Illegal (song)

}} "Illegal" is the third and last single released from Shakira's second English language studio album, Oral Fixation Vol. 2 (2005). It features celebrated Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana. The song was released right after the massive worldwide success of "Hips Don't Lie". The radio release for "Illegal" in the United States and Canada was on November 14, 2006. The music video for the song premiered on November 16, 2006 on MTV's Total Request Live and debuted the next day at #9.

Song information

"Illegal" features a musical collaboration between Shakira and Carlos Santana. The song has been well-received by critics and has been highlighted as an example of Shakira's ever-developing strength as an English-language songwriter. Allmusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine has said that Shakira's chorus alludes to the Alanis Morissette hit "You Oughta Know", but since her sound is much more softer than Morissette's, she takes her music into unexpected directions.

Track listing and formats

CD 1

1. "Illegal" [Album Version] (featuring Carlos Santana) – 03:54
2. "Illegal" [Ali Dee Remix] (featuring Carlos Santana) – 03:49
3. "Obtener Un Sí" [Album Version] – 03:20

CD 2 (UK Maxi single)

1. "Illegal" [Album Version] (featuring Carlos Santana)
2. "Illegal" [Alee Dee Remix] (featuring Carlos Santana)
3. "La Tortura" [Album Version]
4. "La Tortura" [CD-Rom Video]

CD 3

1. "Illegal" [Album Version] (featuring Carlos Santana) – 03:54
2. "Illegal" [Ali Dee Remix] (featuring Carlos Santana) – 03:49

Promotional CD (NOT FOR SALE)

1. "Illegal" [Johnny Vicious Warehouse Mix] 10:00
2. "Illegal" [Johnny Vicious Warehouse Radio Mix] 3:45
3. "Illegal" [Johnny Vicious Roxy Mix] 8:00
4. "Illegal" [Johnny Vicious Roxy Radio Mix] 4:14
5. "Illegal" [Johnny Vicious Ballroom Mix] 7:28
6. "Illegal" [Johnny Vicious Ballroom Dub] 5:37
7. "Illegal" [Johnny Vicious Electro Mix] 6:10

Music video

The music video for "Illegal" was shot in Mexico City on October 17, 2006, during a short break in the schedule of Oral Fixation Tour, between concerts in Mexico and Guatemala. The filming took a full day, and some American and Mexican fans were invited over as extras. Jaume de Laiguana and Shakira were the co-directors of the video.

The video features Shakira as the girlfriend of a boxer. Throughout most of the video, Shakira is shown in the empty boxing venue where her former boyfriend boxes. Through flashback, she remembers the good times in their relationship, with them shown in the ring while no one is there, affectionately messing around, among other things. At the end of the video, it is shown why they are no longer together. Shakira comes to see her boyfriend boxing in the championship match. He wins, and not realizing Shakira is there, another girl steps in the ring, and he kisses her, revealing to Shakira he is cheating on her. Her boyfriend, to his shock, finally sees that Shakira is watching him kiss this other girl. Shakira looks back at him, clearly hurt, before turning away and leaving.

The music video officially premiered on November 16 on MTV's Total Request Live. It debuted on the countdown the next day, at # 9 and peaked at #7.

Chart performance

Because of the massive hit Hips Don't Lie consistently remaining on the charts in the US and Australia, the song was cancelled two weeks after the release in those countries. It has done very well on Hot Dance Club Play chart where it hit #1. In Italy, Illegal peaked at #4. It charted at #8 on the Euro Hot 100 at #23 on the United World Chart.The song become a top ten hit in most of the European nations.

Charts

Chart (2006/2007)	Peak position
Austrian Singles Chart	9
Austrian Airplay Chart	1
Belarus Airlay Chart	11
Belgian Singles Chart	22
Belgian Airplay Chart	7
Brazil Hot 100	12
Brazil Top Dance Chart	2
Canadian Singles Chart	20
China Top 20	2
Czech IFPI Chart	4
Dutch Mega Top 50	2
Dutch Top 40	7
European Singles Chart	8
Finnish Singles Chart	14
German Singles Chart	11
Greek Singles Chart	14
Greek Downloads Chart	1

Chart (2006/2007)	Peak position
Hungary Airplay Chart	6
Irish Singles Chart	21
Italian Singles Chart	4
Italian MTV TRL	1
Polish Singles Chart	32
Portugal Airplay Chart	1
Romanian Singles Chart	1
Swiss Singles Chart	10
Sweden Singles Charts	47
UK Singles Chart	34
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Videoclip Tracks	25
U.S. MTV Videoclip Tracks	1
United World Chart	23
VM LATINO Costa Rican Top	1

References