| "Whenever, Wherever" |  | | Single by Shakira | | from the album Laundry Service | | Released | December 18, 2001 (US)
February 25, 2002 (UK) | | Format | CD maxi single, 12" single | | Genre | Worldbeat, Andean music, Latin pop, dance pop | | Length | 3:16 (Album Version)
3:38 (TV Edit) | | Label | Epic | | Writer(s) | Shakira, Tim Mitchell, Gloria Estefan | | Producer | Shakira, Tim Mitchell | | Shakira singles chronology | | | "Whenever, Wherever" is a Latin pop song written by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for her first English album, Laundry Service (2001). It is the second most successful song in her career, behind only "Hips Don't Lie" (2006). There is also a version of "Whenever, Wherever" in the Spanish language, "Suerte",[1] meaning 'luck'. It talks about how she was "lucky" to find a person like him. It hit number 1 in 29 countries. The single became the biggest hit of 2002 worldwide. "Whenever, Wherever" has sold over 9 million copies as a single, putting it in the top 3 of the best selling singles of the decade. The track was produced by Shakira, and was released as the first single from the album in the autumn of 2001. It was an international success, peaking at number one in Colombia, the rest of Latin America, almost all the European countries, Australia and New Zealand. In the Netherlands the song kept the number one position for nine weeks. It reached number two in the United Kingdom, number four in Canada, and number six in the U.S.. "Whenever, Wherever" is Shakira's most successful song in Europe, where it topped many of the medium sized charts as Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. "Hips Don't Lie" which is considered the most successful song in her career, though topping the majority of European markets sold substantially less in the bigger markets such as France and Germany. [edit] Structure "Whenever, Wherever" is a Latin pop song composed in the key of C# minor.[2] The song takes heavy influence from Andean music, including the charango and panpipes in its instrumentation.[3] Remixes were made, the most famous in the USA being the Tracy Young "Spin Cycle" mix. [edit] Music video The music video was directed by Francis Lawrence in front of a green screen, and features Shakira surrounded by the earth's natural wonders. It begins with Shakira submerged in the ocean, before leaping out onto the surrounding rocks and observing a landscape of mountains. She then proceeds to walk into the desert, where she is soon seen dancing amid a stampede of horses. The stampede suddenly ceases, and Shakira kneels into a shallow pool of mud, and begins crawling through it. As the video nears its end, she is on top of a snowy mountain, and jumps off, descending into water and submerging herself, as though to bring the video full circle. The video became an instant hit on several music programs. It became Shakira's first video to retire on MTV's Total Request Live, and reached number one for a single week on the MuchMusic program Countdown. It won the 2002 Latin Grammy Award for "Best Short Form Music Video". The Music Video has been viewed over 32 million times on YouTube, which makes it the most viewed music video by Shakira. [edit] Chart performances "Whenever, Wherever" was released as the first single from Shakira's first English album "Laundry Service", in December 2001. The single became the biggest hit of 2002 worldwide. "Whenever, Wherever" is Shakira's first single reach the Top Ten on the USA Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #6. Despite not achieving a higher peak position in the U.S., the song achieved major cross over success on other Billboard charts after it peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks, #1 on the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay, at #3 on the Hot Dance Club Play and at #4 on the Top 40 Tracks. In Europe, "Whenever, Wherever" became a major success, establishing Shakira's presence in the European Mainstream with her very first single of her debut album in English, a feat that is accomplished by many debuting American singers during their third or last single in many occasions. In the UK, "Whenever, Wherever" became Shakira's first Top 3 hit, peaking at #2 for two consecutive weeks, and eventually spent ten weeks in the Top Ten and 19 weeks in the Top 75. The reason she didn't get the number one spot was because it was the same week that Will Young (The first Pop Idol) released Evergreen. The song currently stands as the seventh best selling song by a female artist in the 21st century in the UK.[4] In Switzerland, the song debuted at #9 and the following week, it reached the #1 position where it would stay for 17 consecutive weeks, becoming the 22nd most successful song in that country. "Whenever, Wherever" became a #1 hit in several countries after it peaked at #1 in Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Europe, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Venezuela. Meanwhile, Spanish version, "Suerte", also written by Shakira and Mitchell, was released as a single in Spain and in a handful of nations in South America, and Mexico. It was a huge hit, peaking at number one on the Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart for 7 non-consecutive weeks and staying within the top ten over 4 months. It also topped almost all the Spanish-speaking countries. It was also Shakira's most successful single, until "Hips Don't Lie" was released in 2006. [edit] Cover versions Irish singer-songwriter Mundy recorded an acoustic cover of the song retitled "Whenever, Wherever" for the compilation Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 1. [edit] In popular culture - MADtv made a parody of the song starring Mo Collins as Shakira.The song title was "Whatever, Don't Matter".
