Can't Remember to Forget You

On January 13, 2014, Shakira dropped "Can't Remember to Forget You" as the lead single from her tenth studio album, simply titled Shakira. The track paired the Colombian superstar with Barbadian pop queen Rihanna, uniting two of the biggest female names in pop. Produced by Kid Harpoon and John Hill alongside Shakira, the song blends reggae and ska rhythms with a new-wave pop sheen, anchored by a jangly guitar riff that sticks in your head. Lyrically, it's about that frustrating cycle of wanting to move on from a toxic relationship but being drawn back in, a theme both singers deliver with playful defiance.

Commercially, the single performed well across the globe. It peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and topped the Hot Latin Songs chart. In the UK, it climbed to number 5, while hitting number one in Mexico and the top ten in over 20 other countries, including Australia, Canada, France, and Germany. The RIAA certified it Platinum for sales exceeding one million units, with additional Gold or Platinum certifications in Canada, Mexico, and Spain.

The accompanying music video, directed by Joseph Kahn and released on January 30, 2014, became a viral sensation. As of 2025, it has amassed over 1.2 billion views on YouTube. The video features Shakira and Rihanna in a series of stylized settings, a mansion, a bedroom, a garden, with provocative, cinematic visuals that captured widespread attention. A Spanish-language version was also released, catering to Shakira's Latin fanbase.

Critical reception was mixed but the song earned a nomination for Best Collaboration at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards. While some critics found it less memorable than either artist's biggest hits, others praised its infectious energy and the chemistry between the two vocalists. Postmodern Jukebox later released a jazz-swing cover, and the track remains a standout collaboration from the 2010s pop landscape.[edit]