Despedida (Shakira song)

"Despedida" (English: "Farewell") is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira for the extended play and soundtrack Love in the Time of Cholera (2008).

The song was recorded for the Mike Newell-directed 2007 movie adaptation of Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez's 1985 novel Love in the Time of Cholera.

Shakira performed it live during the screening of the movie and at the stops of her The Sun Comes Out World Tour (2010–11) where she sang it as a medley with "Nothing Else Matters" (1992) by American band Metallica.

The story revolves around the character of Florentino Ariza and "his unconditional love for the beautiful Fermina Daza and the sentimental triangle that develops with the regional doctor".

[9] John Li from the website Moviexclusive commented that "Despedida" is "emotionally powerful", and noted that all three of Shakira's songs are "accompanied by [her] signature vocals".

[10] Elkin Lara of Caracol Radio wrote, "In 'La Despedida' Shakira once again proves her capacity of transforming herself and how she can be oped to every kind of project and music challenge".

[11] "Despedida" received a nomination at the 65th Golden Globe Awards in the category for Best Original Song, but lost to "Guaranteed" by Eddie Vedder from the movie Into the Wild (2007).

[17] On November 6, 2007, Shakira accompanied by her then-boyfriend Antonio de la Rúa, appeared on the screening of the movie Love in the Time of Cholera in Las Vegas, Nevada and confirmed that three of her own songs would be included on the soundtrack album.

[21] A writer of Sprinning Platters praised the performance of the song, calling it a "seductive dance number in which she managed to test the skill and professionalism of her drummer by incorporating him into her moves", further dubbing it a "'you had to be here' moment".

[23][24] Following García Márquez's death in 2014, the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia held an homage concert in his honor on April 30, 2015 at the Teatro Colón in Bogotá.