Ojos así

When a song has that spark that makes it stand out, it’s often because of how it blends the unexpected. In the case of Ojos así, that magic lies in how it intertwines Arabic rhythms with Latin pop-rock, a combination that for many marked a before and after. The lyrics, besides telling a story in Spanish, are enriched with fragments sung in Arabic, evoking a particular sonic universe. It is said that one of those Arabic passages, which builds up in the final repetitions, stretches from Bahrain to Beirut, painting a sonic map that goes beyond the geographical.

This piece, which is part of the album ¿Dónde están los ladrones? released in 1998, was presented to the public as a single in October 1999. Its impact was notable, especially in Latin America, where it became a major success, even surpassing what Estoy aquí achieved in Brazil. It was also the gateway for Shakira into markets such as Asia and Europe, becoming very popular in Spain and the United States, countries that encouraged her to explore her music in English. The acoustic version she performed for MTV Latinoamérica in August 1999 is remembered by many as one of the most representative live performances of her career. In fact, this song even had a place in the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in February 2020. The music was conceived by Javier Garza, while the lyrics were written by Shakira and Pablo Flores, with Glorian Estefan collaborating on the music. In 2001, an English version titled Eyes Like Yours was released, adapted by Shakira and Gloria Estefan, keeping the Arabic chants but with a different opening.