This is a good article. Click here for more information.

Keeps Gettin' Better

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Keeps Gettin' Better"
Xtina kgbcover.jpg
Single by Christina Aguilera
from the album Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2008 (2008-09-22)
Recorded2008
Genre
Length3:02
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Linda Perry
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"Oh Mother"
(2007)
"Keeps Gettin' Better"
(2008)
"Not Myself Tonight"
(2010)
Music video
"Keeps Gettin' Better" on YouTube

"Keeps Gettin' Better" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera from her first greatest hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits (2008). It was released as the album's first and only single on September 22, 2008, by RCA Records. The song was written and produced by Linda Perry, with additional writing from Aguilera. After giving birth to her son Max, Aguilera looked to "come up with something new and fresh", developing a "futuristic" era of her career. "Keeps Gettin' Better" is an electroclash and electropop song, and was inspired by the likes of Andy Warhol and Goldfrapp. Its lyrics portray Aguilera as a superheroine.

Upon its release, "Keeps Gettin' Better" received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At a time when dance music was becoming increasingly prominent, the song was criticized for its lack of originality, but was deemed "catchy" and a welcome change from Aguilera's fifth studio album, Back to Basics (2006). It became Aguilera's highest debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number seven. "Keeps Gettin' Better" additionally topped the US Dance Club Songs chart. Elsewhere, the single peaked at number four in Canada, while charting within the top 20 in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.

The accompanying music video, directed by Peter Berg, features Aguilera in an editing room, producing the music video on a green screen. Using the equipment there, she creates several characters, including a blonde 1960's inspired hippie character, another based on Catwoman, and a futuristic blue-haired version of herself. Aguilera debuted the song during a live performance at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. Wearing a catsuit, she sang a remix of "Genie in a Bottle", before performing "Keeps Gettin' Better". Aguilera also performed the song during a promotional tour for the album, and as part of a medley of her greatest hits on the 36th Annual American Music Awards.

Background[]

"Keeps Gettin' Better" was released almost a year after Aguilera gave birth to her first son, Max. She told MSN that "Growing into being a woman, a mother, it's a very different time in my life, and also where I'm at musically".[1] Throughout her career, Aguilera has been noted for her reinventions. She stated that with "Keeps Gettin' Better", she wished to "come up with something new and fresh", calling the new redefined era of her music "futuristic".[2] Aguilera said that the development of new songs featured on Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits was influenced by artists such as Blondie, Velvet Underground and Nico.[2] Visually, artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein were credited as influences for the album. After stating the theme of the record was futuristic, she said to MTV News that the era has a "very pop-art feel visually".[2] Aguilera also stated that she had been "diving deep" into "electro in particular" at the time, noting that she had started connections to collaborate with prominent dance artists Goldfrapp and Ladytron.[2] While talking to MTV News, Aguilera discussed the influence behind the track and the album, and said:

I wanted to give [fans] a little sneak preview of what's to come [with the VMA performance]. The vein of the new material is a futuristic take on what is inspiring me at the moment ... and it's got a very pop-art feel, visually. [There's a] throwback to Andy Warhol and all the colors and vividness and bright boldness that was in that artwork. I'm a big collector of pop art and graffiti art at this point, too — D*Face and Banksy, also Roy Lichtenstein ... and it's been very fun venturing off into that zone.[3]

Composition[]

"Keeps Gettin' Better" was written by Aguilera and Linda Perry, while production was done by the latter.[4] It is an electropop song,[5] written in the key of F minor.[6] Aguilera's vocals in the track span from the note of F3 to the note of C5.[6] Meanwhile, Shahryar Rizvi from the Dallas Observer described it as electroclash.[7] The song has also been noted by The Times as an "electro-glam" number.[8] Described as a "muscular, percussive arena-ready" track,[9] the song garnered comparisons to Goldfrapp's Supernature album and Britney Spears' song "Womanizer".[5][8] An "instantly engaging" electropop beat begins the track;[10] it additionally features "space-age sounds" in response to its futuristic concept,[9] with a "throbbing" synth line.[8] Lyrically, themes of female empowerment and being a superhero are dominant on the track. Aguilera sings, "Some days I'm a super bitch".[1][11] The lyrics derive from Aguilera's experience as a mother. While talking to MSN, she said:

After having my own child, it's pretty amazing what females are capable of. We're Supergirl, we do it all: we give the love, we give the milk. On the other hand, I'm running a business. I'm running my career. That comes with being labeled a bitch. If that's what I'm gonna be called by being assertive and knowing who I am and what I want out of life, then so be it. I will wear that label proudly. For me it's about turning that word into a positive.[1]

Critical reception[]

Critics compared "Keeps Gettin' Better" to works by Goldfrapp (photo: Alison Goldfrapp, one member of the group).

