Poem to a Horse
{{Short description|2004 song by Shakira}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Poem to a Horse
| cover = Shakira_-_Poem_to_a_Horse_-_Whenever,_Wherever.jpeg
| caption = Artwork for the promotional CD single for the live version
| alt =
| type = song
| artist = Shakira
| album =
| released = February 13, 2004
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
- The Hit Factory Criteria (Miami, FL){{cite AV media notes|title=Laundry Service|others=Shakira|year=2001|publisher=Epic Records}}
- Crescent Moon Studios (Miami, FL){{cite AV media notes|title=Laundry Service|others=Shakira|year=2001|publisher=Epic Records}}
- Compass Point Studios (Nassau, Bahamas){{cite AV media notes|title=Laundry Service|others=Shakira|year=2001|publisher=Epic Records}}
- Nomad Music (Miami, FL){{cite AV media notes|title=Laundry Service|others=Shakira|year=2001|publisher=Epic Records}}
| venue = Rotterdam Ahoy (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| length = 4:09
| label = Epic
| composer = {{flatlist|
- Shakira
- Luis Fernando Ochoa}}
| lyricist = Shakira
| producer = Shakira
| prev_title = The One
| prev_year = 2003
| next_title = La Tortura
| next_year = 2005
| misc =
{{External music video|header=Music video|{{YouTube|7Kv_qd2rXcs|"Poem to a Horse"}}|type=song}}
}}
"Poem to a Horse" is a song recorded by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for her first English-language studio album, Laundry Service (2001). The live version of track was released as a promotional single for Shakira's second live album Live & off the Record (2004). A rock and soul song written by Shakira and Luis Fernando Ochoa, lyrically it discusses marijuana addiction and narcissism. Shakira produced the track, with additional production by Ochoa.
Background and release
{{quote box
| quote = "I used the literary figure of personification, but in reverse: instead of turning an object into an animal or a person, I did the opposite."
| source = —Shakira on "Poem to a Horse".{{Cite web |last=Mundo |first=Sputnik |date=2021-11-14 |title=Shakira desvela los secretos de 'Laundry Service' por su 20 aniversario {{!}} Videos |url=https://noticiaslatam.lat/20211114/shakira-desvela-los-secretos-de-laundry-service-por-su-20-aniversario--videos-1118229552.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Sputnik Mundo |language=es}}
| align = left
| width = 25%
}}
"Poem to a Horse" was initially released as the ninth track off Shakira's fifth studio album Laundry Service (2001).{{Cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=2021-11-12 |title=Shakira Drops 20th Anniversary 'Laundry Service' Expanded Reissue |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shakira-laundry-service-washed-and-dried-1257119/ |access-date=2024-11-23 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=2025-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101150226/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shakira-laundry-service-washed-and-dried-1257119/ |url-status=live }} In 2002, Shakira embarked on Tour of the Mongoose to promote the album,{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Ygor |date=2024-11-08 |title=Shakira rompe barreiras com a "Tour of the Mongoose" e redefine o pop global |url=https://cadernopop.com.br/shakira-rompe-barreiras-com-a-tour-of-the-mongoose-e-redefine-o-pop-global/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Caderno Pop |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |title=Shakira suffered major loss on first World Tour due to THIS reason |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1175974-shakira-suffered-major-loss-on-first-world-tour-due-to-this-reason |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}} and "Poem to a Horse" was included on the setlist.{{Cite web |title=Shakira Average Setlists of tour: Tour of the Mongoose {{!}} setlist.fm |url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/shakira-7bd6da94.html?tour=1bd7d950 |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.setlist.fm}} The tour date in Rotterdam on 22 April 2003 was recorded, and most of it was released on 30 March 2004 under the title Live & off the Record.