Meaning Behind the Song: “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira

Without the song “Whenever, Wherever,” Shakira might not be nearly as well known as she is today.

The songwriter and performer, who made her recording debut with Sony Music Colombia at the age of 13, struggled in her early years as an artist with her first two albums, Magia in 1991 and Peligro in 1993. She gained popularity in Spanish-speaking countries after those but it was her English language 2001 LP, Laundry Service, that made her a star.

And the most notable single on that LP? “Whenever, Wherever.” We dive into the History of the song below.

Shakira
Born on February 2, 1977, the Colombian singer has become one of the most essential Spanish- and English-language crossover pop stars. She has topped Billboard‘s Latin albums chart and was certified diamond. English-language albums like Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, She Wolf, and Shakira have all earned gold, platinum, or multi-platinum status. To date, Shakira has sold more than 80 million albums, which makes her one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. And as of 2018, according to Forbes, she is the top-selling female Latin artist ever.