From ‘Monotonía’ to ‘Soltera,’ Shakira’s Healing Evolution in 5 Tracks

Shakira unleashed Pies Descalzos 29 years ago, marking her third studio album following Magía (1991) and Peligro (1993). Since its release on Oct. 6, 1995, under Sony Music Colombia, the 13-track set co-written entirely by the Colombian artist and Luis Fernando Ochoa is a staple in Latin music thanks to its timeless songs such as “Estoy Aquí,” “Antología” and “¿Dónde Estás Corazón?” 

The album’s commercial success put a then-emerging Shakira on the map, peaking at No. 5 on Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart in summer 1996. But beyond its Latin pop and alternative rock fusions, it was the then-18-year-old’s lyricism that instantly enchanted and connected with fans.   

Shakira was young. She was vulnerable. She was in love — and it all reflected in her compositions. 

Over the years, her sound has consistently evolved, but her emotional lyrics have remained intact, drawing inspiration from personal experiences that mirror fearless versions of herself, now even more so, as a single mother of two.

Since her very public breakup in 2022 from her longtime partner, and father of her two children, soccer star Gerard Piqué, Shakira has gravitated to music as a healing method. Just last month, she delivered “Soltera,” a vibrant tropical tune about enjoying the single life. Her therapeutic breakup journey, however, traces back to her first collaborative effort with Ozuna, “Monotonía” — and evidently gave life to her latest studio album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.

Below, Billboard shares five Shakira songs that best showcase her healing evolution.