Honest Review: Christina Aguilera - "Christina Aguilera" Debut Album - 25th Anniversary

[00:00:00] Imagine being influenced by R&B and soul and then being told that Jane in a Bottle is your first single.

[00:00:07] Well, today we're talking about it and rating each track on Christina Aguilera's first album. Christina Aguilera. Let's get into it.

[00:00:19] And today we are joined by music journalist Ann-Christina Stan.

[00:00:24] Jeff Benjamin, welcome to CCTV!

[00:00:28] Thank you! I thought it took me this long to get on your guys' show.

[00:00:32] Right. We had two for cameos for the New East episode.

[00:00:36] I only had a cameo, it's true.

[00:00:39] We're really here now.

[00:00:41] This is the perfect time though to have you because you are an Extina Stan.

[00:00:47] So, for our listeners who maybe don't know who you are, do you want to introduce yourself?

[00:00:52] Sure, no, I've been a...

[00:00:54] I'm a music journalist based in New York, just like Chan and Chris.

[00:00:58] And been writing about pop music, all kinds of pop music for over 10 years now at places like Billboard, Rolling Stone, New York Times, Variety, Forbes.

[00:01:10] But always, you know, very much been focused on a lot of international pop music, especially K-pop.

[00:01:16] But, you know, Chris Aguilera was actually a huge influence, I think, in just getting me to open my mind to all different kinds of music, all different kinds of languages, styles, things like that.

[00:01:28] So, I really do owe her a lot and still write about her today.

[00:01:33] And hopefully, there'll be, you know, more to write about in the very near future.

[00:01:39] But this is a fun moment to write, to talk about now.

[00:01:43] Yes!

[00:01:44] We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of her debut album.

[00:01:49] And before we get started, we have to give a special shout-out to our Patreon producers, Emily, George, Lily, Louis, and Juliette.

[00:01:56] And you can also be a producer and join us at patreon.com slash cctvpops.

[00:02:01] And you get to help us choose episode topics.

[00:02:04] That's right.

[00:02:04] And we do have a free tier, so don't feel like you have to pay us any money.

[00:02:07] And also, we are at 2,500 plus subscribers.

[00:02:13] We are super excited.

[00:02:14] We're super close to 3,000.

[00:02:15] At this point, if you're watching it, you've been here for a while.

[00:02:18] Stop playing games, baby.

[00:02:19] Come on over and subscribe to the channel.

[00:02:22] All right.

[00:02:23] Perfect.

[00:02:24] I know.

[00:02:25] You hear that?

[00:02:25] Fighters, subscribe to Chris and Chan.

[00:02:27] Support these.

[00:02:29] Our true fans as well.

[00:02:30] I can confirm.

[00:02:32] Come on.

[00:02:32] 3K, 3K, 3K.

[00:02:33] Yes.

[00:02:34] I mean, 2,500, 25-year anniversary.

[00:02:37] But, you know, all these years that Christina has been around, I have never seen her ever,

[00:02:43] which sucks.

[00:02:44] I mean, obviously, I was like a broke kid, especially during the peak of, what was it,

[00:02:49] Back to Basics era.

[00:02:50] That was when I was, I guess, old enough to go to a concert by myself, but still didn't

[00:02:55] have any money to go.

[00:02:57] But that's when I really realized, I was like, wait, hang on.

[00:03:00] She's not just a genie bottle girl.

[00:03:01] So, I think Fighter also, like the Fighter era, like the Stripped era was like really

[00:03:06] like a moment as well.

[00:03:09] Voice Within is like one of my favorite songs by her.

[00:03:12] I don't know why that was.

[00:03:13] I think because she kind of looked like Amy Lee for a little bit with a little black hair

[00:03:16] and I thought it was an Evanescence song for a bit.

[00:03:18] Was a rockhead when I was younger.

[00:03:20] So, yeah, I've always liked her voice.

[00:03:21] Always respected her voice.

[00:03:22] I think in the black community, we've always been like, this white girl swallowed a black

[00:03:26] woman, but she's not white.

[00:03:27] It was just a funny thing.

[00:03:28] There was like a funny joke.

[00:03:29] It was like, this little white girl can sing her face off.

[00:03:31] Oh my God.

[00:03:32] They invited her to sing like a James Brown tribute.

[00:03:34] Like, that's how I kept seeing her through like black media being like this girl, this

[00:03:38] quote unquote little white girl can sing.

[00:03:41] But yeah, no, I wish I could have seen her at Vegas.

[00:03:44] So I was freaking working.

[00:03:45] I'm kind of annoyed about that.

[00:03:47] I'm jealous because someone here did.

[00:03:50] Whatever.

[00:03:50] It's fine.

[00:03:52] I did.

[00:03:53] I did.

[00:03:54] Right at the 25 year anniversary.

[00:03:57] Who loves.

[00:03:58] You know, and she was definitely in a celebratory mood because, you know, she did one night.

[00:04:05] I saw the final two nights.

[00:04:06] She did like one night with the red streaks.

[00:04:09] Oh, yes.

[00:04:11] Fun over.

[00:04:12] Yes.

[00:04:12] The era of that time.

[00:04:14] And then another one with the black streaks, which she did in stripped and, you know,

[00:04:18] that debut era, but very fun, very special times.

[00:04:22] And, you know, got a little preview of what was to come for her, you know, little anniversary

[00:04:27] special that I'm sure we've all seen now.

[00:04:29] Yes.

[00:04:30] Ate that up.

[00:04:31] Gosh, I've seen that like five or six times now.

[00:04:34] It's so good.

[00:04:35] But yes, I'm a huge Christina fan.

[00:04:38] Like from the beginning, my sister loved her first album.

[00:04:41] Even when Reflection came out, you know, I love Mulan and we'll get into that more.

[00:04:45] But I loved Reflection when it came out too.

[00:04:47] And so I have seen her live a few times and I have supported her throughout kind of her

[00:04:52] very tumultuous career, which has been fascinating to watch.

[00:04:57] Oh, God.

[00:04:58] But I'm very excited that she actually did celebrate this album because as you kind of

[00:05:03] noted in the intro, she's not the biggest fan of it.

[00:05:06] She's been quite public about kind of the issues that she had creatively at the time.

[00:05:11] So I'm excited to go track by track with all of you.

[00:05:15] So let's first give some info on the album.

[00:05:18] So Christina Aguilera is the self-titled debut album and was released in August 1999.

[00:05:25] And though she did want to produce an R&B album, executive producer Ron Fair guided her towards

[00:05:32] a more pop sound to fit in with the market at the time.

[00:05:35] And the album was extremely successful, hitting number one in countries all around the world

[00:05:39] and leading to her eventual win for Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Awards.

[00:05:44] And to celebrate the album's 25th anniversary, like we said we were going to do, we're going

[00:05:49] to go track by track and we're going to discuss the production, vocals, lyrics and give ratings

[00:05:53] for each of the songs.

[00:05:55] Feel free to join us.

[00:05:56] OK, and there are some bonus tracks that we know about.

[00:05:59] We're leaving that for our Patreon exclusive producers.

[00:06:02] So let's get into that.

[00:06:04] So let's start off with track one, which is Genie in a Bottle.

[00:06:08] And this was done by David Frank, Steve Kipner and Pam Shine.

[00:06:12] And it was released as the lead single from the album in June 1999.

[00:06:16] And the song was extremely successful, hitting number one in various countries and also receiving

[00:06:22] a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys.

[00:06:26] And Christina has mentioned in many interviews that she was not a huge fan of the song at the

[00:06:31] time, feeling that it was a bit too sugary and that she wasn't able to show off her impressive

[00:06:36] vocals.

[00:06:37] But however, the song is regarded as one of her signature hits and she has continued to

[00:06:42] reinvent it for her various tours and performances through the years.

[00:06:47] So Jeff, what do you think of Genie in a Bottle?

[00:06:52] Well, in the context of knowing me as a very big fan these days, I'm going to say something

[00:06:58] a little controversial.

[00:06:59] Go off.

[00:07:00] You know, I didn't really like I wasn't obsessed with Genie in a Bottle when I heard it.

[00:07:05] And, you know, we'll get to the eventual songs that made me those super fan.

[00:07:08] But I actually remember hearing this and I was a little disappointed because I thought

[00:07:13] it was, to be honest, I thought it was TLC's new single.

[00:07:16] I thought it was like at the time, you know, still quite young, but just, you know, you

[00:07:20] hear things on the radio.

[00:07:22] Right.

[00:07:22] And I thought it was, yeah, like kind of how Gen was getting at, like a black girl group

[00:07:28] or an R&B girl group or something.

[00:07:30] And then when I found out, I was just like this one, one girl.

[00:07:35] I was just like, oh, OK, well, you know, all right.

[00:07:39] But I will say, you know, even at the time, if it wasn't like, you know, a favorite, favorite

[00:07:46] song, I've actually grown on it quite a lot.

[00:07:49] And, you know, I think about it even these days, like, you know, that piano, like opening

[00:07:55] that like, yeah, it was quite fresh and quite unique.

[00:08:01] And even just like, you know, I know she kind of like knocks it a bit for being like

[00:08:05] so bubblegummy and, you know, kind of, you know, too much of that era.

[00:08:11] But listen to that production a bit more.

[00:08:13] There's like some interesting stuff happening with like the groove of it all and kind of the

[00:08:18] way that the record and the production kind of, you know, moves a bit and grooves a bit.

[00:08:23] It's something I've grown to love a bit more.

[00:08:26] I will admit it's not something that I listen to a ton on its own in its original form.

[00:08:32] But, you know, Chris mentioned this.

[00:08:34] It's been part of her repertoire for so long.

[00:08:37] And the reimagining that she's done it a ton has made me, you know, respected for for what

[00:08:42] it is, you know, I can't say that I remember this song, but I do know it.

[00:08:51] And I feel like I may know it only because I played the American Idol game and they had

[00:08:58] the song on it.

[00:08:59] Same thing with Kylie and spinning around.

[00:09:01] I didn't know it was until I play the game.

[00:09:04] I think maybe because months prior you had Britney with Baby One More Time and my sister, even

[00:09:11] though she was more into like hip hop and R&B, that was playing in the house.

[00:09:15] And then I had the hit clip for Britney.

[00:09:17] I think maybe because Britney was wearing the private school girl outfit as a private school

[00:09:22] girl.

[00:09:22] I was like, that's the one.

[00:09:24] I don't know.

[00:09:25] I just gravitated.

[00:09:25] But as I've gotten older, I always say, I'm a genie and a battle, baby.

[00:09:29] Like, man, come on.

[00:09:30] The tagline.

[00:09:31] I love that because I think it's interesting with the lyrical content because she was like,

[00:09:37] what, 18 at the time?

[00:09:38] 17, 18.

[00:09:39] Let's just say she was recording it for like a couple of years, right?

[00:09:41] 16, 17, 18.

[00:09:42] Let's just say she's recording it in this time span here.

[00:09:44] I think it's interesting because both her and Britney were given the whole like, you're

[00:09:49] hot, but don't be too hot.

[00:09:50] You're not a smut.

[00:09:52] We're not doing that.

[00:09:54] But I appreciate her kind of going there or at least them writing the song for her because

[00:09:58] I don't think people realize how many teenagers are constantly pressured with the idea of

[00:10:03] coitus.

[00:10:05] I'm just saying that because I don't look at us getting demonetized.

[00:10:07] But it's interesting because even now I have girls like I teach dance to or like I used

[00:10:11] to teach English to and they're like, yeah, this guy and this boy.

[00:10:14] And I'm like, how old are you?

[00:10:14] And I'm like, I'm this age.

[00:10:15] I'm like, why is he asking you?

[00:10:16] Why is he talking to anything like that?

[00:10:18] But the fact that she was like, I'm saying let's go, but my heart is saying no.

[00:10:22] I was like, yes.

[00:10:23] Yes.

[00:10:24] Purity ring crowd must have went wild back in the day.

[00:10:27] The purity ring crowd must have been going out of their mind.

[00:10:29] It's a flex to say no.

[00:10:30] But I think having that whole balance, though, of being like super innocent, but then trying

[00:10:34] to push the hot girl boundary is kind of hard, though, because she is 18.

[00:10:39] So she's technically an adult, but they want to promote her to younger kids.

[00:10:43] I can only imagine again with her genre, desire of genre and desire of lyricism.

[00:10:49] It's kind of like this weird balance.

[00:10:50] She did a pretty good job.

[00:10:52] The feistiness is there where it needs to be.

[00:10:54] It's not too vocal fry-ish like Britney.

[00:10:56] I love the production in terms of like how it sounds because it is so of the time, that

[00:11:02] 90s, 2000s, the double bass drums.

[00:11:06] I love that.

[00:11:07] But yeah, like I said, her vocals are not super impressive throughout, but there is a lot of

[00:11:13] texture that does show that, okay, she can sing a little bit better than a Jessica Simpson

[00:11:18] at the time or like even better than Britney in her delivery.

[00:11:22] So for her, to her credit, not bad, but I can see why she was like, girl, this is a single.

[00:11:30] Yeah.

[00:11:32] And vocally, you know, of course, coming off of reflection, it's kind of like, okay, well

[00:11:37] now you want me to appeal to this whole other crowd, but I can't even show them what I can

[00:11:41] do.

[00:11:42] Right.

[00:11:43] So I understand how annoyed she was, but actually, I think vocally, she did everything

[00:11:48] she could.

[00:11:49] Literally.

[00:11:50] Like some of those ad-libs are really, really nice.

[00:11:52] Yeah.

[00:11:53] And yeah, there's still a lot of texture there, like you were mentioning.

[00:11:56] And I agree, the production's awesome.

[00:11:59] I was reading that the bass thumps, they were inspired by an excited heartbeat.

[00:12:04] Oh, cute.

[00:12:05] So like what an aroused teenager may feel.

[00:12:08] And I think that was very, like, I thought that was just very creative.

[00:12:11] It is.

[00:12:12] Yeah, I think for what it is, it's a great pop song.

[00:12:15] Mm-hmm.

[00:12:16] It's not perfect for her.

[00:12:18] Like it could have definitely gone to a number of other artists.

[00:12:22] Mm-hmm.

[00:12:22] But I think she did a great job with it and did what she could to make it her own.

[00:12:27] Mm-hmm.

[00:12:28] And that music video, looking back on it, I hadn't seen it in years.

[00:12:32] Mm-hmm.

[00:12:32] It was, it's not a very interesting music video, but I think because I was so into just

[00:12:39] pop music at the time, all of those visuals of her on the beach.

[00:12:43] Oh, yeah.

[00:12:44] And just the lighting of it all, the beads that were part of the styling at the time.

[00:12:50] You know, I think it was effective.

[00:12:52] I'm glad they did not go to like Agrava with it, right?

[00:12:56] Yes.

[00:12:57] Because I'm like, yeah, because it could have really gone that way.

[00:13:01] Yeah.

[00:13:02] What did you think of the visuals at the time?

[00:13:04] You know, like you said, again, it wasn't like something that totally like smashed me

[00:13:09] over the head, right?

[00:13:10] Like there are definitely things you can think back to like those bright orange pants and like

[00:13:15] the t-shirts and being on the beach and whatnot.

[00:13:17] Like there was a look and an aesthetic to it, but it wasn't too much like smashing you over

[00:13:22] the head.

[00:13:22] And, you know, it's like, it was a little more subtle and I guess like a little more

[00:13:28] polished and, you know, to Chan's point too.

[00:13:30] And this is something, you know, I was going to even say also at What A Girl Wants, you

[00:13:34] know, it wasn't like Britney, like ripping off the top or the, you know, in the school

[00:13:39] girl outfit and you drive me crazy and hit me, baby.

[00:13:42] It was a little more like going to be a little different, you know, offer something a bit

[00:13:47] different, a little bit of like a different taste on that, despite the fact that, you

[00:13:52] know, almost you'd say like personality wise, like Christina was definitely a lot more sexual,

[00:13:57] you know, openly sexual and Britney was a lot more demure and, you know, kind of innocent

[00:14:01] in that way.

[00:14:02] So it's interesting how that actually worked out.

[00:14:05] But, you know, again, I remember, wow, this is like, I don't think I've ever like mentioned

[00:14:12] this, but this is totally random.

[00:14:14] But I remember I made like a music magazine at a camp one day, you know, like I like,

[00:14:21] it's like good, like, you know, surveying everyone at the camp, like what's everyone's

[00:14:25] favorite song?

[00:14:26] We're going to be top 10, you know, like, and it was like, I had a feature of like the best

[00:14:31] music videos.

[00:14:32] And I was like, oh, like, does Christina have any good music videos?

[00:14:36] This is like before I think like, come on over, you know, happened, which I think is a

[00:14:40] great music video and getting ahead of myself.

[00:14:42] But, you know, there wasn't like, it wasn't, I don't know, the image was almost a little

[00:14:48] like a bit confusing just in terms of like trying to be very marketable, trying to be

[00:14:54] very appealing, but like not be so much, you know, like to one way or the other.

