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Not Myself Tonight

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"Not Myself Tonight"
Song

"Not Myself Tonight" is a song performed by American pop singer, Christina Aguilera. The song was released on April 13, 2010 as lead single from her upcoming fourth studio album, Bionic.[1] The track was written by singer-songwriter Ester Dean and co-written and produced by Polow da Don.[2][3]

The song, along with its accompanying music video, was positively received by critics, praising Aguilera's return to her style in 2002's Stripped; however some were critical, calling the song and video unoriginal. The video, which is inspired by S&M and features bondage, pays an homage to Madonna clips.

Background

On March 23, 2010, after a 24-hour countdown on her relaunched official website, Aguilera revealed that "Not Myself Tonight" would be the name of the first single from the album.[1] The single's artwork was published on the same day as well, showing Aguilera dressed as a devil and sporting a PVC bodysuit, suspenders and chains.[4][5] The lyrics of the song were released a day later and an 18 second excerpt of the piece was published on March 26.[3][6] The song was initially set to premier on Aguilera's website on March 30, but actually received its first full airing on her A.P.E. radio station earlier that day.[7][8] It officially premiered on U.S. radio on April 5, 2010, and then was released via download in the United States and many other countries on April 13, 2010.[7]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from critics, warming up to Aguilera's return to her sound and style of the "Dirrty" era. James Montgomery of MTV News praised the track and said it was "a whirring, whooshing thing, full of blaring synthesizers and spare snares speeding along over pounding, four-on-the-floor beat...the kind of track you'd expect to hear rattling the speakers at the massive, multi-level clubs of Europe".[2] Bill Lamb from About.com gave the song a positive review: "Whomever might think that vocal prowess makes little difference in a mainstream pop song needs to listen once to Christina Aguilera's stellar new single "Not Myself Tonight." The electropop tune sounds like it could be a bit ordinary until the vocals really kick in about 45 seconds into the song. From that point on Christina Aguilera towers over much of the competition proving why she is frequently included in the shortest lists of today's top pop singers".[9] Vibe magazine was impressed with the song: "With a writing assist by Ester Dean and Polow Da Don on the boards, Christina sounds as if she's managed to coalesce all her personalities into a comfortably edgy, grown-ass woman ready to slap up Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry (she's "kissing all the boys and girls!") at the gay club. Frenetic with sparkling synths, blaring snares and glints of soul, Xtina's obviously found herself the right babysitter, because the fuck-me pumps are out and ready for wearing".[10] Anthony Ramos of Access Hollywood said "The tribal-beat infused track is her sexiest record we’ve heard since 2002’s “Dirrty" ... it is a high-octane anthem that is sure to get tons of requests at nightclubs all over. While she gets it going with a sultry whisper asking her fans, “Do you wanna get crazy? ‘Cause I don’t give a f**k".[11] Michael Menachem from Billboard gave the single a positive review: "Aguilera channels a more Euro-glamorous version of her former dirrty alter-ego Xtina on Tonight, dashing lyrics about self-reinvention with breathy chants and naughty expletives. [...] [The] dripping synths, pulsing basslines and tribal house drums [...] sound appealingly unfinished. Paired with Aguilera's unmatched vocal range, Tonight proves that the current dance-pop craze would be incomplete without her."[12] Whitney Pastorek of Entertainment Weekly was more critical of the song, claiming that it was "produced within an inch of its life" but adding that "there’s no mistaking that voice" and asking "when she sings “Tonight I’m not the same girl,” are you concerned she means, like, in terms of quality control?".[13]

Music video

The music video for the song was shot April 7–9, 2010 over three days in Los Angeles, directed by Hype Williams. In a radio interview with Z100 Atlanta, Aguilera stated: “I’m more confident and comfortable in my own skin. I think I’m even a more sexual Christina."[14] To celebrate the video premiere, her official site started to release photos from the video. Each day it featured a different look of Christina portrayed in the video.[15] It premiered on Vevo on April 30, 2010.[16] UK music channel 4Music then played the video for the first time on TV at 10:00 a.m. the following day.[17]

Influences and concept

File:Notmyselftonight.jpg
Aguilera leading a troop of lookalikes with a club and bursting through French doors

