Oral Fixation, Vol. 2
A rhythmic global conquest blending rock energy with Latin soul and Middle Eastern mystique.
Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 stands as a monumental chapter in Shakira's global journey, marking her definitive explosion into the English-speaking mainstream while fiercely retaining her Latin roots. Released in 2005, this album is not merely a collection of songs but a cultural bridge that fused rock rhythms with Middle Eastern influences and traditional Colombian sounds. It solidified her status as an international superstar, proving that her unique vocal style and bilingual lyrics could captivate audiences from Miami to Madrid without compromise.
Last updated 2026-09-28 from the source article.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Shakira
- Released
- 27 November 2005
- Recorded
- 2004–2005
- Genre
- Pop rock
- Length
- 42:36
- Language
- English
- Latin
- Arabic
- Hebrew
- French
- Label
- Epic
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The narrative arc of this era sees the artist shedding any lingering doubts about crossing over into English markets. Instead of diluting her identity to fit foreign molds, she dragged the world into her own vibrant sonic territory. The production choices reflect a bold confidence, weaving in sounds from diverse cultures to create a tapestry that celebrates global unity. It is an era defined by movement, where every beat invites the listener to dance, sing, and feel the pulse of a borderless musical revolution.
Reader's Guide
Released in early 2005, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 arrived as a strategic and artistic masterstroke designed to conquer global markets without losing the artist's core identity. The album marked a significant shift by placing English-language tracks alongside Spanish ones, creating a seamless bilingual experience that appealed to diverse audiences worldwide. Critically, the record was hailed for its genre-bending production, blending rock, pop, and Latin rhythms with Middle Eastern textures. Critics praised her songwriting maturity and vocal versatility, noting how she managed to make complex cultural fusions sound effortless and infectious. The album became a commercial juggernaut, topping charts across Europe and Latin America. Culturally, the era is defined by its massive impact on the globalization of Latin music. It proved that artists could achieve superstardom in English-speaking territories while proudly maintaining their native language and cultural heritage. This success paved the way for future generations of Latin artists to cross over with confidence.
Track listing
Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 – original release
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How Do You Do | Shakira, Lauren Christy, Scott Spock, Graham Edwards | 3:46 |
| 2 | Don't Bother | Shakira, Christy, Spock, Edwards, Heather Reid, Leisha Hailey | 4:18 |
| 3 | Illegal (featuring Carlos Santana) | Shakira, Mendez | 3:54 |
| 4 | The Day and the Time (featuring Gustavo Cerati) | Shakira, Pedro Aznar, Cerati, Luis F. Ochoa | 4:23 |
| 5 | Animal City | Shakira, Ochoa | 3:17 |
| 6 | Dreams for Plans | Shakira, Brendan Buckley | 4:04 |
| 7 | Hey You | Shakira, Tim Mitchell | 4:11 |
| 8 | Your Embrace | Shakira, Mitchell | 3:34 |
| 9 | Costume Makes the Clown | Shakira, Buckley | 3:13 |
| 10 | Something | Shakira, Ochoa | 4:24 |
| 11 | Timor | Shakira | 3:32 |
| Total length | 42:36 | ||
Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 – 2006 reissue
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How Do You Do | Shakira, Christy, Spock, Edwards | 3:47 |
| 2 | Illegal (featuring Carlos Santana) | Shakira, Mendez | 3:56 |
| 3 | Hips Don't Lie (featuring Wyclef Jean) | Shakira, Jean, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Omar Alfano, LaTravia Parker | 3:40 |
| 4 | Animal City | Shakira, Ochoa | 3:18 |
| 5 | Don't Bother | Shakira, Christy, Spock, Edwards, Reid, Hailey | 4:19 |
| 6 | The Day and the Time (featuring Gustavo Cerati) (lyrics: Shakira, Aznar) | Shakira, Aznar, Cerati, Ochoa | 4:25 |
| 7 | Dreams for Plans | Shakira, Buckley | 4:04 |
| 8 | Hey You | Shakira, Mitchell | 4:11 |
| 9 | Your Embrace | Shakira, Mitchell | 3:34 |
| 10 | Costume Makes the Clown | Shakira, Buckley | 3:13 |
| 11 | Something | Shakira, Ochoa | 4:24 |
| 12 | Timor | Shakira | 3:33 |
| 13 | La Tortura (alternate version) (featuring Alejandro Sanz) | Shakira, Ochoa | 3:37 |
| Total length | 50:01 | ||
Track listing from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The album features a collaboration with Wyclef Jean on one of its most iconic tracks, blending hip-hop beats with Latin rhythms.
- It was produced by a team that included her frequent collaborator Luis Fernando Ochoa and rock legend Gustavo Cerati.
- The project won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Latin Pop Album, cementing its critical success.
- A music video from this era became one of the most-watched videos on YouTube in history upon its release.
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