Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Essay
What message does one of the most successful artists of the last decade try to pass on to us ? Christina Aguilera has recorded seven albums, including Back to Basics, released in 2006, and Keeps Getting Better, released in 2008. I find both records very strong, expressive and catchy by their themes, their lyrics and their popularity.
Even though the same artist is singing, the themes have slight differences. The name of the album concretely shows what the singer was thinking when recording : Back to Basics which means back to the old, previous way. It is explicitely demonstrated in her clips for example, where the background is completely different and changed with elements from the oldies. The album is a sort of flashback in the 20s, 30s and 40s with a modern twist while it still remaining vintage. 2008 was a significant year for Christina which explains the change of topics found in the last album, Keep Getting Better: the decade of hits. The singer tried to insert a futuristic connotation to her music which didn’t suit her as well as her own style. I think Back to Basics is the more impressive one because the artist succeeded and showed her audience another face of music, by reintegrating the previous decennies’ technics and sounds.
These lyrics from Christina’s songs are not coming from nothing. Christina Aguilera’s songs are most of the time stories, sometimes from her own past and experiences. That makes her music sound more authentic. In Back to Basics, she sings about personal feelings and concerns such as family, love and relationships. For example, in ‘’ Hurt ‘’, she talks about her childhood and the regret she felt later towards her dad what she had said but didn’t mean. Whereas in Keeps Getting Better, she rerecorded some of her old songs such as ‘’ Genie in a bottle’’ and ‘’ Beautiful ‘’ by inserting new different ways of expressing herself to try a new style that doesn’t necessarily put in value the tone of her voice. I find the second album more commercial than the first one which was more true.
An artist doesn’t necessarily have an only proper style. The fact that the previous record was more of the old style didn’t affect the success it had. For example, in Back to Basics, ‘’ Ain’t no other man ‘’ reached the number 2 on the World Chart, ‘’ Hurt ‘’ did pretty well in Europe and ‘’ Candyman ‘’ was more famous in the Pacific area. In Keeps Getting Better, the single premiered at the MTV Awards. I think all this success is due to the depth and sense of the lyrics that carry meaningful messages that the audience can relate to.
In conclusion, both albums pass on messages but one shows it better than the other. So Back to Basics is more interesting and better done in all points of views then Keeps Getting Better which is more of a playful or futuristic album.
Even though the same artist is singing, the themes have slight differences. The name of the album concretely shows what the singer was thinking when recording : Back to Basics which means back to the old, previous way. It is explicitely demonstrated in her clips for example, where the background is completely different and changed with elements from the oldies. The album is a sort of flashback in the 20s, 30s and 40s with a modern twist while it still remaining vintage. 2008 was a significant year for Christina which explains the change of topics found in the last album, Keep Getting Better: the decade of hits. The singer tried to insert a futuristic connotation to her music which didn’t suit her as well as her own style. I think Back to Basics is the more impressive one because the artist succeeded and showed her audience another face of music, by reintegrating the previous decennies’ technics and sounds.
These lyrics from Christina’s songs are not coming from nothing. Christina Aguilera’s songs are most of the time stories, sometimes from her own past and experiences. That makes her music sound more authentic. In Back to Basics, she sings about personal feelings and concerns such as family, love and relationships. For example, in ‘’ Hurt ‘’, she talks about her childhood and the regret she felt later towards her dad what she had said but didn’t mean. Whereas in Keeps Getting Better, she rerecorded some of her old songs such as ‘’ Genie in a bottle’’ and ‘’ Beautiful ‘’ by inserting new different ways of expressing herself to try a new style that doesn’t necessarily put in value the tone of her voice. I find the second album more commercial than the first one which was more true.
An artist doesn’t necessarily have an only proper style. The fact that the previous record was more of the old style didn’t affect the success it had. For example, in Back to Basics, ‘’ Ain’t no other man ‘’ reached the number 2 on the World Chart, ‘’ Hurt ‘’ did pretty well in Europe and ‘’ Candyman ‘’ was more famous in the Pacific area. In Keeps Getting Better, the single premiered at the MTV Awards. I think all this success is due to the depth and sense of the lyrics that carry meaningful messages that the audience can relate to.
