"La Tortura" (English: "The Torture") is a song by Colombian singer-songwriterShakira, featuring Spanish singerAlejandro Sanz, from Shakira's sixthstudio album,Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005). The song was produced by Shakira and co-written by the singer withLuis Fernando Ochoa.Lester Mendez served as an assistant producer. It was released on 11 April 2005, byEpic Records, as thelead single from the album. "La Tortura" is apop,reggaeton, anddancehall track, which lyrically tells the story of a woman who has been emotionally "tortured" because her boyfriend cheated and eventually left her for another, and has now returned begging forgiveness.
Upon its release, "La Tortura" received generally positive reviews bymusic critics, who agreed that the song was a highlight fromFijación Oral, Vol. 1; they were also ambivalent towards its "Shaketon Mix". It was well received commercially, reaching number one in several countries worldwide, including Hungary, Spain and Venezuela. In the United States, the single reached number 23 on theBillboard Hot 100 (giving Sanz his only entry on said chart), while topping theHot Latin Songs chart for 25 non-consecutive weeks. It was eventually certified gold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for a million digital copies sold in the region. "La Tortura" received multiple awards and nominations, including theLatin Grammy Award forRecord of the Year andSong of the Year at the7th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.
Themusic video for "La Tortura" was directed byMichael Haussman and became one of the first Spanish music videos to be aired onMTV. It depicts Sanz spying on Shakira in her apartment, as they remember the times when they were a couple; Shakira also appears dancing erotically on a building's roof, covered with black greasepaint. To promote the single, she performed it on several televised shows and events, and included it in the setlist for three of herconcert tours, with the most recent being theLas Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour (2025). The song was covered by Puerto Rican singerGilberto Santa Rosa and has been credited with being one of the songs to popularize reggaetón globally, outside of theHispanophone diaspora.
Spanish singerAlejandro Sanz (pictured) was the featured artist on "La Tortura".
After achievingcrossover success in 2001 with her first English-language album,Laundry Service,[2] Shakira started working on its follow-up.[3] Having co-written almost 60 songs for the project, in both Spanish and English, Shakira decided to divide the release into two volumes, opting to first release an album entirely in Spanish, titledFijación Oral, Vol. 1.[4][5] This would be her first all-Spanish record sinceDónde Están los Ladrones? (1998).[6] For the album, Shakira worked with previous collaborators along with new partners, such as Argentine musicianGustavo Cerati and Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz.[1] She stated that "they are very credible artists within Hispanic music, great composers and unique voices".[7]Billboard opined that their presence on the album could help Shakira re-enter the Latin music market, as her last Spanish album was released seven years prior.[3]
During the 2004 Holiday season, Shakira and Sanz worked together in his home studio inMiami.[8] She recalls being nervous as it was the first time she got together with another artist to produce one of her songs. Sanz, who records himself and is theengineer of his own songs, spent three nights in a row going to bed at five in the morning to create the perfect sound for the track. She recalled: "I remember I told him, 'Can't you change this little note?' And he just said to me, 'what?'. He almost threw a puck at my head", referring to her perfectionism.[2] Shakira stated that she spent a full month tweaking the track, as she thought that it was "a song that needed clearly the right, the accurate production. If I went a little bit left or little bit far right, the song would suffer and get affected. And I struggled with the song until I finally got it."[9] Through a statement published by Shakira's label,Epic Records, she considered Sanz's voice as the one the song needed, as it is "raw, unique, full of sensuality";[10] Sanz described Shakira as "obsessive about detail", and elaborated that she was "a little girl but a giant woman who lives madly in love with her dreams".[2] "La Tortura", the result of their sessions together in the studio, was released as thelead single fromFijación Oral, Vol. 1 in the United States on 11 April 2005, by Epic Records.[11] Anelectronic-flavored remix, titled the "Shaketon Mix", was later added to the album.[1][12]
