Ciega, Sordomuda

"Ciega, Sordomuda"
Single by Shakira
from the album Dónde Están los Ladrones?
Released4 September 1998 (1998-09-04)
StudioCrescent Moon, Miami, Florida
GenrePop rock
Length4:28
LabelSony Colombia
Composer(s)Shakira • Estéfano
Lyricist(s)Shakira
Producer(s)Shakira  • Lester Méndez
Shakira singles chronology
"Se Quiere, Se Mata"
(1997) 		"Ciega, Sordomuda"
(1998) 		"Tú"
(1998)
Music video
"Ciega, Sordomuda" on YouTube

"Ciega, Sordomuda" (transl. "Blind, Deaf, Mute")[1] is a song by Colombian singer Shakira from her fourth studio album, Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). A pop rock track, it utilizes mariachi trumpets and lyrically equates total love to a person being blind, deaf, and mute. It was released as the album's lead single on 4 September 1998 by Sony Colombia. The lyrics were written by Shakira. Its music was co-composed by Shakira and Estéfano, while produced by the singer and Lester Méndez.

"Ciega Sordomuda" received positive reactions from music critics, who praised the instruments used and compared it to Shakira's breakout hit "Estoy Aquí". The song was nominated in the category of Pop Song of the Year at the 1999 Lo Nuestro Awards and was a recipient of a Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) Latin Award in 2000. An accompanying music video was filmed in Los Angeles, CA and directed by Gustavo Garzón. The film depicts Shakira and her partner being chased by cyber police after escaping jail. The song was included in the set list for the Tour Anfibio, Tour of the Mongoose, the Oral Fixation Tour, and The Sun Comes Out World Tour. Shakira also performed an acoustic version of the song for her first live album, MTV Unplugged (2000). Commercially, the track topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs and Latin Pop Airplay charts in the United States; it also became a number-one hit in Costa Rica, Panama and her native Colombia; and reached the top-ten in five other countries.

Background

[edit]

After rising to prominence with the success of her major-label debut album Pies Descalzos (1995), Shakira was introduced to Emilio Estefan, the most important producer in the Hispanic market at the time, by her promoter and longtime friend, Jairo Martínez. Estefan was renowned for launching the careers of several Hispanic singers, including Enrique Iglesias, Thalía, and his wife Gloria Estefan. He decided to work with Shakira as he identified her potential to break into the US Latin market, though one of Shakira's concerns about working with Estefan was creative control over her music. Before signing their contract, the roles and duties were finalized: Estefan would be her manager and executive producer, but she would be in charge of all material and arrangements and have final approval over her records. She later stated about Estefan, "He had a great respect for me as an artist and trusted me totally on this project."[2] Since then, they started working on Estefan's Crescent Moon Studios in Miami.[2][3] She insisted on perfection, working on the material to the point of exhaustion. "I made two or three demos of each song. I became a human being so demanding of myself that until the song made my hair stand on end, I wouldn't stop".[3]

Equipment for the recording of Dónde Están los Ladrones? included old amplifiers to achieve a better sound, a 40-year-old German microphone, and several innovations in the instrumental mixes.[4] Dónde Están los Ladrones? took nine months to produce, more than Shakira's previous records since more people were involved on this album. Shakira commented, "To me it's a normal time, the gestation period for a baby. But many people wag their finger and tell me that the next one cannot take so long..."[3]

Composition

[edit]

"Ciega, Sordomuda" was composed by Shakira with Colombian musician Estéfano,[5] with production being handled by the singer and Lester Méndez.[6] Shakira wrote the lyrics to the song. The recurring phrase of the chorus and title of the song was inspired by Shakira's mother, who used to scold her when she wouldn't pay attention as a child by using the Spanish-language sarcastic saying: "Hazte la ciega, la sorda y la muda", which translates to "Pretend to be blind, deaf and mute."[7][8] Musically, "Ciega, Sordomuda" is a pop rock song that equates "total love to being blind, deaf, and mute" and incorporates mariachi trumpets at various points, arrangements which were composed by Shakira herself.[7][9][10] Lyrically, Shakira describes herself as "brute, blind, deaf, dumb, clumsy, fretful, stubborn" to a love who has her "haggard, skinny, ugly, disheveled, clumsy, dumb, slow, foolish, unhinged, completely out of control".[10]

Reception

[edit]

John Lannert of Billboard noted that the track "strongly resembles" to her breakout hit, "Estoy Aquí" (1995).[11] The Dallas Morning News critic Mario Tarradell regarded "Ciega, Sordomuda" as "an obvious first single" with its "jittery pop-rock feel" and also made a comparison to "Estoy Aquí".[12] Mark Kemp, writing for the book The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, felt that the artist "pays tribute to her Latin roots in the Spanish guitars and trumpets".[13] The Latin Beat Magazine editor Franz Reynold called the song a "mid-tempo rocker dedicated to the horrors of emotional co-dependency-with mariachi-style brass flitting in and out of the spare vocal and the airy strum of guitars."[14] Ramiro Burr of the San Antonio Express-News found it to be one of the album's "catchy tunes",[15] while a writer for The Asahi Shimbun found the track to be "especially addictive".[16] On the review of the album for Newsday, Richard Torres observed the "cry of individuality" in the song.[17]