{{Cite web |last=www.eldia.com |first=Diario El Dia de La Plata |title=Diario El Dia de La Plata www.eldia.com |url=https://www.eldia.com/nota/2004-3-6-shakira-lanza-un-album-y-un-dvd |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=www.eldia.com |language=es |archive-date=2025-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101150227/https://www.eldia.com/nota/2004-3-6-shakira-lanza-un-album-y-un-dvd |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Basanta |first=Elena |date=2023-03-31 |title=A un paso de cumplir dos décadas, 'Live & Off the Record' es uno de los discos más versátiles de Shakira |url=https://www.cadena100.es/musica/noticias/paso-cumplir-dos-decadas-live-off-the-record-uno-los-discos-mas-versatiles-shakira-20230331_2637281 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=CADENA 100 |language=es |archive-date=2024-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110185518/https://www.cadena100.es/musica/amp/noticias/paso-cumplir-dos-decadas-live-off-the-record-uno-los-discos-mas-versatiles-shakira-20230331_2637281 |url-status=live }} "Poem to a Horse (Live)" was released as a promotional single off the live album,{{Cite web |last=Col |first=Lo Ultimo |date=2024-10-17 |title=Shakira y su nueva fecha en Barranquilla llevaron a los fans a recordar trabajo de Luis Fernando Ochoa |url=https://loultimocolombia.com/2024/10/17/shakira-y-su-nueva-fecha-en-barranquilla-llevaron-a-los-fans-a-recordar-trabajo-de-luis-fernando-ochoa/ |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=Lo último Colombia |language=es |archive-date=2024-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112225030/https://loultimocolombia.com/2024/10/17/shakira-y-su-nueva-fecha-en-barranquilla-llevaron-a-los-fans-a-recordar-trabajo-de-luis-fernando-ochoa/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Clarín |first=Redacción |date=2004-04-14 |title=Para fanáticos y para chismosos |url=https://www.clarin.com/espectaculos/fanaticos-chismosos_0_BJ8eQ8p1RKg.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=Clarín |language=es |archive-date=2025-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101150226/https://www.clarin.com/espectaculos/fanaticos-chismosos_0_BJ8eQ8p1RKg.html |url-status=live }} getting a CD release as the only track,{{Citation |title=Shakira - Poem To A Horse (Live) |date=2004 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2919226-Shakira-Poem-To-A-Horse-Live |access-date=2024-12-18 |language=en}} and as a double single with "Whenever, Wherever (Live)".{{Citation |title=Shakira - Poem To A Horse (Live) / Whenever, Wherever (Live) |date=2004 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2919252-Shakira-Poem-To-A-Horse-Live-Whenever-Wherever-Live |access-date=2024-12-18 |language=en}} An edited version of the live recording was also released with the lines referencing drugs muted.{{Cite web |last=Shock |first=Redacción |date=2022-01-14 |title='Poem to a horse', la canción de Shakira sobre un adicto a la marihuana |url=https://www.shock.co/musica/poem-to-a-horse-shakira |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Shock |language=es}}
"Poem to a Horse" is a rock and soul{{Cite web |title=La Capital On Line - Sección - - Shakira y Britney Spears disputan el trono del pop con sus nuevos discos |url=https://archivo.lacapital.com.ar/2001/11/17/articulo_141.html |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=archivo.lacapital.com.ar}} song featuring guitars and horns as prominent instruments.{{Cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=2002-03-08 |title=Thong songs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/mar/08/popandrock.shopping |access-date=2025-01-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=2013-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203073206/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/mar/08/popandrock.shopping |url-status=live }} Its lyrics delve into social criticism via the theme of a relationship ending due to the partner's marijuana addiction. It portrays Shakira's frustration with her partner, who is more interested in marijuana than engaging with her. The lyrics describe the partner's use of "hydroponic pot" to feed his "empty brain," highlighting mental deterioration. Shakira uses the metaphor of 'poem to a horse' to illustrate the futility of communicating with someone so detached.