[00:15:00] And, you know, if you were, you know, a consumer at that time, I just had this conversation with

[00:15:06] about my boyfriend, actually about how his sister had these Christina Aguilera shoes that

[00:15:12] were blue leopard print.

[00:15:14] And like, I remember like all this like strange merchandise at the time, like she was cat,

[00:15:20] she had ears, like cartoon of her, there was a doll, like these shoes, all these things that

[00:15:27] were just kind of like throw whatever you can, let's make it work.

[00:15:29] Let's make it work.

[00:15:30] And that's probably kind of a part of what she feels, you know, feels like this wasn't

[00:15:35] me.

[00:15:35] Everything was just being told for me what to do and whatnot.

[00:15:38] So genie in a bottle, right?

[00:15:40] Like, you know, thank God they didn't go like very like, you know, Arabian nights or anything

[00:15:45] like that.

[00:15:48] No, it would have been bad.

[00:15:49] Yes.

[00:15:50] But it was a little more, it was subtle and it was a bit, you know, definitely appealing

[00:15:54] in many ways.

[00:15:56] And, you know, definitely worked for what it was, even if I don't think it was like the

[00:16:02] strongest visual statements, you know, at that time.

[00:16:06] Oh, no, exactly.

[00:16:07] I think the video does nothing for her brand.

[00:16:11] Nothing.

[00:16:11] She's another skinny blonde girl on the scene.

[00:16:15] That's all it did.

[00:16:16] Yeah.

[00:16:17] But it's tough.

[00:16:18] It's tough.

[00:16:19] It's tough.

[00:16:20] Like you have the school you have, unless you want for the tomboy thing.

[00:16:24] I mean, I guess kind of tomboy.

[00:16:26] It's like, she definitely look cool, but I think that's the whole California, like little

[00:16:29] riding jeans with the waist, the midriff out.

[00:16:32] But yeah, it's kind of going back to what you were saying about like all the random,

[00:16:36] not memorability, like the merchandise they were trying to use around her.

[00:16:39] I don't, I don't think it works really.

[00:16:43] But yeah, I mean, for what it is, she danced a lot more than she has in a long time in this

[00:16:49] video.

[00:16:50] So shout out to her.

[00:16:51] And yeah, for those who don't know, Agrabah is a term that Chris and I use when people

[00:16:56] start to lean toward what they want to pretend is Middle Eastern influence.

[00:17:00] So you've got the Arabian 90 foot right in here, Jeff.

[00:17:03] But yeah, I think, yeah, the video is fine.

[00:17:05] Doesn't make me hate or like the song.

[00:17:07] I don't think of the video actually when I, when I listened to the song.

[00:17:11] Yeah.

[00:17:12] I just think about her voice.

[00:17:14] But yeah, no, I mean, for what it was, it was cool.

[00:17:16] She looks approachable.

[00:17:17] She looks hot.

[00:17:18] Done.

[00:17:19] Jobs done.

[00:17:19] Sure.

[00:17:20] So I'm going to give it, I was going to give it an eight, but I'll give it an eight point

[00:17:29] five because I don't hate the song.

[00:17:31] I actually do like the song.

[00:17:32] I just don't feel like it's the strongest single.

[00:17:34] That's what I'll say.

[00:17:36] Yeah.

[00:17:36] I had an eight point five written down as well.

[00:17:38] I do like the song and think it's a great example of pop from that era, but she definitely

[00:17:43] has a lot better.

[00:17:45] Word up.

[00:17:46] How about you?

[00:17:48] Well, I mean, I think if we were talking to me like a couple of years late, like earlier,

[00:17:53] I would have been a little more harsh, but give it like a solid seven, seven point five

[00:17:59] here.

[00:18:00] Like, you know, I just, again, I, I, I know there's,

[00:18:05] better things to do.

[00:18:06] And I will say what I ended up loving, what I ended up loving as a longtime fan and watched

[00:18:12] in the future were the reinterpretations of it throughout the years.

[00:18:16] So like, there actually was a bit of a, what do you call it?

[00:18:21] Agrababa or like, um, kind of a, more of like a, it's really cool.

[00:18:29] It was like a bit rocky, but it had to be these like, you know, Middle Eastern influences,

[00:18:34] you know, to kick it off.

[00:18:36] It was this very performance in the strip tour.

[00:18:39] Um, that kind of, you know, that next era, of course.

[00:18:42] And there was something really cool.

[00:18:43] It was pretty cool actually with, um, at the Vegas residency and with Machine Gun Kelly on,

[00:18:49] um, the Spotify session.

[00:18:51] So yeah, it was, uh, you know, it's, it's grown on me and I've grown to appreciate it,

[00:18:57] but I, I really like, I don't, I really don't listen to it.

[00:19:01] Like, right.

[00:19:02] And that's valid.

[00:19:03] All right.

[00:19:05] Up next is what a girl wants.

[00:19:08] What a girl wants by Guy Roche of Philly Winter and Shelly Payton.

[00:19:15] I'm so sorry for mispronouncing anyone's name.

[00:19:17] So this was released as the second single from the album in November, 1999.

[00:19:21] And it became her Billboard Hot 100 number one single.

[00:19:25] Yay!

[00:19:26] Her second one.

[00:19:27] Yay!

[00:19:27] And again, one of Christina's signature hits.

[00:19:31] This track was re-recorded and remixed for the single release and was performed with Sabrina

[00:19:36] Carpenter for the 25th anniversary special.

[00:19:39] If you haven't seen it, you should totally watch it because Sabrina's so good.

[00:19:43] Yeah.

[00:19:43] She's a great artist.

[00:19:44] That's why I said it.

[00:19:45] I said it in the last episode for our pop-off.

[00:19:48] Her styling and choice of like what she wants to do with her voice, because we all know Sabrina

[00:19:55] cannot sing like Christina, but she's distinct because she kind of put a little, what you

[00:19:59] want is what I need.

[00:20:00] Like she kind of puts her own thing on it.

[00:20:01] And I say that to kind of just segue into Christina.

[00:20:04] Christina, even though she was very much given songs that she did not write, the girl has

[00:20:12] a vocal styling that is very much her own.

[00:20:15] Yes, you can hear the Mariah with the little breathy like falsetto.

[00:20:19] You can hear it there.

[00:20:20] But her runs, her vocal choice, the throatiness in which she performs at times has always been

[00:20:26] there.

[00:20:27] It's definitely gotten a lot better.

[00:20:28] Um, I enjoyed this song a lot.

[00:20:31] I think I remembered the song a little bit more for the video because being a Paula, like

[00:20:36] being a dancer turned singer fan, Paula Abdul had filmed Cold Heart Snake, I think here, or

[00:20:41] at least it looked like the same place.

[00:20:43] So when I was younger, I was like, oh my God, she's dancing in the same place.

[00:20:47] Um, again, she's dancing a lot more than I would ever expect her to do ever now.

[00:20:51] Um, but I do appreciate the video.

[00:20:54] I think it doesn't really do much for her voice, like in terms of like what she probably

[00:21:01] wants to do.

[00:21:02] But, but, but, but, but, but in the, I guess the background vocals, there's a lot of gospel

[00:21:09] esque stacks.

[00:21:11] Like, um, toward the end, the water girl wants, it feels very much like, you know, cut

[00:21:15] your hands with me.

[00:21:17] It feels like something that Mariah would do because Mariah was very much inspired by gospel.

[00:21:21] So people are like, oh, it sounds like Mariah.

[00:21:22] Yeah.

[00:21:23] Mariah was like really into gospel.

[00:21:25] So a lot of her harmonies, a lot of what she was doing, a lot of like the, the gang

[00:21:29] vocals that she would have in her songs are based off like the Clark sisters and other

[00:21:32] singers like that from like black gospel music.

[00:21:34] So having that here makes sense.

[00:21:37] The bridge switch is so fun, which I love.

[00:21:40] Like, God, no one does a good bridge anymore, except if you're looking to listen to freaking

[00:21:43] K-pop, which stinks.

[00:21:45] Well, I mean, I love K-pop, but I'm just saying it stinks that no one here in the West is like,

[00:21:47] oh, let's, let's just change it up really quick.

[00:21:49] Let's take them to Bridgerton real quick.

[00:21:50] Oh no, we have to wait till the concert to get some weird version or like a funny little

[00:21:55] idea they had that they didn't like flesh out in the, on the record.

[00:21:59] Um, but yeah, I, I enjoy this song.

[00:22:01] Um, and again, we're back to the lyrics of a teen dating.

[00:22:04] Um, I still appreciate it very much because as a woman, as a girl, whoever, whatever you

[00:22:10] are, you can appreciate someone being like, listen, you need space.

[00:22:14] I'm right here for you, baby.

[00:22:15] I hate my heart.

[00:22:16] And that's what the song's about.

[00:22:17] Simple, clean, love it.

[00:22:20] It's there.

[00:22:21] It's there.

[00:22:22] And it's a solid track expressing that sentiment without being too like nail bashy or like

[00:22:29] a pick me ish.

[00:22:30] It's just very much like, thank you for respecting me and giving time to breathe.

[00:22:33] Okay.

[00:22:34] And I'm back for you.

[00:22:36] I'm getting my sugar.

[00:22:37] So I love it.

[00:22:38] What a girl wants, you know, what a girl needs, you know, putting the woman, you know,

[00:22:41] putting up a woman's needs, you know, for, I feel like that definitely wasn't something

[00:22:45] we would hear.

[00:22:46] If anything could be like, uh, you know, at that time, I feel like it was very much like

[00:22:50] girls, you know, girls rule or something, you know, something very like not mature in

[00:22:55] that way.

[00:22:56] Right.

[00:22:56] And right.

[00:22:57] It's like, you know, thank you for giving me time to breathe, you know, like, um, say

[00:23:01] if you love something, let it go.

[00:23:03] If it comes back, it shows, you know, like these things are quite mature and quite, you know,

[00:23:07] um, again, not about like, just like born to make you happy.

[00:23:15] But, uh, but yeah, you know, just, um, you know, again, like a bit, you know, even if

[00:23:22] again, I, I, you know, I think she feels certain, you know, feel certain ways about the time,

[00:23:26] but just kind of hold up, you know?

[00:23:29] And, and I think especially what a girl wants something for her, you know, always staying

[00:23:32] up for women, always staying up for girls when are treated, you know, like I think,

[00:23:37] I think it's a song that at least thematically she can kind of stand behind, um, thematically.

[00:23:42] And then, you know, I, I do agree with you that the remix version that they did, because

[00:23:47] actually the original record version, if you like bought it in stores or whatever, it

[00:23:52] was a bit, it's just like, it's just a little, it's two 1.0, you know, they brought it.

[00:23:59] And it just, it just, yeah, it allowed her to get more of those, you know, runs in, have

[00:24:03] more, you know, that's the version that we heard on radio.

[00:24:06] I think that, that's when it started like kind of clicking with, like, hopefully with

[00:24:11] people that like, oh yeah, this girl's got something a little bit more, you know, to

[00:24:14] offer.

[00:24:15] So, you know, what a girl wants was, was leading up to me eventually becoming that, that big

[00:24:20] fan moment.

[00:24:22] Awesome.

[00:24:23] Yes.

[00:24:23] Yes.

[00:24:24] I also want to shout out the whole album version versus single version thing.

[00:24:28] Sure.

[00:24:29] Because she, I mean, this and come on over, like it's such, it's amazing what they did

[00:24:34] to elevate the song.

[00:24:35] Because the original version, it's a bit slower.

[00:24:38] It's in a lower key.

[00:24:39] Even the production, there's just not much going on in it.

[00:24:41] And then the new version.

[00:24:44] Wow.

[00:24:44] So many awesome elements.

[00:24:46] The background vocals are kicked up a notch.

[00:24:49] Even them just upping the key as well.

[00:24:52] Yeah.

[00:24:52] It just sits in her voice and she's able to give it a lot more as well.

[00:24:56] So yeah, I think it's just an awesome pop song.

[00:24:58] Like the chorus is just insanely catchy.

[00:25:02] Like you said, that little orchestral moment for the bridge, super creative and it keeps

[00:25:06] the song interesting.

[00:25:07] And then you have the whole build into all the ad libs and stuff.

[00:25:11] And Christina also mentions this song as being one that she felt like she was held back vocally.

[00:25:18] But she's going off in those ad libs.

[00:25:20] And a lot of them are very technical, like technically impressive.

[00:25:24] So it's like, okay, you sound amazing.

[00:25:27] Like most people could not sing this song the way that you did.

[00:25:31] Like even just this duet with Sabrina, like the way they did the vocal arrangement.

[00:25:36] Like it's not like Sabrina can do any of those ad libs, you know?

[00:25:40] So I just think it's funny that she still thinks of it as her holding herself back.

[00:25:45] Because I think she's really showing off here.

[00:25:48] She was young.

[00:25:49] She was young.

[00:25:49] I feel like she listened back.

[00:25:50] She's like, you know what?

[00:25:51] I did have decent job here.

[00:25:53] Because that's wild.

[00:25:55] And that's the thing almost.

[00:25:56] It's probably like, you know, she might have like a way.

[00:25:59] I feel like it's like a mindset thing, you know?

[00:26:01] Like it was very much like, I think she just looks back at that whole time.

[00:26:05] And, you know, sees it as a bit constricting, bit controlling in so many ways.

[00:26:09] But Chris, I wanted to ask, because I was just, you know, thinking about it while you were talking.

[00:26:13] Like the album versions.

[00:26:15] Because did other artists, do you guys remember?

[00:26:17] Do you guys know, rather?

[00:26:18] Did any other artists at that time kind of do more, you know, uppity versions for radio and stuff like that?

[00:26:26] Yeah.

[00:26:27] This was actually quite common at the time.

[00:26:30] Either if they didn't do a full remix, they would even at least like go re-record the vocals or something just to make them a little different or make them stronger.

[00:26:40] However, if you look at Britney, the original version of You Drive Me Crazy is kind of the same.

[00:26:47] It's kind of boring.

[00:26:48] And then they did the stop remix for the single.

[00:26:51] And now it has a lot more energy to it.

[00:26:53] So, yeah, it actually was very common at the time.

[00:26:55] Actually, now that you mention it, I actually think, I mean, Samantha Mumba did this, I think, with Baby Come On Over Tonight or, you know, whatever the song's title is.

[00:27:04] But I remember finding it on Spotify or whatever it was, you know, recently.

[00:27:09] And I was like, oh, this is not the version that I thought it was.

[00:27:12] And they, just like Christina, added like a baby to it or something.

[00:27:15] Mm-hmm.

[00:27:15] Yeah.

[00:27:16] The version that we all eventually love.

[00:27:18] So, you're right.

[00:27:19] I guess, yeah.

[00:27:20] I wasn't, maybe I just only noticed it with her because it was such a contrast between those record versions and what was on the radio.

[00:27:29] Because it was a bit like, it's a bit like, it was kind of a bummer, you know.

[00:27:32] Like, I remember hearing that original What A Girl Wants by the record later.

[00:27:37] And I'm like, what is this?

[00:27:39] Yeah, that's annoying.

[00:27:41] That's annoying.

[00:27:42] What A Girl Wants on my radio now because I need it like, you know.

[00:27:45] Yes, you have to go buy the CD single.

[00:27:48] Yeah.

[00:27:48] I didn't even know that existed back then, you know.

[00:27:50] It was like.

[00:27:51] Freaking wild, dude.

[00:27:53] Okay.

[00:27:54] So, I have to give this song a 10.

[00:27:56] I think it's so good.

[00:27:58] I will never get bored of this song.

[00:28:00] It was like a 9.5.

[00:28:01] And I was like, why?

[00:28:02] So, I think I'm going to make it a 10.

[00:28:05] Because at this point, why?

[00:28:06] And I think it's only because I didn't want to be too generous.

[00:28:08] Because we get generous on the show, especially with like, especially good singing.

[00:28:11] Like Kylie, especially.

[00:28:12] We want to check out our Kylie episodes.

[00:28:14] But yeah.

[00:28:15] So, yeah.

[00:28:16] I'll give it a 10.

[00:28:18] I'll give it a 10.

[00:28:19] I'll give it a 10.

[00:28:20] 10.

[00:28:21] I'm such a hater on this episode.

[00:28:25] But no, I think.

[00:28:27] I think that this one deserves like an 8.5 from me.

[00:28:31] Respect.

[00:28:31] You know.

[00:28:32] Definitely stood the test of time.

[00:28:34] Continues to stand the test of time.

[00:28:35] But also just knowing it's not the greatest, you know, of what she can offer.

[00:28:41] So, that's where I'm going.

[00:28:43] Okay.

[00:28:43] Moving on to I Turn To You.

[00:28:46] And this was done by Diane Warren and Guy Roche.

[00:28:50] And it was released as the third single from the album in March 2000.

[00:28:54] And after working with Diane Warren on another track on the album, she suggested that Christina cover I Turn To You, which was originally done by R&B Quartet All For One.

[00:29:04] And the track peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

[00:29:07] And again, achieved success all over the world.

