"Girl Like Me"
Single by Black Eyed Peas and Shakira
from the album Translation
Language
  • English
  • Spanish
ReleasedDecember 4, 2020
RecordedOctober 2008–January 2020
StudioFuture Labs (Los Angeles)
Genre
Length3:43
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Black Eyed Peas singles chronology
"Shake Ya Boom Boom"
(2020) 		"Girl Like Me"
(2020) 		"Hit It"
(2021)
Shakira singles chronology
"Me Gusta"
(2020) 		"Girl Like Me"
(2020) 		"Don't Wait Up"
(2021)
Music video
"Girl like Me" on YouTube

"Girl Like Me" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American group Black Eyed Peas and Colombian singer and songwriter Shakira. Originally conceived in 2008 and later considered for will.i.am's fourth studio album #willpower (2013), the song was released on the Black Eyed Peas' eighth studio album, Translation (2020). It was released on December 4, 2020 alongside a Rich Lee-directed music video. The track was written by the Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, Brendan Buckley, Johnny Goldstein, Albert Menendez, and Tim Mitchell and was produced by the group's member will.i.am, Shakira, and Johnny Goldstein. The song was praised for its "anthemic" nature and Shakira's vocals were compared to those she used in her eighth studio album She Wolf (2009). Commercially, the single reached the top ten in twelve countries.

Background and release

"Girl Like Me" was written by will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, Shakira, Brendan Buckley, Johnny Goldstein, Albert Menendez, and Tim Mitchell, while being produced by will.i.am and co-pruduced by Shakira and Johnny Goldstein.[1] will.i.am started working on the song with Shakira in October 2008.[2][3] Will.i.am tried to re-work the song for his fourth studio album #willpower in 2010, but the track again failed to be included.[4]

In January 2020, on a video studio session with Johny Goldstein, the song began to get a new shape with the "right combination of sonics and rhythm".[4] Will.i.am in an interview with NME said that he "refreshed it, and called Shakira, and we wrote new lyrics and she helped me with my Spanish."[4] In ETOnline he complimented Shakira by saying "she comes with notes, and it's awesome. But she does it in a very gentle, humble, sweet way, to where you just wanna please all of her concerns."[5] Shakira commented that "she really loved working with Black Eyed Peas", saying that "Will[.i.am] knows how detail-oriented I am and was so patient and meticulous with me and making sure we had the absolute best sound possible."[2] "Girl like Me" was finally included in Black Eyed Peas' eight studio album Translation (2020).[5]

On June 19, 2020 Black Eyed Peas revealed an alternative cover art for the single, featuring a drawn black silhouette of Shakira in a raspberry rose ellipse and teal background, and on December 3 they showed the same cover but with a white background.[6][7] The same day both acts announced through their social media that the song's music video would be released on December 4.[8] The song was sent to contemporary hit radio stations in Italy on December 11.[9] On February 26, 2021 twocolors remix of song was released.[10]

Composition and lyrics

"Girl like Me" is a song sung and rapped in English and Spanish.[11] The track was composed in E minor key and tempo of 124 BPM.[12] It starts with the chorus sang in English by Shakira, where she used vocals compared to those from her 2009 studio album She Wolf.[5][13] The first verse is rapped by will.i.am, where he switches from English to Spanish multiple times throughout the verse.[14] After the second and last chorus, there is a bridge sung by Shakira in Spanish.[15] In his verse, Taboo makes a reference to Shakira's smash hit "Hips Don't Lie" in the line "Your hips don’t lie, they rock me", when apl.de.ap references late Latin singer Selena and Brazilian singer Anitta.[14] The song has been described as "anthemic" or "empowering" by many publications.[5][14][16]

Reception

"Girl like Me" is Shakira's first Hot 100 entry since her 2017 single "Perro Fiel", making her the first Latin artist to have singles charted in 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.

A.D. Amorosi of Variety said in a review for the Black Eyed Peas album Translation, that "Shakira turns an anthemic dance-floor spiel into something weirdly intimate."[16] Mike Wass of Idolator called the song an "addictive bop" and added that "All in all, 'Girl Like Me' sounds like a smash. It’s a summery, feel-good call to the dance floor with a little Latin spice and a radio-friendly chorus."[15] Entertainment Weekly's Et Más called a song "Latina-empowering track".[5]

"Girl like Me" became an instant viral hit on YouTube, racking up 23 million views in 3 days[2] and 200 million in less than two months.[17] The song also sparked a viral challenge on TikTok where users challenged themselves to recreate the video's choreography.[18] In the United States, the song debuted on Billboard's Digital Songs in December 2020 at number 37.[19] It later debuted in Hot 100 chart at number 87 on week ending January 16, 2021.[20] The song ultimately peaked at number 67 on its sixth charting week on February 27, 2021.[21] The song became Shakira's 22nd and Black Eyed Peas' 19th Hot 100 entry. The song topped Billboard's Latin Airplay chart on the week of March 13, 2021. Girl Like Me eventually was certified gold by RIAA for selling over 500,000 units in the country.

