails
The good guys are in power and the bad guys are in jail
It's alright, it's alright
Just as long as we can vote
We live in democracy and that's what we promote
Isn't it, sn't it? (ooh-ooh)
Isn't it, isn't it? (ooh-ooh)
It's alright, it's alright
At least there's half the truth
Hearing what we want's the secret of eternal youth
It's alright, it's alright
The planet's split in three
'Cause I'll keep on selling records and you've got your MTV
If we forget about 'em
Don't worry
If they forget about us
Then hurry
How about the people who don't matter anymore?
East Timor, Timor, Timor
Ooh
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
It's alright, it's alright
We'll show all on TV
So we won't really know it just by watching *BC
It's alright, it's alright
For a flag we die or kill
As long as we don't know it, do it just to pay the bills
If we forget about 'em
Don't worry
If they forget about us
Then hurry
How about the people who don't matter anymore?
If we forget about 'em
Don't worry
If they forget about us
Then hurry
How about the people who don't matter anymore?
East Timor, Timor, Timor
Let's keep telling the world it's sunny
They risk their hides to make the money
Now don't you find that funny?
If we forget about 'em
If they forget about us
Then hurry
(How about those people who don't matter anymore?)
If we forget about 'em
Don't worry
If they forget about us
Then hurry
(How about those people who don't matter anymore?)
East Timor, Timor, Timor
East Timor, Timor, Timor
East Timor
The lyrics of Shakira's song Timor reflect her concerns about global inequality around the turn of the millennium. The song touches upon themes such as political corruption, media manipulation, and the struggle of individuals who are neglected by the society. Shakira's support for the Timorese people is evident throughout "Timor", as she sings about their plight as an emblem of a global problem.
The opening lines of the song "Timor, Timor/ Yale, Yale, East Timor, Timor" set the tone for the rest of the song. The repetition of the phrase Timor underscores Shakira's attempt to raise awareness of the situation in East Timor and highlight its importance. The next lines, "Going on and on and on and on/ This is going on and on and on and on now," serve as a metaphor for the ongoing suffering of oppressed communities around the world. Shakira then shifts the focus to the media manipulation of facts and the manipulation of people's opinion in order to maintain the status quo. In the lines, "For a flag we die or kill/ As long as we don't know it, do it just to pay the bills/ If we forget about 'em/ Don't worry/ If they forget about us/ Then hurry," Shakira makes the point that we often do what we are told without questioning the morality of the choices that we make.
Overall, "Timor" is an insightful and thought-provoking song that has a poignant message about the need to address the injustices in our society. The song encourages listeners to question their own beliefs, challenge the dominant cultural narratives, and seek to create a more just and equitable society for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Timor, Timor
Repetition of the name of the location, Timor.
Yale, Yale, East Timor, Timor
Repetition of the name of the location, Yale and reference to East Timor.
Going on and on and on and on
The situation in East Timor has been ongoing without resolution for a long time.
This is going on and on and on and on now
The situation in East Timor is still unresolved.
Said it once and say it twice, I want to save your time
The message is important and needs to be conveyed twice for clarity.
Safety, safety
Safety is important and should be a priority.
It's alright, it's alright
The situation is acceptable.
'Cause the system never fails
The legal system is reliable and consistent.
The good guys are in power and the bad guys are in jail
The system works to punish wrongdoers and protect the innocent.
Just as long as we can vote
The right to vote is important for democracy.
We live in democracy and that's what we promote
The country upholds democratic values and ideals.
Isn't it, sn't it? (ooh-ooh)
Rhetorical question to emphasize the importance of the message.
It's alright, it's alright
The situation is acceptable.
At least there's half the truth
Only part of the truth is being presented.
Hearing what we want's the secret of eternal youth
People prefer to hear what they want to believe, rather than the truth.
The planet's split in three
The world is divided into three groups of people - the rich, the poor, and the middle class.
'Cause I'll keep on selling records and you've got your MTV
People are too focused on entertainment rather than serious issues.
If we forget about 'em
Ignoring the issue.
Don't worry
There's no need to be concerned.
If they forget about us
If the issue is not addressed or remembered.
Then hurry
There's no time to waste on this issue.
How about the people who don't matter anymore?
The people who are being ignored and forgotten are important and deserve attention.
We'll show all on TV
The issue will be presented on TV, but this doesn't mean it will be resolved.
So we won't really know it just by watching **BC
Watching the news won't give us the full picture and understanding of the issue.
For a flag we die or kill
People are willing to fight and die for symbols and ideals.
As long as we don't know it, do it just to pay the bills
People will do what they have to in order to survive, even if it means ignoring moral values and principles.
(How about those people who don't matter anymore?)
Rhetorical question to emphasize the importance of giving attention to marginalized people.
Let's keep telling the world it's sunny
People prefer to ignore problems and maintain a positive outlook.
They risk their hides to make the money
People are willing to risk their lives for financial gain.
Now don't you find that funny?
Rhetorical question to emphasize the irony of the situation.
East Timor, Timor, Timor
Repetition of the name of the location, Timor.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter Gabriel, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stonefree8478
CHINGOS DE AÑOS BUSCANDO ESTA CANCIÓN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@luanramon1000
One of her best lyrics!
@Mxllechaa
solamente una cancion preciosa ! dice toda la verdad...
@ntamau330
Timor-Leste
gosto muito---
adoro Shakira :* (Y)
@tatulialfaidze8275
I love this song.Me gusta muchisimooo.
@VincentKennedy-rx4lt
GREAT SONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@MrBiizhiitho
Es genial esa canción
@overdosedmiawallace
damn, i loved this as a child but i didn't get the lyrics At that time (i'm from south america) but now i see how amazing this truly is!
@nadirg6055
Overdosed Mia Wallace the same, I used to hear it when I was a child, but I didnt get a single word, I didn't speak english lol 😂😂😂 I'm spaniard
@lucassambudio1898
take it easy, overdosed mia wallace