Whatev's Christina Aguilera Top 50!
- Thread starter Whatevar
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34
Ain't No Other Man
Back To Basics (2006)
I remember a lot of excitement about this song when it came out. It was a long time coming and she really hyped up the collaboration with DJ Premier and the fact it was 132 BPM. There was a lot riding on it as the lead single from the follow-up album to the hugely successful Stripped. It ended up being a big hit - #6 in the US (and a platinum million-seller), #2 in the UK and Top 5 around the world. But somehow it hasn't endured massively, perhaps because of its slightly gimicky "theme", making it appear more like a novelty record these days, despite her obvious commitment to the concept at the time (see also: Candyman). I found the chorus a tad disappointing and wasn't a huge fan of the whole look of this era, but you can't fault her for effort - she really went for it - they clearly spent a shitload on the video and she danced her cunt off. Nowadays the song is a bit too busy and frenetic to my ears, but it's by no means bad. The video starts and ends with excerpts of Trouble from B2B disc 2, which is a nice touch (another great track sadly not in this countdown). The very first live performance she did at the MTV Movie Awards remains one of her absolute best: a woman at the peak of her creative powers, vocal prowess and confidence as an artisté.
Highlight: The high note at 2:26.
Watch:
Ain't No Other Man
Back To Basics (2006)
I remember a lot of excitement about this song when it came out. It was a long time coming and she really hyped up the collaboration with DJ Premier and the fact it was 132 BPM. There was a lot riding on it as the lead single from the follow-up album to the hugely successful Stripped. It ended up being a big hit - #6 in the US (and a platinum million-seller), #2 in the UK and Top 5 around the world. But somehow it hasn't endured massively, perhaps because of its slightly gimicky "theme", making it appear more like a novelty record these days, despite her obvious commitment to the concept at the time (see also: Candyman). I found the chorus a tad disappointing and wasn't a huge fan of the whole look of this era, but you can't fault her for effort - she really went for it - they clearly spent a shitload on the video and she danced her cunt off. Nowadays the song is a bit too busy and frenetic to my ears, but it's by no means bad. The video starts and ends with excerpts of Trouble from B2B disc 2, which is a nice touch (another great track sadly not in this countdown). The very first live performance she did at the MTV Movie Awards remains one of her absolute best: a woman at the peak of her creative powers, vocal prowess and confidence as an artisté.
Highlight: The high note at 2:26.
Watch:
Pipo
COQUETTE :ribbon:
Some of these write ups don't READ like praise. For a minute I thought this was Whatev's most hated Xtina tracks (which would be amazing).
dUb
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I wanted this!
This is a common theme with my reviews. I am very critical. We’re only on #34 remember. Sometimes I feel like I have to justify why everyone’s favourite isn’t in the Top 10.
You mean 25 notes!
Suomi
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It’s an omen for later. The most frustrating thing about “Lotus” is knowing that there are good songs on there, but that they are held HOSTAGE by an unlistenable singing voice.
POP!
Let the light in
2006 was probably the peak of my X-Tina fandom . Not that it was her best album, but Britney was AWOL, and she was all I had. "Ain't No Other Man" had to be the lead single or nothing at all, so in that sense it worked, but I never listen to it anymore. It is a bit style over substance. I much prefer "Back in the Day" for that retro style - ANOM was a bit CONTRIVED.
That’s my biggest issue with her. Honestly I’m not exactly that much of a vocal queen (see my music taste), but I find so much of her stuff so hard to sit through because it’s like she’s shouting at me for four minutes.
When she holds back a bit (Your a Body being a prime example) she can make a killer tune. But when she doesn’t...
When she holds back a bit (Your a Body being a prime example) she can make a killer tune. But when she doesn’t...
Suomi
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this is true - for me at 16 this video felt like a really big deal, and then the 1-2 punch of following it with gay empowerment anthem “Fighter” guaranteed a CD sale from me.
Pipo
COQUETTE :ribbon:
Pipo
COQUETTE :ribbon:
Funky
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SDF
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This thread is EVERYTHING
Sneak peak at top 10 reviews:
"This song is rubbish and she bursts my eardrums"
"Truly a vocal only a cunt could deliver"
"There's more delight to my ears in scraping the dinner plate clean than listening to this track"
"HA"
Sneak peak at top 10 reviews:
"This song is rubbish and she bursts my eardrums"
"Truly a vocal only a cunt could deliver"
"There's more delight to my ears in scraping the dinner plate clean than listening to this track"
"HA"
Pipo
COQUETTE :ribbon:
I hope one of my all time WORST makes an appearance at some point (Hurt) and one of my all time BEST does as well (Here To Stay).
Last edited:
You mean WORST, Pipo dear.
What?! You mean you don't like Hurt?!