[edit] Other versions and live performances - Shakira recorded a studio recording of the live version of the song used for TV performances, for the English and Spanish versions. It was called the "TV Edit". She sang the original CD version only once, on the RADIO MUSIC AWARDS from 2001, where she performed the song live for the first time.
- A remix of the song was included on the re-release of Laundry Service, Laundry Service: Washed & Dried. Called the "Sahara Mix", the song was completely transformed and given a heavy Middle Eastern feel. For her world tour, the Tour of the Mongoose, Shakira took the drums that begin the Sahara Mix and extended them into an intro for Whenever, Wherever/Suerte's original version (which extended for Shakira to interact with the audience). Shakira also included the same intro for Whenever, Wherever/Suerte for her second world tour, the Oral Fixation Tour. However, for this tour, she danced to the drums with a rope, as opposed to dancing with a candelabra on her head like in the Tour of the Mongoose.
- To promote the DVD Live & Off the Record, she used this song as a second single of it, editing the original live version to a Radio Edit Version and Video Edit Version, included in the "Poem to a Horse" promo.
- Official remixes
- Acapella 121 Bpm --- 3:38
- Andy And The Lamboy Circuit Dub --- 5:40
- Andy And The Lamboy Circuit Mix --- 9:34
- Dark Side Of The Moon Mix --- 8:16
- Dark Side Of The Moon Mix --- 7:45
- Dataluxe Club Mix --- 8:51
- DJ John Rizzo & Blue Room Remix --- 9:09
- Hammad Belly Dance Mix --- 3:48
- Jonathan Peters 'Unreleased' Club Mix --- 6:16
- Nic Mercy's Epic Anthem Vocal --- 9:39
- Sahara Mix --- 3:57
- Tee's Blue Dub --- 8:40
- Tee's Blue Dub New Version --- 7:40
| - Tee's Radio Edit --- 3:28
- Todd Terry American Club Mix --- 5:20
- Tracy Young's Spin Cycle Mix --- 7:05
- Tracy Young's Spin Cycle Video Edit Mix --- 4:01
- Tracy Young's Tribal Mix --- 9:34
- Tracy Young's Tribal Mix Radio Edit --- 3:14
- Official live performances
- TV Edit --- 3:40
- Live --- 5:28
- Live Radio Edit --- 3:31
- Live Video Single Edit --- 4:15
| [edit] Singles and promos [edit] Singles - Whenever Wherever 3:17
- Objection 3:43
- Whenever Wherever 3:16
- Suerte 3:14
- Suerte (Whenever, Wherever) 3:14
- Whenever, Wherever 3:16
| - Whenever Wherever 3:16
- Suerte (Whenever Whenever) 3:14
- Whenever Wherever (TV Edit) 3:39
- Inevitable 3:13
- Whenever Wherever - Album Version 3:16
- Whenever Wherever Tv Edit 3:39
- Suerte - Album Version 3:14
- Suerte Tv Edit 3:38
| [edit] Maxi singles -
- Europe CD Maxi single (EPC 671913 2)
- Whenever Wherever 3:16
- Suerte 3:14
- Estoy Aqui 3:55
- Tú 3:36
-
- Europe 4-track WW (672426 2)
- Whenever Wherever 3:16
- Suerte (Whenever Wherever) 3:14
- Whenever Wherever - Tracy Young's Spin Cycle Mix 7:03
- Whenever Wherever - Video
| -
- WW/Suerte Europe (671913 7)
- Whenever, Wherever (TV Edit) 3:39
- Suerte (Whenever, Wherever) 3:14
- Estoy Aqui 3:52
- Tú 3:36
- Whenever Wherever (Tracy Young's Spin Cycle Mix) 7:03
- Whenever Wherever (Dark Side Of The Moon Mix) 7:45
| [edit] Promos -
- UK promo (HPCD 2617 /XPCD 2617)
- USA promo (ESK 16691)
- Whenever Wherever 3:16
-
- Australia promo (SAMP 2414)
- Brazil promo (900051/2-502605)
- Europe promo (SAMPCS 10588)
- Whenever Wherever 3:16
- Suerte 3:14
-
- Europe promo (SAMPCS 12236)
- Whenever, Wherever - Sahara Mix 3:56
- Whenever, Wherever - Hammad Belly Dance Mix 3:45
-
- Suerte Argentina promo (DEP 707)
- Suerte Mexico promo (PRCD 98424) **
- Suerte (Whenever, Wherever) 3:14
- Whenever, Wherever 3:16
| -
- UK 1-track Epic promo (CDR ACETATE)
- Whenever Wherever
-
- USA 2-track Epic promo (CDR ACETATE)
- Whenever Wherever - Tracy Young Tribal Mix 9:40
- Whenever Wherever - Tracy Young Tribal Mix Radio Edit 3:15
- Tracy Young’s Spin Cycle Mix 7:02
- Acapella 121 BPM 3:36
- Tee’s Blue Dub – New Version 7:37
- The Dark Side Of The Moon Mix 8:14
| [edit] Vinyl singles -
- Europe 12" vinyl (671913 6)
- Whenever, Wherever 3:16
- Whenever, Wherever - Tracy Young's Spin Cycle Mix 7:03
- Whenever, Wherever - A Cappella 121 Bpm 3:37
- Whenever, Wherever - Tee's Blue Dub New Version 7:37