"Ciega, Sordomuda" was nominated in the category of Pop Song of the Year at the 11th Annual Lo Nuestro Awards in 1999,[18] but ultimately lost to "La Copa de la Vida" by Ricky Martin.[19] It was acknowledged as an award-winning song at the 2000 BMI Latin Awards.[20] "Ciega, Sordomuda" ranked number 89 on Billboard's "The 98 Greatest Songs of 1998", with Leila Cobo noting that the song "broke completely with everything popular Latina musicians had been doing up to that point".[9] It was listed among Shakira's 26 Best Songs by HipLatina.[21]

In the US, "Ciega Sordomuda" debuted at number seven on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart on the week of 24 October 1998.[22] It reached the summit a month later, spending three weeks at this spot.[23] The song also topped the Latin Pop Airplay chart and peaked at number seven in Spain.[24][25] In November 1999, it was labeled as one of the "hottest tracks" for Sony Discos in a list including the most successful songs released by the label since the launching of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart in 1986.[26]

Promotion and live performances

[edit]

"Ciega, Sordomuda" was released to radio stations worldwide as the album's lead single on 4 September 1998.[10] It was later included on her greatest hits album Grandes Éxitos (2002).[27] The music video for the song was directed by Gustavo Garzón and filmed in Miami.[28] The film depicts Shakira being jailed and escaping with her partner. They are then chased by several policemen, who are revealed to be robots at the end. Various scenes include the couple driving blindfolded and Shakira performing with guests dancing in the background.[29] The video was nominated in the category of Video of the Year at the 1999 Lo Nuestro Awards,[18] but ultimately lost to "Esperanza" by Enrique Iglesias.[19]

"Ciega, Sordomuda" was included on the set list for the following tours: Tour Anfibio (2000),[30] Tour of the Mongoose (2002–03),[31] the Oral Fixation Tour (2006–07),[32] and The Sun Comes Out World Tour (2010–11),[33] The Los Angeles Times writer Ernesto Lechner noted Shakira's "disjointed robotic movements" while she performed the track at the Arrowhead Pond in 2000.[34] For The Sun Comes Tour, a Stroh violin was used to replace the horn sections of the original recording.[35][36][37] David Hardwick from Spinning Platters said the use of the instrument was "impressive".[36] She also sung the track during the 11th Annual Lo Nuestro Awards and Miss Colombia 1999.[38][39] In August 1999, Shakira sang an acoustic version of "Ciega, Sordomuda" during an episode of MTV Unplugged in New York City as a mariachi tune,[40] where she was accompanied by El Mariachi Los Mora Arriaga.[41] The performance was included on her first live album, MTV Unplugged (2000).[42] As part of The Latin Recording Academy tribute to Shakira, who was presented with the Person of the Year accolade in 2011, Mexican singer Alejandro Guzmán and Spanish musician Natalia Jiménez performed "Ciega, Sordomuda" as a duet.[43]

Formats and track listings

[edit]

Promo CD[6]

  1. "Ciega, Sordomuda" – 4:28

Spanish Maxi CD[44]

  1. "Ciega, Sordomuda" (12" full mix) – 10:51
  2. "Ciega, Sordomuda" (12" single edit) – 4:36
  3. "Ciega, Sordomuda" (dub mix) – 8:01
  4. "Ciega, Sordomuda" (radio edit) – 4:37

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Ciega, Sordomuda".[6]

Charts

[edit]
Weekly chart positions for "Ciega, Sordomuda"
Chart (1998) Peak
position
Colombia (ASINCOL)[45] 1
Costa Rica (Notimex)[46] 1
El Salvador (Notimex)[47] 3
Guatemala (Notimex)[48] 2
Honduras (Notimex)[49] 4
Panama (Notimex)[50] 1
Puerto Rico (Notimex)[51] 3
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[25] 7
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[52] 1
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)[24] 1

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Ciega, Sordomuda"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[53] Platinum 60,000‡
United States (RIAA)[54] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Covers

[edit]

