Colombian crossover sensation Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll may be best known across the world for her sexy dance tunes on Laundry Service (2001), her 'honest hips' and her 2010 FIFA anthem - which is why reviewers were slightly taken aback by the level of depth in her first all-English album Oral Fixation Vol. 2 (2005): "it's a deadly serious, ambitious pop/rock album, most assuredly not frivolous dance-pop" (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic.com). The opening track, "How Do You Do", which begins with mock-Gregorian chanting and lyrics that address questions of faith and religion, sets the scene for "Timor", the album's final and most political track.
The song addresses the Western world's reactions to the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975, and amounts to a cynical take on the relationship between the First and Third World, American foreign policy, media distortion, the clash between professed democratic ideals and capitalist priorities, and the shallowness of celebrity culture. Shakira professes little faith in the song's ability to create a 'real' interest in the far flung conflict - even though the protest song certainly works to create a climactic, crowd-rousing stadium-pop atmosphere:
'It's alright, it's alrightIf the news says half the truthHearing what we want'sThe secret of eternal youthIt's alright, it's alrightIf the planet splits in threeCause I'll keep on selling recordsAnd you've got your MTV
If we forget about themDon't worryIf they forget about usThen hurryHow about the people who don't matter anymore?
East TimorTimor, Timor"
Lyrics: Genius.com
Like many of the songs on the album, "Timor" is devoid of the Latin American pop trappings, Spanish influences and Middle Eastern-influenced melodies that she was initially associated with. And yet, Shakira manages to be compelling and unique without overly relying on 'ethnic flavor'. With music like this, a renowned work ethic, and her humanitarian efforts via the Barefoot Foundation, it's no suprise that Harvard University named her the Artist of the Year in 2011.