- Whenever, Wherever - The Dark Side Of The Moon Mix 7:45
| -
- USA 7" (ZSS79642B)(34-79642)
- Whenever Wherever
- Suerte (Whenever Whenever)
| [edit] Vinyl promos -
- Mexico jukebox 7" vinyl (670037)
- Suerte (Whenever, Wherever) 3:14
- Te Aviso Te Anuncio (Tango) 3:47
-
- WW Europe 12" (SAMPMS 12235-0122356000)
- Whenever, Wherever - Sahara Mix 3:56
- Whenever, Wherever - Hammad Belly Dance Mix 3:45
| -
- USA 4-track 12" (EAS-16691-S1)
- Whenever Wherever - Tracy Young's Spin Cycle Mix
- Whenever Wherever - A Cappella 121 BPM
- Whenever Wherever - Tee's Blue Dub
- Whenever Wherever - The Dark Side Of The Moon Mix
| [edit] Cassette - Whenever, Wherever (Album version) 3:16
- Suerte (Album version) 3:14
- Whenever, Wherever (The dark side of the moon mix) 7:45
- Tracks play same both sides
[edit] Videos and box sets - Whenever Wherever 3:16
- Suerte (Whenever Wherever) 3:14
- -fold-out biography booklet with great pictures
- -10 minute Japanese made NTSC Electronic Press Kit video
- -1-track CD
- -fold-out biography booklet with great pictures
- -10 minute NTSC Electronic Press Kit video
| - Whenever Wherever 3:14
- Suerte
- Personal greetings from Shakira to the (50 first) buyers of the CD "SERVICIO DE LAVANDERIA"
| [edit] Certifications | Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | | Australia[5] | 3 x Platinum | 2002 | 210,000 | | Austria[6] | Platinum | April 4, 2002 | 30,000 | | Belgium[7] | 2 x Platinum | April 27, 2002 | 100,000 | | Finland[8] | Gold | 2002 | 5,477 | | France[9] | Diamond | July 11, 2002 | 750,000 | | Germany[10] | Platinum | 2002 | 300,000 | | Netherlands[11] | Platinum | 2002 | 60,000 | | New Zealand[12] | Platinum | March 31, 2002 | 15,000 | | Norway[13] | 3 x Platinum | 2002 | 30,000 | | Sweden[14] | 2 x Platinum | March 11, 2002 | 40,000 | | Switzerland[15] | 2 x Platinum | 2002 | 80,000 | | UK[16] | Gold | April 5, 2002 | 400,000 | [edit] Charts | Chart (2001/2002) | Peak
position | | Australian ARIA Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Austrian Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Belgian Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Canadian Singles Chart[18] | 4 | | Danish Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Dutch Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Eurochart Hot 100 | 1 | | Finnish Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | French SNEP Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | German Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Irish IRMA Singles Chart[19] | 1 | | Italian FIMI Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | | Chart (2001/2002) | Peak
position | | Japanese Airplay Chart | 8 | | New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Norwegian VG-lista Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Romanian Singles Chart[20] | 2 | | Spanish Singles Chart | 1 | | Swedish Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | Swiss Singles Chart[17] | 1 | | UK Singles Chart[21] | 2 | | U.S. Billboard Hot 100[18] | 6 | | U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Tracks | 1 | | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Songs[22] | 22 and 3* | | U.S. Billboard Pop Songs[23] | 4 | | U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40 | 2 | |
Preceded by
"O Me Voy O Te Vas" by Marco Antonio Solís
"Héroe" by Enrique Iglesias
"Cómo Duele" by Luis Miguel | U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Tracks number-one song
October 6, 2001 – November 3, 2001 (first run)
November 17, 2001 (second run)
February 16, 2002 (third run) | Succeeded by
"Héroe" by Enrique Iglesias
"Dejame Entrar" by Carlos Vives
"Flor Sin Retorno" by Charlie Zaa | Preceded by
"Salvami" by Jovanotti
"Questa è la Mia Vita" by Ligabue
"Questa è la Mia Vita" by Ligabue
"Freeek!" by George Michael | Italian FIMI number-one single
January 25, 2002 – February 1, 2002 (first run)
February 22, 2002 (second run)
March 8, 2002 (third run)
March 22, 2002 – April 5, 2002 (fourth run) | Succeeded by
"Questa è la Mia Vita" by Ligabue
"Questa è la Mia Vita" by Ligabue
"Freeek!" by George Michael
"The Hindu Times" by Oasis | Preceded by
"May It Be" by Enya | German number-one single
