Un Poco de Amor
{{Other uses}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Un Poco de Amor
| cover = Shakira un poco de amor.jpg
| caption = Artwork used for the US promotional maxi single remixes release
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Shakira
| album = Pies Descalzos
| released = {{Start date|1996|05|16}}
| recorded = 1995
| studio =
- Sonido Azulado Studio (Bogota, Colombia){{cite AV media notes|title=Pies Descalzos|others=Shakira|year=1996|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/pies-descalzos-mw0000185569|access-date=June 7, 2013|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522122303/http://www.allmusic.com/album/pies-descalzos-mw0000185569|url-status=live}}
- Ocean V.U. Studio (Miami, FL)
| venue =
| genre = {{flat list|
}}
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=04}}
| label = {{flat list|
}}
| writer = {{flat list|
- Shakira
- Luis Fernando Ochoa
}}
| producer = Luis Fernando Ochoa
| prev_title = Pies Descalzos, Sueños Blancos
| prev_year = 1996
| next_title = Antología
| next_year = 1997
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|TeLvBPSoRzc|"Un Poco de Amor"}}}}
}}
"Un Poco de Amor" (English: A Little Bit of Love) is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, taken from her third studio album Pies Descalzos. It was released on May 16, 1996, by Sony Music and Columbia Records as the fourth single from the album. The song was written and produced by Shakira and Luis Fernando Ochoa. "Un Poco de Amor" is a Latin pop song that incorporates reggae elements. Lyrically, it states that Shakira is waiting to find someone who loves her.
Upon its release, "Un Poco de Amor" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who recognized it as a stand-out track from Pies Descalzos. The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs and Latin Songs component charts. While less successful than its preceding singles, its performance continued to aid its parent album in becoming her breakthrough record, which eventually attained platinum certifications in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States.
A Portuguese-language translation of the track titled "Um Pouco de Amor" appeared on Shakira's first remix album The Remixes in 1997. The song has additionally been performed during two of her concert tours to date.
Background and composition
Shakira released her third studio album Pies Descalzos in 1995 by Sony Music Colombia. It was her first album being released outside of Colombia via Sony Colombia's parent company Columbia Records. Assuming a prominent position in its production, she co-wrote each of the eleven tracks included on the record. Serviced as the fourth single from the project, "Un Poco de Amor" saw additional songwriting from producer Luis Fernando Ochoa. The track is heavily influenced by Latin pop elements, and additionally incorporates reggae styles.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/shakira/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919081610/http://www.mtv.com/artists/shakira/biography/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2012|title=Shakira Bio|publisher=MTV Artists. Viacom|access-date=June 7, 2013}} Lyrically, it states that Shakira is waiting to find someone who loves her.{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolyrics.com/poco-de-amor-lyrics-shakira.html|title=Shakira - Un Poco de Amor Lyrics|publisher=Metrolyrics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224443/http://www.metrolyrics.com/poco-de-amor-lyrics-shakira.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=unfit|access-date=June 7, 2013}} It became her first track to include phrases in English, performed by the Colombian reggae singer and guitarist Howard Glasford.{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Shakira+Feat+Howard+Glasford|title=Shakira Feat Howard Glasford|publisher=Last.fm. CBS Interactive|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302163452/http://www.last.fm/music/Shakira+Feat+Howard+Glasford|url-status=live}}, also referred to as Howard Glassfor.{{cite web|url=https://credits.muso.ai/profile/5db22a1d-b840-4059-9cbd-a43364fe5c91|title=Howard Glassfor|publisher=muso.ai|access-date=June 19, 2025}} The Pies Descalzos CD booklet says Rasta vox, guitarra skank: Howard Glassfor (Rasta voice, guitar skank of Jamaican music).