[00:29:11] Okay.

[00:29:12] I love I Turn To You.

[00:29:15] I actually hadn't listened to this song in a while.

[00:29:18] And when she performed it for the first time since, like, what, 2000 or 2001 for that 25th anniversary special, it, like, reignited my love for this song.

[00:29:30] And it's just ingrained in my brain.

[00:29:33] Like, I can sing every single run of this song, like, note for note.

[00:29:39] Like, I know it so well.

[00:29:40] And it's made me miss the power ballad in general because the power ballad is not a thing that singers are doing now.

[00:29:47] It's kind of like a lost art with the current generation of music.

[00:29:52] Partly because no one can sing like this at the moment.

[00:29:55] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:29:57] But I think this is a great example of a good power ballad.

[00:30:01] Like, yes, the lyrics are super cheesy.

[00:30:04] But it's so beautiful.

[00:30:06] It's so sweet.

[00:30:07] It's so warm.

[00:30:08] And the vocal showcase is absolutely insane.

[00:30:12] Like, the whole build of it is just really well done.

[00:30:14] Like, the production is quite simple.

[00:30:16] It's very organic.

[00:30:18] And they add drama to it as the song goes on.

[00:30:21] And then Christina also starts off very delicate.

[00:30:25] And then it gets kind of crazy by the end.

[00:30:29] And that bridge is still one of my favorite moments, I think, across her entire discography, just vocally.

[00:30:35] Yeah.

[00:30:36] So, yeah.

[00:30:37] This one, I have a big soft spot for.

[00:30:40] Me too.

[00:30:41] Because this is the song that did make me a fan.

[00:30:44] You know, really, like, I remember.

[00:30:47] I think, actually, I do remember when I first heard it.

[00:30:49] Because it was like, oh, my gosh.

[00:30:51] I hope I'm not dating us all too much.

[00:30:54] Or me specifically, rather.

[00:30:57] Me and Chris are the same age.

[00:30:58] So, whatever.

[00:30:58] But, like, you know, if you lived through this time or, you know, lived in the U.S. at this time.

[00:31:05] Like, BH1.

[00:31:07] I think it was on Saturdays or Sundays.

[00:31:09] I think Sundays.

[00:31:10] They had this, like, top 20 countdown that they would do, like, that morning.

[00:31:14] And, you know, whenever I would wake up on Saturdays or Sundays, you know, I'd go to turn it on, like, before anyone woke up.

[00:31:21] And I remember, you know, turning it.

[00:31:24] And I think, like, I turned to you.

[00:31:25] It was, like, just playing there.

[00:31:27] And it was just, like, everything I loved about, like, music at that time.

[00:31:32] Like, big voices, powerful voices, drama, you know, subtle but also modern.

[00:31:39] You know, I just, I don't know.

[00:31:41] I just completely, completely fell for this song.

[00:31:44] Fell in love with this song.

[00:31:45] Wanted to hear it, you know, whenever.

[00:31:47] On the radio.

[00:31:49] On the, you know, on BH1.

[00:31:51] Whatever it was.

[00:31:52] And I just, I don't know.

[00:31:54] I just thought it was just such a perfect song.

[00:31:56] And I do think it's a perfect pop song.

[00:31:57] Just in so many ways.

[00:31:59] And, you know, Chris, you even mentioning that it was the R&B group song originally for, like, the Space Jam soundtrack or something like that, right?

[00:32:06] Yep.

[00:32:07] I mean, it's Christina's world, right?

[00:32:10] Like, it almost, like, is, like, a perfect match, right?

[00:32:13] Because it's, like, there's that R&B stuff that she was really, you know, very into and inspired by.

[00:32:19] And, you know, taking that into the pop world, you know, it just kind of, it worked perfectly.

[00:32:24] And it really just, like, opened my mind into, like, oh, my gosh, you know, like, this person is a great singer.

[00:32:31] This person has so much to offer, you know, as an artist.

[00:32:36] And, like, that's when I, like, became full fan mode.

[00:32:39] Like, and again, like, not even, you know, we can talk about, like, the visuals or the lyrics or things like that.

[00:32:45] Nothing, like, again, mind-blowing or the visuals, you know, very simple, very, you know, of that time, you know, millennial, you know, bright white lights.

[00:32:56] You know, walking in the rain.

[00:32:58] Yes.

[00:32:58] Yes, exactly.

[00:32:59] Like, the music will be a really, you know, sad or whatever.

[00:33:03] But it just, I just wanted to know everything about this, like, talented person because I was just so blown away by, like, what they could do and how they made me feel and, you know, how this song was hitting and all these things.

[00:33:19] So, yeah, this is, like, the song for me in that way that made me a fan.

[00:33:26] And, you know, it's almost funny how things would continue to grow and I'd continue to be a bigger fan.

[00:33:32] But it really was the ballad song that made me, like, all right, this is my girl.

[00:33:38] Here we are.

[00:33:39] This is my girl.

[00:33:40] Mom, get me the album.

[00:33:41] Mom, get me the concert tickets.

[00:33:43] We are going, you know.

[00:33:45] That is hysterical.

[00:33:47] I heard the All For You version because of, like, Space Jam and it just kind of being a staple.

[00:33:53] Also, I think Terry and Jimmy, Terry Jam, wow, wow, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam did the original production for it.

[00:34:02] So I was more used to the R&B version of it.

[00:34:05] Diane did write, but I remember them being the producers on it.

[00:34:08] And I also remember listening to the song and hearing, like, the, like, original kind of influence around it.

[00:34:15] And I kept thinking about, like, Whitney Houston's Count On Me.

[00:34:19] So when I heard this song and the way that Christina sang it, I was like, okay, all right, okay, all right, okay, girl.

[00:34:28] The song was perfect to have on her album.

[00:34:31] And then I remember reading somewhere that Run To You by Whitney Houston.

[00:34:35] She made the demo for Reflection and that kind of secured the spot.

[00:34:38] So it was interesting that, like, this kind of Whitney Houston-esque sounding soundtrack song for another soundtrack song became, like, her song, the cover.

[00:34:48] I mean, Diane wrote the freaking I Turn To You.

[00:34:52] So it makes sense for her to be like, wait, hang on.

[00:34:54] The group did it.

[00:34:55] Yeah.

[00:34:56] They did take it to church.

[00:34:57] They did.

[00:34:58] But not as much as Christina did because I think maybe because a guy took more of a whoa kind of belt.

[00:35:06] Hers, she was on top of a lot of the backgrounds.

[00:35:09] She was singing over it.

[00:35:10] She was giving it the, I guess, what people would know if you're not into gospel music, the whole Mariah, the singing over it, the Whitney singing over it.

[00:35:19] But it's very much taking it to church.

[00:35:20] And I think she does it a little bit more than all for you.

[00:35:22] They do a good job because they were a boy group.

[00:35:24] It was more about the harmony and then having the lead vocal is kind of, you know, I guess, take it home in a sense.

[00:35:30] Maybe not take it home in a way that Boyz II Men would with, like, Wanya singing it.

[00:35:35] But still, it's cool to hear her singing this because you get the textures of her voice.

[00:35:43] You hear the ability, the agility.

[00:35:44] You can hear her influences.

[00:35:47] But, yeah, I think it's legit the same way she's always saying.

[00:35:51] It's, again, again, her artistry is very present here because she sings exactly the same way.

[00:35:57] But I think she's a lot tighter with her runs and hits longer notes and has a lot more control.

[00:36:02] Because even watching some live performances, especially the one with Apollo, that had me in tears because I was like, they were like, let's get her in front of the black people.

[00:36:09] They're going to love this.

[00:36:10] And it's true.

[00:36:10] We did.

[00:36:11] Screw it.

[00:36:11] We did.

[00:36:12] We did.

[00:36:12] She was there.

[00:36:13] She didn't get tap danced off by the Sandman.

[00:36:15] She did a good job.

[00:36:16] But the vocals were like kind of, she's singing.

[00:36:19] There are a lot of notes that she has at the belt.

[00:36:21] She gets a little tight here and there.

[00:36:22] I mean, she's young at the time.

[00:36:23] Wasn't being as clever with the note changes.

[00:36:27] It was more like, I want to show them I can freaking sing my face off.

[00:36:29] And she did with this song.

[00:36:30] And live performances.

[00:36:32] So this one's a good one, too.

[00:36:34] Totally.

[00:36:34] And, you know, I listened to it recently just when going back to this with the anniversary and everything.

[00:36:39] And I was like, and you reminded me of this, Chan.

[00:36:41] And like, it was very whippy, you know.

[00:36:44] And I think that's why, if I remember of this time correctly, she was looking forward to this song being released.

[00:36:50] Because she's like, this is kind of what I want to do a bit more.

[00:36:53] It's a ballad, you know.

[00:36:55] This is what I'm excited about.

[00:36:57] A little more Whitney Houston-esque, you know, things like that.

[00:36:59] And I think, you know, Chris, to your point as well.

[00:37:03] Like, this was very much like the formula of the time.

[00:37:06] Like, two, you know, up-tempos.

[00:37:08] Do a ballad.

[00:37:09] And then, you know, go back to an up-tempo again if your album had that much runway on it.

[00:37:15] So, you know, we kind of, we've lost that a bit, you know, in terms of like, but no one really, you know, does like two singles on a ballad or two singles on a downtown book.

[00:37:28] But this was like the moment, even if it wasn't the smash, smash, smash of, you know, what a girl wants or Jeannie in a bottle.

[00:37:34] So, I think it was a very smart move at the time.

[00:37:39] Obviously, it made me a fan.

[00:37:40] But it was like the moment to kind of solidify, like, this girl's a bit different, you know, than the others.

[00:37:48] And, you know, it was the right time overall.

[00:37:52] Obviously, not a bad song to peak at number three.

[00:37:57] Word up.

[00:37:58] Word up.

[00:38:00] Okay, so what do you rate this one then, Jeff?

[00:38:03] Jeff.

[00:38:04] Now, this one gets the 10 out of 10 for me.

[00:38:07] Oh, this is sentimental.

[00:38:10] Didn't have to re-record it, you know.

[00:38:12] It was perfect the way it was.

[00:38:15] Yes.

[00:38:16] Okay.

[00:38:17] I will give it a 9.5.

[00:38:21] Very close.

[00:38:22] But she actually has some amazing ballads just throughout her whole discography.

[00:38:27] So, this one's up there, but I don't know if it's like my number one, number one.

[00:38:32] Ballad.

[00:38:32] Okay, this is going to be my first, like, low-ish score.

[00:38:35] I'm going to give it an 8.5.

[00:38:40] That's not low at all.

[00:38:42] What?

[00:38:42] It's less low compared to what I've given.

[00:38:45] Bear, bear.

[00:38:47] Up next is So Emotional.

[00:38:49] It was done by Ron Harris, Tom Snow, and Frank Gold.

[00:38:51] And this was kind of talked about being the fifth single from the album, but it never ended up happening.

[00:38:56] And this song did receive a music video.

[00:38:59] It was really simple, a studio recording kind of video.

[00:39:01] And it was released many years later.

[00:39:04] And it was originally written for Selena.

[00:39:07] But as we all know, she was unable to record.

[00:39:10] And Christina ended up with it on her album.

[00:39:12] All right, so this one has a nice groove I do appreciate.

[00:39:15] Now we're leaning more into a little bit more of the R&B thing.

[00:39:19] From what I remember hearing from some of the Selena songs, like what she was doing for her American debut,

[00:39:24] it was in the very R&B-esque, like AC radio vein.

[00:39:30] So this kind of flops right in really nicely.

[00:39:33] The making love and fighting line is interesting because they're trying to make this girl come across as innocent.

[00:39:41] Excuse me.

[00:39:43] But I was like, okay, what are we doing?

[00:39:45] All right, go off.

[00:39:46] But it makes sense in the relationship and considering how old Selena was,

[00:39:50] it would have fit her a little bit better.

[00:39:53] I don't like the Selena AI covers that I've been hearing of it.

[00:39:56] But the song is not bad.

[00:39:58] Again, I think the R&B vibe is cool.

[00:40:01] It just doesn't go anywhere, really.

[00:40:03] And standalone, it's really a generic track.

[00:40:05] There's nothing about it that was like, oh, this is Christina trying to do R&B.

[00:40:08] It was just like, here's an R&B song.

[00:40:10] Christina, sing it.

[00:40:11] And that's my problem with it a little bit.

[00:40:13] It's kind of just like, okay, she sings really well.

[00:40:15] Great job.

[00:40:17] But nothing that I would ever think like, oh, yeah.

[00:40:21] I think these kinds of gave it to her just to satisfy her, not to be like, girl, we got a song for you that's R&B.

[00:40:26] Like, you're going to love this.

[00:40:27] You know?

[00:40:28] Like, I'm not feeling it.

[00:40:30] It's okay.

[00:40:31] It's decent.

[00:40:32] But it's not like, yeah, that's what I want for you.

[00:40:37] Wow, I have not heard the Selena AI covers.

[00:40:41] But that's kind of horrifying that people have done that.

[00:40:44] It's weird.

[00:40:46] Kind of like eerie.

[00:40:47] Yeah, it's weird as hell.

[00:40:49] So weird.

[00:40:50] I actually don't mind so emotional.

[00:40:52] It's not my favorite on the album, but I like it as a track.

[00:40:56] It's got kind of a slinkiness to it.

[00:40:58] There's a chillness to it.

[00:41:01] So it just, I don't know.

[00:41:02] I think it kind of adds to just kind of the roller coaster of the album a little bit.

[00:41:05] Like, vibe-wise, it's kind of similar to Genie.

[00:41:10] And you get kind of all those same vocal textures that she uses in Genie as well.

[00:41:15] Because she's kind of using kind of the thinner, kind of breathier tone throughout most of it.

[00:41:19] But she still sings her face off.

[00:41:21] Like, she still goes off in some of the ad-libs and stuff.

[00:41:25] I like all the switches into the head voice that she uses.

[00:41:29] And the performances that she did at the time.

[00:41:31] Because she did perform it at a lot of TV shows and stuff.

[00:41:35] But you had a much funkier band arrangement that I actually appreciated.

[00:41:40] And wish some of those elements made it into the studio version.

[00:41:44] But yeah, for an album track, I actually enjoyed this one.

[00:41:47] I would never skip it, you know, if it came on.

[00:41:49] But I do think it would not have made a great single.

[00:41:54] So, I agree with that decision.

[00:41:57] Oh, yeah.

[00:41:59] I'm a little in the same boat.

[00:42:00] I think, you know, I liked it for what it was.

[00:42:04] It was definitely one of the, like, more standout-y, like, up-tempos of the record.

[00:42:10] You know, something that I understood why they considered for a single.

[00:42:14] But also understand maybe why they kind of, you know, didn't end up going for it.

[00:42:19] And, like, to your point, Chris, like, maybe if there was, like, a reworked radio version.

[00:42:24] And it had a bit more, you know, funk or thump to it.

[00:42:27] You know, that could have been something.

[00:42:30] But I think, you know, I think you and I were actually texting about this the other day.

[00:42:34] Like, it just seemed like they were ready to move on.

[00:42:37] You know, like, by the time a fifth single was being considered.

[00:42:41] It was kind of like, you know, she's ready to go.

[00:42:44] Well, she had.

[00:42:45] And the other thing, too, is that, you know, there's always this kind of, you know, comparison.

[00:42:50] And I fall victim to it a lot, right, between her and Britney Spears.

[00:42:54] And Britney Spears, who put out, you know, three albums in three years in that early, you know, era of, you know, Oops, I Did It Again came out a year later or something.

[00:43:03] And Britney and, you know, and Christina, her second record definitely, you know, she sticks to it as, like, Stripped is that second album.

[00:43:13] But she did a Spanish album with some original cuts on it.

[00:43:17] She had a Christmas album, you know, and she wasn't, like, just only focused on this one record.

[00:43:23] Like, there was a lot concentrated in those, like, first two years, first two or three years, whatever it was.

[00:43:28] So there was a lot definitely, you know, going on at that time.

[00:43:33] And I think, you know, keeping in mind that she would eventually go on to do, like, you know, have a bit of a collaboration time with, you know, Lady Marmalade and Nobody Wants to Be Lonely with Ricky Martin and all these things.

[00:43:45] Yeah, it was probably just time to go.

[00:43:48] And I think, you know, I think, like, Lil Bow Wow was being considered for a remix or there's, like, a performance of them together.

[00:43:58] Doing this, like, at one of her concerts.

[00:44:01] And this is, like, super, super, like, fandom whole.

[00:44:06] But, like, if you – and actually, I talk about this.

[00:44:08] I did a TikTok about it recently because it was – I had to break down a Christina Aguilera conspiracy theory that was going around.

[00:44:15] But back in the day, Christina Aguilera's official website was amazing, by the way.

[00:44:19] And it had a – it was called the Rumor Mill.

[00:44:22] And her mom, Shelly, her mom's name is Shelly Kearns, had a spot where she would literally respond to rumors and things like that.