In conclusion, both albums pass on messages but one shows it better than the other. So Back to Basics is more interesting and better done in all points of views then Keeps Getting Better which is more of a playful or futuristic album.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Interview
Me: Has the birth of your son Max disturbed your career?
C.A: No, absolutely not. Naturally, it changed a little bit my time management but music is an important part of my life so is my family. I always try to find a way to spend time doing both.
Me: Do you have any future project?
C.A: The education of my son is definitely my priority. This will make me discover, live and face new situations. I will try to inspire from all those experiences to later record a new album.
Me: Where will your next tour take place?
C.A: I’m planning on visiting South America, and also Europe. If it’s possible, Asia too. I want to see something different. North America has became too familiar now.
Me: How do you feel when you’re on stage?
C.A: I’m a little bit nervous everytime, but also very excited to get out there and do what I love.
Me: How did you start out being a singer ?
C.A: I used to perform in front of my parents and other family members at first. And as I grew older, singing became my passion.
Me: Is it hard being on the road ?
C.A:. Of course, there are some disadvantages but I think it is part of the charm
Me: How does your family and friends feel about you being a star?
C.A: I am glad they are very supportive. The fact that I’m famous doesn’t change our relationships.
Me: Do you miss your old life? Or regret?
C.A: For sure, I miss some aspects such as privacy. No, I do not have any regrets. I think I have accomplished everything I ever wished for the right way.
Me: Out of all your songs, which is your favourite?
C.A: I like all of them, thanks to all the amazing producers I worked with. But there is one, in particular, that I especially enjoy singing which is Candyman. It was challenging, a lot of fun and at the same time hard since the ambiance that we were trying to reproduce was very different than the one we are used to.
Me: You are an idol for so many people, who is your idol ?
C.A: When I was about 7 years old, my grand mother used to take me to look for records with her . That was when I discovered the legendary Etta James and her amazing music. Since then, I always listen to her songs full of emotion and real heart .
C.A: No, absolutely not. Naturally, it changed a little bit my time management but music is an important part of my life so is my family. I always try to find a way to spend time doing both.
Me: Do you have any future project?
C.A: The education of my son is definitely my priority. This will make me discover, live and face new situations. I will try to inspire from all those experiences to later record a new album.
Me: Where will your next tour take place?
C.A: I’m planning on visiting South America, and also Europe. If it’s possible, Asia too. I want to see something different. North America has became too familiar now.
Me: How do you feel when you’re on stage?
C.A: I’m a little bit nervous everytime, but also very excited to get out there and do what I love.
Me: How did you start out being a singer ?
C.A: I used to perform in front of my parents and other family members at first. And as I grew older, singing became my passion.
Me: Is it hard being on the road ?
C.A:. Of course, there are some disadvantages but I think it is part of the charm
Me: How does your family and friends feel about you being a star?
C.A: I am glad they are very supportive. The fact that I’m famous doesn’t change our relationships.
Me: Do you miss your old life? Or regret?
C.A: For sure, I miss some aspects such as privacy. No, I do not have any regrets. I think I have accomplished everything I ever wished for the right way.
Me: Out of all your songs, which is your favourite?
C.A: I like all of them, thanks to all the amazing producers I worked with. But there is one, in particular, that I especially enjoy singing which is Candyman. It was challenging, a lot of fun and at the same time hard since the ambiance that we were trying to reproduce was very different than the one we are used to.
Me: You are an idol for so many people, who is your idol ?
C.A: When I was about 7 years old, my grand mother used to take me to look for records with her . That was when I discovered the legendary Etta James and her amazing music. Since then, I always listen to her songs full of emotion and real heart .