The accompanying music video for "Un Poco de Amor" was directed by Gustavo Garzón.{{cite web|url=https://myspace.com/shakira/video/un-poco-de-amor-video/108656445|title=Un Poco De Amor - Video by Shakira|date=2 June 2009|publisher=Myspace|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095435/https://myspace.com/shakira/video/un-poco-de-amor-video/108656445|url-status=live}} The clip depicts a black-haired and red-haired Shakira dancing with Glasford, in addition to members of various ethnic groups.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeLvBPSoRzc|title=SHakira - Un Poco de Amor|publisher=YouTube|date=April 6, 2012|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918205915/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeLvBPSoRzc|url-status=live}} The music video received a Billboard Latin Music Award for Pop Video of the Year.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IQ8EAAAAMBAJ&q=intitle:billboard+shakira+poco+de+amor+ironia&pg=RA1-PA28|title=The Winners Are...|last=Lannert|first=John|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|volume=109|issue=18|page=LMQ-12|date=May 3, 1997|access-date=June 10, 2013}} A Portuguese version of the song, entitled "Um Pouco de Amor", was included in Shakira's 1997 remix album The Remixes.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-remixes/170123540|title=iTunes - Music - The Remixes by Shakira|publisher=iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc.|date=October 21, 1997|access-date=June 12, 2013|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802004551/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-remixes/170123540|url-status=live}}
Reception
Upon its release, "Un Poco de Amor" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who recognized it as a stand-out track from Pies Descalzos. Carlos Quintana of About.com complimented the track for its reggae influences, and placed it among his personal favorites from the record.{{cite web|url=http://latinmusic.about.com/od/shakira_top/fr/Shakira-Pies-Descalzos-Cd-Review.htm|title=Shakira – 'Pies Descalzos' CD Review|author=Carlos Quintana|publisher=About.com. IAC|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=June 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610065259/http://latinmusic.about.com/od/shakira_top/fr/Shakira-Pies-Descalzos-Cd-Review.htm|url-status=dead}} Similarly, Jose F. Promis from Allmusic praised it for being a "dancehall-lite" track, going on to select the song as an "Allmusic Pick".{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/pies-descalzos-mw0000185569|title=Pies Descalzos - Shakira|author=Jose F. Promis|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522122303/http://www.allmusic.com/album/pies-descalzos-mw0000185569|url-status=live}} The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs and Latin Songs component charts.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shakira/chart-history/|title=Shakira - Chart history|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=June 8, 2013|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121091515/https://www.billboard.com/artist/shakira/chart-history/|url-status=live}} While less successful than its preceding singles, its performance continued to aid its parent album in becoming her breakthrough record, which eventually attained platinum certifications in Argentina,{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=July 6, 2011|title = Discos de oro y platino|access-date=June 7, 2013|publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|language=es}} Brazil,{{Certification Cite Ref|region=Brazil|artist=Shakira}} and the United States.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|artist=Shakira|title=Pies Descalzos|type=album|access-date=June 7, 2013}} Pies Descalzos was also awarded the "Diamond Prism" award in Colombia.{{cite web|url=http://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/shakira-inc/32742-3|title=Shakira Inc.|publisher=Semana|language=es|date=June 16, 1997|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=July 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712082017/http://www.semana.com/especiales/articulo/shakira-inc/32742-3|url-status=live}}
In 1996, "Un Poco de Amor" was included in the reissue of Pies Descalzos, titled Colección de Oro.{{cite AV media notes|title=Colección de Oro|others=Shakira|year=1996|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/colecci%C3%B3n-de-oro-mw0002020097|access-date=June 7, 2013|publisher=Sony Music. Columbia Records}} In 2002, it was featured as the third track for Shakira's first greatest hits album Grandes Éxitos.{{cite AV media notes|title=Grandes Éxitos|others=Shakira|year=2005|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/grandes-exitos-bonus-video-disc-mw0000228609|access-date=June 7, 2013|publisher=Sony Music. Columbia Records|archive-date=February 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211032839/http://www.allmusic.com/album/grandes-exitos-bonus-video-disc-mw0000228609|url-status=live}} Its appearance in both records was complimented as being reminiscent of her rise to prominence.
Live performances
Shakira has performed "Un Poco de Amor" during two of her concert tours thus far. She first performed the track in Mexico City during her Tour Pies Descalzos, which ran from 1996 through 1997.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5MK7XpItx-wC&q=William+Mebarak+born+new+york&pg=PA20|pages=70|author=Ximena Diego |title=Shakira: Woman Full of Grace|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|access-date=July 28, 2013|isbn=0743216687|date=2002-01-10}} It was also included during the Tour of the Mongoose, held in support of her third studio album Laundry Service. The song was notably absent from her Tour Anfibio, Oral Fixation Tour, The Sun Comes Out World Tour, and El Dorado World Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/stats/shakira-7bd6da94.html|title=Shakira Tour Statistics|publisher=Setlist.fm|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=June 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624121338/http://www.setlist.fm/stats/shakira-7bd6da94.html|url-status=live}}
Track listing
;Mexican Promo CD{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Shakira-Un-Poco-De-Amor-Remixes/release/3319266|title=Shakira - Un Poco De Amor (Remixes) (CD)|date=1996 |publisher=Discogs. Zink Media|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-date=April 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419151032/http://www.discogs.com/Shakira-Un-Poco-De-Amor-Remixes/release/3319266|url-status=live}}
- "Un Poco De Amor"
- "Un Poco De Amor" (Memes Dancehall Posse Mix)
- "Un Poco De Amor" (The Extended Dancehall 12)
- "Un Poco De Amor" (Memes Jazz Experience)
- "Un Poco De Amor" (Instrumental)
Charts
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.shakira.com Shakira official web page]
{{Shakira singles}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Poco de Amor, Un}}
Category:Songs written by Shakira