"Keeps Gettin' Better" received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Chris Willman from Entertainment Weekly responded to the new additions of the compilation saying, "The singer has banished melisma and belting from these electronic confections, and her chops sound just as hot set on simmer."[12] Nick Butler from Sputnikmusic positively received the song and "Dynamite" saying "Christina the pop singer is dead, long live Electro Christina".[13] Nick Levine from Digital Spy called the song a "welcome change" from Aguilera's 2006 Back to Basics album, but stated that the song is not one of Aguilera's best singles.[5] Fraser McAlpine from BBC wrote a mixed review for the song, recognizing Aguilera's maturity in the lyrics. However, he confessed that this could easily be a song by Pink, who might have made a better job of making it her own.[14] Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that the singer was instantly overshadowed by fellow singer Britney Spears, but "Keeps Gettin' Better" proves that no other teen pop singer of her era has a better track than Aguilera, concluding that if the new songs are any indication, the title of the hits compilation [Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits] is no lie either.[15]

Gavin Martin from The Mirror gave a mixed response, as he said: "Nothing dates as quickly as pop that dares to call itself futuristic". Martin awarded the song 3/5 and concluded with "It's not that this new number from the forthcoming Greatest Hits set is bad – but it's a whole lot more routine than it pretends to be."[16] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine commented on the possibly outdated dance theme. Responding to the new additions of the record including "Keeps Gettin' Better", he noted: "Not exactly what one would call original, but if it's true the singer's next studio album will reprise this electro-pop sound, Aguilera deserves credit for refusing to play it safe."[17] Bill Lamb from About.com awarded the track three stars. He noted Aguilera's dance-inspired effort, at a time of dance dominance in the industry, negatively and stated that "the catchy electro-pop vibe isn't enough to make it one of her more memorable efforts."[10] Rolling Stone noted that in the compilation, Aguilera's old singles are "weighed down by four bland attempts at 2008's trendy, Lady Gaga-jacking electropop".[18] Paul Thompson and Amy Phillips from Pitchfork Media said that the track was "basically a ripoff" of Goldfrapp's "Ooh La La".[19]

Chart performance[]

"Keeps Gettin' Better" sold 143,895 legal downloads in its first week dated September 30, 2008, debuting at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 a few weeks later.[20] This has become Aguilera's highest debut on the chart and became her first top ten hit since "Ain't No Other Man" in 2006.[20] As of August 2014, it has sold 1.156 million digital copies in the US.[21] The song has performed well on the Canadian Hot 100 chart; it debuted at number 16,[22] and a week later the song became the "Greatest Airplay, Sales Gainer", peaking at number four.[22] However, the track only spent one week within the top ten.[22] It debuted and peaked at number 21 in Swedish Singles Chart,[22] and reached number 14 in the United Kingdom.[22] On September 21, 2008, the song debuted and peaked on the Australian ARIA Charts at number 26.[22]

Music video[]

Background[]

Directed by Peter Berg, the music video for the song is said to have been influenced by films Minority Report and the James Bond series, and was conceived to show Aguilera "through time and fashion in an homage to her 10-year career" according to a statement by her label.[23] Popjustice saw the music video in progress on October 22, 2008, in the edit they reported that the music video was produced on a green screen, but the concept of the video was to be Aguilera in an edit suite pressing various flashing buttons, editing what was her own music video.[24] Aguilera herself discussed the production of the video, saying "I really enjoyed making the video for 'Keeps Gettin' Better', being an artist who likes to play around with different looks, it was a lot of fun to portray various characters within the same shoot."[23] The music video debuted on iLike, an online music service on October 27, 2008.[23]

Synopsis[]

Aguilera as seen in the music video, portraying a Catwoman-like heroine, in a comic book style, presented on a touch screen

The music video starts with multi-colored, digital waves which then merge into a scene where Aguilera is sat in an editing suite overlooking a sound and edit board. Pressing flashing buttons, multiple large screens stand in front of the desk and correspond to her choice of button selected. The first images shown on the screens feature Aguilera as Catwoman, a futuristic blue-haired character, and a 1960s-influenced hippie, before focusing on the 1960-inspired character. The blond character is shown to be holding an old-fashioned handheld video camera filming scenes of high-rise buildings, all the while showing shots of Aguilera editing the onscreen projection. The blond hippie-inspired character is then seen in a second setting, riding a bicycle through a grassy field at times performing dance movements to the song and lip-synching.