[00:44:30] And I did send in, like, questions, right?

[00:44:34] And I'm – there was, like, one topic was, like, so emotional as a fifth single.

[00:44:40] And I'm pretty sure she chose my – she chose, like, a couple questions because there was a couple questions about it.

[00:44:46] And I kind of remember, like, the way I emailed it was the way that was shown on the website.

[00:44:51] And I was asking, like, is this going to be a fifth single?

[00:44:53] Is there going to be a fifth single?

[00:44:54] And, you know, she actually responded to what I believe is my emailed question about, you know, is there going to – you know, that it's a great song.

[00:45:04] We were considering it, but we're ready to just move on to the next album and things like that.

[00:45:08] So it's – yeah, I thought it was always fine.

[00:45:13] It wasn't my favorite.

[00:45:15] It's not my least favorite.

[00:45:16] Just, you know, her.

[00:45:17] Or the vibe that they were going for.

[00:45:20] Oh, it's valid.

[00:45:21] So, yes, I give it a solid C.

[00:45:23] It's a 7.5 for me.

[00:45:26] You know what?

[00:45:27] The bridge is – the bridge and the tail end of that second verse is – yeah.

[00:45:34] Oof.

[00:45:35] So I'll keep my 7.

[00:45:37] I don't want to go any lower than a 7.

[00:45:39] But, yeah, it's just – yeah, 7 for me.

[00:45:41] I'll give this one a 7 as well.

[00:45:43] Again, not my favorite, not my least favorite.

[00:45:45] And also, I remember it more than other songs, you know?

[00:45:49] Moving on to track 5, we have Come On Over, All I Want Is You.

[00:45:53] And this was done by Ron Fair, Ray Cham, Chaka Blackman, Paul Rain, Johan Aberg, Guy Roche, Shelly Paikin, Eric Dawkins, and Christina Aguilera.

[00:46:04] Wow, that's actually a lot of writers on this.

[00:46:06] It was released as the fourth and final single from the album in July 2000.

[00:46:12] And Christina was given more creative control and headed back to the studio to work on a brand new single mix of the track.

[00:46:18] And as you mentioned earlier, they added the word baby into the title, changing it to Come On Over, Baby, All I Want Is You.

[00:46:25] And the song went on to become her third number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

[00:46:29] Woo-woo.

[00:46:30] Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo.

[00:46:32] Jeff, start us off.

[00:46:34] Come on over.

[00:46:35] I remember, you know, again, like, I just have such distinct memories of this time because it's such a formulating time, formative time for me as, like, just a music band.

[00:46:49] And I remember first, I don't think I had the album at this time, actually, but I think I saw the music video or the making the music video, you know, making the music video.

[00:47:03] And I didn't know this song.

[00:47:04] I didn't really know.

[00:47:06] But I knew, obviously, I turned to you and I knew this.

[00:47:09] And I remember just, like, loving the track, you know, loving how this sounds, you know, loving how it goes, but also, like, clearly seeing, like, a big step forward in terms of, like, this is not my baby anymore.

[00:47:22] Like, she is, you know, there is a bra in the music video.

[00:47:27] Yeah.

[00:47:27] Or hairs.

[00:47:29] There are, you know, it's just a lot more bold and forward.

[00:47:32] And, you know, I don't even, I mean, she talks about sexuality.

[00:47:37] She uses the word sexuality.

[00:47:39] Yeah.

[00:47:40] It's like, you know, it just kind of was a big, bold step forward and I loved it.

[00:47:45] And I thought, you know, beyond just, you know, all of that, it was still a really, really great pop song.

[00:47:53] And I still think it's an excellent pop song today.

[00:47:57] Like, to me, like, songs don't get pop, bubblegum pop doesn't get better than, like, Come On Over Baby All I Want Is You, this radio version, of course.

[00:48:07] Mm-hmm.

[00:48:08] Just, yeah, it just feels good and, like, starts, like, you know, you just want to, like, come on over, come on over.

[00:48:17] And it just, you know, keeps growing and growing and a great chorus.

[00:48:20] It goes back to that, you know, switches this rap and has a dance section in some versions.

[00:48:25] And I don't know, I just, I just don't think you get better, better millennial pop than, millennium pop rather than that.

[00:48:33] Come on, millennium pop.

[00:48:37] For me, this song, I knew the Vengo Migo, the Vengo Migo version, Solamente Tu.

[00:48:42] I knew that one because my friends are, we were all talking about it because I was like, I remember being a dumb kid and being like,

[00:48:48] you want to know what one of the fakest Spanish albums ever was?

[00:48:51] And they were like, well, I was like, the Christina Aguilera one.

[00:48:53] It was Aguilera.

[00:48:54] I was calling her at the time.

[00:48:55] They're like, no, but she's Latina.

[00:48:56] I'm like, what?

[00:48:57] So my friend, she's Dominican.

[00:48:59] And she and her sister sat down.

[00:49:00] I was like, we have to listen to it because she actually is Latina.

[00:49:03] You have to listen.

[00:49:04] And I'm like, okay.

[00:49:04] And this one came on.

[00:49:07] And I was like, okay.

[00:49:09] And then I had eventually watched the video because I remember watching like a Latino version of it,

[00:49:14] the Latin version and seeing her hair in the braids and the curls.

[00:49:17] And it wasn't in the American version.

[00:49:22] So I was like, oh, hang on.

[00:49:25] Wait.

[00:49:25] I don't know.

[00:49:25] Listen, we all get, we all got here somehow, but you know, so I got here on the Latin influence,

[00:49:31] I think definitely elevated it.

[00:49:32] And it's good to lean into it.

[00:49:33] Her name is Lydia Aguilera.

[00:49:35] Just use it at this point.

[00:49:36] Like, why not?

[00:49:37] The Brighter Synths.

[00:49:38] I like that the lyrics are about, you know, the hormones and doing things with them.

[00:49:44] Her voice is so freaking good.

[00:49:46] And this song covers all of the voices that she has in her little body.

[00:49:52] It covers the spectrum for sure.

[00:49:54] Because then you have her, she's belting, she's hitting falsettos.

[00:49:57] She's doing the rap that's really low.

[00:50:01] And it's in the lower part of her voice.

[00:50:03] It sounds sultry and confident.

[00:50:04] And it, I just love this song because it definitely has everything that you need.

[00:50:09] It has the bubblegum pop.

[00:50:11] Yes.

[00:50:11] It has rhythm.

[00:50:12] It has flair to it.

[00:50:13] And it also gives her an opportunity to show I can sing.

[00:50:16] I'm belting my face off.

[00:50:17] The whole whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa moment at the end.

[00:50:20] Extra as hell.

[00:50:21] But can I sing it back too?

[00:50:22] Yeah, not as well.

[00:50:23] But can I?

[00:50:24] Yes.

[00:50:25] Can we all?

[00:50:26] Isn't it?

[00:50:27] And yeah.

[00:50:28] And then she's dance again.

[00:50:29] Dancing the most we have seen her in a really long time.

[00:50:32] I remember the video with the belly button being all bedazzled.

[00:50:37] And I thought, wow, how could I do that?

[00:50:39] I just think the Latin version of the video is just superior anyway.

[00:50:43] But my point is the video is great.

[00:50:45] There's dancing.

[00:50:46] There's movement.

[00:50:47] There's, there's just her being super, not super sexy, but like sexy without trying too hard.

[00:50:53] And I was like, okay.

[00:50:55] So, and even now looking back on it, I'm just like, she was so good.

[00:50:59] I mean, she still is, but I'm like, oh, it's so good.

[00:51:02] And the red hair and the Target commercial at the end.

[00:51:04] Like I'm sold.

[00:51:05] Oh, so good.

[00:51:07] Yes.

[00:51:08] Target would eat her up right now.

[00:51:09] Target would love her.

[00:51:10] No, the red and then the white, all white outfit is such an iconic look for her.

[00:51:16] Yes.

[00:51:16] And that is, that definitely has stood the test of time.

[00:51:19] But yeah, I agree with both of you.

[00:51:20] I think this is just, like you said, Jeff, but just a perfect example of music from that time.

[00:51:26] And we had talked about what a girl wants is album version.

[00:51:31] And I hadn't heard come on overs album version in a long time.

[00:51:35] I do never include that on any playlist.

[00:51:37] Like, you know, you always go for the single one, but actually listening to it again.

[00:51:40] Now it actually was quite a good song, even at that point.

[00:51:44] But again, it's in a lower key than what the single version ended up being.

[00:51:48] But it's got more of a, it's even more bubble gummy and it's even more bright and it's piano

[00:51:54] lit.

[00:51:55] So it almost reminds me of Wannabe, like by the Spice Girls or what Wannabe was inspired

[00:52:00] by, which is like Summer Nights from Greece.

[00:52:03] Like it has that same kind of plunky piano thing going for it.

[00:52:07] Yeah.

[00:52:08] But then it has a lot of bass too, which grounds it a little bit more.

[00:52:10] But yeah, of course the single remix is good.

[00:52:12] But I was actually surprised that I liked the original version better than I thought.

[00:52:17] Yeah.

[00:52:18] I thought actually my favorite part about the single remix is all the lyric changes.

[00:52:22] Oh my God.

[00:52:23] Actually.

[00:52:23] She references what a girl wants, of course, at the end of the bridge.

[00:52:27] She references when you put your hands on me, which we'll talk about later.

[00:52:30] All the added whispers and talky bits in the background of the verses and stuff are just

[00:52:35] so much fun.

[00:52:37] Yeah.

[00:52:38] You just can't beat this as a, as a pop song from that time.

[00:52:41] Like it has to be included like in the best of 2000.

[00:52:45] Yeah.

[00:52:45] I agree.

[00:52:46] I agree.

[00:52:47] Which is why my points are at a 10.

[00:52:50] This is good for what it did.

[00:52:51] And what a girl wants is good for what it did.

[00:52:53] So I think I'm gonna keep my 10 for that joke.

[00:52:55] Kind of like on the fence, but.

[00:52:56] Yeah.

[00:52:56] I have to give this a 10 too.

[00:52:58] And both of them are 10s.

[00:52:59] What a girl wants is also amazing.

[00:53:01] Yeah.

[00:53:01] I give it a 10.

[00:53:02] I give it a 10 as well.

[00:53:04] Cause I just think, yeah, this one was an amazing song.

[00:53:07] And, you know, I think also it just kind of felt like a bit of like her stepping into

[00:53:12] her own a bit more too.

[00:53:13] I think this is probably why this resonated because if she had, if she maybe had gone back

[00:53:17] to something like we were kind of picking up on, but like the styles of Jeannie and that

[00:53:24] just got a bit more muted and a bit more, you know, not as punchy and in your face, maybe,

[00:53:29] you know, we wouldn't be having the same conversation we're having today.

[00:53:32] Up next, we have Reflection.

[00:53:35] It was written by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel.

[00:53:38] And it was originally written for Disney's 1998 film, Mulan.

[00:53:42] And Christina Aguilera was given the opportunity to record the single version of the track after

[00:53:47] proving she could hit the E5 note, which is featured in the song using Run To You, as I

[00:53:53] mentioned, from Whitney Houston.

[00:53:54] And this also led to her record deal with RCA.

[00:53:57] So shout out to Ron Fair for being like, hey, I know a kid who could hit these notes.

[00:54:02] Shout out to him.

[00:54:03] So yeah, the success of the single helped to speed along the process of her debut album

[00:54:08] with the label hoping to maintain the hype around her.

[00:54:11] And Christina has re-recorded the track and it was released in 2020 to coincide with the

[00:54:15] live action remake of Mulan.

[00:54:17] And she has since included it in setlist and performed it as the closer for the 25th anniversary

[00:54:23] special that we have all been referring to.

[00:54:27] Yes.

[00:54:28] Ooh, reflection.

[00:54:30] Reflection.

[00:54:30] Okay, so I definitely am biased with this one because I do have quite a deep connection

[00:54:36] to this song.

[00:54:38] Why?

[00:54:38] Because of Mulan.

[00:54:40] I know.

[00:54:41] When Mulan came out, I think like looking back on it, it actually was a really important

[00:54:47] moment for me as a kid and also just like us as a family because that was really the

[00:54:54] first time we saw Chinese people in a Western film, an animated film in that way that actually

[00:55:02] honored the story and it didn't like make fun of the culture or anything.

[00:55:06] So of course we had the soundtrack and of course I knew this song.

[00:55:09] So it's actually very hard for me to be fully objective with this, I think.

[00:55:14] But if I try to be objective, it is a very well-written ballad and it is perfect for that moment in

[00:55:22] the film.

[00:55:24] And beyond that too, I think Christina has talked about it more recently too.

[00:55:28] Lyrically, a lot of people actually do relate to this just in their regular lives.

[00:55:32] You know, a lot of people feel they have to hide themselves or elements of themselves

[00:55:35] from the outside world.

[00:55:37] So yeah, it is interesting that she has also kind of mentioned that this one has stood the

[00:55:42] test of time as well.

[00:55:44] Yeah, I think the melody is so pretty.

[00:55:46] The orchestra and the production is absolutely beautiful.

[00:55:50] I will say in the music video, they made her look like she was in her 30s.

[00:55:56] That's my note too.

[00:55:57] I was like, what's this haircut?

[00:55:58] First thought, also I think it's hilarious that she didn't fly to China for it.

[00:56:01] Like they just had her film this at Epcot.

[00:56:03] Stop.

[00:56:04] What?

[00:56:05] No.

[00:56:07] Not so lazy, but smart, but lazy.

[00:56:10] I think the story is she cut her hair the day before without telling anyone.

[00:56:15] Oh my gosh.

[00:56:15] That's why it was so choppy.

[00:56:17] Yeah.

[00:56:18] So I actually, which like is hilarious, right?

[00:56:21] But I think it was either that or the day before the album shoot, but I'm pretty sure

[00:56:26] it was for reflection because I remember thinking, yeah, it does look like, I think

[00:56:30] give her this like, you know, Dharma and Greg or Dharma.

[00:56:35] Things are falling.

[00:56:37] Um, but I think, you know, she's, she's like this, that she just, I think it's funny now

[00:56:43] because, uh, you know, what is she?

[00:56:45] 40, 44 now?

[00:56:46] 43?

[00:56:47] And she looks like young as hell.

[00:56:50] Like she looks really good.

[00:56:51] And like, I think she's always had this baby face and this bait, you know, baby look to her

[00:56:56] that she wanted to always look mature.

[00:56:58] I think that's why she loves makeup and experimenting and heavy makeup and, you know, you know, and wigs and whatnot.

[00:57:03] And I think that was a bit of that side coming out at that time being like, I'm gonna, I'm gonna show, I'm not some 17 year old, you know?

[00:57:11] And like, he's just like, and everyone's like, what the heck?

[00:57:16] I thought this girl was like, that's so weird.

[00:57:18] I mean, you know what?

[00:57:19] It works out because Mulan is chopping her head in the video on the movie.

[00:57:24] Um, you know, this song is iconic.

[00:57:26] I think for me, it's one of Disney's best.

[00:57:29] I am, I want songs.

[00:57:32] Um, every, every movie requires the what I want, what I need kind of song to kind of really, and it has to be a ballad.

[00:57:39] It has to be two versions of it.

[00:57:40] Um, I mean, the Anastasia movie had the Journey to the Past that Ali is saying and the actress from the movie said, you know, there's always that kind of thing going on.

[00:57:49] Um, I think I could totally hear Whitney singing this song.

[00:57:53] The notes are super chesty and requires a resonance that Nippy would have given, or even Mariah, um, would have hit them as well.

[00:58:02] But again, shout out to Ron Fair for being like, hey, I know a kid.

[00:58:06] Literally, she could probably sing this.

[00:58:08] And I was watching a video and she said like, she got a call and he's like, hey, can you hit an E5, like right by middle seat, like right above middle seat, can you do it?

[00:58:16] She's like, I can try.

[00:58:18] She's like, it was a little rough, but he's like, send me a tape, FedEx that mess, and let's get it done.

[00:58:22] And Run To You is recorded.

[00:58:24] Obviously, Run To You is a freaking iconic song and it's so hard to sing.

[00:58:27] I know that E5, it's hard because I can't, I mean, I'm not the greatest singer, but I can't hit it either.

[00:58:32] But it's hard.

[00:58:33] And for her to actually kind of step up to the plate and be like, F it, I'll do it.

[00:58:37] It's changed her whole life literally because she wasn't, because she had that whole, I want to sing, I'm really good.

[00:58:43] It worked out for her.

[00:58:45] But yeah, I've heard, going back to what I was saying, the song is hard to sing.

[00:58:48] And I think that alone is why it's also quite good.

[00:58:52] I think people kind of get caught up in like, the song is really hard to sing and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

[00:58:56] But the song is not just hard to sing, the melody is really stinking good.

[00:58:59] Which is why I've heard people cover it terribly since it's been out.

[00:59:04] I remember one time there was a Disney night at my college and people were singing Reflection and I said, girl, why?

[00:59:08] Go The Distance is another song that's like, it's hard.