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Interview
One day, I was shopping on Ste Catherine street when I accidently bumped into someone. I lifted up my head. And to my biggest surprise, Christina Aguilera was standing there, in front of me. I was so happy, I tried to think very fast of some questions to ask. First, I asked if the birth of her son Max had disturbed her career. She answered, with a smile, that no, absolutely not. Naturally, it had changed a little bit of her time management but that music was an important part of her life just like her family. She said she was trying to spend time doing both. I also wanted to know if she had any future project. Christina replied that the education of her son was definitely her priority and that with the experiences she was living, she would inspire her next album. I demanded where her next tour was going to take place and she said that she was planning on visiting other countries because North America had became too familiar. I was very curious so I asked her how she was feeling on stage and she answered that despite the experience she still was a little bit nervous. While we started walking, I continued. I asked how she had started out being a singer and she said that she used to perform in front of her family then as she had grown older it had became her passion. I also asked if it was hard being on the road and she replied that of course, it had some disadvantages but she thought it was part of the charm. The day before, I had read magazines about relationships so I wanted to know how her family and friends felt about her being a star. She said she was glad that they were very supportive. I asked if she was missing her old life and she replied that she was missing the privacy but she didn’t regret anything. I always found al1 of her songs great but I was very curious to know which one was her favourite so I asked and she said that she prefered Candyman because it had been challenging to sing and at the same time a lot of fun. At this moment, her phone rang. I realized I only had time for a last question. I chose to ask who was her idol, since she was some many people’s. She replied very fast that Etta James definitely was her idol because she had grown listening to her music full of emotion. On that, I thanked her and she left.
Lyrics Analysis : '' Nobody wants to be lonely ''
Why, why, why
Oh ooh ohh
There you are, in a darkened room
And you're all alone, looking out the window
Your heart is cold and lost the will to love < Personification : The heart becomes like a human with feelings
Like a broken arrow < Simile: the heart is compared to an arrow since both of them are broken
Here I stand in the shadows
In the shadows
Come to come, come to me
Can't you see that
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away < Personification :Time becomes like a human
And I've been waiting for you all of my life (ohh)
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why (why), why don't you let me love you
Why (ooh ohh yeah), why (oh why), why
Ooh ooh, yeah
Can you hear my voice, do you hear my song
It's a seranade, so your heart can find me, ohh
And suddenly you're flying down the stairs < Metaphor: The person seems flying like a bird
Into my arms, baby, ohh
Before I start going crazy
Going crazy, ohh
Run to me
Run to me
Cause I'm dying... < Hyberbole: The person is not actully going to die, it is an image of her pain
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry (I don't wanna cry)
My body's longing to hold you (I'm longing to hold you)
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life (ohh)
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why
Why, why don't you let me love you
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry...yeah yeah
Nobody wants to be lonely (yeah ohh ooh)
Nobody wants to cry (nobody wants to cry)
My body's longing to hold you (is longing to hold you)
So bad it hurts inside (hurts inside)
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life (ohh)
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why (why), why don't you let me love you
Let me love you...
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry (nobody wants to cry...)
My body's longing to hold you (I'm longing to hold you)
So bad it hurts inside (so hurt inside)
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why (why), why don't you let me love you
Why (why), let me love you
Why don't you let me love you
Why, love you, let me love you
Why (why)
I wanna feel you need me
Feel you need me
Just like the air you're breathing < Simile: the need of feeling the person is compared to the need of breathing
Breathing, I need you here in my life
Don't walk away, don't walk away
Don't walk alway, don't walk away
No, no, no, no...
The theme of the song is loneliness and how no one wants to be in that state.We all need to share love just like we need to breathe. In ‘’ Nobody wants to be lonely ‘‘ , the singer says that sometimes the feeling is so strong it hurts inside. It is an interesting theme because every human being on the planet can identify with the character of this song since it is a feeling we all get at least once in a lifetime.
