Let's get this to page 5......

I only looked but I never touched

#13. What A Girl Wants | 7.717



Highest Scores: 10: (#VoteGarden.keh), 9.5/9: (vibe, Nina West, Jonjo, ready for it, Nightcrawler, WinterFreeze, Riser), Lowest Scores: 5.5/5: (Nick Jonas, Bjork)


At #13 we have yet another early Xtina track What A Girl Wants, released in November 1999 as the 2nd single from her Self-Titled debut album. Originally the song was written & recorded by French singer Ophélie Winter in 1998 for her album 'Privacy', released a year before Xtina's, although she never received any writing credit for this version. After this was completed & mixed it was pitched to RCA RCA executive Ron Fair as "What a Girl Needs" and was renamed, then given to Christina. After the massive response to her debut single, interest in her quickly grew & it was then decided by the label that this would be the next single, despite not being Christina's choice who had very little control over the project. Upon release the track was given a slight remix & became a another commercial success for her by becoming her 2nd #1 in the USA, as well as topping the charts in Canada, New Zealand & Spain, as well as top 5 peaks in UK, Australia & Belgium, top 10 in Ireland, Scotland & Netherlands. Setting her on the right path to becoming the next big teen idol.

A fine choice to follow up a monster debut & yes out of all the tracks on her debut this was probably the best choice, in its re-recorded version of course transforming the somewhat basic original into something a little harder & sexier, yet still very much a light pop track that's very catchy, despite being slightly overproduced with Xtina not quite showing her true vocal potential, but that's okay, its still a really good track that solidified her as a strong musical force. Plus this hints at the soulfulness and sensuality she’d explore to greater lengths later on down the line.

Edited June 30, 20204 yr by Nina West

I feel like it's one of those songs I liked a lot more at the time, although I do still enjoy it.

It feels largely forgotten about now, which is a damn shame coz it's a brilliant song. It is indeed very "of it's time", but I go on such a nostalgic trip with this song. :wub:

The gossip tonight will be tomorrow's headline

#12. Candyman | 7.76



Highest Scores: 10: (Nightcrawler), 9.5/9: (Nina West. Lukuzz, Scene, Nick Jonas, Riser, Slick, Euphorique), Lowest Scores: 3.5: (Nick F1)


At #12 is the ever so fun Candyman, released in February 2007 as the 3rd single from her 5th studio album Back To Basics. Originally planned to be the album's 2nd single in late 2006, but the label chose 'Hurt' instead for the X-Mas market, feeling that a big ballad would drive more sales & therefore this was shifted to 3rd instead. Upon release the track received praise for its musical style while some criticized its sexual content, but that didn't it from becoming a commercial success by reaching top 5 peaks in Australia, New Zealand & Hungary, top 10 in Italy, Canada & Romania, as well as hitting top 20 peaks in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Austria & UK. In the USA it reached a #25 peak, making this the album's final single released there, but would also make this her 14th top 40 hit.

Despite its relatively low peak here in the UK, this is still one of Xtina's most well known hits, that still gets plenty of airplay to this day & why the hell not, its a brilliant foot tapping, catchy track that gives a respectful nod to it’s forged heritage, creating the perfect melding of old & new, whilst also keeping the sound truly in the 00s. But probably because it was so out-there compared to everything else in the chart at the time, is what stopped it from gaining a higher peak (here & in the USA). The harmonies, the modernized swing pop-beats & of course that amazing high note Christina hits at the end, is just brilliant & makes this a firm high point in her career.

Edited July 1, 20204 yr by Nina West

Don’t know what score I gave this but I can’t imagine it was high- never been a favourite of mine really it’s a little corny and hasn’t aged well at all

This basically got robbed of a better UK peak because they cancelled the physical release of it.

Love both WAGW and CM

 

WAGW did need that remix tho !!

Candyman is OK. Often annoying, but sometimes I can find quite a bit of enjoyment out of it.

Candyman is great!

I’m a massive fan of Candyman although of the three major Back to Basics singles it probably is my third favourite although it is my favourite visual from that era!