[00:59:12] But yeah, kudos.

[00:59:13] The video is hilarious with the haircut.

[00:59:15] I put in my notes, I was like, what's going on?

[00:59:17] I do miss the old videos and the soundtrack videos where they used to kind of like superimpose the animation.

[00:59:22] Like, I love the fan closing and it's like showing some animations on it.

[00:59:27] But yeah, no, like literally this song as a ballad on this album for it to be a soundtrack song is not cheesy.

[00:59:33] It is pretty big for this album.

[00:59:37] I don't care for the mixing of the vocals, but it is pretty big for this album.

[00:59:42] It's impressive.

[00:59:43] I mean, I look at my reflection, I close, I legit close it and I go, whoo, hey, it's that girl.

[00:59:49] I don't think anyone doesn't do that when you look at themselves in the mirror or like in a reflection.

[00:59:52] It's hard not to.

[00:59:54] Close the, close the.

[00:59:55] And no one.

[00:59:56] Everyone does.

[00:59:57] Everyone does.

[00:59:57] Brushing your teeth.

[00:59:59] Like, it's just hard to like not do.

[01:00:01] I think for the ubiquitousness of it, it's a good song.

[01:00:06] It's solid.

[01:00:07] Yeah.

[01:00:08] And I remember my mom got the, bought the Mulan soundtrack.

[01:00:14] I think actually we had it on cassette.

[01:00:16] And, you know, I didn't, I didn't even know Christian Aguilera's name at that time.

[01:00:20] Right.

[01:00:21] Because if you remember, Tony Ferguson was on that soundtrack.

[01:00:24] If you guys are our fans.

[01:00:26] 98 degrees was on it.

[01:00:28] Like, those are the names I actually like, remember.

[01:00:30] Remember hearing.

[01:00:32] But I, I did love reflection and didn't know that, you know, this was even Christina Aguilera

[01:00:37] at the time.

[01:00:39] And I think it's a beautiful song.

[01:00:41] Great song.

[01:00:42] You know, beautiful ballad.

[01:00:44] And yeah, just like even the lyrics itself, you know, Chris, you were getting at this, like

[01:00:49] how people are still talking to her about it.

[01:00:53] But I think actually it's also been a theme a bit in her music, you know, throughout the

[01:00:56] years, you know, whether it was, you know, stripped, you know, coming to terms with herself or, you

[01:01:02] know, even go all the way up to like liberation and the Maria song.

[01:01:06] And, you know, she's facing the mirror and, and, or even, you know, the Lotus intro, you

[01:01:11] know, there's like, I look in the mirror at the woman at the reflection I've become or something,

[01:01:16] you know, I'm not that great at lyrics.

[01:01:17] But even the not super obvious career moments, you know, it all does kind of tie back to

[01:01:24] this a little bit.

[01:01:25] And I thought that was kind of what she was referring to in that little, in that little

[01:01:29] segment when Sabrina Carpenter asked her what resonates the most.

[01:01:34] But that being said, you know, this, you know, good melody, strong melodies.

[01:01:38] I especially love the, you know, must there be a secret me?

[01:01:42] I long to hide, you know, or what, what it just goes into those, you know, I loved, I

[01:01:48] think I turned to you does this a bit too, but like, when the ballad like kind of switches

[01:01:52] up on you and it doesn't do like, you know, the whole chorus on the second time or the

[01:01:56] third, or, you know, they do something different that goes into something even more dramatic.

[01:02:00] I love that in a good ballad.

[01:02:03] And reflection does that, you know, in many, many times.

[01:02:07] And it's just, yeah, beautiful song, great song.

[01:02:10] And, you know, it's a, it's like a little random, right?

[01:02:14] That like they chose the little, you know, Latina white girl to sing the Chinese story

[01:02:21] of Mulan, you know, but, uh, but it's, um, it's worked and, you know, it is what it is.

[01:02:29] And, um, it's, I guess like, you know, I don't know.

[01:02:34] In 2020, when it came back with the 2020 version, I was a bit worried, like how it'd be

[01:02:39] responded to or, or how it might resonate in this way.

[01:02:42] But she, you know, very much honored, you know, very respectful of, you know, the story

[01:02:48] and whatnot.

[01:02:48] And I thought did an amazing job with just that re-recorded version as well.

[01:02:53] So, yes.

[01:02:55] It's another 10 for me.

[01:02:56] I'm going to spoil it and just say.

[01:02:58] Yes.

[01:02:58] Yes.

[01:02:59] I would like to shout out first off Coco Lee, who did sing the Mandarin version of the song.

[01:03:03] And she was also asked back in 2020 to re-record it.

[01:03:06] And she sounded great.

[01:03:07] Uh, but yes, also they did use a lot of Chinese instruments in the 2020 version, which I loved

[01:03:12] because I do think that is maybe what's missing from the original.

[01:03:16] So I'm really glad that they did that.

[01:03:18] So yes.

[01:03:19] Who's the actress who did the movie version?

[01:03:22] Leah Salonga.

[01:03:23] Leah Salonga.

[01:03:24] Oh, that is.

[01:03:24] Okay.

[01:03:24] Well, she's still a Pina, right?

[01:03:26] Yeah.

[01:03:27] Isn't that interesting?

[01:03:28] Okay.

[01:03:30] Um, but wow.

[01:03:31] Okay.

[01:03:32] Well, both of those versions were so beautiful, you know, and I'm glad time has somewhat corrected

[01:03:40] and, you know, made it a bit more appropriate, if you will.

[01:03:45] Yes.

[01:03:46] It's okay.

[01:03:47] But yes, I, ooh.

[01:03:48] Okay.

[01:03:48] I'll give it a nine.

[01:03:50] Yes.

[01:03:51] Do you know what?

[01:03:52] Yeah.

[01:03:53] I'll match you, Chris.

[01:03:54] I'll, I'll, I'll, yeah, for sure.

[01:03:56] You know, I like how she sounds like 2020 version because it sounds like, you know, she sounds like she's been through some, some.

[01:04:02] Oh, sounds like she's been through some stuff.

[01:04:04] Um.

[01:04:05] Like a woman's.

[01:04:06] Yeah.

[01:04:07] I like it.

[01:04:07] I think the difference between, just aside from the, uh, instrumental.

[01:04:11] Yeah.

[01:04:11] I would give that a nine to both of them get nines for me.

[01:04:15] Just all that to say.

[01:04:16] Okay.

[01:04:17] Sorry.

[01:04:18] Yes.

[01:04:18] Okay.

[01:04:19] So moving on to track seven, we have Love for All Seasons, which was done by Carl Sturkin and Evan Rogers.

[01:04:26] And this is the first song that does, we don't have any like interesting notes on.

[01:04:29] It's just a standard, good album track.

[01:04:32] So Shan, what do you think?

[01:04:34] Okay.

[01:04:35] So this one's a very R&B pop song.

[01:04:38] Um, it may have not been single already, but it is a solid track.

[01:04:41] Um, the chorus is very much on the nose with those love avatar, the avatar, the last love bender metaphors, but I can get over it.

[01:04:49] Like, it's very much like earth, water, wind.

[01:04:52] It's all like Jesus Christ.

[01:04:54] Get me out of here.

[01:04:55] Um, aside from that, I think melodically the top line is solid, um, for what it is.

[01:05:00] She takes the second verse to church for, for sure.

[01:05:03] Like she wears her influences on her sleeve.

[01:05:05] I appreciate it.

[01:05:06] Like I can hear Mariah singing it high key though, which is not a bad thing.

[01:05:10] Again, it's one of those things where it's like her influence is pretty there.

[01:05:15] But also I think because R&B at the time with, uh, with like nineties, especially in the ballad era, it was very much like, what can we do at a church court?

[01:05:24] Boom.

[01:05:24] Cause it's gotta make people feel some something.

[01:05:26] Boom, boom, boom, boom.

[01:05:28] So yeah, I think my mind just goes back to Mariah because of the gospel influences.

[01:05:32] But I think any R&B singer at the time who had like a album track that was like more geared towards just like,

[01:05:39] that's the ballad.

[01:05:40] Like I want to talk about how strong our love is.

[01:05:43] Love for all seasons would be that track.

[01:05:45] Um, I do wonder if she believed what she was singing.

[01:05:48] Like she's very good at emoting, but I wonder like by this point, whatever, like recording, like sequence, like this was in,

[01:05:55] like if there's like the fifth song or like the umpteenth song by this time, was she like, okay, like, do I care about this?

[01:06:02] Like, is this a subject matter that she really wanted?

[01:06:04] I mean, think about it.

[01:06:05] Like she doesn't really have a lot of writing credits.

[01:06:07] Obviously she's a young kid, but if I heard someone like her singing with that much control and like the idea of a good pitch,

[01:06:15] I would probably ask her for her input in terms of like lyrical, like composition.

[01:06:21] But hey, she was young at the time and that's how things were back in the day.

[01:06:24] But I do wonder if at this point, like if she really did care about the whole singing about the love and how good it is and the boys, you know?

[01:06:31] I mean, I think every, almost every pop song was like this, you know, it's a cheesy love song.

[01:06:38] Yeah, it was valid.

[01:06:38] So I feel like it was just, yeah, I doubt she had any real input or thought on any of that.

[01:06:45] It's just like most songs were like this.

[01:06:47] You're right.

[01:06:47] Yeah, but I think this is a solid album track.

[01:06:50] I love it.

[01:06:51] I think Jeff, we like singing at karaoke the last time he went to karaoke.

[01:06:54] Get out of here.

[01:06:55] I think it's so much fun to sing because the lyrics are so insanely cheesy.

[01:07:00] Like if you just read it, it is so cheesy.

[01:07:04] But in her execution, in the melodic choices, in the more kind of R&B-ish production,

[01:07:11] it does all balance it out and it makes it a bit cooler than her.

[01:07:15] And again, her vocal execution is just, it's just so good.

[01:07:19] Like the use of the head voice and the verses, just all the power that she puts into it,

[01:07:23] all the textures that she can put into it.

[01:07:25] She really elevates a song that could have been mediocre, kind of like what we said for So Emotional.

[01:07:31] Yeah.

[01:07:32] And she makes it really good.

[01:07:34] She did include it on the set list for her tour.

[01:07:38] And so the Vancouver show was filmed and is available on YouTube for those that want to watch it.

[01:07:45] She did struggle a little bit through the song.

[01:07:47] It's towards the end of her set.

[01:07:49] So I think her voice was just a little bit tired, but I'm glad that it got, you know, it got an outing.

[01:07:54] I think it's a decent track.

[01:07:56] Yeah.

[01:07:57] It's definitely one of the more standouts, you know, of the non-singles on this album.

[01:08:02] You know, it's not like, I was thinking about it and like, I didn't really like love it when I listened to it again.

[01:08:10] But hearing you guys like talk about it, I'm actually not feeling as harsh as I did the other day.

[01:08:16] But, you know, it's like, it's like, it like, it has a purpose, right?

[01:08:22] Like you kind of, you can go back to it quickly.

[01:08:24] You know, you remember, oh, that's the song, rain in the summer, the sun in your spring or whatever it is, you know.

[01:08:29] And there's some very, you know, gospel-inspired moments like, when you're calm, it just, it's done from like, yeah, the head voices and things like that.

[01:08:40] Yeah, it's solid.

[01:08:41] And, you know, it was one of my standout ones, I think, when I first listened to it, like way back when.

[01:08:49] Just because like, I think I liked the theme.

[01:08:51] I think I, you know, it was much more of, definitely had much, created much more of an image than, you know, maybe some of the other songs did.

[01:08:59] But, yeah, you know, it's just very much of that era, you know, very much a solid, a higher quality than most B-side, I would say.

[01:09:10] Yes, I agree.

[01:09:11] So, yeah, I'll give it an eight.

[01:09:13] I enjoy it.

[01:09:14] Yeah, I think I scored it a lot higher than, not a lot higher, but I scored it higher than so emotional because I think it is better.

[01:09:19] So, I gave it an eight as well.

[01:09:22] I'll give it a seven.

[01:09:23] Right up next, we have Somebody, Somebody, and it was done by Diane Warren and Chris Kello.

[01:09:28] Yes.

[01:09:28] So, this one, the intro, honey, was a moment.

[01:09:35] Oof, and only a moment because after that, I was expecting something special to happen and never came back around.

[01:09:42] This one, the fall after love for all seasons, I don't, not my favorite.

[01:09:48] The production was fun-ish.

[01:09:51] And I think the ideas for the melodies throughout are cool, but it wasn't consistent enough for me to actually remember anything.

[01:09:57] For me, I just feel like the song ended up sounding like a 30 to like 40-year-old idea of what R&B sounds like for a 30-something-year-old artist who was coming back to appeal to 18-year-olds.

[01:10:09] So, like, it's okay.

[01:10:10] You know, like, I just feel like there's layers of just like ick for me.

[01:10:16] She sounds good.

[01:10:18] So, again, she's saving the track.

[01:10:20] Yeah.

[01:10:21] But for me, I just feel like the desperation on this one isn't justifiable with just her voice.

[01:10:28] Like, it's not warranted.

[01:10:29] Like, wanting to be someone, someone, and like, aspiring to be someone's girlfriend or lover is, the way it was translated in this song was kind of mid for me.

[01:10:37] But again, she sounds good.

[01:10:38] Just not good enough for me to be like, you know what, girl?

[01:10:41] You beg for that.

[01:10:42] You get that love.

[01:10:43] You know what?

[01:10:44] I get that.

[01:10:46] Oh, interesting.

[01:10:47] Because I listened to it.

[01:10:49] I listened to it today, actually, just like going back.

[01:10:51] Because, again, it's not like one that, like, I remember a ton, you know?

[01:10:55] But I was listening to it, and I was like, oh, this is, like, now I'm kind of wondering, like, who's right?

[01:11:01] Like, is it, I kind of took it as like a, okay, I could kind of see like a Monica or Brandy kind of doing this, like, song, like, of that time, you know?

[01:11:11] Like, late 90s R&B?

[01:11:12] Or is it more like what you said, Chan?

[01:11:14] Like, kind of like 30-year-old or 40-year-old trying to come back, you know, with the kids, trying to shake it.

[01:11:22] Shake it.

[01:11:23] Like, I think it's one of the stronger ones on this album in general.

[01:11:29] Maybe, like, probably, like, of, you know, if we're going to cut, like, six worst and six best songs, you know, this is like number six probably for me.

[01:11:38] And I say it, I think I give it a little extra point because it does have this cool outro that I forgot about.

[01:11:45] That's it.

[01:11:46] The outro and the intro, excuse me.

[01:11:49] Yes.

[01:11:49] And this, like, kind of, like, cool groovy thing that you don't really, like, it's not, it kind of comes out of nowhere.

[01:11:56] Like, it's long stops and then, like, and then just, like, this groove comes out.

[01:12:01] And I'm sure that was a lot of fun for her and, like, you know, kind of a treat, you know, they gave her.

[01:12:05] They're like, okay, yeah, I can do this.

[01:12:07] But, yeah, like, I don't know.

[01:12:09] I couldn't shake the idea that, like, yeah, Monica or Brandy would have, like, maybe had this track in another world or something.

[01:12:17] But it gets extra cool points from me for kind of having this little, like, outro moment where it seemed like they knew what they were getting at and what kind of groove they were trying to create.

[01:12:28] And, you know, to me, like, that kind of solidifies it as more of a standout.

[01:12:35] Hmm.

[01:12:36] Interesting.

[01:12:37] I think I'm more in line with Chantel on this one because I think it's also a sequencing thing where it is kind of similar in vibe to Love for All Seasons.

[01:12:48] And so it feels a little redundant, kind of this foreign to the album.

[01:12:56] But I do, I'm okay with the song.

[01:12:59] I think the production is quite distinctive of its time.

[01:13:02] Like, it's not aged well at all.

[01:13:04] I think it is the piano and its dynamic with kind of the synthetic bass that was just so common for the songs at that time.

[01:13:13] And it's just so prevalent in this.

[01:13:16] The chorus is catchy.

[01:13:17] You know, the somebody, somebody, someone, someone.

[01:13:20] Yeah.

[01:13:22] But melodically, it is a little filler-ish for me.

[01:13:26] It's just not as fun for me to sing along to, even if it is catchy.

[01:13:30] But yes, the one main positive I had is what you said, Jeff.

[01:13:34] It is that flinky, sensual outro.

[01:13:38] Yeah.

[01:13:38] And when I hear that, I imagine it as, on tour, like, that's the seed into the next section.

[01:13:49] So as that moment goes on, the band, she gets to ad-lib a little bit, then she disappears to do the next costume change.

[01:13:54] The band goes off.

[01:13:56] You get extra guitar solos.

[01:13:57] You get the background singers vibing.

[01:13:59] And you get this whole kind of dramatic extended outro into the next part of the tour of the concert.

[01:14:06] That's just my, like, creative brain that goes.

[01:14:08] She didn't really do that when she used the song on the tour.

[01:14:12] But that's actually what I envision this being, is like it was used as kind of like a seed in a more visual way.

