Unleash Your Inner She Wolf
Released in 2009, She Wolf marked a shift for Shakira into electropop and disco territory. The song is famous for its unique structure, rapid-fire delivery, and the distinct howling sections. It challenges singers to balance breathy, lower-register verses with punchy, rhythmic choruses.
To sing this correctly, you need to understand Shakira's vocal placement. She often uses a "mask" resonance—vibrating the sound in the nasal cavity and behind the teeth—to cut through the heavy electronic beat.
AI Coach Tip: The "Hiccup" Technique
Shakira frequently uses glottal stops (a slight "hiccup" sound) to accentuate rhythms, especially on words like "closet" or "wolf." Our AI analysis suggests keeping your diaphragm engaged to execute these sharp stops without losing pitch.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:00 - 0:48)
The verses are sung in a lower chest register (hovering around F#3 and A3). The delivery is almost spoken but requires a breathy texture. "S.O.S. she's in disguise" needs clear diction.
The Trap: Because the verses are low, singers often drop their energy. Keep your soft palate lifted to maintain brightness even on the low notes, ensuring the lyrics are intelligible against the bassline.
Phase 2: The Chorus (0:48 - 1:18)
The energy lifts here. The melody becomes more melodic and rhythmic. "There's a she wolf in the closet" requires a punchy attack on the downbeats. You aren't belting high notes here, but you are "belting" the rhythm.
Focus on the syncopation. Being slightly behind the beat will make the song drag; being too far ahead will ruin the groove. The Singing Coach AI timing indicator is crucial for this section.
Phase 3: The Howl (Au-uuuh!)
This is the signature moment. To execute the howl, you must slide from your chest voice quickly into your head voice (falsetto). It isn't a scream; it's a controlled vocal slide.
Start the sound with an open throat (like saying "Ah") and transition to "Ooo" as you ascend in pitch. Keep the volume controlled—if you push too much air, your voice will crack unintentionally. Aim for a haunting, echo-like quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main vocal line reaches up to a D5, particularly during the howling sections and ad-libs. The verses sit much lower, often dipping to F#3.
Yes, but the verses might feel very low. You can try adding a bit more "fry" or breathiness to the low notes to make them audible, or transpose the song up +2 semitones in the app.
The lyrics "For women like me..." come fast. Practice "sipping" air quickly between phrases rather than taking deep breaths. The song requires aerobic stamina similar to jogging.