Oh ooh ohh
There you are, in a darkened room
And you're all alone, looking out the window
Your heart is cold and lost the will to love < Personification : The heart becomes like a human with feelings
Like a broken arrow < Simile: the heart is compared to an arrow since both of them are broken
Here I stand in the shadows
In the shadows
Come to come, come to me
Can't you see that
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away < Personification :Time becomes like a human
And I've been waiting for you all of my life (ohh)
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why (why), why don't you let me love you
Why (ooh ohh yeah), why (oh why), why
Ooh ooh, yeah
Can you hear my voice, do you hear my song
It's a seranade, so your heart can find me, ohh
And suddenly you're flying down the stairs < Metaphor: The person seems flying like a bird
Into my arms, baby, ohh
Before I start going crazy
Going crazy, ohh
Run to me
Run to me
Cause I'm dying... < Hyberbole: The person is not actully going to die, it is an image of her pain
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry (I don't wanna cry)
My body's longing to hold you (I'm longing to hold you)
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life (ohh)
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why
Why, why don't you let me love you
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry...yeah yeah
Nobody wants to be lonely (yeah ohh ooh)
Nobody wants to cry (nobody wants to cry)
My body's longing to hold you (is longing to hold you)
So bad it hurts inside (hurts inside)
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life (ohh)
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why (why), why don't you let me love you
Let me love you...
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry (nobody wants to cry...)
My body's longing to hold you (I'm longing to hold you)
So bad it hurts inside (so hurt inside)
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why (why), why don't you let me love you
Why (why), let me love you
Why don't you let me love you
Why, love you, let me love you
Why (why)
I wanna feel you need me
Feel you need me
Just like the air you're breathing < Simile: the need of feeling the person is compared to the need of breathing
Breathing, I need you here in my life
Don't walk away, don't walk away
Don't walk alway, don't walk away
No, no, no, no...
The theme of the song is loneliness and how no one wants to be in that state.We all need to share love just like we need to breathe. In ‘’ Nobody wants to be lonely ‘‘ , the singer says that sometimes the feeling is so strong it hurts inside. It is an interesting theme because every human being on the planet can identify with the character of this song since it is a feeling we all get at least once in a lifetime.
Lyrics Analysis : ''Beautiful''
Don't look at me
Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, i saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today
To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
That's the way it is
You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today...
No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay
And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine
(sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times
'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
The theme of the song is self-esteem and how easily it can get very low. Other people’s words often hurt, change and bring us down. This is an interesting theme because it is a subject that people don’t talk about much, even though they feel very concerned about it. In ‘Beautiful’ , Christina says that no matter what others think, she still is beautiful. It is a concrete illustration of the theme.
Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, i saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today
To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
That's the way it is
You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today...
No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay
And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine
(sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times
'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
The theme of the song is self-esteem and how easily it can get very low. Other people’s words often hurt, change and bring us down. This is an interesting theme because it is a subject that people don’t talk about much, even though they feel very concerned about it. In ‘Beautiful’ , Christina says that no matter what others think, she still is beautiful. It is a concrete illustration of the theme.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mini Bio
Christina Aguilera is a pop singer who writes and produces her own songs. She actually is one of the most successful and famous artists of the last decade.
Christina Maria Aguilera was born on December 18th, 1980 in New York to a Sergeant in the American Army, her father, and to a Spanish teacher, her mother. Even if living in Pennsylvania, she has Irish and Ecuadorian blood. She first appeared on national television at age 10 as a contestant then was a Disney Channel series. As a child, her dream was already to become a singer.
In 1999 she released her debut album including the songs ‘’ Genie in a Bottle ‘’ and ‘’ What a Girl Wants ‘’, followed by the Spanish version ‘’ Mi Reflejo ‘’. After a while, Christina decided to take a break from all the TV and recording studios to discover more of life. Despite this break, she still collaborated in 2001 with Pink, Mya and Lil’ Kim on the big worldwide hit single ‘’ Lady Marmelade ‘’. Not long after, Christina met Jordan Bratman with whom she has a child, Max Liron. Today, she is married for 5 years and has a 2-year-old son. She also works for many trademarks by participating in publicities on television.
In other words, with 6 albums and an incomparable number of awards, Christina Aguilera definitely takes a major place in the pop music industry.
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