Empire (Shakira song)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"Empire"
Single by Shakira
from the album Shakira
Released22 February 2014
Recorded2013
StudioMesk Studios (Cairo, Egypt)[1]
Genre
Length3:59
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Steve Mac
  • Shakira
Shakira singles chronology
"Can't Remember to Forget You"
(2014) 		"Empire"
(2014) 		"Dare (La La La)"
(2014)
Music video
"Empire" on
YouTube

"Empire" is a song recorded by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for her self-titled tenth studio album, Shakira (2014). It was written by Steve Mac and Ina Wroldsen, while production was handled by Mac and Shakira. The song was released as the second single from the album on 22 February 2014. "Empire" is a downtempo rock ballad about finding a love so powerful their empire could make "the world unite". Her vocals on the track were compared to those of Tori Amos, Jewel, Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette.

Upon its release, "Empire" was acclaimed by music critics, who commended the singer for getting back to her rock roots. The song reached the top 10 in Lebanon and charted moderately in countries like France, South Korea and Spain. In the United States, it peaked at number 58 on the

Billboard Music Awards, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, iHeartRadio Music Awards
and others.

Background and release

After the success of her ninth studio album,

The Voice, coming back to the studio, reconnecting with my songs".[4]

In December 2013,

Sony Music Entertainment reported that Shakira's new single would be released in January 2014, and that it was supposed to be a duet with Barbadian recording artist Rihanna.[5] On 13 January 2014, "Can't Remember to Forget You" was released and indeed featured Rihanna.[6] On 24 February 2014, Popjustice announced that "Empire" would be the album's second single.[7] The cover art features Shakira in a white strapless dress and hair pulled back. Shakira also premiered the track on Vevo on the same day,[8] and it was offered as a free download with a pre-order of Shakira.[9] Shakira's official Facebook page announced it as the second single from the album.[10]

Composition

"Empire" was written by British songwriter

Idolator's Mike Wass.[8] Lyrically, "Empire" talks about a bursting passion that the singer simply cannot express in words.[9]

Billboard's Leila Cobo points out that "Empire" sounds a little like a Tori Amos song, writing that, "the fragility in Shakira's voice, the background strings and captivating hook are all eerily reminiscent of Amos's Little Earthquakes."[9] Maggie Pannacione of Artistdirect compared the song to the works of Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette, but "in the Shakira Latina way."[14]

The song is written in the key of both

beats per minute, following a chord progression of C-Fm/Ab-Bb[15]

Critical reception

"Empire" was critically acclaimed, with most critics praising the singer for getting back to her rock roots. Leila Cobo of Billboard called the track "a gorgeous rock ballad that harks back to Shakira's earliest work."[13] Jason Lipshut also of Billboard called it a "downtempo, downright emo track".[9] Jazz Tangcay of So So Gay named it a "thumping ballad" that "takes a few listens but it seems rock guitar and a thumping sound is the direction Shakira is going with her forthcoming self-titled album."[11] Mike Wass of Idolator wrote that 'Empire' "is her rowdiest rock adventure by far".[8]

Emily Mackay of

ArtistDirect simply called it "flawless and unique",[14] while Jamieson Cox of Time magazine complimented the track for having "Bond-theme grandeur and a spotlight on Shakira's rich, soaring vocals", noting that, "If you're going to give your single an imperial moniker, it'd better come with tons of space and an explosive climax; Shakira delivers on both counts."[17]

Music video

On 10 March, Shakira posted to her social media pictures of herself shooting the video for "Empire". The pictures find the singer wearing a white

Idolator called it "a beautifully shot nature documentary with a rather incredible soundtrack." He went on to describe the lyric video, stating that, "The visual feast features slow motion photography of seeds sprouting and flowers blooming — an exceedingly good fit for the Colombian's kooky lyrics about stars making love to the universe."[19]

The official music video was released on 25 March 2014, directed by Darren Craig, Jonathan Craven and Jeff Nicholas from the Uprising Creative.[20] In the video, Shakira emerges as a beautiful bride in white about to walk down the aisle in a flower-decked church. But in a dreamy twist, Shakira has a change of heart and is seen picking up her skirts and running away across a green sunlit field. Later, she's seen standing on the church steps with her ruffled train catching fire.[21]

The Empire music video filmed in the city of Esparreguera (Spain), near an abandoned suburb.

Live performances

On 25 March 2014, Shakira held an iHeartRadio album release party which was presented by Target, live from the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles. During the release party, Shakira performed four songs from the album, which included "Empire".[22] The following day, Shakira performed the song, during a promotional interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[citation needed] The same day, Shakira performed "

Billboard Music Awards
.

The song was performed by Shakira during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show.[24][25]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[42] Gold 30,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[43] Gold 40,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[44] Gold 30,000‡
United States (RIAA)[45] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Austria[46] 22 February 2014 Digital download
Sony
Belgium[47]
Canada[48]
Finland[49]
France[50]
Germany[51]
Ireland[52]
Italy[53]
Luxembourg[54]
Netherlands[55]
Norway[56]
Portugal[57]
Spain[58]
Sweden[59]
Switzerland[60]
United States[61] 25 February 2014
New Zealand[62] 26 February 2014 Sony
United States[63] 22 April 2014
Hot AC radio
  • RCA
  • Sony Latin Iberia
Germany[64] 28 November 2014 CD single Sony

References

  1. ^ Shakira (inlay cover). Shakira. RCA Records. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ Cobo, Leila (4 November 2011). "Shakira Needs to Record: 'My Body Is Asking for It'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Shakira filma em Lisboa". MTV (in Portuguese). 2 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  4. ^ Cobo, Leila (7 March 2014). "Shakira Returns With New Album, Steamy Rihanna Video, Country Duet: Cover Story". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  5. ^ Navas, Judy Cantor (17 December 2013). "New Shakira Single Set for January". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  6. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (6 January 2014). "Shakira & Rihanna's 'Can't Remember To Forget You' Single Out Next Monday". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  7. ^ O'Mance, Brad (24 February 2014). "Shakira's next single is called 'Empire' and might be online quite soon". Popjustice. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  8. ^
    Idolator. Archived from the original
    on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d Lipshut, Jason (25 February 2014). "Shakira Releases 'Empire' Track From New Album: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Watch the new lyric video for Shak's next single, Empire". Facebook. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  11. ^ a b "#NowPlaying: Shakira – Empire". So So Gay. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Shakira abandona ritmos caribenhos e aposta em guitarra e piano na nova música; ouça "Empire"". Rolling Stone (in Portuguese). 25 February 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  13. ^ a b Cobo, Leila (7 March 2014). "Shakira Returns With New Album, Steamy Rihanna Video, Country Duet: Cover Story (Pt. 2)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  14. ^
    ArtistDirect. Archived from the original
    on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  15. ^ "Shakira "Empire" Sheet Music". Musicnotes. 8 April 2014.
  16. ^ Mackay, Emily (24 March 2014). "Shakira's new album reviewed: A deft shimmy over a tightrope of integrity". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  17. ^ Cox, Jamieson (25 February 2014). "Shakira Ups the Grandeur on New Single 'Empire': Listen". Time. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  18. Idolator. Archived from the original
    on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  19. Idolator
    . Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  20. ^ Garibalda, Christina (25 March 2014). "Shakira's Marriage Goes Up In Flames In 'Empire' Video: Watch Now". MTV News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  21. Idolator
    . Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  22. ^ "Shakira rocks the stage at her iHeartRadio Album Release Party presented by Target". Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  23. ^ "[WATCH] Shakira's 'Today' Show Performance — Promotes 10th Album In Sexy Black - Hollywood Life". hollywoodlife.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014.
  24. ^ McCarriston, Shanna (2 February 2020). "Super Bowl 2020 halftime show and set list: Watch Jennifer Lopez and Shakira take the stage in Miami". CBS Sports.
  25. ^ Swinton, Elizabeth (2 February 2020). "Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show Setlist: Every Song Jennifer Lopez, Shakira Performed". CBS Sports.
  26. Ultratip
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  27. ^ Shakira — Empire. TopHit. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  28. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  29. ^ "Shakira – Empire" (in French). Les classement single.
  30. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  31. ^ "Chart Track: Week 15, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
  32. ^ "The official lebanese Top 20 - Shakira". The official lebanese Top 20.
  33. ^ "Mexico Airplay Chart". billboard.com/charts. 20 September 2014.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  35. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201415 into search.
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  41. Mahasz
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  42. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Shakira – Empire" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  43. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Shakira – Empire". Music Canada.
  44. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 19 March 2025. Type Shakira in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Empire in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  45. ^ "American single certifications – Shakira – Empire". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  46. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Musikdownloads 7digital Österreich". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  47. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | Téléchargements MP3 7digital Belgique". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  48. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Downloads 7digital Canada". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  49. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Downloads 7digital Suomi". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  50. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | Téléchargements MP3 7digital France". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  51. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Musikdownloads 7digital Deutschland". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  52. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Downloads 7digital Ireland". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
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  54. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | Téléchargements MP3 7digital Luxembourg". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  55. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 downloads 7digital Nederland". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
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  57. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | Downloads de MP3 7digital Portugal". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
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  59. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Downloads 7digital Sverige". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  60. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Musikdownloads 7digital Schweiz". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  61. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Downloads 7digital United States". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  62. ^ "Empire (2014) | Shakira | MP3 Downloads 7digital New Zealand". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  63. ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds™ :: Hot AC". gfa.radioandrecords.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
  64. ^ "Empire". Amazon Germany.
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