February 1, 2002 – April 13, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Nessaja" by Scooter | Preceded by
"In Your Eyes" by Kylie Minogue | Australian ARIA number-one single
February 3, 2002 – March 10, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Not Pretty Enough" by Kasey Chambers | Preceded by
"How You Remind Me" by Nickelback | Austrian Top 40 number-one single
February 15, 2002 (first run)
March 1, 2002 – April 5, 2002 (second run) | Succeeded by
"How You Remind Me" by Nickelback
"Engel" by Ben feat. Gim | Preceded by
"Lopen Op Het Water" by Marco Borsato and Sita | Dutch Top 40 number-one single
February 9, 2002 – April 6, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Like a Prayer" by Mad'House | Belgian (Flanders) number-one single
March 2, 2002 – April 13, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Désenchantée" by Kate Ryan | Preceded by
"Get The Party Started"
by Pink
"Amazing" by Alex Lloyd | New Zealand RIANZ number-one single
February 10, 2002 – March 3, 2002 (first run)
March 17, 2002 – April 7, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Amazing" by Alex Lloyd
"Hands Clean" by Alanis Morissette | Preceded by
"Get The Party Started" by Pink | Eurochart Hot 100 number-one single
February 28, 2002 – May 23, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Without Me" by Eminem | Preceded by
"There's A Whole Lot Of Loving Going On" by Six | Irish IRMA number-one single
March 16, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Unchained Melody" by Gareth Gates | Preceded by
"Qui est l'exemple ?" by Rohff | French SNEP number-one single
March 30, 2002 – April 20, 2002 | Succeeded by
"Tous ensemble" by Johnny Hallyday | Preceded by
"On se ressemble" by Mario Barravecchia | Belgian (Wallonia) number-one single
March 30, 2002 | Succeeded by
"L'Agitateur" by Jean-Pascal Lacoste | Preceded by
"Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera | World Single of Year
2002 | Succeeded by
"Crazy In Love by Beyonce featuring Jay-Z | [edit] References - ^ http://www.donquijote.org/spanishlanguage/lyrics/search/songs.asp?id=13
- ^ Sheet music for "Whenever, Wherever". Hal Leonard Corporation. 2002.
- ^ Schwartz, Mark. "Music: Laundry Service, Shakira, CD". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved February 25, 2007.
- ^ http://www.4music.com/article/playlists/20-biggest-selling-girls-of-the-21st-century.html
- ^ Australian certifications aria.com (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Austrian certifications ifpi.at (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Belgian certifications Ultratop.be (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Finnish certifications ifpi.fi (Retrieved August 23, 2009)
- ^ French certifications Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ German certifications musikindustrie.de (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Dutch certifications nvpi.nl (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ New Zealand certifications (see: chart #1302 - Sunday 31 March 2002) Rianz.org.nz (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Norwegian certifications Ifpi.no (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Swedish certifications Ifpi.se (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Swiss certifications Swisscharts.com (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ UK certifications Bpi.co.uk (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Whenever, Wherever", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ a b Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ Romanian Top 100
- ^ "Whenever, Wherever", UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved January 18, 2009)
- ^ "Shakira Billboard Chart Positions - Hot Dance/Club Play Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts#/artist/shakira/chart-history/147604?f=359&g=Singles. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
- ^ "Shakira Billboard Chart Positions - Pop Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts#/artist/shakira/chart-history/147604?f=381&g=Singles. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
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