Music Review: Shakira "Dare (La La La )"

Shakira

Dare (La La La)

Album: Shakira

Year: 2014

                     Shakira calls her crush’s bluff in the  automated  “Dare (La La La.)”

                         In the intro, the DJ shouts “Hello!,” signaling the start of his set. Shakira “la la la’s” and poses a challenge to her crush over rambunticous drums, setting a ragged tone. (“Hola! Hola!/ La la la la la/ La la la la la/La la la la la /La la la la la/ La la la la la/La la la la la/ La la la la la/La!I dare you.”)

                      The rotary beat clicks and clicks, trying to log onto its server.

                 She hasn’t ever had a right situation before. Usually, the guys she likes are involved in another relationship or have some personal issue going on. Her crush, however, has been single for six months. While he’s friends with some of exes, there aren’t healthy attachements or a burgeoning love triangle happening in the background. He’s easy to talk to and lots of fun. As they sit at the table at the bar, he entwines his hands into hers. (“All of my life, too late/Till you showed up with perfect timing/Now here we are, you rock it/Our fingers are stuck in the socket.”)

               In the pre-chorus, he looks at her when he thinks she’s not aware of it. However, she pretends she didn’t see it. She wishes the excitement could last forever. When he stares at her, she can’t focus and sometimes stumbles. But she suddenly her future seemed clear. (“It's just a nature, a game/Get ready we'll do it again/Let's not recover from the hangover/When your eyes got me drunk, I was sober.”)

            In the chorus, she asks him what they are. Are they hanging out or an exclusive couple? She says “truth or dare?” He says dare. She tells him for him to kiss her right on the dancefloor and admit his feelings for her. She heads out on the dancefloor, waiting for him. (“Is it true that you love me?/I dare you to kiss me/With everyone watching/It's truth or dare on the dance floor/La la la la la/La la la la la/La la la la la/Truth or dare on the dance floor!/La la la la la/La la la la la/La la la la la/La!/I dare you.”)

            The rotary beat once again clicks again.

There are days she just wants to scream. He calms her down with his presence. She doesn’t get worked up about everything like she used to. However, he has to know that she cares for him. He has seen the way she gazes at him. (“Of all the millions, on the planet/You're the one who's keeping me on it/You know I like you, ain't nobody's business.Your blue Spanish eyes are my witness.”)

           The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

           The beat slows down for the bridge, which is an edited part of the chorus. Now, there is an addendum to the dare. He has to touch her. (“Is it true that you love me?/I dare you to touch me right there on the dancefloor.”)

                 An edited version of the intro is sung. (“La la la la la/ La la la la la/La la la la la /La la la la la/ La la la la la/La la la la la/ La la la la la/La!I dare you.”)

               The rotary beat clicks again, finally able to get through to end the single.

          Shakira’s lumpish vocals (half-rap, half-sung) want a straight answer. She’s grown tired of guessing if he wants more with her or not. Given the chance to sing during the pre-chorus and chorus, she’s able to be spontaneous, dashing onto the dancefloor without abandon. She’s giving out mixed signals. The guy, much like the listening audience, must be wondering if she’s instigating anything that could be turned against him later.

                The  watery  “Dare (La La La)” plays dirty in a game in which no one wins.