The video itself features a strong sexual theme with scenes of S&M and bondage, as well as scenes in a church and several prestigious-looking buildings. Aguilera sporting several hairstyles and outfits, including many which were dominatrix-style.[18] Actress Jenna Dewan appears in the video as a woman that Aguilera straddles.[19] The video was inspired by several artists. James Montgomery of MTV News compared her scenes in the church to a slimmed down version of Madonna's scenes in her video for "Like a Prayer".[19] He also said that the S&M features in the video were reminiscent of her video for "Human Nature", commenting, "The influence on "Tonight" is pretty evident, most notably in Christina's leather get-ups, her dominatrix attitude and the sultry chair-related activities she engages in throughout." The video also pays direct homage to Madonna's "Express Yourself" in the scene where Aguilera wears a monocle, where she crawls on the floor and reaches for a bowl, and in the "dancing in the rain" scenes.[19] In the bowl scene, she later pours black milk on herself, similar to what Christina Milian did with black oil in her "Dip It Low" video.[19] Aguilera goes back and forth between several hairstyles in the video, which have been compared to styles of Bettie Page, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Gwen Stefani. She also appears in a similar style as in her video for "Lady Marmalade".[19] Aguilera also recalls her "Dirrty" video, in which she rides on the front and back of a sweaty shirtless man.[20] Gil Kaufman of MTV News ran through the video, naming, "riding crops, a handful of F-bombs, sexy, see-through skimpy raincoats, shirtless dancing in the rain and a throwdown in a church that ends with a writhing group grope." Kaufman also commented, "Most of the clip, in fact, unfolds as a virtual video catalog for fetishwear, including black leather undies, a chainmail bikini top and a bedazzled outfit that consists of little more than strategically placed silver chains and pasties connected to wrist and ankle manacles."[20] The ending scenes of the clip feature product placement of Aguilera's fragrance.[18]

Reception

As with the song itself, several critics praised the video for its return to Aguilera's Stripped era, however some disliked the video's unoriginality and dirty vibe. James Montgomery of MTV News called the video "jaw-dropping" with Aguilera "the pop star getting back to her "Dirrty" roots". Montgomery also noted that the clip had some similarities to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video, and Aguilera wears a pair of shades as Gaga did in the previous.[19] Bill Lamb of About.com dismissed claims that the video was trying to "out dirty" artists such as Gaga, Madonna, and Rihanna, stating that the song gave a good indication of what the video might be like. Lamb also commented, "Bondage and fetish wear are increasingly prevalent across the spectrum in pop music and pop culture imagery." He also said that the video was aesthetically "gorgeous" and that director Hype Williams "gives the clip a crisp, clean, colorful look that is arresting."[21]

Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly, commented that the video was very much like Lady Gaga, but said it was even more like Madonna. He also noted that, "When it comes to Madonna, nearly every pop star has taken pieces of her performances/styling/etc", and "With the Gaga argument, can we really fault Christina for taking from Gaga, when Gaga herself has so ripped from a variety of other artists?" Stransky also noted that Aguilera did indeed seem desperate in the "unoriginal" clip, saying that she had been gone for along time and now "clawing for relevancy", but "maybe she should have gone in a totally different direction to avoid comparisons".[22] Daniel Kreps from Rolling Stone stated that "Aguilera assumes no less than a dozen different guises, all scantily clad, ranging from carbon copies of Lady Gaga (borrowing heavily from her unique wardrobe), Madonna, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, the girls from Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible" video and Michelle Pfeiffer's S&M-inspired Catwoman from Batman Returns. Despite the video's attempt to shock, it's unlikely Aguilera will ever out-Gaga Gaga or out-controversy Madonna. ... Hopefully next time she steps in front of the lens she'll be more herself and less like everyone else"[23] Kreps did state that the video's "steaminess" made up for the unoriginality.[23]

Promotion

Aguilea, Its first television performance was at the The Oprah Winfrey Show on May 7, 2010[24], on the American Idol season nine finale on May 26, 2010[25][26][27], and at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards on June 6, 2010.[28]

Track listing

iTunes Digital Download
  1. "Not Myself Tonight" - 3:04
German basic CD maxi single [29]
  1. "Not Myself Tonight"
  2. "Not Myself Tonight" (Mark Roberts Ultimix) (Dirty)
  3. "Not Myself Tonight" (Jody Den Broeder Radio)

Chart performance

During its first week on the radio "Not Myself Tonight" became the most added song on Mainstream Top 40 (886 plays in its first six days) and Rhythmic Radio stations in the United States.[30] It was released for digital download in the U.S. on April 13, 2010, and sold 77,000 copies in its first week resulting in a debut of number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It fell to number 49 for its second week. It is Aguilera's fourth highest chart debut behind 2008's "Keeps Gettin' Better" debuting at number seven, 2006's "Ain't No Other Man" which opened at number nineteen, and 1999's "Genie In A Bottle" which debuted at number five.[31]

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[32] 24
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[33] 17
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[34] 11
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[35] 14
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[36] 38
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[37] 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[38] 32
Russian Airplay Chart[39] 196
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[40] 16
South Korean Digital Chart[41] 73
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[42] 32
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[43] 34
Turkey (Türkiye Top 20)[44] 15
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 23
US Hot Dance Club Play[46] 37
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[47] 16

