Don't Bother

{{Listen

| filename = DontBotherSample.ogg

| title = "Don't Bother"

| description = A 24 second sample of "Don't Bother" containing part of the chorus. On the rock-tinged song, Shakira refuses to ask for her former lover's sympathy after the end of their relationship and assures him that she will move on.

|pos = left

}}

"Don't Bother" was co-written by Shakira, Leisha Hailey, Heather Reid, and American pop music production trio the Matrix.https://music.allaccess.com/an-interview-with-the-multi-talented-heather-reid/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106014237/https://music.allaccess.com/an-interview-with-the-multi-talented-heather-reid/ |date=6 January 2023 }} and was produced by Shakira.{{cite web|title=Shakira – Do Not Bother (Song)|url=http://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Shakira&titel=Don%27t+Bother&cat=s|publisher=Italian Charts|access-date=5 August 2013}}{{cite web|last=Leahey|first=Andrew|title=The Matrix – Credits|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-matrix-mn0001956644/biography|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=5 August 2013}} Shakira also produced the song. Additional production was provided by Argentine singer-songwriter Gustavo Cerati. Lester Mendez served as an assistant producer. Similar to her seventh studio album Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, (2005), "Don't Bother" musically shifts to a more rock-styled composition as compared to Shakira's previous English releases.{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Oral Fixation, Vol. – Shakira|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/oral-fixation-vol-2-mw0000258830|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=5 August 2013}}{{cite web|title=Reviews – Shakira – Don't Bother|url=http://www.ukmix.org/reviews/release.php?release_id=9021|publisher=UKMix|access-date=5 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061526/http://www.ukmix.org/reviews/release.php?release_id=9021|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}} According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is published in the key of E minor (the relative key G major is in the chorus) and has a moderate rock tempo of 130 beats per minute.{{cite web|title=Don't Bother|date = 9 January 2006|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0051551&|publisher=Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing|access-date=5 August 2013}} Shakira's vocal range on the song spans from the note of E₃ to E₅. Through the lyrics of the song, Shakira urges her former lover not to "bother" feeling sorry for her after he chose another woman over her.{{cite web|last=Avoledo|first=Pam|title=Single Review: Shakira "Don't Bother"|url=http://blogcritics.org/single-review-shakira-dont-bother/|publisher=Blogcritics. Technorati, Inc.|access-date=5 August 2013|date=4 December 2005|archive-date=5 August 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130805174612/http://blogcritics.org/single-review-shakira-dont-bother/|url-status=dead}} She assures him that he "won’t ever see me [Shakira] cry" and that she will move on in her life without him. The song contains a spoken bridge in which Shakira lists a number of things she could do to make him stay with her, such as "move(ing) to a communist country", but admits that they would not have an effect on him. Pam Avoledo from Blogcritics found the theme of the song similar to the one in Shakira's 2002 single "Objection (Tango)". Shakira described the song as a feminist anthem, saying:

"I think 'Don't Bother' has a lot of pain in it as a song, but also a lot of humour and sarcasm. Yes, it is a way of exorcising all of these feelings, a form of catharsis, getting rid of all of those emotions that torture us women at some point in our lives"{{cite web|last=Weise|first=Kristina|title=Latin/Pop Star Shakira Discusses Her Two Album Projects: Fijacion Oral, Vol.1, and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2|date=3 January 2006|url=http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/shakira.htm|publisher=Songwriter Universe|access-date=28 November 2013}}

"Don't Bother" was issued by Epic Records as the lead single from Oral Fixation, Vol 2 and premiered on 9 October 2005 in the United States by AOL Music's First Listen initiative.{{cite web|last=Leeuwis|first=Jermy|title=Shakira released Oral Fixation vol 2|url=http://musicremedy.com/s/shakira/album/oral-fixation-vol-2-2121.html|publisher=MusicRemedy|access-date=5 August 2013|date=4 November 2005}}{{cite magazine|title=Shakira Readies Second Album Of 2005|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61140/shakira-readies-second-album-of-2005|magazine=Billboard|date=11 October 2005|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=5 August 2013}} The single saw its European physical release on 4 November 2005, having been made available for digital download on the iTunes Store on 18 October.{{cite web|title=Don't Bother –– Single|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dont-bother-single/id163355604|publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc.|access-date=5 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219030442/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dont-bother-single/id163355604|archive-date=19 February 2011}} In the United Kingdom, "Don't Bother" was issued as a CD single on 27 February 2006.{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=25 February 2006}}