[01:14:19] Yeah.

[01:14:20] Anyway, I think the song's okay.

[01:14:22] I will give it a seven.

[01:14:24] Yeah.

[01:14:25] Intro and outro aside, I have to give it the seven as well.

[01:14:31] Right in the middle.

[01:14:32] I'm going to give it a seven too.

[01:14:34] Yeah.

[01:14:35] Okay.

[01:14:36] Moving on to When You Put Your Hands On Me, which was done by Pro-J and a very young Robin Thicke.

[01:14:43] This one is so interesting to me because, like, I didn't even pick this up at the time.

[01:14:49] But, like, the bowcoder effects and, like, all the, you know, I'm pretty sure it's called a bowcoder.

[01:14:56] But, like, the auto-tunees kind of went on.

[01:14:59] Like, that, I don't ever remember her doing anything like that.

[01:15:03] And I go back to this album, you know, years later and, you know, whatever it was a couple weeks ago.

[01:15:08] And I'm like, she did that?

[01:15:11] Like, they made her do that?

[01:15:12] Like, it was definitely something of the time, you know?

[01:15:15] Like, it was definitely, like, probably some Spice Girl records that had it and, you know, things like that.

[01:15:20] But I did not remember Christian Anguilera having, like, the effects, you know?

[01:15:27] So it was almost like a shock to me to go back to that and be like, she did that?

[01:15:32] Yeah, I actually hate all that bowcodering.

[01:15:35] I feel like it was just completely unnecessary in this song because I feel like the ad-libs that they chose to put it on, I don't know, they just felt random to me.

[01:15:43] Because it's not like she can't do those runs.

[01:15:46] It's like, I don't know.

[01:15:47] It wasn't, like, a creatively interesting idea or anything like that.

[01:15:52] Right.

[01:15:53] But, yeah, I think the song was interesting.

[01:15:55] It does feel like a very natural bridge to what she would eventually do for Stripped, right?

[01:16:02] Because it is a little bit more mature.

[01:16:04] It is sexier and a little bit more in-your-face sexier.

[01:16:09] Not as like, oh, I'm a virgin, as kind of some of the other stuff is.

[01:16:14] So, yeah, I appreciate it for that.

[01:16:16] I think I like it a lot more now than I did when I was younger.

[01:16:21] Maybe because it does appeal to, like, a slightly more mature audience.

[01:16:25] But I do enjoy the production other than the vocoder because it has that signature kind of R&B processed guitar.

[01:16:35] It's got that very typical R&B kind of bass line as well.

[01:16:40] The chorus is great.

[01:16:41] Very, very catchy.

[01:16:43] There's tons of layers with the background vocals.

[01:16:47] And then the ad-libs almost turn into their own hook by the end as well.

[01:16:51] So, yeah, I love this one.

[01:16:52] This is one, I think this one is the one that has grown on me the most through the years.

[01:16:57] Yeah, I think for me, aside from the robot trying to hack her, I think the song is good.

[01:17:05] But, yeah, I think the bridge transition is probably my favorite in the song because it's so ooey gooey.

[01:17:10] But, again, that robot trying to hack the mainframe.

[01:17:13] I was like, girl, what's going on?

[01:17:15] Why did y'all do that?

[01:17:16] Because everything up until that point, I was like, okay, yeah, the ad-libs.

[01:17:19] And she's saying it.

[01:17:20] It's like, ooh.

[01:17:21] I was like, ooh, hello.

[01:17:24] The bridges are good on this album.

[01:17:25] I don't think I've said it.

[01:17:26] But the album, the songs that are quote-unquote weaker thrive when she gets to open her mouth and just sing.

[01:17:34] I love it.

[01:17:35] I'm happy about it.

[01:17:37] But the lyrics, I think, are probably some of the more fitting ones as well, considering what they're about.

[01:17:43] Like about not experiencing life and having someone special.

[01:17:46] You know, not experiencing life, but feeling something special when you have someone that you love touching you and you're feeling things as a woman.

[01:17:53] So I think that's an interesting approach, especially for that age range because you can relate to that.

[01:17:57] You're like, oh, my God, never been in love before.

[01:17:59] I like this.

[01:18:00] Because, like, I'm grown, but I'm not that grown.

[01:18:02] Oh, my gosh.

[01:18:02] But without making it sound sleazy.

[01:18:04] And I think that's very important.

[01:18:05] So shout out to the songwriters.

[01:18:07] Go off.

[01:18:09] And it's perfect for the demo that she's trying to appeal to.

[01:18:12] I think it is a good R&B, hip-hop kind of inspired track.

[01:18:17] And it allowed her to lean into that.

[01:18:19] It would have been interesting if she was, like, if she was allowed to lean into the R&B side.

[01:18:24] Like, say if they were like, let's just A-B test this.

[01:18:26] Let's see what happens.

[01:18:27] We're going to release this.

[01:18:28] We're going to release that and see what happens.

[01:18:29] Because they definitely were pushing her Apollo, the BET award.

[01:18:32] She sang the Whitney.

[01:18:33] The first BET award.

[01:18:34] She did the Whitney tribute.

[01:18:35] So it wasn't like they weren't considering her opinion.

[01:18:38] I just wonder if this would have been, like, one of her singles if she was released as an urban artist.

[01:18:43] You know, like Christina.

[01:18:44] Like, just Christina.

[01:18:47] Xtina.

[01:18:48] Xtina.

[01:18:49] Yeah, before the Xtina.

[01:18:49] You know what I'm saying?

[01:18:50] Or the K.

[01:18:51] You got to do something to make it look urban.

[01:18:53] So I do wonder if this would have been, like, a little.

[01:18:56] I personally would not have been upset if she was like, my name is Christina or whatever.

[01:18:59] And, like, release this.

[01:19:01] Shoot.

[01:19:01] This could have been a single.

[01:19:02] Right?

[01:19:03] This could have been a single.

[01:19:03] I think it would have been cute if they would have been like, listen, let's make her appeal to the blacks.

[01:19:06] I think this would have been decent for that.

[01:19:10] 8.5.

[01:19:10] 8.5.

[01:19:11] Yeah.

[01:19:11] A 6.5 for me.

[01:19:13] Really?

[01:19:15] I figured.

[01:19:16] I mean, comparatively.

[01:19:18] I mean, if I'm giving Jeannie a 7.

[01:19:19] And maybe I do need to.

[01:19:21] I mean, this sounds bad now.

[01:19:23] I'm like, oh, my God.

[01:19:25] But, you know, I don't know.

[01:19:28] It's on the lower side for me.

[01:19:30] And just kind of feels a little corny, you know, just in comparison.

[01:19:35] A little valid.

[01:19:36] Yeah.

[01:19:37] That's valid.

[01:19:38] Super valid.

[01:19:39] Yeah.

[01:19:39] So, I think if I was my 8-year-old self or 9-year-old self listening to this, I would also probably give it something lower.

[01:19:46] But I actually really like it as an adult.

[01:19:49] So, I will give it a 9.

[01:19:51] I'm crying.

[01:19:52] My 8-year-old self.

[01:19:53] It's actually being mean as a kid.

[01:19:55] It's like I don't get this song.

[01:19:57] Fully.

[01:19:57] Okay.

[01:19:59] Being back harsher.

[01:20:00] You guys are coming back, like, with newfound love.

[01:20:03] I'm like, what?

[01:20:04] I am.

[01:20:05] I actually have rediscovered this album since this 20th anniversary.

[01:20:08] I renewed my vows recently.

[01:20:12] You know, but for me, I think my sensibilities, I'm leaning a little bit more toward it as well.

[01:20:17] I guess that robot hack, not so much.

[01:20:20] So, it's sitting in the 8 range for me, for sure.

[01:20:22] And we keep it.

[01:20:23] Anna?

[01:20:24] But this next song, boy.

[01:20:26] Okay.

[01:20:26] But getting on to the next song, Blessed.

[01:20:29] It was written by Trevon Potts and Brock Walsh.

[01:20:33] Chris, what did you think about this one?

[01:20:36] It's okay.

[01:20:38] Vibe-wise, it kind of reminds me of Angel of Mine.

[01:20:40] A little bit.

[01:20:41] It's that very typical gospel pop crossover mid-tempo track.

[01:20:47] You know, that a lot of these R&B ladies were doing at the time.

[01:20:51] And R&B men.

[01:20:52] But I don't know.

[01:20:53] I just picture the ladies.

[01:20:54] The ladies, for sure.

[01:20:57] I don't have that much to say about this song.

[01:20:59] I think the melody is pretty, it's a tad boring.

[01:21:03] It just kind of plods along and it doesn't really build or go anywhere.

[01:21:07] I think, again, her vocal is nice.

[01:21:09] Like, she sounds super warm in it.

[01:21:11] But this is not a song that I often choose to listen to.

[01:21:17] You know, it's a nice ballad.

[01:21:19] You know, I think it fit with the theme, you know?

[01:21:22] Like, blessed, you know?

[01:21:25] Thankful, you know?

[01:21:26] R&B sounds.

[01:21:27] You know, it just, it works, you know?

[01:21:30] It works for what it is.

[01:21:31] She sounds really young on this song.

[01:21:34] Like, I bet this was one of, like, the first songs that they recorded.

[01:21:37] Because, like, even if you compare, like, the vocal on blessed, I think it is.

[01:21:41] I'm pretty sure it is, yeah, blessed to, like, I turn to you.

[01:21:44] Like, it used to even sound, like, very, like, young.

[01:21:48] Or, like, I don't know if it's just, like, I don't know if it was an age thing.

[01:21:52] Or just, like, maybe even, like, it was one of the first times in the studio or something like that.

[01:21:56] But, you know, even just, like, the performance itself.

[01:22:00] It just, you know, it's cute.

[01:22:02] It definitely works, you know, for, like, creating this kind of image.

[01:22:06] You know, a pop, teen pop image at the time.

[01:22:08] But it doesn't do a lot, you know?

[01:22:11] I think it's better than when you put your hands on me.

[01:22:15] But that's just me.

[01:22:18] You know, this one was, like, I feel like there was a mandate in the 90s, like, 2000s era to have, like, a saved, anointed, blessed to the oldest son song.

[01:22:27] Like, it was just always there.

[01:22:30] It was, like, or I heard the album, the execs are asking, is there one for the purity ring crowd?

[01:22:34] And I feel like this song is one of those, like, for the purity ring crowd, which is fine.

[01:22:39] But, again, it just doesn't make sense.

[01:22:43] It makes sense.

[01:22:44] It's for, like, middle America.

[01:22:46] You know?

[01:22:47] So, I mean, granted, the song was more about her talking to a lover being an answer to a prayer than an actual prayer.

[01:22:51] But it's still in the same vein.

[01:22:53] And I'm sorry, but this is not the best of that particular sound, that particular vein of music.

[01:22:59] The whole, like, you know, say the knowing, blessed to the oldest son.

[01:23:01] It does not have that, like, the effectiveness of an angel of mine.

[01:23:06] Oh, yeah.

[01:23:07] Of anything remotely similar to this.

[01:23:09] Anything that Mariah would do on her own, essentially.

[01:23:11] I think the melody is okay.

[01:23:13] And the chorus is just lame.

[01:23:15] There isn't any effort.

[01:23:17] It's just lame.

[01:23:18] The way the bridge just comes around for the ending.

[01:23:21] Lame.

[01:23:22] If you couldn't tell, the song's called Lame.

[01:23:23] I don't like how they kept saying, blessed.

[01:23:26] Here is a melodic phrase.

[01:23:28] Blessed.

[01:23:29] And I was like, no.

[01:23:31] If we're going to do a gospel song, actually get people who write gospel.

[01:23:33] Because pots and walls, it's not giving, we grew up in the church.

[01:23:36] No offense to y'all.

[01:23:37] But that's not okay.

[01:23:38] So, that being said, my score's low.

[01:23:42] Okay, what did you give it?

[01:23:43] That five.

[01:23:44] I'm done.

[01:23:45] I'm out.

[01:23:47] Okay, I'll be a little nicer and I'll go with six.

[01:23:49] I'll go to five.

[01:23:51] Sorry.

[01:23:51] I'll probably give it a, well, maybe like five.

[01:23:54] Five.

[01:23:55] Wait, what did I give?

[01:23:56] You can win your hands on me.

[01:23:57] Can you give it that a six?

[01:23:59] Yeah.

[01:23:59] I just said it's better than when your hands are.

[01:24:02] After talking, it's a 5.5 now.

[01:24:05] So.

[01:24:05] Okay.

[01:24:05] It's okay.

[01:24:07] You know what?

[01:24:08] I got confused in my rankings.

[01:24:10] Like, I like, I don't know when I wrote this ranking, but.

[01:24:12] It's okay.

[01:24:13] It's okay.

[01:24:13] Because there's been, there's been episodes where I've been like, I don't like this.

[01:24:17] Weeks later, I'm like, I made a mistake.

[01:24:19] I made a mistake.

[01:24:20] It's permanent now.

[01:24:21] We're going to hate you.

[01:24:22] On that, I'm like, oh, I'm such a hater.

[01:24:25] Yeah, no, legit.

[01:24:25] I've been called a Beyonce hater because of some very like harsh comments I've made.

[01:24:29] Moving on to track 11, we have Love Will Find A Way, which was done by Evan Rogers and Carl Sturkin.

[01:24:37] Okay, Chantel.

[01:24:38] What do you think of this diva pop song?

[01:24:41] You know what's so funny?

[01:24:42] I almost forgot what the hell the song went.

[01:24:44] I'm so sorry.

[01:24:45] No.

[01:24:46] Rude.

[01:24:46] I love this song.

[01:24:47] No, no, no, no, no.

[01:24:48] Hear me out.

[01:24:48] Hear me out.

[01:24:49] Hear me out.

[01:24:49] I said almost because I keep thinking about blessed.

[01:24:52] I just was like stuck on that.

[01:24:54] So yeah, this one is definitely Mimi inspired for sure.

[01:24:58] Again, there's nothing wrong with being Mariah inspired.

[01:25:00] She liked Mariah Carey.

[01:25:01] That's like us being like Ariana Grande sounds like Mariah Carey.

[01:25:05] People are like, no, she doesn't.

[01:25:06] She does.

[01:25:07] It's okay.

[01:25:07] Mariah was a freaking brilliant thought.

[01:25:10] So I think the punchiness of the drums and the bounce of the bass line is so good.

[01:25:15] So following the formula that worked already, not a bad idea.

[01:25:19] An even better idea is not releasing this as a single because then she would have got slotted as a Mariah copycat along with being, is she kind of like Britney?

[01:25:28] So good for them for not doing it, but good for them for having on the album.

[01:25:31] So this song also reminds me of another black singer from the time period, but I cannot quite put my finger on it.

[01:25:37] There's something about it that just reminds me melodically of an R&B act that I know of.

[01:25:42] The song is super sweet.

[01:25:44] It does lyrically what the other upbeat tracks do not, I would say.

[01:25:49] Like it's like the whole fight for the love.

[01:25:50] Ignore what people say.

[01:25:51] Let's live together happily.

[01:25:52] Everything else is very much like when you touch me, baby, come over to my house, baby.

[01:25:55] You can't touch me, baby.

[01:25:57] Give me what I want, baby.

[01:25:57] But this one's more like, we can do it together, baby.

[01:26:00] And I can appreciate that.

[01:26:02] And I think the bridge I gravitated to because it sounded like so much like DeBarge's I Like.

[01:26:10] The I want you, I need you, we got it, you know it.

[01:26:13] And I was like, oh my God, it's DeBarge.

[01:26:15] And I like it.

[01:26:16] For those who don't know or are too young to know DeBarge, sibling group very similar to Jackson 5.

[01:26:21] And they have a song called I Like.

[01:26:23] And literally the bridge is the same melody.

[01:26:26] So yeah, I definitely liked this song.

[01:26:29] I think it's a good closer because if Bless would have closed out this album, I would have been like.

[01:26:32] It's not the closer.

[01:26:35] It's not the closer.

[01:26:36] Second to last closer song to the album.

[01:26:38] Close, excuse me, sorry.

[01:26:39] Because if Bless would have been the closer or the second to last closer.

[01:26:42] You know how I feel about those last few songs.

[01:26:45] You know how I get.

[01:26:46] If the last few songs start to suck, my scores will show it.

[01:26:50] And I'll get mean.

[01:26:51] So this is a good one, I think.

[01:26:53] Yes, no, definitely.

[01:26:55] I feel like where it is in the sequence makes it almost better because it is slotted in between these two kind of slower songs.

[01:27:02] But I think also looking in the context of the album, Come On Over is kind of the only other super bright, kind of just really joyful pop song.

[01:27:13] So I think it was good to have one more of those on this album just to kind of balance it out a little bit.

[01:27:20] But yeah, definitely very Mariah.

[01:27:23] Like it sounds like emotions.

[01:27:24] It sounds like a lot of her more upbeat tracks.

[01:27:27] Fantasy, yeah.