Radio and release history

References

  1. ^ a b "Christina Aguilera fires up website, announces "big news" about 'Bionic'". The Independent. 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  2. ^ a b Montgomery, James (2010-03-30). "Christina Aguilera Debuts 'Not Myself Tonight,' First Bionic Single". MTV. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  3. ^ a b Copsey, Robert (2010-03-24). "Aguilera releases lyrics to new single". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  4. ^ "Christina Aguilera reveals comeback single". BBC. 2010-03-24. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  5. ^ a b "Christina Aguilera is nautical but nice as she has a rare night out partying ahead of comeback". Daily Mail. 2010-03-24. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  6. ^ Levine, Nick (2010-03-26). "So, this new Christina single..." Digital Spy. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  7. ^ a b c d e "New Christina Aguilera Album "Bionic" Out June 8th". The Cleveland Leader. 2010-03-25. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  8. ^ a b Herrera, Monica (2010-03-30). "Christina Aguilera Premieres 'Not Myself Tonight' Single". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  9. ^ Christina Aguilera's "Not Myself Tonight" Return Sounds Like an Instant Hit
  10. ^ If You Don't Like This New Christina Aguilera Song, Eff You... | Vibe
  11. ^ On The Download: Christina Aguilera’s ‘Not Myself Tonight’ | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos
  12. ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/new-releases/christina-aguilera-not-myself-tonight-1004082144.story
  13. ^ Pastorek, Whitney (2010-03- 30). "New Christina Aguilera, 'Not Myself Tonight': Listen and weigh in here!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-03-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Vena, Jocelyn. "Christina Aguilera Gets Her Dominatrix On For 'Not Myself Tonight' Video - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  15. ^ "The Official Christina Aguilera Website". Christina Aguilera. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  16. ^ "Rca Records". RCA Records. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  17. ^ [dtadded]. "Video Exclusive on 4Music at 10:00am May 1st, 2010". UK TV Guide. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  18. ^ a b Dinunno, Gina (2010-04-30). "X-tina's New Music Video Borders on X-Rated". TV Guide. Seattle University. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  19. ^ a b c d e f Montgomery, James (2010-04-30). "Christina Aguilera's 'Not Myself Tonight' Video: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  20. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (2010-04-30). "Christina Aguilera's 'Not Myself Tonight' Recalls Her 'Dirrty' Days". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-04-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  21. ^ Lamb, Bill (2010-04-30). "Christina Aguilera's "Not Myself Tonight" Video Pulls Out the Bisexual and Fetish Stops With Hype Williams' Visual Flash". About.com. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  22. ^ Stransky, Tanner (2010-04-30). "Christina Aguilera's Not Myself Tonight Video". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-04-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  23. ^ a b "Christina Aguilera Grabs Steamy Inspirations for "Not Myself Tonight" Video". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  24. ^ http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/04/oprah-announces-new-tv-show-starring-oprah/1
  25. ^ http://www.tvguide.com/american-idol/christina-aguilera-idol-1017583.aspx
  26. ^ http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/04/21/american-idol-christina-aguilera-finale/
  27. ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1637499/20100421/aguilera_christina.jhtml
  28. ^ http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1638351/20100504/story.jhtml
  29. ^ http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003G4DFRM/sonymusic-21
  30. ^ "Radio Hot For Christina Aguilera Single". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  31. ^ "B.o.B Weaves Way To Hot 100 No. 1; 'Glee' Generates More Debuts". Billboard. 2010-04-22. Retrieved 2010-04-22.
  32. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Not Myself Tonight" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  33. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Not Myself Tonight" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  34. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  35. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  36. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 17. týden 2010 in the date selector. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  37. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2010" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  38. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Not Myself Tonight". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  39. ^ Not Myself Tonight in The Russian Airplay Chart (2010.04.12-2010.04.18) retrieved: 2010-05-03.
  40. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201006 into search. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  41. ^ ::::: Welcome to 'GAON Music Chart' ::::: (2010.04.11-2010.04.17) retrieved: 2010-05-03.
  42. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Not Myself Tonight" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  43. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Not Myself Tonight". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  44. ^ Billboard Turkey subscription required to view
  45. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  46. ^ "Chart Highlights: Pop, Rap, Rock Songs & More". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2010-02-03. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  47. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-05-03..
  48. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  49. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single by Christina Aguilera - Download Not Myself Tonight - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 1980-12-18. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  50. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single by Christina Aguilera - Download Not Myself Tonight - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  51. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single by Christina Aguilera - Download Not Myself Tonight - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  52. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single by Christina Aguilera - Download Not Myself Tonight - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  53. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single de Christina Aguilera - Télécharger Not Myself Tonight - Single sur iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 1980-12-18. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  54. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single by Christina Aguilera - Download Not Myself Tonight - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  55. ^ "iTunes - Affiliates - Download iTunes". Apple. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  56. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single by Christina Aguilera - Download Not Myself Tonight - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  57. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single di Christina Aguilera - Scarica Not Myself Tonight - Single su iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  58. ^ "Not Myself Tonight - Single de Christina Aguilera - Descarga Not Myself Tonight - Single en iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  59. ^ "Not Myself Tonight [Explicit]: Christina Aguilera: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
  60. ^ "Not Myself Tonight: Christina Aguilera: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
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