Aguilera then takes a touch screen Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone from her pocket with an image of a futuristic blue-haired character, after producing a scene of a convertible car, she inputs the character from the phone onto the screen and into the car and the blue-haired character is then shown driving. Aguilera then produces silhouettes of a catwoman-style figure, until Aguilera as the catwoman character is shown, wearing a leather catsuit with cat ears, lightning bolts shoot from her hands until another scene featuring the same character shows her alongside a black motorbike holding a gun. Shots of both the blue-haired character and catwoman lead to a scene featuring a blond Aguilera moving inside of the screens accompanied by multi-colored digital waves, before shots of the catwoman-style character on a motorbike, shooting the gun are presented. Shots of the different scenes including one of Aguilera at the desk accompanied by a toy robot are shown finishing as Aguilera turns the screens off.

Reception[]

Gil Kaufman from MTV News called the video "geektastic".[23] Popjustice also gave the video a positive review, saying: "The video's a riot of costume changes, makeovers, multiple 'scenarios' and Christina even seems to look like she's having fun. We'd sort of forgotten the single was even coming out, but the video makes it all seem quite exciting."[24] Anna Pickard from The Guardian heavily compared Aguilera to Britney Spears in the video, saying: "We're at a final count of four Christinas to five Britneys. [...] We can't be seen to have achieved a perfect Xtina/Britney balance. [...] We'd probably need a guest appearance from Madonna for that". She also felt that "the 30-second Target advert is better than the whole video. But still: any release that makes it compulsory to type 'Christina Aguilera Keeps Getting Better' is surely a clever ploy".[25]

Live performances[]

At a press conference in Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, Aguilera confirmed that she would be performing at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 2008. She discussed about allowing her newly born son, Max, to watch the performance, saying: "This will be his first time watching me perform on television, but only for a little while because he's not really allowed to watch television yet. I'll make an exception for the VMAs."[26] Aguilera discussed the concept of the performance beforehand saying: "You're going to get a first look and a first listen at my new image and my new sound. The last album, the style and sound was about vintage glam — this one is all about the future".[27] The performance began with Aguilera standing in a tower of neon-lit boxes, singing "Genie 2.0" while wearing second-skin leather catsuit accessorized with silver armbands, a black-leather cat mask, black cape and platinum-blond hair.[28] Then, she began performing "Keeps Gettin' Better".[5] Nick Levine from Digital Spy called the performance "sassy, slickly-choreographed".[5]

Aguilera made an appearance at the Thisday Africa Rising at the London's Royal Albert Hall, where she performed several old hits and "Keeps Gettin' Better".[29] She also performed the song as part of the tour in Kiev, Ukraine, on October 20 and 21.[30] The last date was held on October 24 in Abu Dhabi, at the Emirates Palace Hotel.[31][32] On November 23, Aguilera promoted her greatest hits album by performing at the 36th Annual American Music Awards. She opened the show with a seven-minute medley including six of her greatest hits.[33] The Los Angeles Times' Todd Martens commented about the performance: "Things get started in familiar territory, with an Aguilera medley, the first of what is sure to be many whiplash-inducing musical performances this evening. But unlike her MTV VMA run-down, Aguilera backs into "Genie in a Bottle" rather than opening with it. [...] Opening with the ballad allowed Aguilera to flex her vocal muscles, but the zipping between songs never allowed her - or her background dancers - to catch a groove".[34]

Track listing and formats[]

Credits and personnel[]

Credits for "Keeps Gettin' Better" adapted from the single liner notes.[4]

  • Christina Aguilera — lead vocals, background vocals, songwriting
  • Linda Perry — songwriting, producer, all instruments, programming, engineering
  • Marc Jameson — drum programming

Charts[]