The song received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Matt Cibula from PopMatters praised its theme and Shakira's "furious and sexual and self-mocking" vocal delivery, but found the song "strange" and "internally inconsistent".{{cite web|last=Cibula|first=Matt|title=Shakira: Oral Fixation, Vol. 2|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/shakira-oralfixation2/|publisher=PopMatters|access-date=5 August 2013|date=13 December 2005}} Alexis Petridis from The Guardian complimented the unpredictable nature of the song, although he also noted that the lyrics at times suggested a "faltering grasp of English".{{cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|title=Shakira, Oral Fixation Vol 2|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/mar/03/popandrock.shopping9|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 August 2013|date=3 March 2006}} Edward Oculicz from Stylus Magazine gave it a positive review, calling the song's chorus "bruised" and "anthemic" and the lyrics "impossible for native speakers to emulate".{{cite web|last=Oculicz |first=Edward |title=Shakira – Oral Fixation Volume 2 Review |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3614 |publisher=Stylus Magazine |access-date=5 August 2013 |date=8 December 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208202809/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3614 |archive-date=8 February 2008 }} Pam Avoledo from Blogcritics was also positive towards the song, noting improvement in Shakira's vocal delivery and calling them "brassy yet sensitive". Spencer D. from IGN Music felt the highlight to the song was Shakira's spoken bridge, saying that it lets the "light tinges of her accent roll of her tongue and present her as herself rather than the obvious result of previous pop matrons".{{cite web|last=D.|first=Spencer|title=Shakira – Oral Fixation vol. 2|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/12/07/shakira-oral-fixation-vol-2?page=2|publisher=IGN Music. Ziff Davis Media|access-date=6 August 2013|date=7 December 2005}} Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic picked the song as a highlight from the album. Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine offered a more mixed review, noting how "there are moments where she barks like a sea lion," but praised the track for its similarity to the Cure's "Just like Heaven" at its midsection; despite that he continued to criticize Shakira's vocals, "which at best are an acquired taste" and described the song as "just a little...too Shakira."{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Chuck |date=17 December 2005 |title=Reviews: Singles |work=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |page=36 |volume=117 |issue=51 |issn=0006-2510}}

In Austria, the song entered the singles chart at number 17 and peaked at number six, spending a total of 24 weeks on the chart.{{cite web|title=Shakira – Do Not Bother (Song)|url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Shakira&titel=Don%27t+Bother&cat=s|publisher=Austrian Charts|access-date=6 August 2013|language=de}} In Finland, the song entered and peaked at number four on the chart, becoming Shakira's highest-peaking single in the region since "Whenever, Wherever", (2001).{{cite web|title=Shakira – Do Not Bother (Song)|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Shakira&titel=Don%27t+Bother&cat=s|publisher=Finnish Charts|access-date=6 August 2013}} Its stay in the chart, however, was very short and lasted for only a week. "Don't Bother" reached number five on the singles chart in Hungary,{{cite web|title=Archívum › Kereső – lista és dátum szerint (Select "Single (track) Top 10 Lista" in "Lista", "2005" in "Év", and "48" in Hét")|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/kereso-lista-es-datum-szerint|publisher=MAHASZ|access-date=10 October 2013|language=hu}} and also peaked at number six on the airplay chart.{{cite web|title=MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 – radios|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2006|publisher=MAHASZ|access-date=7 August 2013|language=hu}} In Italy, the song performed moderately well, entering the chart at number 12 and peaking at number eight; it spent a total of 11 weeks on the chart. In Norway, the song narrowly missed the top five by peaking at number six.{{cite web|title=Shakira – Do Not Bother (Song)|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Shakira&titel=Don%27t+Bother&cat=s|publisher=Norway Charts|access-date=7 August 2013}} In Switzerland, the song entered the chart at number 10 and peaked at number eight; it stayed on the chart for a long period of 31 weeks.{{cite web|title=Shakira – Don't Bother|url=http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Shakira&titel=Don%27t+Bother&cat=s|publisher=Swiss Charts|access-date=7 August 2013|language=de}} In the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at number nine on the singles chart, spending a total of five weeks on the chart.{{cite web|title=2006 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20060305/7501/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=7 August 2013|date=11 March 2006}}{{cite web|title=Shakira|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/shakira/|publisher=Official Charts|access-date=7 August 2013}} It was Shakira's first single since "Objection (Tango)" (2002), to chart in the country.

