Forecast: Shakira Set to Build An "Empire"

After a single day, Shakira's new single, "Empire", has gone way above what I expected. Figures for the track's first full day (Monday) have now become available and are quite impressive. Through the collective figures of the first 4 full days of tracking for all songs this week, the song ranks #18 with a strong 21 points. That's a straightaway 162% increase over the 1 day start of comparable Shakira track "Can't Remember To Forget You (feat. Rihanna)" which eventually recovered from one of the worst Rihanna starts in history.

The song is now on pace to end this week within the top 10 (and likely the top 5) with an overall opening likely between 65-80 points. That would put it within the range of the #9 debut of "Can't Remember To Forget You (feat. Rihanna)" (77 spins). By the end of tracking today (Tuesday), the song should have no trouble crossing 25 spins (likely have a 2 day total of ~38). If the song crosses past 60 by the end of day 3 the song will easily debut in the #1 position. This is unlikely (it may pass 50), but it isn't out of the question. It all boils down to promo, and fan reception on social media sites.

Described as a "rock" song, "Empire" returns Shakira to her earlier style of writing, composing and singing. Critics and fans alike have applauded Shak for moving past dance tracks and onto a sound that reminds us of her classic tracks. The song's under-polsihed vocals give a raw and natural feel to the song that veers away from the tropical stylings of her previously released track. I honestly believe it will be one of her most memorable and successful singles in quite a while.

Additionally Emmelie De Forest will likely return to the top 50 with her latest single "Rainmaker". Although it had a weak day 1 (just 3 points), the song should continue to rack up similar numbers through the week's end which would be enough to supply Emmelie with her 2nd charting single. A overall chart position between 40-50 is the best bet for the song this week.

Secondly I wanted to address some confusion between the official track lists for Shakira's new album. The album's new Spanish deluxe version has been confirmed as of today. It features a brand new cover. There is a regular version, another (non-spanish) deluxe edition, as well as the Target exclusive edition. It appears that each one has a slightly altered track list.

The standard version of the album has the cover featured to the left. It contains 12 tracks. It will be released worldwide through Sony Music and RCA between March 21st and March 28th (depending on countries). The track list is:

1. "Dare (La La La)"

2. "Can't Remember to Forget You (feat. Rihanna)"

3. "Empire"

4. "You Don't Care About Me"

5. "Cut Me Deep (feat. Magic)"

6. "Spotlight"

7. "Broken Record"

8. "Medicine (feat. Blake Shelton)"

9. "23"

10. "The One Thing"

11. "Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte"

12. "Loca Por Ti"

The non-spanish deluxe edition of the album has the cover featured to the right. This version contains 15 tracks. It will be released worldwide through Sony Music and RCA between March 21st and March 28th (depending on countries) alongside the regular edition of the album (not in spanish speaking countries). Bolded tracks are not included on the regular edition. The spanish deluxe version of the album has this cover as well. The track list is:

1. "Dare (La La La)"

2. "Can't Remember to Forget You (feat. Rihanna)"

3. "Empire"

4. "You Don't Care About Me"

5. "Cut Me Deep (feat. Magic)"

6. "Spotlight"

7. "Broken Record"

8. "Medicine (feat. Blake Shelton)"

9. "23"

10. "The One Thing"

11. "Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte"

12. "Loca Por Ti"

13. "La La La (Spanish Version)"

14. "Chasing Shadows"

15. "That Way"

The spanish deluxe version of the album has the same cover as the non-Spanish deluxe version. This version contains 15 tracks (slightly different from non-Spanish deluxe version). It will be released worldwide through Sony Music on March 28th alongside the regular edition of the album in Spanish speaking countries ONLY (namely Spain). Bolded tracks are not included on the worldwide non-spanish deluxe edition. Italicized tracks are in a different order from the over versions.

The non spanish version of "La La La", listed on other versions as "Dare (La La La)", was dropped from the track list along with "That Way" from the non-spanish deluxe edition.

1. "Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte" (Originally #11) 

2. "Empire" (Originally #2)

3. "You Don't Care About Me" (Originally #4)

4. "La La La (Spanish Version)" (Originally #13)

5. "Cut Me Deep (feat. Magic)"

6. "23" (Originally #9)

7. "The One Thing" (Originally #10)

8. "Medicine (feat. Blake Shelton)"

9. "Loca Por Ti" (Originally #12)

10. "Spotlight" (Originally #6)

11. "Broken Record" (Originally #7)

12. "Boig Per Tu (Spanish Catalan Version)"

13. "La La La (FIFA World Cup Brasil 2014)"

14. "Chasing Shadows"

15. "Can't Remember to Forget You (feat. Rihanna)" (Originally #1)

The Target exclusive deluxe edition of the album has the cover featured to the left. This version contains 15 tracks. It will be released ONLY in the United States through RCA on March 25th alongside the regular edition of the album. Bolded tracks are not included on the regular edition. The bolded tracks haven't been confirmed as the final Target edition tracks. The supposed track list is:

1. "Dare (La La La)"

2. "Can't Remember to Forget You (feat. Rihanna)"

3. "Empire"

4. "You Don't Care About Me"

5. "Cut Me Deep (feat. Magic)"

6. "Spotlight"

7. "Broken Record"

8. "Medicine (feat. Blake Shelton)"

9. "23"

10. "The One Thing"

11. "Nunca Me Acuerdo De Olvidarte"

12. "Loca Por Ti"

13. "La La La (Spanish Version)"

14. "Chasing Shadows"

15. "That Way"

Thanks for joining me for this week's forecast!