Shakira reveals she almost bought a farm and walked away from music career

• Shakira nearly retired from music a few years ago to buy a farm and raise animals.
• She told Vogue she realised she had far too much left to say and to do.
• The singer described her fans as family and said performing gives her a deep sense of comfort.

Shakira has opened up about how close she came to stepping away from her music career altogether.

In a new interview with Vogue, the Waka Waka hitmaker admitted she had nearly left the music industry behind entirely just a few years ago.

"A few years ago, I was ready to just buy a farm, raise animals, and retire from music," Shakira told the outlet.

"But I look back, and I'm like, 'How crazy is that?' I had and have so much more to say and to do. Sometimes we just take what we do for granted, or just forget about who we are," added the 49-year-old singer.

The bond with her fans

The Whenever, Wherever songstress also spoke candidly about what performing live means to her and the unique relationship she shares with those who attend her shows.

"I think that when I perform, I don't just do it in front of 'an audience,'" said Shakira.

"I do it surrounded by my family. I feel that my fans, those who have fun in the crowd, those who have listened to my music for so long … I feel they really understand me, and they also know my flaws. They don't condemn my defects," she continued.

The She Wolf singer added, "There's a sense of comfort when I am on stage. I'm just living in the moment with a group of people that have been there for me and who, really, I feel I have a strong friendship with."