"Girl like Me" is a song sung and rapped in English and Spanish.[9] Track was composed in E minor key.[10] Song starts with chorus sang in English by Shakira, where she used vocals compared to her vocals from her 2009 studio album She Wolf.[3][11] First verse is rapped by will.i.am, where he switched languages from English to Spanish multiple times throught the verse.[12] After every subsequent chorus there is a bridge sung by Shakira in Spanish.[13] In his verse, Taboo refers to Shakira's smash hit "Hips Don't Lie" in line "Your hips don’t lie, they rock me", when apl.de.ap references late Latin singer Selena and Brazilian singer Anitta.[12] Song has been described as "anthemic" or "empowering" by many publications.[6][12][7]