The song reached the top 10 in several Latin charts, including Mexico where it peaked at number four and was certified platinum and goldfor selling over 210 thousand copies.[22] In Europe, the song reached the top 5 in Belgian region of Wallonia, France, and Romania. In Africa, the song topped the North African Airplay charts.

Music video

The music video for "Girl like Me" was filmed in September 2020 and was released on December 4, 2020 at 10 AM in Eastern Time Zone.[8] The music video was directed by Rich Lee, who earlier directed music video for "Imma Be Rocking That Body" (2010).[23] While speaking to Billboard about the video, Shakira said: "The song already has that vintage quality to it, so I wanted a video that had the retro futuristic vibe. From the beginning I thought: Jane Fonda. Those '80s workout videos had a really cool aesthetic I wanted to import into this video."[24]

The video features Shakira on a skateboard and with backup dancers doing aerobics.[3] It also features Black Eyed Peas in a set singing the song.[14] Shakira's appearance has been compared to Wonder Woman.[25] The choreography in the video went viral on TikTok where fans attempted to recreate Shakira's dance moves.[25] In just 5 days, TikTok videos using "Girl like Me" choreography accumulated 40 million views.[18] The music video received 23 million views in its first three days.[26] In January 2021, the music video passed 200 million views on YouTube.[2]

Track listing

  1. "Girl like Me" – 3:43
  1. "Girl like Me" (twocolors remix) – 3:01
  2. "Girl like Me" (twocolors extended) – 4:11

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and Translation album notes.[1][28]

Recording and management
Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Girl like Me"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[84] Gold 20,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[85] 2× Diamond 320,000‡
France (SNEP)[86] Diamond 333,333‡
Italy (FIMI)[87] Platinum 100,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[88] 4× Platinum+Gold 630,000‡
Perú[89] Platinum  
Poland (ZPAV)[90] Platinum 50,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[91] Gold 5,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[92] Platinum 60,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[93] 2× Platinum 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[94] Platinum 1,000,000‡
Streaming
Central America (CFC)[95] Platinum 7,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Girl like Me"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various June 19, 2020[note 1] Streaming Original Epic [27]
Italy December 11, 2020 Radio airplay Sony [9]
United States January 12, 2021 Contemporary hit radio Epic [96]
Various February 26, 2021
twocolors remix [10]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A promotional release, later marketed as December 4, 2020.