Release history[]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 22, 2008 Digital download RCA [35]
Russia October 15, 2008 Contemporary hit radio Sony Music [45]
Australia October 25, 2008 Digital download [63]
Canada October 31, 2008 [64]
United Kingdom RCA [65]
Australia November 3, 2008 CD Sony Music [66][67]
Germany November 7, 2008 [68]
Various December 16, 2008 Digital download (EP) RCA [69]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Zwickel, Jonathan. "Aguilera in '08: Electro-Pop, Warhol and Milk". MSN. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  2. ^ a b c d "Christina Aguilera Looks Back -- And Forward -- With New LP, Next LP". MTV News (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  3. ^ Montgomery, James (2008-11-13). "Christina Aguilera Discusses Her New New Look And Sound". MTV News (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  4. ^ a b c Keeps Gettin' Better (German single notes). Christina Aguilera. RCA Records. 2008. 88697 38646 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ a b c d e Levine, Nick (2008-09-08). "Christina Aguilera: Keeps Gettin' Better?". Digital Spy (Hearst Corporation). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  6. ^ a b "Keeps Gettin' Better Christina Aguilera Digital Sheet Music". Alfred Publishing Company. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  7. ^ "Not Myself Tonight". Dallas Observer. 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  8. ^ a b c "Battle of the Divas". Virgin Media. Liberty Global. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  9. ^ a b Maura (2008-09-05). "Christina Aguilera Shoots Herself into Space". Idolator (Buzz Media). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  10. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "Christina Aguilera - "Keeps Gettin' Better"". About.com (IAC). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  11. ^ Levine, Nick (2008-11-13). "Christina Aguilera: 'Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade of Hits'". Digital Spy (Hearst Corporation). Archived from the original on 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  12. ^ Willman, Chris (2008-11-05). "Keeps Gettin' Better -- A Decade of Hits". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  13. ^ Butler, Nick (2008-12-03). "Christina Aguilera - Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  14. ^ McAlpine, Fraser (2008-10-29). "Christina Aguilera - 'Keeps Gettin' Better'". BBC. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  15. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2008-11-10). "Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits - Christina Aguilera". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  16. ^ "Single review Christina Aguilera - Keeps Gettin' Better". The Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  17. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (2008-11-18). "Christina Aguilera Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  18. ^ "Christina Aguilera: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  19. ^ Thompson, Paul; Phillips, Amy (November 12, 2008). "Christina Aguilera Working With Goldfrapp, Ladytron?". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Christina Aguilera Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  21. ^ Trust, Gary (September 1, 2014). "Ask Billboard : Taylor Swift Out-'Shake's Mariah Carey". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Christina Aguilera - Keeps Gettin' Better - Music Charts". ACharts. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  23. ^ a b c d Kaufman, Gil (2008-10-28). "Christina Aguilera Acquires Sci-Fi Edge In 'Keeps Gettin' Better' Video". MTV News (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  24. ^ a b "The new Christina video: not finished but already brilliant". Popjustice. 2008-10-23. Archived from the original on 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  25. ^ Pickard, Anna (2008-11-20). "Christina Aguilera: Keeps Getting Better". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  26. ^ OK! Staff (2008-09-04). "Christina Aguilera Confirms VMA Performance". OK!. Northern & Shell. Archived from the original on 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  27. ^ Montgomery, James. "T.I., Christina Aguilera, Kid Rock Announce VMA Plans". MTV News (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  28. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2008-09-08). "It's Britney Spears' Night At The VMAs". MTV News (Viacom). Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  29. ^ Egere-Cooper, Matilda (2008-10-22). "Africa Rising Festival, Royal Albert Hall, London". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Archived from the original on 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  30. ^ Matoshko, Alexandra (2008-10-08). "Christina Aguilera to give a double show". Kyiv Post. Mohammad Zahoor. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  31. ^ Swan, Mel (2008-10-23). "Aguilera set for Middle East debut". The National. Mubadala Development Company. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  32. ^ "Christina Aguilera arrasa em show no Abu Dhabi" (in Portuguese). Ego (Organizações Globo). 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  33. ^ Martha (2008-11-20). "Christina Aguilera to Open American Music Awards With 6-Song Medley of Hits". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  34. ^ Martens, Todd (2008-11-23). "American Music Awards: Performances as they happen". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  35. ^ a b "Keeps Gettin' Better - Single by Christina Aguilera". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
  36. ^ Keeps Gettin' Better (Australian single notes). Christina Aguilera. RCA Records. 2008. 88697415652.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  38. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  39. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  40. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  41. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  42. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  43. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  44. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  45. ^ a b Christina Aguilera — Keeps Gettin' Better. Tophit. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  46. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  47. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Christina Aguilera. Retrieved March 16, 2010.[dead link]
  48. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  49. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  50. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Keeps Gettin' Better". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  51. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  52. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  53. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  54. ^ "Pop Radio Chart – October 5 2008 – RadioScope New Zealand". RadioScope. October 5, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  55. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200842 into search. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  56. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  57. ^ "Christina Aguilera: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  58. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  59. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  60. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  61. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  62. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  63. ^ "Keeps Gettin' Better – Single". Australia: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. October 25, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  64. ^ "Keeps Gettin' Better – Single". Canada: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. October 31, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  65. ^ "Keeps Gettin' Better – Single". United Kingdom: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. October 31, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  66. ^ "Keeps Gettin' Better". bandit.fm. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  67. ^ "Keeps Gettin' Better". AllMusic. November 3, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  68. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Keeps Gettin' Better" (in German). Sony Music. Archived from the original on March 16, 2010.
  69. ^ "Keeps Gettin' Better – Remixes". United States: iTunes Store. Apple Inc. December 16, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2021.


Retrieved from ""