Shakira‘s latest single, “Soltera,” dropped on Sept. 25, and it’s more than just a catchy tune. It’s a powerful anthem for women, particularly Latinas, who are unapologetically embracing their single lives. As a Latina in her late 40s, Shakira challenges the societal expectations that often pressure women to prioritize relationships over personal fulfillment – even if those relationships aren’t healthy.
The lyrics read: “Se pasa rico soltera / Yo tengo derecho de portarme mal / Pa’ pasarla bien / Estoy suelta y ahora puedo hacer lo que quiera,” which translates to, “It’s great being single / I have the right to misbehave / To have a good time / I’m free and now I can do whatever I want.”
As a single Latina in my late 30s, I appreciate how the song celebrates life, emphasizing the joys of independence and self-love because this is something that Latinas are not typically taught when we’re growing up. Instead, we’re taught to prioritize the male gaze so that we increase our chances of marriage and motherhood. While I believe that some progress has been made, older generations often still perceive a single mother over 40 like Shakira to have somehow failed in life, despite all of her accomplishments. But she completely debunks that in “Soltera.”
She also emphasizes the importance of protecting your peace by having the right circle of people around you, a theme that we’ve noted in her recent social media posts promoting the track, where she’s seen singing and dancing along with other empowered women of color such as Anitta, Lele Pons, Natti Natasha, and Winnie Harlow.
The song’s lyrics are a celebration of single life, emphasizing the joys of independence and self-love. She also emphasizes the importance of protecting your peace by having the right circle of people around you. “Y yo cansada de estar apagada / Decidí prenderme / Cambié de amigos porque los que estaban / Solo hablaban de él,” translates to, “And I was tired of dimming my light / I decided to turn on / I changed friends because the ones who were around / Only spoke about him.”
For centuries, women have been taught that our worth is based on whether or not a man will marry us. Now, we are finally able to explore the other aspects of life, from career success and financial stability to rich friendships, living on our own, solo traveling, and beyond. We don’t need to be in a relationship with a man to have any of those things.
As someone who was once in a long-term relationship and even engaged, I never thought being single in my late 30s would be the path my life would take, but I am proud of myself when I look back and reflect on the fact that I’ve been able to navigate life on my own. I live on my own, I travel when I want with friends, and I even became a dog mom this year. And so I love how the song celebrates these aspects of single life while encouraging women to take time for themselves and break free from the societal pressures to be in a relationship.
Personally, I grew up with a mom who stayed in a marriage for far too long because not only did she depend on my dad financially, but she felt that being in a dysfunctional two-parent household was more important than whatever repercussions divorce would bring. I’ve also seen friends over the years settle with people they knew deep down weren’t a right fit because they felt they had already invested a certain amount of years into the relationship. I’ve witnessed firsthand how that mentality doesn’t work; settling will never lead you to be truly happy.
The release of “Soltera” comes at a particularly significant time for Shakira. Interestingly enough, her life and career have actually taken off since her very public separation from Spanish soccer player Gerad Piqué, who allegedly cheated on her with a significantly younger woman. This newfound independence has clearly ignited a creative spark within her, leading to a series of successful projects and record-breaking tracks. We’ve seen how her music has evolved, now reflecting a sense of self-assuredness and empowerment. Every track she’s released has reflected her healing journey; just think of hits songs like “TQG” featuring Karol G and her diss track “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Argentine producer Bizzarap, which became a viral hit and empowered women to embrace their own strength and independence.
Since the split, Shakira has been showered with honors and recognition for her artistic contributions. Last year, she was honored at Billboard and Telemundo’s first-ever Mujeres en Música event with the Woman of the Year award. She also won multiple awards at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards, including song of the year. Not only have these accomplishments solidified her status as a global music icon, but they also serve as a testament to her resilience.
As we approach the holidays and the notorious “cuffing season,” this track offers a timely reminder that it’s okay to resist societal pressures to prioritize romantic relationships, especially for those whose Latine family and friends often tend to inquire about our relationship status. This song encourages women like myself to celebrate the joys of being single and rightfully focus on my own wants and needs.
Kimmy Dole is a contributor for PS Juntos known for her sharp insights and compelling storytelling. An entertainment enthusiast, Kimmy immerses herself in the glitz of the industry, delivering a captivating blend of celebrity interviews, insights from industry experts, and the latest pop culture trends. Her work offers readers a genuine and relatable perspective, especially when exploring the complexities of relationships.
