Can't Hold Us Down

"Can't Hold Us Down"
Single by Christina Aguilera featuring Lil' Kim
from the album Stripped
Released	August 26, 2003
Format	CD single
Recorded	The Enterprise Studios (Burbank, California) Conway Studios (Hollywood, Los Angeles, California)
Genre	Hip hop, R&B
Length	4:14
Label	RCA
Writer(s)	Christina Aguilera, Scott Storch, Matt Morris
Producer	Scott Storch
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"Fighter" (2003) "Can't Hold Us Down" (2003) "The Voice Within" (2003)
Lil' Kim singles chronology "Magic Stick" (2003) "Can't Hold Us Down" (2003) "Lighters Up" (2005)

"Can't Hold Us Down" is a song written by Christina Aguilera, Scott Storch and Matt Morris for Aguilera's second album, Stripped, with production by Storch. Released on August 26, 2003 as the fourth single from the album, the single (which features Lil' Kim) peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Aguilera's 10th Top 20 hit. The single also peaked at #2 in New Zealand, #6 in the UK and #5 in Australia. The single is most known for its theme of female empowerment and for its music video, directed by David LaChapelle. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

Background

Aguilera performing the song during Stripped World Tour

"Can't Hold Us Down" was penned by Aguilera, Matt Morris and Scott Storch, and was also produced by Storch, E. Dawk, and Aguilera. The original version of the song bring Eve instead of Lil' Kim, who came to record the verses, but was replaced in the final version. As mentioned above, the single features the rapper Lil' Kim, who had previously worked with her on the "Lady Marmalade" cover from the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack in 2001. Besides becoming casual friends from "Lady Marmalade", Aguilera reached out to Kim due to her "girl power" attitude. The song samples Diddy's "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down".

Once again like with many previous singles, Aguilera creates a female empowerment anthem, expressing her disgust with the double standards of society. She feels that male stars are respected and worshipped for bragging about their wild sex lives, but when women like Aguilera try to express their sexuality, they get labeled as whores. Aguilera also lets people know that she does not appreciate being called a bitch simply because she stands up for herself and is a strong woman. Aguilera sends her personal message to those who try to "hold her down".

Despite performing well on several charts, the song was not included in her greatest hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits.

Music video

Directed by David LaChapelle, the video was shot on a Los Angeles soundstage that depicts a 1980s Lower East Side neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City which features African-Americans and Puerto Ricans aside the whole neighborhood. In the video, Aguilera is seen walking into the street when a man grabs her bottom. She starts accusing him and singing the song while many other women join her and many neighborhood men join the man. It continues until Lil' Kim arrives and takes off her robe. They begin dancing and Aguilera leaves with a smile on her face. The video premiered on MTV in July 2003 and on BET's 106 & Park on August 22, 2003, as the "New Joint" of the day. A tribute to Michael Jackson and his moonwalk can also been seen in the video.

Track listings and formats

CD single United States

1. Radio Edit
2. Suggested Callout Hook

DVD Single

1. Can't Hold Us Down (Music Video)
2. Album Version
3. Beautiful (Brother Brown Divine Mix)
4. Impossible (Performance Snippet)
5. Get Mine, Get Yours (Performance Snippet)

CD single Holland and UK

1. Album Version
2. Sharp Boys Orange Vocal Mix
3. Jacknife Lee Remix

Promotional LP for DJ's

1. Album Version (Side A)
2. Instrumental (Side B)
3. Acapella Version (Side B)

UK Promotional LP

1. Sharp Boys Orange Vocal Mix

CD single Europe, Oceania, Asia

1. Album Version
2. Sharp Boys Orange Vocal Mix
3. Jacknife Lee Remix

Remixes official and unreleased

• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Sharp Boys Orange Vocal Mix) (7:22)
• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Sharp Beyond Dub)
• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Jacknife Lee Mix) (4:30)
• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Jacknife Lee Dub)
• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Da Yard Riddim Mix) (4:16) - remixed by Steven Marsden (also known as Lenky); featuring Tanya Stephens
• "OranGefuzZz Tiny Purple Shorts Dub
• "OranGefuzZz Tiny Purple Shorts Club Mix
• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Medasyn Mix) (4:11) - remixed by Gabriel Olegavich
• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Medasyn Instrumental) - remixed by Gabriel Olegavich
• "Can't Hold Us Down" (Altar Unreleased Tribal Mix) (8.26)

Chart performance

"Can't Hold Us Down" proved to be successful, just peaking at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the song peaked within the top ten in the UK, Ireland and Australia and several other countries, and reached #2 in New Zealand.

Charts

Chart (2003)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	5
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)	13
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	7
Belgium (Ultratop 40 Wallonia)	15
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	4
Denmark (Tracklisten)	8
France (SNEP)	27
Germany (Media Control AG)	9
Hungary (Single Top 10)	4
Ireland (IRMA)	5
Italy (FIMI)	20
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	10
New Zealand (RIANZ)	2
Norway (VG-lista)	14
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	12
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	11
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	6
US Billboard Hot 100	12
US Pop Songs (Billboard)	3

Country	Certification	Sales/shipments
Australia	Gold	35,000

Year-end charts

Country	Position
Australia	95
Germany	62
Netherlands	94
New Zealand	29
Switzerland	44
UK	108
US	67