Musically, "La Tortura" is apop,reggaetón anddancehall song,[13][14][9] with some reviewers noting elements offlamenco,cumbia, andelectronica in its composition.[15][16][9][17][12]The New York Times'Jon Pareles observed therock guitars andelectronic blips present on the track, as well as an accordion and Sanz's "spry tres guitar", which provided a "funky cumbia feel".[9] According to Shakira, "La Tortura" is a mix of many different elements, explaining that, within its composition, there would be "a little bit of acoustic guitars, a little bit of accordions. It's probably my mostLatin track, too. It's one of those cocktails I like to put together".[4] The song is set incommon time with a moderate tempo of 62beats per minute. It is composed in the key ofC major with Shakira and Sanz'svocal ranges spanning fromE3 toA5.[18]
According to Shakira, "La Tortura" lyrically deals with "love and hate, infidelity, doubts, a chance of being forgiven... it's a song a [I] wrote in order to reflect that Latin reality calledmachismo, which is both tragic and comic at the same time".[19] The track is about the "torture" it has been for two lovers to leave each other. One continually betrays the other, who is tired of the lies.[20] Sanz sings, "I know I have not been a saint/but I can fix it baby",[a] while Shakira responds: "you better keep that bone to another dog and then we say goodbye".[b][10] The song ends as Shakira decides to leave Sanz, despite his pleas, but she asserts that she will not cry over him.[20]
Upon release, "La Tortura" received generally positive reviews frommusic critics. Matt Cibula fromPopMatters wrote that "what really matters are these two overheated voices working with and against each other, and the way that undeniable beat really comes alive when there is actually a beautiful melody underneath it".[21] Described as a "beat-heavy scorcher" by Geoff Harkness fromChicago Tribune, it was seen by the journalist as the best track on the albumFijación Oral, Vol. 1, who saw its choice as the lead single as a "no-brainer".[22] The staff ofHouston Chronicle agreed, naming the track an "obvious standout", and complimenting Sanz's vocals, as his "raspy delivery gives the song a razor-sharp edge".[15] Spence D. fromIGN opined that the "ethnic" musical implements on "La Tortura", such as accordion, Spanish guitar flutters, jostling rhythms, and Sanz's vocals "make for one of the more enjoyable and distinct inclusions on the album; a slice of Shakira being Shakira and eschewing the affectation of anybody else's vocal stylings".[23]
ForLos Angeles Times' Agustin Gurza, "La Tortura" was "so deliciously pop you forgive the crass calculation of mixing restrained reggaeton beats (narcissistically called 'Shaketon'), a dash ofGipsy Kings, a touch of Colombian accordion. Radio loves it and the clubs will too".[17] Ruan Carlo fromSputnikmusic deemed the track as "the most commercial song in the album", noting that it was "noticeably different from previous singles", as it sounds "very Latin, and yet synthesizers are heard at one point", which gives the song a "global tone".[24] Jon Pareles ofThe New York Times complimented the song and its "Shaketon Mix", arguing that "one of it sounds forced: for Shakira it's all pop, taut structures for volatile passion".[12] Jorge Patiño ofRolling Stone Argentina described the remix as "a cleaner work than the original version until the percussion enters and falls into the reggaeton that invades the stations".[25] Tom Townsend fromYahoo! Music opined that the original song was "slightly disappointing" but was "greatly improved by the remix, tacked on as a bonus track" on the album.[26] Mariana Enriquez fromPágina/12 called it "not a great song, but at this point no one can avoid humming it".[27]
In total, "La Tortura" has sold around five million copies worldwide.[42] In Latin America, the single was well received commercially. In Colombia, Shakira's home country, it peaked at number three.[43] The song also reached number three in Panama,[44] while reaching the top of the charts in Guatemala and Venezuela.[44][45]