[01:27:28] But I mean that in a great way, right?

[01:27:30] Like it's super, super catchy.

[01:27:31] And she, again, like we've been saying, her voice is so distinctive that she is able to make it her own.

[01:27:37] And it doesn't sound like she's trying to sing it like Mariah.

[01:27:41] Yes.

[01:27:42] She has those influences naturally in the way she sings.

[01:27:45] But she's not.

[01:27:46] It's not like it was a Mariah demo.

[01:27:48] And then she just kind of did it the way Mariah would do it.

[01:27:51] She still made it her own, which I appreciate.

[01:27:53] But yeah, this is just one that I also can sing every single run to.

[01:27:59] Like I actually, this is just ingrained in my brain.

[01:28:02] Because I loved this one as a kid too.

[01:28:04] And so it's just, it'll be there forever.

[01:28:08] So cute.

[01:28:09] I went back to it like recently and I'm like, I do not really remember this one.

[01:28:14] And I think this is the one I actually meant to like rank the lowest just going back.

[01:28:19] Yeah, again, I didn't like hate it or anything like that.

[01:28:23] Or, but I think, you know what?

[01:28:26] I always, doesn't Sling Dion have a song called Love Will Find A Way?

[01:28:31] I think so.

[01:28:33] Someone does.

[01:28:34] I think I always got those.

[01:28:35] I always like remember this one as being like more gospel-y and things like that.

[01:28:39] Lion King?

[01:28:40] Like Kyle Richie?

[01:28:41] Yes.

[01:28:42] I cannot remember.

[01:28:43] But I always, or maybe I thought, I was thinking of Love Can Move Mountains.

[01:28:49] Which sounds nothing like this song.

[01:28:54] But similar themes, you know?

[01:28:56] So like, because didn't Christina also cover Love Will Move Mountains or Love Can Climb Every Mountain?

[01:29:01] Now I'm really going all over the place.

[01:29:03] Climb Every Mountain is a different song from Love Can Move Mountains.

[01:29:06] But Christina, I think she, maybe on the Mickey Mouse Club saying this.

[01:29:10] From what I can see from my Google.

[01:29:14] Dionne Warwick has a song called Love Will Find A Way.

[01:29:16] Honestly, it's a mystery.

[01:29:19] But if you guys know in the comments, if you have made it that far, make sure you subscribe to CCTV Pops.

[01:29:23] And leave in the comment, what does this song remind you of?

[01:29:25] Because obviously we are all having a fight.

[01:29:28] So leave in the comments.

[01:29:29] Thank you.

[01:29:30] Going back to it, I was like, oh yeah, bless.

[01:29:33] And this song.

[01:29:34] And then ending with obvious.

[01:29:35] Like I was like, okay.

[01:29:37] I see why they kind of like went back for like the slightly, you know, give it a little more, you know, joyful kick pep up before like we ended.

[01:29:45] Because, you know, I think what we all remember, especially at that time.

[01:29:48] And this is definitely something that K-pop did for a while too.

[01:29:50] You know, just kind of ending, you know, slow, slowly, you know, bring it down tempo and end it here.

[01:29:56] So I thought it was a very appropriate ending for a 1999 album, you know, to have this mid-track.

[01:30:03] You know, I don't think it's like anything I'm writing home about anytime soon.

[01:30:08] But, you know, it's interesting to hear the themes or the memories that people have.

[01:30:15] But yeah, just coming back to it today, I'm like, I don't know.

[01:30:19] I really, I don't know what song I'm thinking of.

[01:30:22] But yeah.

[01:30:23] Leave me a comment, y'all.

[01:30:24] Move mountains or climb every mountain or love.

[01:30:28] Ain't no mountain high enough.

[01:30:29] I know, right?

[01:30:30] It's about mountains in the song, I guess.

[01:30:34] Okay.

[01:30:34] So what do you rate this one then, Jeff?

[01:30:36] I think I have to give this one like a five.

[01:30:39] No!

[01:30:40] I'm sorry, Chris.

[01:30:42] I'm sorry.

[01:30:42] Oh my God.

[01:30:42] I love this song.

[01:30:45] It just doesn't, not it for me.

[01:30:49] Chris, you sounded really shocked.

[01:30:50] This is why we love discussing music because we all have different opinions.

[01:30:53] That's what makes it so fun to talk about.

[01:30:55] No, Chris, what's your answer?

[01:30:57] Because the gas is so funny.

[01:30:58] No, okay.

[01:30:58] I'll give it an 8.5.

[01:31:00] It's, I mean, it's not like it's the best thing ever, but I do love it.

[01:31:03] And it is hard for me not to have my nostalgia creep in here.

[01:31:08] I'm going to give it an 8.

[01:31:09] I'm going to give it an 8.

[01:31:11] All right.

[01:31:12] Last.

[01:31:13] Finally.

[01:31:13] Sorry.

[01:31:14] I do this every episode, though.

[01:31:16] Like, I'll sit there and be like, yeah, the last track.

[01:31:18] And you're like, it's not the last track.

[01:31:19] But we are finally here at the last track.

[01:31:21] And it is obvious.

[01:31:23] And this was done by Heather Hawley, Christina Aguilera, and Rob Hoffman.

[01:31:28] All right.

[01:31:30] This track is a good one.

[01:31:32] Hey, Jeff.

[01:31:33] What do you think about Obvious?

[01:31:36] Yeah.

[01:31:37] I remember, I actually always thought Bless was the last song on the album for a while.

[01:31:42] Because, like, it just kind of seems like it should be the last one, you know?

[01:31:45] Like, I'm blessed.

[01:31:46] It's the final message I'm leaving you with, you know?

[01:31:50] The anniversary special is what brought me back to Obvious.

[01:31:54] Because, yeah, again, she never performed it on tour.

[01:31:58] You know, a big thing was that this was the first time ever performing it, right?

[01:32:02] And I'm like, yeah, like, this is a really solid track.

[01:32:08] Like, this is a good track.

[01:32:11] And, you know, great lyrics, right?

[01:32:13] Like, even just questioning oneself.

[01:32:15] Again, going back to this idea of, like, reflection and whatnot.

[01:32:18] Like, and hearing her sing it, like, as this, like, woman, you know, now, like, 25 years later.

[01:32:24] Word.

[01:32:24] And also knowing that, like, this was the demo they were shopping her around with.

[01:32:30] You know, that's added to it a bit more.

[01:32:32] But, yeah, maybe it was just, like, totally, like, it could have even been, like, a sequencing thing, right?

[01:32:37] Because back in the day, right?

[01:32:39] You kind of just put on albums and played them through, you know?

[01:32:44] So how many times did you ever get to, like, you know, track number 12?

[01:32:48] You know, I remember, like, total side note, but I remember loving If You Can't Dance by the Spice Girls on their first album.

[01:32:54] It was the last track.

[01:32:55] So I was always, like, needing to run back into the room and turn it, you know, get the album going again.

[01:33:03] So just for whatever reason, I just, I really don't remember it.

[01:33:06] Probably because, again, she never performed it.

[01:33:08] But hearing these stories and hearing it back again, like, it really holds up.

[01:33:13] And it's a good song.

[01:33:14] I think it's actually, like, kind of one of the better B-sides for sure.

[01:33:18] Album tracks, whatever.

[01:33:21] This one is so well written in terms of articulating one's thoughts about life.

[01:33:27] And I think it's really mature in tone.

[01:33:31] I'm not sure what her mindset was at the time, but I could imagine hearing the song, like, being heard.

[01:33:38] Like, I want to show people I can really sing.

[01:33:39] And then hearing Jeannie in a bottle and then being, like, almost kind of relieved that this is a closing track.

[01:33:44] Because it's not about a guy.

[01:33:45] It's not about how she looks.

[01:33:47] It's about how she feels.

[01:33:48] And she can articulate that through her vocals.

[01:33:52] The song is quite, I don't know, not bare, bare.

[01:33:55] But it's, like, it's bare enough for you to just actually appreciate what she's doing with her voice.

[01:33:59] And I appreciate the use of the title being a little bit more creative than Bless.

[01:34:04] Good God.

[01:34:05] Like, my big thing is, like, if you're going to write a song with the title being a one word, it doesn't have to be the...

[01:34:10] Y'all need to hear it 50-11 times.

[01:34:11] That's just my beef.

[01:34:12] But I agree with all what you guys are saying.

[01:34:15] I think against the other ballads present on the album, though, it does pale in comparison to the other ballads.

[01:34:21] It's kind of hard to beat Reflection.

[01:34:23] But even with the other ones, I'm like, not a bad closer.

[01:34:26] But just not as strong as the other ballads on the album.

[01:34:30] But respectful ending.

[01:34:32] And, like...

[01:34:33] Yes.

[01:34:33] Respectable, to me.

[01:34:34] Respectable ending.

[01:34:35] So I like that because of that.

[01:34:37] So, yeah, I think this is a really pretty track.

[01:34:39] I think her execution is so good in it.

[01:34:42] Like you both said, it does sound quite mature.

[01:34:46] So almost, like, hearing her sing it live now, it does hit a little harder.

[01:34:51] And it does feel like it could be in a musical.

[01:34:54] Just with the way that it was written.

[01:34:56] Like, it's super dramatic.

[01:34:58] It feels very internal.

[01:34:59] Like, you can just see a character just, like, going off on it.

[01:35:03] Like, on stage in a musical.

[01:35:05] This definitely...

[01:35:06] I agree with you, Jeff.

[01:35:07] I definitely did not get this song as a kid.

[01:35:10] Like, it was definitely like...

[01:35:11] Okay, the song...

[01:35:12] The album's over.

[01:35:13] After Love Will Find Away.

[01:35:14] You know?

[01:35:14] I was just like, okay, there's a boring ballad at the end.

[01:35:17] But, for something, last it was over at the end.

[01:35:21] Which they would have missed out because Love Will Find Away is awesome.

[01:35:23] But anyway, I do appreciate Obvious more now.

[01:35:27] I think the bridge is so good with the way it picks up and it gets...

[01:35:31] The climax is very, very satisfying.

[01:35:34] But, as I said earlier, she has so many good ballads just across her discography.

[01:35:39] And also on the album, like you said, Shan.

[01:35:41] And so, this isn't up there for me.

[01:35:44] Like, this isn't one that I would pick out from that list.

[01:35:49] But, yeah, sure.

[01:35:51] Respectable ending.

[01:35:52] You know that spell?

[01:35:53] Yeah.

[01:35:53] So, yeah.

[01:35:54] I'll give it a 7.

[01:35:56] Yeah, I'm gonna match it with a 7.

[01:35:58] I know Christina loves this song.

[01:35:59] Like, she personally picked this one out.

[01:36:01] But I think it's just sitting at a 7.

[01:36:04] Not bad.

[01:36:05] It's just not like, wow.

[01:36:07] I'm gonna give it 7.58.

[01:36:09] Maybe even.

[01:36:10] Well, that concludes the standard album track list.

[01:36:15] Of course, there are a couple B-sides.

[01:36:18] So, if you would like to hear us discuss,

[01:36:20] We're a Miracle, Don't Make Me Love You,

[01:36:22] and Too Beautiful for Words,

[01:36:24] you will have to join us over on Patreon at patreon.com

[01:36:28] slash cztvpops.

[01:36:30] So, before we get to that...

[01:36:33] Yes.

[01:36:34] That's right.

[01:36:34] But before we get to that,

[01:36:36] we do have our cut or keep section.

[01:36:38] If you had to keep.

[01:36:40] Only one song from this album.

[01:36:42] Every other song disappears from existence.

[01:36:45] You can only save one.

[01:36:47] What would it be and why?

[01:36:50] Well, there's so many ways to interpret this.

[01:36:55] Personally, I think it would be I Turn To You,

[01:36:58] just because it was the song that made me a fan.

[01:37:00] But, I mean, Come On Over Baby also, like,

[01:37:03] just, I think, represents, and it's just such a great pop song.

[01:37:06] But Jeannie and the Model obviously set in motion so many things.

[01:37:11] But, you know, I guess if I'm taking all that into consideration,

[01:37:13] I guess it would be I Turn To You because it establishes her.

[01:37:19] It's a good song.

[01:37:20] You know, it shows who she is and, you know,

[01:37:23] set her on a course to, you know, get to the next level.

[01:37:27] So, it sounds a bit odd to say, like,

[01:37:31] in the context of her whole career.

[01:37:33] But I'm going to go with I Turn To You.

[01:37:36] Or maybe What A Girl Wants.

[01:37:38] I don't know.

[01:37:38] No, you made your choice.

[01:37:39] Too bad.

[01:37:40] Chantelle, how about you?

[01:37:42] It's okay.

[01:37:42] He does it to me, too.

[01:37:43] I would have said Come On Over.

[01:37:47] But we're talking about the album.

[01:37:48] Like, we're not talking about the single version that got revamped.

[01:37:51] So, I can't say that.

[01:37:52] So, I'm going to say What A Girl Wants

[01:37:53] because you get textures of her voice

[01:37:55] that the buildup in the end,

[01:37:58] the bridge has a switch that is present

[01:38:00] in the single version of a switch up

[01:38:04] that is present in Come On Over.

[01:38:06] So, I think that song for what it was,

[01:38:08] what they released,

[01:38:09] without having to go back and fixing,

[01:38:11] solid.

[01:38:12] So, What A Girl Wants.

[01:38:13] You're forgetting that there was an album version

[01:38:15] of What A Girl Wants as well.

[01:38:17] Yes, they did reprint the album

[01:38:19] to include that version on it.

[01:38:21] Anyway, I will pick Come On Over

[01:38:23] because they did also put the single version

[01:38:25] on the deluxe version.

[01:38:27] This doesn't matter.

[01:38:29] We're talking, like,

[01:38:29] they're still the same song.

[01:38:31] I'm just saying, okay,

[01:38:33] well, my point is,

[01:38:34] I'm still going to pick What A Girl Wants

[01:38:36] because I just think, even still,

[01:38:38] I like it.

[01:38:39] So, it's just so funny.

[01:38:41] I will for sure pick Come On Over, Baby.

[01:38:44] All I want is you.

[01:38:46] I think it's, yeah,

[01:38:48] like we've been saying,

[01:38:49] it's a perfect, perfect pop song.

[01:38:51] How do?

[01:38:51] Yeah.

[01:38:52] No, it doesn't.

[01:38:53] That's a little much.

[01:38:53] That's why a single version

[01:38:54] ended up on the album.

[01:38:55] It's fine.

[01:38:56] You're right.

[01:38:56] It was just so funny

[01:38:57] because you were like,

[01:38:57] actually, and I was like,

[01:38:58] wait, he's right.

[01:38:59] He's right.

[01:39:00] No, I'm not actually mad.

[01:39:01] It's just so funny.

[01:39:03] He was like, first of all,

[01:39:04] I'm going to pick it.

[01:39:05] That's all, yeah.

[01:39:07] Okay, so.

[01:39:09] Opposite question, Ben.

[01:39:11] You have to cut a song from this album.

[01:39:14] What would you cut, Jeff?

[01:39:19] Well.

[01:39:20] Well.

[01:39:21] Well.

[01:39:21] Lots of choices for you.

[01:39:23] Oh, apparently.

[01:39:26] I mean, well, it's like,

[01:39:29] I feel like I have a different take on everything

[01:39:31] after our discussion now.

[01:39:33] Oh, yeah.

[01:39:34] Yeah.

[01:39:34] It would probably be like,

[01:39:36] I mean, Love Will Find A Way

[01:39:38] or When You Put Your Hands On Me

[01:39:39] were probably what I would have gone to originally.

[01:39:42] But maybe it would be Blast Starved.

[01:39:47] Because Chan made such a good argument against it.

[01:39:50] I really didn't like Love Will Find A Way

[01:39:52] or like, I don't know.

[01:39:54] I listened to When You Put Your Hands On Me today

[01:39:55] and I didn't like it.

[01:39:56] So maybe.

[01:39:59] Let's go with Love Will Find.

[01:40:01] No, let's go with Blast.

[01:40:03] Blast.

[01:40:03] Okay.

[01:40:04] No, I forgot.

[01:40:04] Or maybe Obvious.

[01:40:06] Boy, make a decision.

[01:40:09] So emotional.

[01:40:10] Just kidding.

[01:40:12] If I had to re-put out that album today

[01:40:15] and I had to remove something from the time,

[01:40:18] you know, they can have their Obvious

[01:40:19] as like their little demo moment.

[01:40:21] We don't need Obvious on the album, I guess.

[01:40:24] Okay.

[01:40:25] That's my safe answer.

[01:40:26] Okay.

[01:40:28] Yeah, I think Blast is for me the obvious answer.

[01:40:32] But for redundancy purposes,

[01:40:34] I would maybe actually cut somebody somebody.

[01:40:38] Oh.

[01:40:39] Oh.

[01:40:40] I was thinking about that one.

[01:40:42] But I'll be the one that actually cut it

[01:40:44] because everyone's not trying to cut Blast.

[01:40:45] I mean, it's pretty obvious.