 

Despite its peak Candyman in the UK actually is the best seller from Back to Basics isn’t it. It stayed on the charts for ages and is probably one of the most heard Xtina tracks after release too. A smash!

 

We’ve seen something from every album now haven’t we bar Stripped. Hoping that Can’t Hold Us Down is the first Stripped era track to leave although for some reason I kinda feel it won’t be.

Unpopular opinion....

 

but I'd love to see 'Beautiful' drop out asap! Mehhhhhhh.

Unpopular opinion....

 

but I'd love to see 'Beautiful' drop out asap! Mehhhhhhh.

Beautiful to win :wub: x

Yeah I’m not a massive fan of Beautiful either- some far more deserving tracks for me!

I’m with Andrew. Beautiful for the win! :wub:

Don't wanna play that game with you baby

#11. Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You) | 7.804



Highest Scores: 10: (vibe, #VoteGarden.keh, Riser), 9: (Nina West, ready for it, WinterFreeze, Euphorique), Lowest Scores: 3: (Nick F1)


Just lingering outside the top 10 is what can be seen as one of her first many evolutions; Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You). Despite scoring enough points for a top 10 placement, this misses out due to the 2 above it benefitted from less rates yet higher averages. Released in July 2000 as the 4th and final single from her Self-Titled debut album. This was the first song over which she was significant creative control. Due to this being radically remixed for its single release & barely resembles its original album version, simply titled 'Come On Over (All I Want Is You)' which was seen as an unsuitable single choice. Upon release the song became a commercial success by becoming her 3rd chart topper in the USA (fairing far better than her previous single) with far stronger airplay here & Internationally. Elsewhere it managed top 5 peaks in New Zealand, Canada, Iceland & Hungary, top 10 peaks in Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, UK, Australia, Ireland & Poland, then finally top 40 peaks everywhere else. The song's accompanying music video saw Aguilera experiment with her styling, beginning an evolution of image reinventions seen in the ensuing years of her career.

I remember when this was announced as a single & thought REALLY, as I couldn't see it performing that well, in its original album form of course, which in itself was a nice enough little album track, that's kinda dated by today's standards. However after hearing its single mix, I thought YES & far better in its new mix which certainly breathes new life into this track and became a well deserved hit ,and with good reason: it’s pure, unadulterated, feel-good pop, and stands as a shining example of why Xtina has been able to achieve so much success, with fun upbeat little numbers like this that shows off her incredibly strong vocals & even at this early stage of her career an ability to jump genres with ease with a command of a more mature direction that would be better explored with her next album that would follow a few years later.

Edited July 2, 20204 yr by Nina West

A rec-cap of the results 11-20:



11. Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You) - 7.804
12. Candyman - 7.76
13. What A Girl Wants - 7.717
14. Lady Marmalade (ft Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink) - 7.63
15. Nobody Wants To Be Lonely (ft Ricky Martin) - 7.543
16. I Turn To You - 7.326
17. Slow Down Baby - 7.238
18. Keeps Gettin' Better - 7.065
19. Not Myself Tonight - 6.891
20. Oh Mother - 6.833

Here's what's to come in the top 10 (in chronological order):

Genie In A Bottle
Dirrty
Beautiful
Fighter
Can't Hold Us Down (ft Lil' Kim)
The Voice Within'
Ain't No Other Man
Hurt
You Lost Me
Your Body


Thoughts?, Predictions?, feel free to share...

You Lost Me and Your Body omg slay!

WANT:

01. The Voice Within'

02. Fighter

03. Hurt

04. You Lost Me

05. Dirrty

06. Can't Hold Us Down (ft Lil' Kim)

07. Your Body

08. Genie In A Bottle

09. Ain't No Other Man

10. Beautiful

 

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THINK:

01. Beautiful

02. Genie In A Bottle

03. Fighter

04. Dirrty

05. Hurt

06. The Voice Within'

07. You Lost Me

08. Can't Hold Us Down (ft Lil' Kim)

09. Your Body

10. Ain't No Other Man