Shakira was in a Madrid courtroom Wednesday to defend herself against a claim of plagiarism.
Cuban singer-songwriter Livám (whose real name is Rafael Valdés) alleges that Shakira and Carlos Vives used parts of his 1997 song “Yo Te Quiero Tanto” in their. 2017 hit “La Bicicleta.” Livám claims he had pitched his song to Vives.
Shakira testified that the songs are “completely different.” According to El Pais, she said Livám’s song is salsa while her track with Vives is vallenato (a traditional Colombian style of music).
“I don’t know if the plaintiff was trying to do a vallenato, but it didn’t turn out for him,” Shakira reportedly said. “It’s like a child who wants to catch a ball but he doesn’t know how.”
Livám’s claim is that “La Bicicleta” copies the chords, rhythm and melody of the chorus of “Yo Te Quiero Tanto.”
Shakira will be back in a Madrid court in June to face tax evasion charges.