References

  1. ^ a b "Credits / Translation / Black Eyed Peas". Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Tidal.
  2. ^ a b c d "Shakira made her Jane Fonda dream come true with 'Girl Like Me'". HOLA! USA. January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Flores, Griselda (December 4, 2020). "Shakira Shows Off Her Skater Skills in Black Eyed Peas' 'Girl Like Me' Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Ryan, Gary (December 10, 2020). "Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! – will.i.am". NME. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e Más, Et (December 4, 2020). "Shakira Shows Off Her Workout Moves in New Jane Fonda-Inspired 'Girls Like Me' Music Video". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "We're honored to have collaborated w/ la reina @shakira on GIRL LIKE ME #BEPTranslation is out everywhere at midnight TONIGHT! Drop a in the comments if you're ready". June 19, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Instagram.
  7. ^ "You asked, and we heard!". December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Instagram.
  8. ^ a b ""Girl Like Me" video with the Black Eyed Peas @bep - is premiering tomorrow!". December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Instagram.
  9. ^ a b Sisti, Sara (December 11, 2020). "Black Eyed Peas "Girl like Me" | (Radio Date: 11/12/2020)". Radiodate.it (in Italian). Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c "Girl like Me (twocolors remix) by Black Eyed Peas x Shakira x twocolors". Retrieved March 6, 2021 – via Amazon.
  11. ^ Bardají, Jordi (June 19, 2020). "Black Eyed Peas y Shakira perpetran ¿un hit? ¿un engendro? en 'Girl Like Me'". Jenesaispop.com (in Spanish). Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  12. ^ ""Girl like Me" Sheet Music (Piano Solo) in E Minor". Musicnotes.com. December 30, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "Girl Like Me, la nueva canción bilingüe de Shakira con The Black Eyed Peas". Shock.co (in Spanish). June 18, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2021. La colombiana nos vuelve a dar vibras de 'She Wolf' (2009), su era más electrónica
  14. ^ a b c d Shaffer, Claire (December 4, 2020). "Black Eyed Peas, Shakira Pay Tribute to Latinas in 'Girl Like Me'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "The Black Eyed Peas & Shakira Link For 'Girl Like Me'". Idolator. June 19, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Amorosi, A.D. (June 19, 2020). "Black Eyed Peas' 'Translation': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  17. ^ "Shakira's Girl Like Me crosses 200 Million Views On YouTube". The News International. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Shakira's Bouncy 'Girl Like Me' Moves Go Viral on TikTok: See the Best Challenge Videos". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  19. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  20. ^ "The Hot 100 Chart (January 16, 2021)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  21. ^ "The Hot 100 Chart (February 27, 2021)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Monitor Latino Mexico". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  23. ^ Black Eyed Peas & Shakira: Girl Like Me (Video 2020) - IMDb, retrieved January 16, 2021
  24. ^ "Shakira Talks Inspiration for 'Girl Like Me' Video: 'From the Beginning, Jane Fonda'". Billboard.
  25. ^ a b "Shakira Superwoman in Black Eyed Peas Girl like Me Music Video". Remezcla. December 7, 2020.
  26. ^ "Shakira Nuevo Video". Pronto.es. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Girl like Me - Single by Black Eyed Peas, Shakira". June 19, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021 – via Spotify.
  28. ^ "Translation digital album notes". Blackeyedpeas.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  29. ^ "The Black Eyed Peas – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for The Black Eyed Peas. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  30. ^ "Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl Like Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  31. ^ "Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl Like Me" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  32. ^ "Monitor Latino Bolivia". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  33. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  34. ^ "Monitor Latino Chile". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  35. ^ "Monitor Latino Colombia". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  36. ^ "Top 100 Colombia – Semana 5 del 2021 – Del 29/01/2021 al 04/02/2021" (in Spanish). National-Report. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  37. ^ "Monitor Latino Costa Rica". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  38. ^ "ARC 100". radio.hrt.hr. February 22, 2021.
  39. ^ "Top Semanal: 15/02/2021 - 19/02/2021" (in Spanish). SODINPRO. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  40. ^ "Monitor Latino Ecuador". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  41. ^ "Monitor Latino El Salvador". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  42. ^ "Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl Like Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  43. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  44. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 9/2021". IFPI Greece. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  45. ^ "Monitor Latino Guatemala". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  46. ^ "Monitor Latino Honduras". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  47. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  48. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  49. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  50. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  51. ^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  52. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 12, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  53. ^ "Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl Like Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  54. ^ "Monitor Latino Panama". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  55. ^ "TOP 50 INTERNACIONAL BMAT-PRODUCE DEL 30 DE JULIO AL 5 DE AGOSTO" (in Spanish). PRODUCE. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  56. ^ "Monitor Latino Paraguay". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  57. ^ "Monitor Latino Perú". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  58. ^ Perú Digital Top 1000 Week 29
  59. ^ "Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl Like Me". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  60. ^ "Monitor Latino Puerto Rico". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  61. ^ Arvunescu, Victor (March 24, 2021). "Top Airplay 100 - The Business e piesa momentului!" [Top Airplay 100 – The Business is the song of the moment!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  62. ^ "Russia Airplay Chart for 2021-03-19." TopHit. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  63. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202052,53 into search. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  64. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 20215 into search. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  65. ^ "Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl Like Me" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  66. ^ "Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl like Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  67. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  68. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". UK Singles Chart. December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  69. ^ "Monitor Latino Uruguay". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  70. ^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  71. ^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  72. ^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  73. ^ "Monitor Latino Venezuela". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish).
  74. ^ "Rapports annuels 2021". Ultratop. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  75. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2021" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  76. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  77. ^ "Dance Top 100 - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  78. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  79. ^ "Single Top 100 – eladási darabszám alapján – 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  80. ^ "Top 1000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  81. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2021". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  82. ^ "Year-End Charts: Latin Airplay Songs". Billboard. 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  83. ^ "Dance Top 100 - a hazai DJ-k játszásai alapján - 2022" (in Hungarian). Association of Hungarian Record Companies (MAHASZ). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  84. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2021". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  85. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Black Eyed Peas X Shakira – Girl Like Me" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  86. ^ "French single certifications – Black Eyed Peas – Girl Like Me" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  87. ^ "Italian single certifications – Black Eyed Peas X Shakira – Girl Like Me" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 13, 2023. Select "2023" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Girl Like Me" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  88. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved January 2, 2023. Type Black Eyed Peas x Shakira in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Girl Like Me in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  89. ^ "Girl Like Me de Black Eyed Peas y Shakira ya es "DISCO PLATINO" en Perú" (in Spanish). Sony Music Perú. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  90. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 20, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Girl Like Me in the search box.
  91. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Shakira – Girl Like Me" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  92. ^ "Promusicae: Canciones de Shakira". Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  93. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Girl Like Me')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  94. ^ "American single certifications – Black Eyed Peas x Shakira – Girl like Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  95. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Certificación Fonográfica Centroamericana. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  96. ^ "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps". Hits. January 12, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
Categories