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‘La Tortura’ by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz: Meaning and English Lyrics

The track recently marked 20 years as one of the most iconic Spanish-language songs of the early 2000s

Archivado en: Alejandro Fernández  •   Shakira  •  

‘La Tortura’ recently marked 20 years as one of the most iconic Spanish-language songs of the early 2000s. The collaboration between Shakira and Alejandro Sanz became a defining moment in Latin pop history, and Shakira recently brought that energy back by inviting Sanz to perform the song with her during her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour.

As if that weren’t exciting enough, Sanz has now announced his upcoming album, which will include a brand-new collaboration with Shakira titled ‘Bésame.’

‘La Tortura’ tells the story of a complicated relationship between two people who are still emotionally tied to each other, even after betrayal and pain. The song begins with Shakira expressing her heartbreak and frustration—she’s not asking for perfection, but she can’t accept empty apologies or broken promises anymore. She’s hurt, especially because her partner left without a real explanation.

Sanz admits he’s made mistakes and isn’t proud of how he behaved, but he insists that he still loves her and wants another chance. He tries to justify his actions, saying that people learn through their errors, and pleads with her not to give up on what they had.

Throughout the song, there’s a push and pull: she wants to protect herself from more pain, while he keeps asking for forgiveness. In the end, she makes it clear that she’s done crying over him—she’s exhausted, and losing him was torture, but she’s ready to move on.

‘La Tortura’ English Lyrics

[Alejandro Sanz]

Oh, my little dark-haired girl, keep the poetry
Keep the joy for yourself
And hey, give it to me

[Shakira & Alejandro Sanz]

I’m not asking for every day to be sunny
I’m not asking for every Friday to be a party
And I’m not asking you to come back begging for forgiveness
If you’re crying with dry eyes and talking about her

Oh, my love, it hurts so much (It hurts so much)
That you left without saying where you were going
Oh, my love, losing you was torture

I know I haven’t been a saint
But I can make it right, my love
Man doesn’t live on bread alone
And I don’t live on excuses
You only learn from your mistakes
And today I know my heart belongs to you
You’d better keep all of that
Tell it to someone else, and let’s say goodbye

[Alejandro Sanz]

This is once, then again x2

[Shakira & Alejandro Sanz]

I can’t ask winter to spare a rose
Can’t ask elm trees to bear pears
I can’t ask a mere mortal for eternity
Or keep throwing thousands of pearls to swine

Oh, my love, it hurts so much, it hurts so much
That you no longer believe in my promises
Oh, my love, losing you is torture

I know I haven’t been a saint
But I can make it right, my love
Man doesn’t live on bread alone
And I don’t live on excuses
You only learn from your mistakes
And today I know my heart is yours
You’d better keep all of that
Tell it to someone else, and let’s say goodbye

[Alejandro Sanz]

And hey, give it to me

Don’t leave, don’t give up
Hey, dark-skinned girl, listen, don’t back down
From Monday to Friday, you have my love
Leave Saturday for me—it’s better that way
Listen, my love, don’t punish me anymore
Because out there, without you, I have no peace
I’m just a man full of regret
Like a bird returning to its nest

[Shakira & Alejandro Sanz]

I know I haven’t been a saint
But I’m not made of stone
Man doesn’t live on bread alone
And I don’t live on excuses
You only learn from your mistakes
And today I know my heart is yours

[Shakira]

Everything I did for you
Losing you was torture, and it hurts so much that it turned out this way
Keep crying “I’m sorry”
But I won’t cry for you today