In the United States, "La Tortura" debuted at number 98 on theBillboard Hot 100, on the issue dated 7 May 2005.[46] The track slowly climbed the chart until it reached its peak of number 23, on 24 September 2005.[47] On theHot Latin Songs chart, the song debuted at number 11 on the week of 30 April 2005.[48] It later reached the summit five weeks later, replacing "La Camisa Negra" byJuanes.[49] The single spent a total of 25 non-consecutive weeks at the top, becoming the longest-leading song at number one which was previously held bySon by Four's "A Puro Dolor" (2000), with 20 weeks.[50] The record was later broken by "Bailando" (2014) byEnrique Iglesias featuringDescemer Bueno andGente de Zona, with 41 weeks.[51] "La Tortura" ended 2005 as the best-performing Latin single of the year.[52] Due to its success, the song was certified platinum byRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for over 1,000,000 digital sales. In the Latin field, it received a diamond certification due to sales of 1.92 million sales.[53]
"La Tortura" was also successful in Europe. In Austria, the track reached number three,[54] being later certified gold byIFPI Austria.[55] In Denmark, the song reached number seven on the singles chart,[56] and was also certified gold byIFPI Denmark.[57] In Germany, it peaked at number four,[58] and was certified gold by theBundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI).[59] In Switzerland, it reached a peak of number two, staying there for nine non-consecutive weeks.[60] The single was eventually certified gold by theIFPI Switzerland.[61] In other parts of Europe, "La Tortura" reached the top three in several countries, such as Croatia, Italy, and Switzerland,[62][63][60] while peaking inside the top five in France, Greece and Sweden.[64][65][66] It eventually topped the charts in Hungary, Romania, as well as Spain, Sanz's home country.[67][68][69] The song's commercial performance in the European countries helped it attain a peak of number five on theEuropean Hot 100 Singles chart, on the issue dated 6 August 2005.[70]
Shakira and Sanz portraying a couple in the music video for "La Tortura".
Themusic video for "La Tortura" was directed byMichael Haussman. Shakira declared that she really liked his work, as she felt he was "a very sensitive man". She also stated that Haussman "was the right person to convey the feeling of this video, to understand it, and besides all that, he has a very good energy, a great vibe, he has a nice spirit and good humor. Working with him was a beautiful experience".[19] It was filmed on 8–12 April 2005 inBay Harbor Island,[71] in anart deco building.[19][72] Before filming the video, she consulted a priest friend about whether it would be proper to film the scenes as Sanz's love interest while in a committed relationship with her then-fiancé,Antonio de la Rúa, and the priest gave her permission.[73] Shakira did her own make-up for the video, as she wanted a "very natural look" for it.[19] Thechoreography was made byJamie King and Shakira herself;[74] according to her, she made up all the moves while King filmed her with a camera, and then had to learn her own moves, calling the process "so hard".[19] The choreography has been described as ultra-sensual.[75]
The music video was premiered on 26 April 2005 throughMTV'sMaking the Video series.[19] Following a special airing ofDaddy Yankee's "Gasolina" video on MTV in 2004, "La Tortura" was among the first Spanish music videos to air on MTV.[3] It also became the first Spanish video to be added to high rotation onVH1.[73] Additionally, the whole episode ofMaking the Video was aired in Spanish, with English subtitles.[3] The music video begins with Sanz observing Shakira in an apartment as she is walking down the street on her way to her own apartment, which is located on the other side of the street, while holding a bag of onions. He watches her crying while cutting them, but the onions are out of his view. Scenes from the time they were still a couple are shown, with the pair seen eatingChinese food, and Shakira crawling across the table as Sanz admires her. She is then seen dancing erotically on a building's roof, covered in black greasepaint. The video ends with Shakira coming to the window to realize Sanz was spying on her and turns back.
Shakira first performed the song in the ancientRoman amphitheater ofAspendos (pictured) for German television showWetten, dass..?.