The song was covered by Croatian singer Vesna Pisarović under the title "Da je meni (oko moje)". This version served as the second single from Pisarović's sophomore album Za tebe stvorena.[55]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rey, Marcelo (12 September 2000). "Shakira May Be Next to Take U.S. by Storm". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Driven: Shakira". VH1. Archived from the original on 15 January 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Diego, Ximena (2001). Shakira: Woman Full of Grace. Simon & Schuster. pp. 83–84. ISBN 978-0743216234.
  4. ^ "Shakira contraataca". El Tiempo (in Spanish). 25 September 1998. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  5. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Dónde Están los Ladrones? - Shakira". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Ciega, Sordomuda (Media notes). Shakira. Mexico: Columbia. 1998. PRCD 97449.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ a b https://www.quien.com/espectaculos/2024/11/07/shakira-revela-la-historia-detras-de-ciega-sordomuda
  8. ^ https://revistaq.mx/espectaculos/shakira-habla-de-su-primer-sencillo-dedicado-a-mexico-y-la-influencia-de-su-madre-para-componerlo/
  9. ^ a b "The 98 Greatest Songs of 1998: Critics' Picks". Billboard. 29 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Diaz, Katy (16 September 1998). "Anda en busca de 'ladrones'". El Norte (in Spanish). p. 11. ProQuest 316140078. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ Lannert, John (10 October 1998). "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 41. p. 23. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  12. ^ Tarradell, Mario (8 October 1998). "What's in the Changer?". The Dallas Morning News. DallasNews Corporation. p. 5C.
  13. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (28 November 2004). Shakira Reviews. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743201698. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2016. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  14. ^ Reynold, Franz (1 November 1998). "Ritmo: la música de hoy". Latin Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 May 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  15. ^ Burr, Ramiro (20 December 1998). "Roots Music, Rock Fusions Marked Best of Latin in '98". San Antonio Express-News. p. 5K.
  16. ^ "Weeken: A Selection of Sure Hits from America del Sur". The Asahi Shimbun. 28 January 1999. p. 1.
  17. ^ Torres, Richard (20 December 1998). "A Pop Confection for a Powerhouse". Newsday (in Spanish). p. D25. ProQuest 279157689. Retrieved 2 June 2022 – via ProQuest.
  18. ^ a b "¿Quiénes se llevarán esta noche el Premio Lo Nuestro "99?". Panamá América (in Spanish). May 6, 1999. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Lo Nuestro – Historia" (in Spanish). Univision. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  20. ^ "BMI Honors Top Latin Writers and Publishers". Broadcast Music, Inc. May 1, 2000. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  21. ^ de F. Szoenyi, V. Alexandra (2 February 2020). "Shakira's 26 Best Songs of All Time". HipLatina. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  22. ^ "Hot Latin Songs: Week of October 24, 1998". Billboard. 24 October 1998. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  23. ^ "Hot Latin Songs – 1998 Archive". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Shakira Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  25. ^ a b "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 50. 12 December 1998. p. 65. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  26. ^ Mayfield, Geoff (November 20, 1999). "Charting Sony Discos' Success". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 47. p. 74. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  27. ^ Adaime, Iván. "Shakira - Grandes Exitos". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  28. ^ Luzanía, Abelardo (11 October 1998). "Shakira celebra 20 años de '¿Dónde están los ladrones?'". Grupo Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Ciega, sordomuda (1998)" (in Spanish). Los 40. January 1998. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  30. ^ "Shakira Se Quedó En el Corazón". El Tiempo (in Spanish). 8 April 2000. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  31. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Shakira Live & Off the Record". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  32. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour (DVD/CD)". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  33. ^ O'Hara, Lilia (21 October 2010). "Shakira dio un grandioso espectáculo en San Diego". Chicago Tribune (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  34. ^ Lechner, Ernesto (22 April 2000). "Shakira, Powerful and in Touch With Young Latina Audience". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  35. ^ Mathews, Terry (1 November 2010). "Shakira lights up American Airlines Center with Sale El Sol tour". The Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  36. ^ a b Hardwick, Dakin (27 October 2010). "Show Review: Shakira at Oracle Arena, 10/22/10". Spinning Platters. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  37. ^ "Live review: Shakira at MSG". Time Out. 22 September 2010. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  38. ^ "De rockera a diva pop: las cinco veces de Shakira en Premio Lo Nuestro" (in Spanish). Univision. 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  39. ^ "Cundinamarca Ya Tiene Su Reina". El Tiempo (in Spanish). 15 November 1999. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  40. ^ "Shakira - MTV Unplugged". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on February 4, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  41. ^ Burr, Ramiro (26 March 2000). "Shakira 'Unplugged' Just as Electric with Changes". San Antonio Express-News F. p. 6K. ProQuest 261960984. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  42. ^ 1Henderson, Alex. "MTV Unplugged - Shakira". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ Cobo, Leila (10 November 2011). "Shakira Wins Latin Grammy's Person of the Year; Feted by Marc Anthony, Manuelle and Caledon, Dad". Billboard. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  44. ^ [Spanish Commercial CD https://www.discogs.com/release/3101207-Shakira-Ciega-Sordomuda-Pablo-Flores-Remix]
  45. ^ "Shakira ocupa primeros lugares de popularidad en Colombia". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). October 20, 1998.
  46. ^ "Chayanne, Shakira y Mijares, los mejores en Centroamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). November 29, 1998.
  47. ^ "Chayanne, Shakira y Mijares, los mejores en Centroamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). November 29, 1998.
  48. ^ "Nek llega a los primeros lugares de popularidad". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). December 22, 1998.
  49. ^ "Chayanne, Shakira y Mijares, los mejores en Centroamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). November 29, 1998.
  50. ^ "Dominan cantantes juveniles las listas de popularidad en Centroamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). November 17, 1998.
  51. ^ "Chayanne, Shakira y Mijares, los mejores en Centroamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). November 29, 1998.
  52. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  53. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Shakira – Ciega, Sordomuda". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  54. ^ "American single certifications – Shakira – Ciega, Sordomuda". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  55. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts: Vesna Pisarović - Da je meni (oko moje)". GfK Entertainment charts. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
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