You're a song written by the hands of God.

Nationalism is cured by traveling.

If you can prove the existence of God, it can only be proven through love.

Writing in English was a major challenge. I didn't want other songwriters to write for me. I wanted to preserve the spirit of my songs in Spanish. I am the same Shakira in English as I am in Spanish.

Europe is a very different place from my native country of Colombia and my children are growing up in a very urban setting which is nothing like when I was growing up and would be able to play barefoot in the street. But we have a very good life.

I grew up in Barranquila, Colombia, and I spent most of my childhood dreaming about becoming a singer.

I consider myself a laborer, building my career brick over brick under the sun.