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.
Your Embrace
Shakira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a twenty-four inch waist
If you don't touch me?
Tell me what's the use again
Of being on TV everyday
If you don't watch me?
My closet's full of dresses that I'll never wear
My life is full of people
But you're my only friend, and my best friend
Hope it isn't too late to say I love you
Hope it isn't too late to say
That without you this place looks like London, it rains everyday
Don't you know it babe, I'm only half a body
Without your embrace
Let me tell you what
My heart is an unfurnished room
Any suggestions?
Don't have to tell you more than that
'Cause no one knows me like you do
Without exception
This house is full of emptiness
My closet's full of dresses that I'll never wear
My life is full of people
But you're my only friend and my best friend
Hope it isn't too late to say I love you
Hope it isn't too late to say
That without you this place looks like London, it rains everyday
Don't you know it babe, I'm only half a body
Without your embrace
Hope it isn't too late to say I love you
Hope it isn't too late to say
That without you this place looks like London, it rains everyday
Don't you know it, babe, I'm only half a body
Without your embrace
The lyrics of Shakira's "Your Embrace" expresses the loneliness and emptiness that comes with being famous and successful when her lover is not around. The first two verses compare physical attributes and achievements to the importance of a lover's touch and attention. She emphasizes that she has everything materially and socially, but it means nothing without the presence of her lover. Shakira portrays her heart as an empty room with no decoration or furniture, inviting suggestions from the only one who knows her best, her lover. The chorus highlights the significance of her lover's embrace, without which she feels half a body, unhappy and unfulfilled.
The song speaks to the need for human connection and how love can fill the void that material and social success cannot. Shakira paints a vivid picture of a life with everything but the one thing that truly matters—love. The lyrics also suggest the possibility that the relationship is in danger and that perhaps Shakira has not been as vocal about her feelings towards her lover, hence the hope that it is not too late to express herself.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what's the use
Why bother having a twenty-four inch waist, if you're not going to touch me?
Of a twenty-four inch waist
What's the point of having a small waist if there's no physical affection?
If you don't touch me?
Why be in a relationship if there's a lack of intimacy?
Tell me what's the use again
What's the purpose of being on TV every day if you're not going to watch me?
Of being on TV everyday
Why have a career in the spotlight if you don't pay attention to me?
If you don't watch me?
Why pursue fame if there's no interest in your partner's work?
This house is full of emptiness
Despite having a house full of possessions, there's a feeling of loneliness.
My closet's full of dresses that I'll never wear
There's an abundance of material items, but no one to share them with.
My life is full of people
Surrounded by people, but still feeling isolated without one significant person.
But you're my only friend, and my best friend
Despite the loneliness, the singer has one close friend who means everything to her.
Hope it isn't too late to say I love you
Expressing remorse for potentially not having said 'I love you' soon enough.
That without you this place looks like London, it rains everyday
Comparing the absence of the loved one to a dreary London atmosphere.
Don't you know it babe, I'm only half a body
Feeling incomplete and lost without the love and embrace of the significant other.
Without your embrace
The touch and comfort of a loved one is needed to feel completely fulfilled.
Let me tell you what
Sharing a personal observation about one's own heart.
My heart is an unfurnished room
The heart is devoid of love and affection, like an empty and uncared for room.
Any suggestions?
Asking the significant other for advice and guidance in matters of the heart.
Don't have to tell you more than that
Knowing that the significant other already understands the singer's emotional state without further explanation.
'Cause no one knows me like you do
There is an unparalleled and deep understanding between the singer and the significant other.
Without exception
This bond is unwavering and unconditional.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, Tim Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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