Not Myself Tonight by Christina Aguilera
Has everyone in the world forgotten how to wear pants??? No, really. It seems like every female pop star between the ages of 16 to 60 has forgotten how to wear pants. Or shorts. Or even a skirt, ladies, I’m not fussy. And it seems that this loss of memory comes with age - early onset alzheimers, maybe? I know Madonna use to know how to wear pants, but apparently now she’s forgotten. I am certain Christina used to wear pants (they were orange) but now that she’s gotten older, it’s clearly slipped her mind. Why does “re-inventing” yourself suddenly include mandatory brazilian waxes? And why didn’t you do this before you had children? Why wait until you are 50 before dropping trow? Or does it make it more acceptable if you’re senile? (ok, so Xtina is only 29 but still, I hope by 29 I’ve mastered a button fly).
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not all that uptight and Xtina has been doing this sort of thing for years (Dirrty is still one of my fave songs to bust out the drunken slut dance moves to), but there’s a difference between fun-raunchy and over the top S&M that would be uncomfortable to watch on a first date… or with your parents (*oh god, do I look away? Do I keep staring? Don’t even blink. When will this be overrrrr?*).
I have issues with nudity or violence being used just for shock value. And that’s all this is.
I also get that this is meant to be a “reinvention” or a “comeback” but here’s an idea, try doing something that’s actually different rather than attempting to out-do Lady Gaga who only ever attempts to out-do (oh, I’m sorry, pay hommage to) those that did it before her. We’ve already got one of those. In fact, with the dozens trying to pull off the same thing, we’ve got enough of this already circulating. We get it, you’re taking charge of your own sexuality. You’re definitely not doing it for guys to lust over, blah blah blah - we’ve heard it.
Something I do adore about this video is the make up and costuming. Again, not that it’s anything new but all that frosted bondage gear is amazing and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen ballet boots in action (though I laughed that she didn’t attempt to stand in them) and the white translucent effect with the background is brilliantly effective. Overall, the costuming has a much more coherent colour palette that brings the clip together and makes the cuts between scenes more smooth (as opposed to whatever the hell this was).
The video was directed by Hype Williams who mostly works with RnB/hip hop/rap (read: black) artists and has been directing for quite some time. But he clearly keeps up with what both critics and audiences want to see, even if that is simply scandal for the sake of scandal.
