Music Review: Shakira "The One"

Shakira

The One

Album: Laundry Service

Year: 2002

             Shakira has found her other half in the gushing “The One.”

                    In her boyfriend, she has found someone to look pretty for. She makes sure to take care of herself, getting rid of any unwanted hair on her body. He keeps her company and they go to places together. On Friday nights, she likes to go out and dance to 70s and 80s music at the club. Then, on Sunday, they meet her family at church and have brunch afterwards. When they shop for groceries, she passes by the bridal magazines and notes the design of the dress. It might be what she may want for her wedding gown one day. She catches herself looking at him when he’s with his nieces and thinking what good a father he would be. They are starting out their lives and have years ahead of them. Right now, they are concentrating on establishing themselves. (“So I find a reason to shave my legs /Each single morning /So I count on someone on/Friday nights to take me dancing/
And then to church on Sundays/To plant more dreams/And someday think of kids/Or maybe just to save a little money.”)

                   In the chorus, she would like to eventually marry him.  After a hard day, she knows he will be there when she gets home. With him, the plans and dreams she had can become a reality. He makes her incredibly happy. People know what she likes but they don’t see her first thing in the morning, her hair sticking up and drool on her chin. (“You're the one I need/The way back home is always long/But if you're close to me I'm holding on/You're the one I need/My real life has just begun/Cause there's nothing like your smile made of sun/ In the world full of strangers/You're the one I know.”)

               Her boyfriend has let her to experiment and try recipes she found on the Internet. There have been nights she knew she overcooked the chicken. Even though it was dry, he still ate it and was a good sport about it. If she’s freaking out about a presentation she has to make or hears a noise at night, she can rest on his chest until she can fall back asleep again. She likes to be sexy for him and if she sees some lacy underwear, she will pick it up. He inspires her music and is often a topic in her songs. (“So I learned to cook /And finally lose my kitchen phobia/So I've got the arms to cuddle in/When there's a ghost or a muse/
That brings insomnia/To buy more thongs/And write more happy songs/It always takes a little help from someone.”)

             The chorus is sung twice.

             In the final section, she repeats parts of the chorus to close the single. (“You're the one I need/
You're the one I need/With you my real life has just begun/You're the one I need/You're the one I need/Nothing like your smile made of sun/Nothing like your love/Nothing like your love/Nothing like your love.”)

  Shakira’s playful, buoyant vocals are nourishing, providing the relationship with reciprocatal love. Their lives are interwined and she will be forever connected to him.

          The tender “One” takes joy in the mundane aspects of a relationship.