Here To Stay just missed out, sorrynotsorry.
Cerro de Casa
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33
Twice
Liberation (2018)
I've really had to go back and listen to this album carefully, as it's her least well known to me. This one stands out as fuckamazing and should probably be higher - surely even you think this is good, @dUb? It's a haunting piano ballad featuring all the classic winning elements: gorgeous harmonies; powerful, yet restrained vocals; a strong melody; personal, moving lyrics - what's not to like? It was written solely by Kirby Lauryen who, interestingly, also wrote Brandy's Beggin' And Pleadin'.
Apparently it was released as the first promotional single but I have no recollection of this #buzzsingle. They even released "official visuals" as a gift to the fanz 
(see below).
Highlight: Don't think you can beat the opening 40 seconds for Brandy-esque harmonies.
Listen:
Twice
Liberation (2018)
I've really had to go back and listen to this album carefully, as it's her least well known to me. This one stands out as fuckamazing and should probably be higher - surely even you think this is good, @dUb? It's a haunting piano ballad featuring all the classic winning elements: gorgeous harmonies; powerful, yet restrained vocals; a strong melody; personal, moving lyrics - what's not to like? It was written solely by Kirby Lauryen who, interestingly, also wrote Brandy's Beggin' And Pleadin'.
Apparently it was released as the first promotional single but I have no recollection of this #buzzsingle. They even released "official visuals" as a gift to the fanz (see below).Highlight: Don't think you can beat the opening 40 seconds for Brandy-esque harmonies.
Listen:
Pipo
COQUETTE :ribbon:
My worst, apologies for awful spelling and yes, I can't stand Hurt I think it encompasses EVERYTHING the general public (ie. Dub and Devil) hate about her singing technique. There's a good song hidden somewhere there but jesus christ woman take a seat!
32
The Voice Within
Stripped (2002)
Written by Xtina and Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pil), this was the fifth and final single from Stripped. I was in my second year of uni at the time and remember being pleasantly surprised at how well it did, given that Mariah/Celine/schmaltzy ballads seemed to be going out of fashion; #9 in the UK and #33 in the US was pretty impressive for a FIFTH single. The David LaChapelle black-and-white video was shot in one take and raises many questions: why does she look so... GRUBBY? Why is she wearing a silk lace teddie? Why does she keep shaking that nasty black wig like she's trying to get flies out of it? Why is she in an abandoned prop room with no shoes and detritus all over the floor? Why are her tits so big? Anyway, it got people talking and definitely bolstered her artisté credibility, while the song showed her stylistic range and widened her fanbase even further.
Highlight: From 3:00 when it goes all gospel and 3:46 "that with GUI-I-I-IDE YOUR WA-A-AY!"
Watch:
The Voice Within
Stripped (2002)
Written by Xtina and Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pil), this was the fifth and final single from Stripped. I was in my second year of uni at the time and remember being pleasantly surprised at how well it did, given that Mariah/Celine/schmaltzy ballads seemed to be going out of fashion; #9 in the UK and #33 in the US was pretty impressive for a FIFTH single. The David LaChapelle black-and-white video was shot in one take and raises many questions: why does she look so... GRUBBY? Why is she wearing a silk lace teddie? Why does she keep shaking that nasty black wig like she's trying to get flies out of it? Why is she in an abandoned prop room with no shoes and detritus all over the floor? Why are her tits so big? Anyway, it got people talking and definitely bolstered her artisté credibility, while the song showed her stylistic range and widened her fanbase even further.
Highlight: From 3:00 when it goes all gospel and 3:46 "that with GUI-I-I-IDE YOUR WA-A-AY!"
Watch:
dUb
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Strongly agree! Applies to The Voice Within as well
31
Pipe
Christina Aguilera Featuring XNDA
Liberation (2018)
@funky I think you might like this one. A breezy, laid-back R&B track, it's one of the more progressive songs on Liberation and wouldn't sound out of place on a modern Beyoncé album. No growling or shrieking to be found here! The featured vocalist XNDA had been a mystery until very recently, when noted homophobe and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton revealed it was him. He also has a writing credit (one of SEVEN writers).
Highlight: Nothing stands out in this understated piece, but you can hear Lewis Hamilton's Drake impression from 2:40.
Listen:
Pipe
Christina Aguilera Featuring XNDA
Liberation (2018)
@funky I think you might like this one. A breezy, laid-back R&B track, it's one of the more progressive songs on Liberation and wouldn't sound out of place on a modern Beyoncé album. No growling or shrieking to be found here! The featured vocalist XNDA had been a mystery until very recently, when noted homophobe and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton revealed it was him. He also has a writing credit (one of SEVEN writers).
Highlight: Nothing stands out in this understated piece, but you can hear Lewis Hamilton's Drake impression from 2:40.
Listen: