Stripped

I chose to review tonight what will be my last solo female artist for a while as the last two entries have all been female singers of the POP & R'n'B genre. As this is my last one for a dozen or so entries I thought I would go out on what I consider a high in the realm of POP albums and why not seeing as Christina's Fourth Studio album is almost upon us... {BI-ON-IC} this was the perfect chance to review it and display what my favorite lyrics are on the album.

Christina Aguilera's second studio album Stripped was released in 2002 and caused a shit storm on release. The bubblegum POP princess known for her worldwide smash hit Genie In A Bottle came onto the scene swinging with a new persona known as Xtina and delivered an album that I think no one expected to see her release. I explained in my P!nk entry that when an artist is given free reign and control over their career and albums they deliver work that is true to them and not manufactured record label junk.

Stripped to me would come in the number one spot if I ever made a list of POP albums that showed an artist given creative control on their album. Stripped was Christina's attempt to destroy her good girl image and boy did she ever with this album. The album is extremely sexual, in your face and at it's core is a complete 360 for Christina. The albums content doesn't just stop there with one song in particular shedding a light on her abusive childhood and her mothers constant abuse. The album is a much more darker, moody and heartbreaking album then I think anyone expected while delivering some very big club bangers. Heavily infused with R'n'B as well proved that not only did she evolve from teen to woman. It is just the greatest fuck you to the people who thought she was just another pop tart.

Stripped to date has sold an estimated twelve million copies and while not being completely applauded on it's initial release. I believe as time has worn on that Stripped is now seen as a classic by many. It was exactly what she set out to do and prove to everyone that just because your first album is a bubblegum POP inspired album that their is a lot more to Christina Aguilera then meets the eye. My lyrics in this entry was hard. I absolutely love this album while being so hard to decide I have chosen four songs to reference my favorite lyrics/songs off the album.


I'M OK

Once upon a time there was a girl
In her early years she had to learn
How to grow up living in a war she called home
And never know just where to turn for shelter from the storm

Hurt me to see the pain across my mother's face
Every time my father's fist would put her in her place
Hearing all the yelling, I would cry up in my room
Hoping it would be over soon

Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
The strength is my mother, for all the love that she gave
Every morning that I wake, I look back at yesterday
And I'm ok

I often wonder why I carried all this guilt
When it's you that helped me put up all these walls I've built
Shadows stir at night through a crack in the door
The echo of a broken child screaming "please no more"
Daddy don't you understand the damage you have done?
For you it's just a memory, But for me it still lives on

Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so, so afraid
The strength is my mother, for all the love that she gave
Every morning that I wake, I look back at yesterday
And I'm ok

It's not so easy to forget
All the marks you left along her neck
When I was thrown against cold stairs
And everyday afraid to come home in fear of what I might
See next

Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
The strength is my mother, for all the love that you gave
Every morning that I wake, I look back at yesterday
And I'm ok
I'm ok


WALK AWAY

What do you do when you know somethings bad for you
And you still can't let go?

I was naive
Your love was like candy
Artificially sweet
I was deceived by the wrapping

Got caught in your web
And I learned how to bleed
I was prey in your bed
And devoured completely

And it hurts my soul
Cause I can't let go
All these walls are caving in
I can't stop my suffering
I hate to show that I've lost control
Cause I, I keep going right back
To the one thing that I need to walk away from

I need to get away from ya
I need to walk away from ya
Get away, walk away, walk away

I should have known
That I was used for amusement
Couldn't see through the smoke
It was all an illusion

Now I've been licking my wounds (licking my wounds)
But the venom seeps deeper (deeper, deeper)
We both can seduce, but
Darling you hold me prisoner (prisoner)

I'm about to break
I can't stop this ache
I'm addicted to your allure
And I'm fiending for a cure
Every step I take
Leads to one mistake
I keep going right back
To the one thing that I need

I can't mend
This torn state I'm in
Getting nothing in return
What did I do to deserve
The pain of this slow burn
And everywhere I turn
I keep going right back
To the one thing that I need to walk away from

I need to get away from ya
I need to walk away from ya
Get away, walk away, walk away

Every time I try to grasp for air
I am smothered in despair
It's never over, over
Seems I'll never wake from this nightmare
I let out a silent prayer
Let it be over, over

Inside I'm screaming
Begging, Pleading no more
Ahhh...

Now what to do
My heart has been bruised
So sad but it's true
Each beat reminds me of you

It hurts my soul
Cause I can't let go
All these walls are caving in
I can't stop my suffering
I hate to show that I've lost control
Cause I, I keep going right back
To the one thing that I need

I'm about to break
And I can't stop this ache
I'm addicted to your allure
And I'm fiending for a cure
Every step I take
Leads to one mistake
I keep going right back
To the one thing that I need

I can't mend
This torn state I'm in
Getting nothing in return
What did I do to deserve
The pain of this slow burn
And everywhere I turn
I keep going back
To the one thing that I need to walk away from

I say
I need to get away from ya
I need to walk away from ya
Get away, walk away, walk away

Only thing I need to do is walk away


LOVING ME 4 ME

People ask if I'm in love with you
Because I'm sitting here with your picture
And smiling to myself (I smile)
I'm kinda lost in my own thoughts of you
My heart speaks before my mind thinks through
And I blush as I say yes (yes)

What a feeling of vulnerability coming over me
And I'm feeling weak and I can't speak (speak)
And I can't think
Never thought I'd give in so willingly to a human being
With abilities to set me free
Free, and let me be me
Makes me wanna say

Your lips, your eyes, your smile, your kiss
I must admit it's part of me
You please me, completely, believe me
Like a melody
Your soul, your flow, your youth, your truth
Is simply proof
We were meant to be
But the best quality that's hookin me
Is that you're loving me for me (loving me)
Is that you're loving me for me

People ask me why I'm in love with you
Well, let me start by saying
You got my heart by just being who you are
And what we got is between me and you
It doesn't matter about the money I make
Or what I do, or that I'm a huh, a star

Unconditionally you're there for me
Undeniably you inspire me, spiritually, Oh so sweet
This is meaningful, It's incredible, pleasurable, unforgettable
The way I feel, so surreal
Makes me want to say

Your lips, your eyes, your smile, your kiss
I must admit it's a part of me
You please me, completely, believe me
Like a melody
Your soul, your flow, your youth, your truth
Is simply proof
We were meant to be
But the best quality that's hookin me
Is that you're loving me for me (loving me)
Is that you're loving me for me (oh, oh yeah)

It's so amazing how something so sweet
Has come and rearranged my life
I've been kissed by destiny
Oh, heaven came and saved me
An angel was placed at my feet
This isn't ordinary, he's loving me for me

Stripped of all make up
No need for fancy clothes
No cover ups, push ups
With him, I don't have to put on a show
He loves every freckle every curve,
Every inch of my skin
Fulfilling me entirely, taking all of me in
He's real
He's honesty
And he's loving me for me yeah


THE VOICE WITHIN

Young girl don't cry
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall
Young girl it's alright
Your tears will dry, you'll soon be free to fly

When you're safe inside your room you tend to dream
Of a place where nothings harder than it seems
No one ever wants or bothers to explain
Of the heartache life can bring and what it means

When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
You'll learn to begin to trust the voice within

Young girl don't hide
You'll never change if just run away
Young girl just hold tight
Soon you're gonna see your brighter day

Now in a world where innocence is quickly claimed
It's so hard to stand your ground when you're so afraid
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
When you look outside look inside to your soul

When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
You'll learn to begin to trust the voice within

Life is a journey
It can take you anywhere you choose to go
As long as you're learning
You'll find all you'll ever need to know
(be strong)
You'll break it
(hold on)
You'll make it
Just don't forsake it
No one can tell you what you can't do
No one can stop you
You know that I'm talking to you

When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
You'll learn to begin to trust the voice within

Young girl don't cry
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall