"Keeps Gettin' Better" (CD single) - Christina Aguilera

Xtina's latest mixes edgy attitude, iffy language.

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Music details

Artist(s): Christina Aguilera
Genre: R&B/Pop
Label: RCA
Parental Advisory: No
Edited Version: No
Release Date: 09/08/2008

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this single has some strong language (mostly "bitch") and a fairly rough attitude. The song is about extreme behavior, and Aguilera sings that sometimes she's a "super bitch," but sometimes she's super nice. The idea of being bad, playing tricks, and doing mean things to people is portrayed as a way to be sexy.

Families can talk about why women are often celebrated for their "badness" in popular culture. Can you think of any sexy villainess? How are "bad" women viewed differently than men who behave the same way? Does a woman have to misbehave to be alluring? Why do female signers use word "bitch"? Do you think this word still belittles women if a female uses it herself?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

The song celebrates "bad girl" image with lines like "Yeah, baby, there's a villain in me, so sexy sour and sweet, and you'll be lovin' it." It also draws a connection between misbehaving and sex appeal.

Consumerism:

The single is part of a greatest hits album that will be available exclusively at Target.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

A few minor references to drinking, such as the line, "I serve it up in a shot."

Violence

There's an aggressive nature to the song, with lines like "I'm driving out of control and getting ready to crash, won't stop shaking up what I can, I serve it up in a shot, so suck it down like a man."

Sex

Lyrics include some pretty mild innuendo: "Kiss, kiss, gonna tell you right now, I make it sweet on the lips, and simply knock you out, and shut up I don't care what you say, cause when we're both in the ring, you're gonna like it my way."

Language

"Bitch" is sung five times in the chorus: "Sometimes I'm a super bitch, up to my old tricks, but it won't last forever." "Damn" is used once.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jacqueline Rupp

This track is the debut single from Christina Aguilera's upcoming, similarly titled greatest hits album. The song was featured during the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and is being released and promoted by Target.

Is it any good?

"Keeps Gettin' Better" is brassy, bold, and never bashful -- which pretty much sums up Aguilera's image as well. With its biker rock intro, the song combines electronic vibes with Aguilera's signature soulful pop sounds; like an electronica femme fatale, she plays the sultry siren who can dominate men and still play coy. Her strong vocals make this brash image all the more believable.