In the United States, "Don't Bother" narrowly missed charting inside the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart by peaking at number 42.{{cite magazine|title=Shakira – Chart history|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278867/shakira/chart?f=379|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=7 August 2013}} It spent a total of nine weeks on the chart. On the Mainstream Top 40 chart, it peaked at number 25 and spent a total of 10 weeks on the chart.{{cite magazine|title=Shakira – Chart history|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278867/shakira/chart?f=381|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=7 August 2013}} In the US, the song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of 500,000 units.{{cite web|title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=7 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |archive-date=26 June 2007 }}

The accompanying music video for "Don't Bother" was directed by Jaume de Laiguana, who had previously collaborated with Shakira on the video for "No",{{cite web|title=Don't Bother|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/shakira/65285/dont-bother.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208141331/http://www.mtv.com/videos/shakira/65285/dont-bother.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2008|publisher=MTV. Viacom Media Networks|access-date=8 August 2013|date=2 November 2005}}{{cite web | url=http://idolator.com/5640591/shakira-loca-video | title=Shakira And Her Pants Are Golden In Her "Loca" Video | publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media | date=29 September 2010 | access-date=8 August 2013 | last=Daw | first=Robbie | archive-date=13 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913014802/https://www.idolator.com/5640591/shakira-loca-video | url-status=dead }} and was released on 15 November 2005.{{cite web|title=Don't Bother|url=https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/dont-bother/333719964|publisher=iTunes Store, Apple Inc|access-date=8 August 2013}} The video begins with a man parking his sports car in front of a house and proceeding to enter it.{{cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|title=Shakira: Oral Fixation Vol. 2|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/shakira-oral-fixation-vol-2|publisher=Slant Magazine|access-date=8 August 2013|date=2 December 2005}} Shakira is seen lying on a bed in the house and the man comes up and lies beside her, indicating that they are a couple.{{cite web|title=Music (Video) Review: Shakira, "Don't Bother"|url=http://www.joeyheadset.com/archives/2005/12/music_video_rev.html|publisher=Joey Headset|access-date=8 August 2013|author=Joey|date=12 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055319/http://www.joeyheadset.com/archives/2005/12/music_video_rev.html|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}} As soon as the man falls asleep, Shakira wakes up and lies atop the man and begins to caress him and bite and whisper in his ear a few times, although he does not wake up. Shakira takes the keys of the man's car and drives it to a wrecking yard. The video then interludes to scenes of Shakira sexually romancing the man in a shower. The scene then changes back to the wrecking yard, where Shakira begins playing a pink guitar. After the spoken bridge of the song, Shakira places her partner's car in a car crusher, which soon commences demolishing it. The man reacts in a similar manner to the car being crushed and begins experiencing continuous body jerks and spasms, indicating a connection between his car and his body. After the car is fully destroyed, Shakira leaves the man unconscious on the bed, exits the house, and begins walking on the street triumphantly. Shakira explained the usage of the car symbolism in the video, saying that "A man's car is like an extension of their ego and their manhood. I thought this would be a video that would make women say, 'Yeah, yeah!' and it would make men feel".{{cite web|last=Pareles|first=Jon|title=The Shakira Dialectic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/13/arts/music/13pare.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|work=The New York Times|access-date=8 August 2013|date=13 November 2005}}

Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine positively reacted to the video and found it "rich with symbolism". Shakira revealed that a nun from a Catholic high school she had attended was angered by the video by saying that "One of the nuns is looking for me after seeing the "Don't Bother" video".{{cite web|title=Nun Furious With Shakira For Racy Video|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/nun-furious-with-shakira-for-racy-video_07_03_2006|publisher=Contactmusic.com|access-date=8 August 2013|date=7 March 2006}}

After 14 years of release, in the second week of September 2019, the official music video witnessed an unexpected surge in views on YouTube, racking up over 15 million views in 4 days.{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7887920/shakiras-dont-bother-surges-into-youtubes-weekly-top-20?andro=1&chrome=1|title=Shakira's "Don't Bother" Surges Into YouTube's Weekly Top 20|publisher=Idolator|author=Mike Wass|date=25 September 2019|access-date=29 September 2019}}

File:Shakira Rio 03.jpg in Madrid, Spain]]

Shakira performed "Don't Bother" live for the first time at the 2005 Nordic Music Awards, held on 29 October 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.bt.dk/underholdning/shakira-til-bt.dk-jeg-foeler-mig-ikke-altid-ung|title=Shakira til bt.dk: Jeg føler mig ikke altid ung|date=29 October 2005|access-date=17 June 2017|work=BT}} She next went on to perform the song at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony held on 3 November 2005, where she also won the award for "Best Female Artist".{{cite web|title=Shakira Biography|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/Shakira/biography/|publisher=Monsters and Critics|access-date=8 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007121407/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/Shakira/biography/|archive-date=7 October 2013}} In November, the singer gave a surprise concert at Times Square and performed "Don't Bother" along with "La Tortura" and "Hey You".{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com//live/default.asp|title=Performance: Don't Bother|access-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060101024741/http://music.yahoo.com//live/default.asp|archive-date=1 January 2006|publisher=Yahoo!}} "Don't Bother" was also performed on television show Jensen! along with "La Tortura".{{Cite episode|title=Jensen!|series=Jensen!|series-link=Jensen!|network=RTL|airdate=24 November 2005}} It was followed by performances on Good Morning America on 2 December,{{Cite episode|title=Good Morning America|series=Good Morning America|series-link=Good Morning America|network=CBS|airdate=2 December 2005}} and The Ellen DeGeneres Show three days later.{{Cite episode|title=The Ellen DeGeneres Show|series=The Ellen DeGeneres Show|series-link=The Ellen DeGeneres Show|network=NBC|airdate=5 December 2005}} On 10 December 2005, she performed the song along with "La Tortura" on Saturday Night Live.{{cite web|title="Saturday Night Live" Alec Baldwin/Shakira (TV Episode 2005)| website=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0694917/?ref_=ttsnd_snd_tt|access-date=8 August 2013}} {{unreliable source?|date=March 2025}}{{cite web|title="Saturday Night Live" Alec Baldwin/Shakira (TV Episode 2005) – Soundtracks| website=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0694917/soundtrack?ref_=tt_trv_snd|access-date=8 August 2013}} Five days later, Shakira performed the song during an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman.{{cite episode|series=Late Night with David Letterman|title=Late Night with David Letterman|series-link=Late Night with David Letterman|network=CBS |airdate=15 December 2005|number=64|season=13}} It was also included the song to her set on Z100's Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden in New York which happened the day after.{{cite web|last=Pareles|first=Jon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/19/arts/music/at-the-jingle-ball-it-was-nerds-vs-braggarts.html|title=At the Jingle Ball, It was Nerds vs. Braggarts

|date=19 December 2005|access-date=3 July 2017|work=The New York Times}} The singer also performed "Don't Bother" live on MTV's New Year of Music at Times Square, on 31 December 2005.{{cite episode|series=MTV's New Year of Music|title=MTV's New Year of Music|network=MTV |airdate=31 December 2005}}

She returned to Europe to another promotional tour for the song, starting on 21 January 2006 at the NRJ Music Awards in France.{{cite web|last=Gell|first=Aaron|title=Love In The Time Of Shakira|url=http://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a9229/love-in-the-time-of-shakira-19446/|work=Elle|access-date=17 June 2017|date=13 March 2006}} Shakira later went to the United Kingdom to perform "Don't Bother" on Top of the Pops on 29 January,{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/s/shakira/clips/dont_bother.shtml|title=Shakira – Don't Bother|date=29 January 2006|access-date=17 June 2017|publisher=BBC One|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314124832/http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/s/shakira/clips/dont_bother.shtml|archive-date=14 March 2006}} and CD:UK on 4 February.{{cite episode|series=CD:UK|title=CD:UK|series-link=CD:UK|network=ITV |airdate=4 February 2006}} On 2 March, she appeared on GMTV to promote the song,{{cite episode|series=GMTV|title=GMTV|series-link=GMTV|network=ITV |airdate=2 March 2006}} also appearing on Sanremo Music Festival 2006 the same day,{{Cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/news-77546/sanremo-2006-gli-ospiti-di-giovedi-sera|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|title=Sanremo 2006: gli ospiti di giovedì sera|date=2 March 2006}} and Popworld two days later.{{cite episode|series=Popworld|title=Popworld|series-link=Popworld|network=Channel 4 |airdate=4 March 2006}} She then traveled to Germany to perform the song on 12 March 2006 at the Echo Awards.{{cite episode|series=Echo Music Prize|title=2006 Echo Awards|series-link=Echo Music Prize|network=RTL |airdate=12 March 2006}}

Shortly before the start of her tour, Shakira performed the song during the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal, on 26 May 2006.{{cite web|url=https://rockinriolisboa.sapo.pt/blog/rock-in-rio-lisboa-lembra-se-do-concerto-de-shakira-em-2006/|title=ROCK IN RIO LISBOA: LEMBRA-SE DO CONCERTO DE SHAKIRA EM 2006?|language=pt|date=6 October 2015|access-date=1 July 2017|publisher=Rock in Rio Lisboa|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906093609/http://rockinriolisboa.sapo.pt/blog/rock-in-rio-lisboa-lembra-se-do-concerto-de-shakira-em-2006/|url-status=dead}} "Don't Bother" was included in the concert setlist of her Oral Fixation Tour, which was launched in 2006 to promote the albums Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2.{{cite web|title=Shakira Setlist at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/shakira/2006/air-canada-centre-toronto-on-canada-33d6aca9.html|publisher=Setlist.fm|access-date=8 August 2013}} While headlining at the 2007 Live Earth concert held in Hamburg on 7 July 2007, Germany, Shakira performed "Don't Bother" along with three other songs.{{cite magazine|last=Spahr|first=Wolfgang|title=Shakira, Yusuf Islam Power Live Earth Hamburg|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051055/shakira-yusuf-islam-power-live-earth-hamburg|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=8 August 2013|date=7 July 2007}} She also included the song on the set list for her concert at Rock in Rio held at Madrid, Spain, on 4 July 2008.{{cite web|title=Shakira Setlist at Rock In Rio Madrid 2008|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/shakira/2008/ciudad-del-rock-arganda-del-rey-spain-3d75d7f.html|publisher=Setlist.fm|access-date=8 August 2013}}

• CD single{{cite web|title=Don't Bother [Single, Enhanced, Import]|website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/music/dp/B000BYACGW|access-date=8 August 2013}}

1. "Don't Bother" – 4:17
2. "No" ft. Gustavo Cerati (Album Version) – 4:45
3. "Don't Bother" (Jrsnchz Main Mix) – 5:34
4. "No" ft. Gustavo Cerati (Music video)

• Digital download

1. "Don't Bother" – 4:17

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{Col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Don't Bother"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|artist=Shakira|type=single|title=Don't Bother|certyear=2006|relyear=2005|accessdate=30 December 2021|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Shakira singles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2005 singles

Category:2005 songs

Category:Shakira songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Lester Mendez

Category:Songs with feminist themes

Category:Songs written by Graham Edwards (musician)

Category:Songs written by Lauren Christy

Category:Songs written by Scott Spock

Category:Songs written by Shakira