The first live performance Shakira gave for "La Tortura" was on the German television showWetten, dass..?, filmed in the ancientRoman amphitheater ofAspendos, nearAntalaya, Turkey, and aired on 15 May 2005.[81] She then went to the United States and gave performances for the track on MTV'sTotal Request Live, on 31 May and onGood Morning America, three days later.[82][83] Shakira and Sanz sang the song together for the first time atMadrid bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics on 5 June 2005.[84] A few days later, on 20 June, she performed the single duringUNICEF's 50th anniversary in the Netherlands.[85] Shakira was also part of the MTV Day festival in Madrid, Spain which took place on 29 June 2005, performing "La Tortura" and "No", another song fromFijación Oral Vol. 1, among other songs from her back catalog.[86] On 2 July, she appeared atPalace of Versailles in Paris to sing "La Tortura" and "Whenever, Wherever" as part of theLive 8 benefit concert.[87] Days later, she went to Argentina and gave a performance of "La Tortura" on her own television special titledShakira: Íntimo, aired byTelefe.[88]
Shakira and Sanz performed "La Tortura" together on the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards on 28 August 2005. It was the first time in the history of the awards show that a song was performed completely in another language other than English.[20][78] On 8 September, she performed it onFashion Rocks event, which took place atRadio City Music Hall and aired a day later byCBS.[89] In November, Shakira gave a surprise concert atTimes Square forYahoo! Launch, and gave a performance of "La Tortura" along with "Don't Bother" and "Hey You", songs fromOral Fixation Vol. 2.[90] The same month, she also traveled to the Netherlands and sang the song at theUNESCO Gala event on 12 November.[91] On 10 December 2005, she performed the song with Sanz onseason 31 ofSaturday Night Live.[92] Shakira included "La Tortura" on her setlist for theKIIS-FM'sJingle Ball atShrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.[93] Ten days later, she also performed the song during her set onZ100's Jingle Ball atMadison Square Garden in New York City.[94] Shakira performed a set of songs on US television programToday, including "La Tortura", on 28 April 2006.[95]
Shakira included the song in the setlist for her concert at theRock in Rio festival in Lisbon, on 26 May 2006.[96] The song was later performed during her 2006–07Oral Fixation Tour, which was launched to promote the albumsFijación Oral, Vol. 1 andOral Fixation, Vol. 2. The performance of the song during the concert in Miami, Florida, on 9 December 2006, featured Sanz, and was filmed for alive album release.[97] On 2 November 2006, the pair sang the track at the 7th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, where she took four awards.[98] "La Tortura" was performed by Shakira during her set on the Plymouth Jazz Festival in Trinidad and Tobago, on 26 April 2008.[99] In May 2008, she was part of theALAS Foundation's concert inBuenos Aires, also performing the song.[100] She also included "La Tortura" on the setlist for her concert at Rock in Rio held at Madrid, on 4 July.[101] It was also included on her sets of theRock in RioLisboa andMadrid festivals on 21 May and 5 June 2010, respectively.[102][103] Shakira also performed the song as part of her 2010–11The Sun Comes Out World Tour.[104] Years later, the track was performed again on the 2018El Dorado World Tour.[105] In 2019, Shakira was a surprise guest at Sanz's La Gira tour stop inBarcelona, and sang the song with him.[106] In 2025, Shakira performed the song onLas Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.[107]
In 2011, Puerto Rican singerGilberto Santa Rosa performed a live cover of "La Tortura" as part theLatin Recording Academy tribute to Shakira where she was honoredPerson of the Year.[108] In 2009, a book namedReggaeton credited the song for popularizing the genre in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia.[109]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^ab"La Tortura de Shakira suena en las emisoras".La Nación (in Spanish). 12 April 2005.Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved27 December 2023.La tortura, un sencillo incluido en el último trabajo de la cantautora colombiana Shakira, Fijación oral, empezó a escucharse ayer en las emisoras americanas, revelaron fuentes de Sony Music.
^La Tortura (European CD maxi-single liner notes). Shakira featuringAlejandro Sanz. Epic Records. 2005. 675933 2, EPC 675933 2, 6759332000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^La Tortura (European CD single liner notes). Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz. Epic Records. 2005. EPC 675933 1, 6759331000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 33. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
^"MAHASZ Rádiós Top 100 2005". Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Archived fromthe original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved29 December 2010.