[01:40:47] It doesn't need to be there.

[01:40:48] It's very much unnecessary.

[01:40:49] So, toodles.

[01:40:51] Lame.

[01:40:54] Okay.

[01:40:55] So, looking back on this album,

[01:40:58] like I've been saying,

[01:40:59] it's really hard for me not to be super subjective with it

[01:41:03] because I just have really good memories of this album

[01:41:07] and it was part of my discovery of my love for music as a kid.

[01:41:12] And I've just,

[01:41:13] I've loved listening to it kind of nonstop this past week

[01:41:16] to prepare for this episode.

[01:41:18] And like I said,

[01:41:19] I watched that 25th anniversary special so many times.

[01:41:22] I'm ready to watch it again tonight before we go to bed.

[01:41:26] Like,

[01:41:26] I think this album is just so good for that time.

[01:41:30] I know she felt that she was creatively stifled

[01:41:33] or that she didn't really get to show what she can do.

[01:41:36] But I think as a debut solo album,

[01:41:38] it did such a great job establishing her.

[01:41:42] Like,

[01:41:42] I don't know if I would have embraced Stripped

[01:41:44] the same way I would have

[01:41:46] if I didn't start with this album,

[01:41:48] you know?

[01:41:49] So,

[01:41:50] yeah,

[01:41:50] I think it's perfect.

[01:41:51] And I hope that she looks back on it

[01:41:53] and actually does like more of these songs.

[01:41:57] I'm glad she celebrated it at all.

[01:41:59] Yeah.

[01:41:59] Yes.

[01:42:00] Jeff?

[01:42:01] Yeah.

[01:42:01] I mean,

[01:42:02] you know,

[01:42:03] in the greater context of everything,

[01:42:06] you know,

[01:42:06] it like,

[01:42:07] it's true.

[01:42:07] Like,

[01:42:08] it isn't,

[01:42:08] it's far,

[01:42:10] barely,

[01:42:11] you know,

[01:42:11] doesn't even compare to what I love

[01:42:13] from what Christina would eventually put out.

[01:42:17] But,

[01:42:18] you know,

[01:42:18] I think,

[01:42:19] I don't know,

[01:42:19] there's like this like appreciation,

[01:42:21] I guess,

[01:42:22] for,

[01:42:22] you know,

[01:42:22] where it started

[01:42:24] and where,

[01:42:24] where things came from.

[01:42:26] I don't know,

[01:42:26] to me,

[01:42:27] I go back and forth with like,

[01:42:29] and I'm sure she does too,

[01:42:30] with like her relationship with this.

[01:42:31] Cause I remember around like Bionic times

[01:42:35] or when Bionic,

[01:42:36] you know,

[01:42:36] the,

[01:42:36] the,

[01:42:38] the fourth album,

[01:42:39] I guess,

[01:42:40] was being promoted.

[01:42:41] You know,

[01:42:41] she was started like kind of going,

[01:42:43] you know,

[01:42:43] she was saying how she has,

[01:42:45] you know,

[01:42:45] different feelings about that,

[01:42:46] you know,

[01:42:46] the debut album.

[01:42:47] She,

[01:42:47] she would perform what a girl wants on stage again

[01:42:50] and things like that.

[01:42:51] And I'd be like,

[01:42:52] whoa,

[01:42:52] hold on.

[01:42:53] Why are you going backwards?

[01:42:54] Like,

[01:42:54] you know,

[01:42:55] like,

[01:42:56] please,

[01:42:56] we've moved on.

[01:42:57] But,

[01:42:57] you know,

[01:42:58] I,

[01:42:59] I,

[01:42:59] I guess I get it.

[01:43:00] And I,

[01:43:01] and I don't get it.

[01:43:02] It's,

[01:43:02] and,

[01:43:02] you know,

[01:43:02] I think there's,

[01:43:03] there's ways to appreciate the music for what it is.

[01:43:05] Right.

[01:43:05] I didn't actually mention it when we were talking,

[01:43:07] but I loved,

[01:43:09] and I sort of wish we got back to it.

[01:43:12] I wish she had done this on the Spotify session or something.

[01:43:15] The sort of R and B remake she did have come on over.

[01:43:21] While she was promoting stripped,

[01:43:22] you know,

[01:43:22] she did that on the tour.

[01:43:24] She did that in promotional appearances.

[01:43:26] Like she kind of was able to throw it back a little bit,

[01:43:29] but also show like,

[01:43:31] I'm doing something new.

[01:43:32] I'm doing something,

[01:43:32] you know,

[01:43:33] more mature.

[01:43:34] And I really liked that version.

[01:43:36] Cause it's just so nice.

[01:43:38] And,

[01:43:38] and kind of,

[01:43:39] I think is a really nice way to kind of honor where you've been,

[01:43:43] but also,

[01:43:44] you know,

[01:43:44] say that we're stepping up or maturing,

[01:43:47] you know,

[01:43:47] things like that.

[01:43:48] So,

[01:43:48] you know,

[01:43:49] I think as long as we just don't go back to like,

[01:43:52] not that she's going to,

[01:43:54] I don't imagine this,

[01:43:55] but you know,

[01:43:55] I,

[01:43:56] I don't think she's just going to play the track to,

[01:43:58] you know,

[01:43:59] you know,

[01:44:01] just sing it through,

[01:44:02] but we,

[01:44:02] you know,

[01:44:03] standard.

[01:44:03] And,

[01:44:03] you know,

[01:44:04] that's,

[01:44:04] that's not her anyway,

[01:44:06] but I think if we kind of hadn't seen this,

[01:44:08] like musical growth and things like that,

[01:44:11] it could be a bit of a different story,

[01:44:12] but not appreciate it for what it was.

[01:44:15] If it was simply just this nostalgia for nostalgia sake album,

[01:44:19] I think that probably be a little like two,

[01:44:22] three half,

[01:44:22] but you know,

[01:44:23] there's definitely like a musical appreciation and a musical evolution

[01:44:28] that's happened.

[01:44:29] So you can kind of go back and say,

[01:44:31] you know,

[01:44:31] it is what it was.

[01:44:32] It was 1999,

[01:44:33] you know?

[01:44:34] So yeah,

[01:44:36] it's,

[01:44:36] it's not like,

[01:44:37] um,

[01:44:38] it's,

[01:44:39] it's not kind of,

[01:44:40] you know,

[01:44:40] I,

[01:44:41] I don't know who knows,

[01:44:42] maybe I will go back to a couple more of these songs more than I

[01:44:45] thought I would,

[01:44:45] but you will wait for it.

[01:44:49] You're going to hear me sing them at karaoke.

[01:44:51] We'll be cool.

[01:44:53] Out of the room.

[01:44:54] Now,

[01:44:54] as long as it's not lovely,

[01:44:55] I'm in tears.

[01:45:00] Um,

[01:45:00] you know,

[01:45:01] for me,

[01:45:02] the album,

[01:45:03] I don't recall from my childhood whatsoever.

[01:45:07] And again,

[01:45:07] the way I came to some of these songs were legit in the Spanish versions or

[01:45:11] from movies or like finding out that some of it is covers and whatnot.

[01:45:16] Um,

[01:45:16] so yeah,

[01:45:17] I think for what it is,

[01:45:18] for the age range for her competition,

[01:45:21] it's good.

[01:45:22] Um,

[01:45:23] just in terms of what she was kind of facing with the Jessica and the,

[01:45:27] and the Brittany and the Mandy,

[01:45:29] and she had the strongest ways.

[01:45:31] It's almost like the whole Alia,

[01:45:32] Monica,

[01:45:33] Brandy thing.

[01:45:33] Like who had what going on?

[01:45:35] Cause they all kind of had like a certain vibe,

[01:45:37] but they all had their own brand that was distinctive to their own.

[01:45:40] So for her to come out and then be like,

[01:45:42] yeah,

[01:45:42] I can do the whole breathy baby voice thing,

[01:45:44] but I can also swallow the baby and like push out a growing woman.

[01:45:50] Okay.

[01:45:51] And again,

[01:45:51] and also the black cosign again,

[01:45:53] hilarious,

[01:45:54] but it definitely mattered.

[01:45:56] Cause it means that she wasn't afraid or she wasn't intimidated by things that would come from that around that same time.

[01:46:02] And they R&B singers was doing almost saying gospel and like ruin my voice for the next 20 years.

[01:46:08] And she was like,

[01:46:09] Oh,

[01:46:09] but I'll meet you where you are.

[01:46:10] Um,

[01:46:11] and you can hear that on this album.

[01:46:12] So I think overall it is solid.

[01:46:15] It is good.

[01:46:16] Um,

[01:46:17] jokes aside,

[01:46:18] it definitely,

[01:46:19] I can hear my people listening to this and not being like,

[01:46:23] girl,

[01:46:23] turn that off.

[01:46:24] Which is good.

[01:46:25] Um,

[01:46:26] especially back in those days when you're trying to market yourself as like,

[01:46:28] I'm influenced by R&B and,

[01:46:30] and soul.

[01:46:31] Uh,

[01:46:31] so yeah,

[01:46:31] solid that time period,

[01:46:34] right.

[01:46:34] This was definitely the excess time period of like record labels that are making all this money and they're just putting,

[01:46:40] you know,

[01:46:41] snapping tracks on just to put,

[01:46:43] you know,

[01:46:43] slap a $25.

[01:46:45] Yeah.

[01:46:46] An album.

[01:46:47] But like,

[01:46:48] you know,

[01:46:49] this is a much better album than those debut albums.

[01:46:53] Like of that time period,

[01:46:54] for sure.

[01:46:55] I actually think like Jessica Simpsons,

[01:46:57] isn't that bad,

[01:46:58] but,

[01:47:00] but it's like,

[01:47:01] like looking back on it,

[01:47:03] like,

[01:47:04] I mean,

[01:47:05] like,

[01:47:05] is that,

[01:47:05] there's some good,

[01:47:06] but there's like,

[01:47:06] throw away.

[01:47:08] And you can say that.

[01:47:09] Definitely.

[01:47:10] I mean,

[01:47:10] Manny Moore's albums were terrible,

[01:47:12] like just,

[01:47:13] you know,

[01:47:13] beyond the singles and,

[01:47:14] you know,

[01:47:15] the Britney Spears albums.

[01:47:16] I mean,

[01:47:16] I don't even remember half these songs.

[01:47:18] I'm looking at them like email my heart,

[01:47:20] you know,

[01:47:20] and all that,

[01:47:20] like,

[01:47:20] I'm like,

[01:47:21] oh my God,

[01:47:21] email my heart.

[01:47:22] It's a classic.

[01:47:23] No,

[01:47:23] I'm kidding.

[01:47:25] Which also,

[01:47:25] I would love to review Britney's debut album.

[01:47:28] So tell us if you'd like that.

[01:47:30] Like,

[01:47:30] there's like a lot of like soda pop,

[01:47:32] the beat goes on.

[01:47:32] Like,

[01:47:33] I'm like,

[01:47:33] wow,

[01:47:33] these songs,

[01:47:34] like,

[01:47:34] it's just way,

[01:47:35] you know,

[01:47:35] just like,

[01:47:36] you saw,

[01:47:36] they're just thrown out,

[01:47:37] just be thrown on.

[01:47:38] But I do feel like there's a bit of something,

[01:47:41] you know,

[01:47:41] in all these songs,

[01:47:42] even if,

[01:47:43] you know,

[01:47:44] even if there are like,

[01:47:45] you know,

[01:47:45] songs I just,

[01:47:46] you know,

[01:47:47] probably don't care to go back to a lot.

[01:47:49] But I did,

[01:47:51] you know,

[01:47:52] as much as like,

[01:47:53] I think there's this weird shadow cloud she has over it.

[01:47:56] You know,

[01:47:56] I think there is,

[01:47:57] there is a bit more of appreciation.

[01:47:58] I can kind of get to it.

[01:48:00] And I do think,

[01:48:01] you know,

[01:48:01] that's a big reason why she was even considered,

[01:48:04] you know,

[01:48:05] for a best new artist,

[01:48:06] Grammy or something like that.

[01:48:08] That was,

[01:48:08] that was the time.

[01:48:09] Macy Gray was having a really big year back then.

[01:48:12] You know,

[01:48:12] a lot of people are going to get it,

[01:48:14] you know,

[01:48:15] big soulful voice to you,

[01:48:16] but she pulled it out.

[01:48:19] So,

[01:48:21] so,

[01:48:21] that being said,

[01:48:23] that being said,

[01:48:24] if you had to give a final rating for the whole album,

[01:48:27] what would you give it?

[01:48:28] I will give it a nine.

[01:48:30] Cause like I said,

[01:48:31] I love it.

[01:48:32] 8.5 for me,

[01:48:33] because of some of like moments,

[01:48:35] not like terrible,

[01:48:36] but just like,

[01:48:37] be better.

[01:48:38] So I'll get 8.5.

[01:48:40] Yeah.

[01:48:42] Maybe I'll say 8.5 as well,

[01:48:44] or eight,

[01:48:45] you know,

[01:48:45] just cause like,

[01:48:45] I don't think those are bad scores that by any stretch of the

[01:48:48] imagination,

[01:48:48] but I think the thought,

[01:48:50] the works later are a much better,

[01:48:53] you know,

[01:48:53] but everything is so subjective with me.

[01:48:55] Cause I'm like very much,

[01:48:56] you know,

[01:48:57] comparing everything.

[01:48:58] But,

[01:48:59] um,

[01:49:00] you know,

[01:49:01] I hope my fighters don't,

[01:49:02] don't kill me with this,

[01:49:03] but yeah,

[01:49:03] I think it's just,

[01:49:04] uh,

[01:49:05] you know,

[01:49:06] it just wasn't like,

[01:49:08] don't get me wrong.

[01:49:09] It made me a fan,

[01:49:10] maybe super fan.

[01:49:12] You know,

[01:49:12] I,

[01:49:12] I,

[01:49:12] that was my first concert.

[01:49:14] I literally made a poster,

[01:49:17] um,

[01:49:18] went with my mom,

[01:49:19] like,

[01:49:21] sat me and my mom were like,

[01:49:22] you know,

[01:49:23] we were in a far section,

[01:49:24] but we were like the front row of the section.

[01:49:26] So my mom is like a calm woman,

[01:49:28] you know,

[01:49:29] she like sits the whole time.

[01:49:30] I like wanted to get up and dance,

[01:49:31] but I sat with her,

[01:49:32] like when come on over again,

[01:49:34] I just said,

[01:49:34] I need everyone to stand up and dance.

[01:49:37] And I got up and I did the whole choreography,

[01:49:41] you know,

[01:49:43] all these memories and all these things at that time for sure.

[01:49:46] But,

[01:49:47] you know,

[01:49:47] I just think we also moved on and we,

[01:49:49] we,

[01:49:49] we went to bigger and better things.

[01:49:51] So.

[01:49:52] Yes.

[01:49:53] Love you.

[01:49:54] A pre Xtina C A.

[01:49:58] Yes.

[01:49:58] Okay.

[01:49:59] Well,

[01:50:00] as we mentioned earlier,

[01:50:00] if you'd like to hear us discuss the three bonus tracks from the album,

[01:50:04] you'll have to head over to patrion.com slash CCTV pops and join us in our crew.

[01:50:09] And you can comment and get priority choice on the next episodes too.

[01:50:14] Word.

[01:50:14] So let us know what you all think of Christina Aguilera's debut album.

[01:50:19] Let us know what other albums you'd like to hear us review as well.

[01:50:22] You can follow us at CCTV pops on all social media.

[01:50:26] And Jeff,

[01:50:27] would you like to plug all of your platforms as well?

[01:50:31] Yes.

[01:50:32] I'm also on all social media,

[01:50:35] usually Jeff underscore,

[01:50:37] underscore Benjamin.

[01:50:39] You'll no matter what platform you follow me on,

[01:50:42] there'll always be some Christina sprinkled in throughout the week,

[01:50:46] throughout the,

[01:50:47] whatever it might be.

[01:50:49] So,

[01:50:49] you know,

[01:50:50] you're always going to get it.

[01:50:51] So if you're a fan or you ever just even want to talk about something super

[01:50:55] random that,

[01:50:56] you know,

[01:50:56] you don't think anyone else remembers,

[01:50:58] believe me,

[01:50:59] I remember,

[01:50:59] I have a really good memory.

[01:51:00] And yeah,

[01:51:02] just,

[01:51:02] you know,

[01:51:04] reach out anytime and keep supporting CCTV because they're doing great

[01:51:08] things here.

[01:51:10] Yes.

[01:51:10] Thank you so much.

[01:51:11] You can be one of our thousands of subscribers on YouTube,

[01:51:16] or you can also join our thousands of listeners on Spotify,

[01:51:20] Apple music,

[01:51:21] and all other podcast platforms as well.

[01:51:24] Thank you all so much for your support until next time.

[01:51:26] That's Chantel and Jeff.

[01:51:28] That's good.

[01:51:29] And we're signing off from CCTV,

[01:51:31] the nonstop pop show.