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=La crítica social en las canciones de Shakira: de 'Se quiere, se mata' a 'Octavo día' |url=https://www.europafm.com/noticias/musica/critica-social-canciones-shakira-quiere-mata-octavo-dia_20230920650b02654fd7bf0001a6ce4d.html |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=EuropaFM |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Perú |first=El Comercio |date=2023-09-24 |title=Shakira: "El jefe" y otras canciones con crítica social |url=https://elcomercio.pe/mag/fama/shakira-el-jefe-y-otras-canciones-con-critica-social-celeb-de-estados-unidos-nnda-nnlt-noticia/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=El Comercio Perú |language=es |archive-date=2025-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101150227/https://elcomercio.pe/mag/fama/shakira-el-jefe-y-otras-canciones-con-critica-social-celeb-de-estados-unidos-nnda-nnlt-noticia/ |url-status=live }} The lyrics also critique how the societal encouragement of narcissism strains relationships.{{Cite web |title=Las 10 letras más inteligentes de Shakira – Cabeza de Gato |url=http://www.cabezadegato.com/video/las-10-letras-mas-inteligentes-de-shakira/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |language=es-ES}} In 2021, Shakira admitted the song being one of her boldest ventures into poetic expression, as in its lyrics she likened her romantic partner to a horse.
Reception
In an album review, Alexis Petridis from The Guardian described how "Poem to a Horse" "mixes Nirvana-influenced guitars with a soul horn section to mind-boggling effect". Jessica Roiz from Billboard wrote how "younger Shak is known for hits like 'Si Te Vas', [...] and 'Poem to a Horse', where she strong and proudly walks away from a narcissist."{{Cite magazine |last=Roiz |first=Jessica |date=2023-01-17 |title=What's the Best Shakira Song to Get Over an Ex? Vote! |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/best-shakira-breakup-song-bzrp-music-session-poll-1235200039/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=2025-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101150226/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/best-shakira-breakup-song-bzrp-music-session-poll-1235200039/ |url-status=live }} Isabelia Herrera of Pitchfork dubbed the song as an "anti-drug hymn", and compared the "fervid" horns and riffs to Nirvana's work.{{Cite web |last=Herrera |first=Isabelia |title=Shakira: Laundry Service |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/shakira-laundry-service/ |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605165054/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/shakira-laundry-service/ |url-status=live }} Cabeza de Gato ranked the song in their list of 10 songs with Shakira's most intelligent lyrics.
Music video
The music video for "Poem to a Horse" was released in February 2004. The video contains a live performance of the song at the Tour of the Mongoose date in Rotterdam as well as clips from her ‘’Live & off the Record’’ documentary.
Live performances
"Poem to a Horse" was performed by Shakira on Tour of the Mongoose in 2002-2003. According to a photograph published by Albert Menéndez from Shakira's band, the song will be on the setlist of Shakira's 2025 Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.{{Cite web |title=Filtran por error el setlist de los conciertos de Shakira; estos son los detalles |url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/espectaculos/filtran-por-error-el-setlist-de-los-conciertos-de-shakira-estos-son-los-detalles/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=El Universal |language=es}}
Track listings
CD single: Poem to a Horse (Live)
- "Poem to a Horse" - 4:08
- "Poem to a Horse" (Live) - 5:11
CD single: Poem To A Horse (Live) / Whenever, Wherever (Live)
- "Poem to a Horse" (Live) - 5:11
- "Whenever, Wherever" (Live Radio Edit) - 3:31
- "Whenever, Wherever" (Live) - 5:28
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Poem to a Horse" !scope="col"|Chart (2004) !scope="col"|Peak |
| scope="row"|Uruguay (Notimex){{cite journal|url=https://archivo.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/218851.html|title=Paulina Rubio y Alex Ubago, en primeros lugares|journal=El Universal (Mexico City)|date=25 April 2004|page=|access-date=17 May 2025|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501084845/https://archivo.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/218851.html|archive-date=1 May 2023|url-status=live}}
|align="center"|1 |
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