Can't Hold Us Down

"Can't Hold Us Down" is the fourth single from Christina Aguilera's second album, Stripped. Released in 2003, the single (which features Lil' Kim) peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Aguilera's 10th Top 20 hit. The single also peaked at #2 in New Zealand, #6 in the UK and #5 in Australia. The single is most known for its theme of female empowerment and for its music video, directed by David LaChapelle. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Oddly enough, the song has been left off the tracklisting for Christina's greatest hits album Keeps Gettin' Better — A Decade of Hits, despite placing higher than both "Dirrty" and "Fighter", which are both included, on the US Hot 100. Song information "Can't Hold Us Down" was penned by Aguilera, Matt Morris and Scott Storch, and was also produced by Storch, E. Dawk, and Aguilera. As mentioned above, the single features the rapper Lil' Kim, who had previously worked with her on the "Lady Marmalade" cover from the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack in 2001. Besides becoming casual friends from "Lady Marmalade", Christina reached out to Kim due to her "girl power" attitude. It should be noted that, originally, Eve was booked to be the guest rapper on this song. The rapper-actress even commented about it on MTV news saying that she had collaborated with Aguilera on a female powered anthem for her upcoming album. However, as the release date of the album approached, Kim was revealed to be the actual guest on the record without any explanation of what happened to Eve. Many speculate that Kim might have forced her away upon the record because at the time she was dating Scott Storch and might have had a slight rivalry against Eve, and therefore asked Storch to replace Eve with herself on the record. Once again like with many previous singles, Aguilera creates a female empowerment anthem, expressing her disgust with the double standards of society. She feels that male stars are respected and worshipped for bragging about their wild sex lives, but when women like Aguilera try to express their sexuality, they get labeled as whores. Aguilera also lets people know that she does not appreciate being called a bitch simply because she stands up for herself and is a strong woman. Aguilera sends her personal message to those who try to "hold her down". Music video Directed by David LaChapelle, the video was shot on a Los Angeles soundstage that depicts a 1980s Lower East Side neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City. In the video, Aguilera is seen walking into the street when a man grabs her buttocks. She starts accusing him and singing the song while many other women join her and many neighborhood men join the man. It continues until Lil' Kim arrives and takes off her robe. They begin dancing and Aguilera leaves with a smile on her face. The video premiered on BET's 106 & Park on August 22, 2003, as the "New Joint" of the day.

[Verse 1: Christina Aguilera] So, what, am I not 'sposed to have an opinion? Should I keep quiet just because I'm a woman? Call me a bitch 'cause I speak what's on my mind Guess it's easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled When a female fires back Suddenly big talker don't know how to act So he does what any little boy would do Makin' up a few false rumors or two That for sure is not a man to me Slanderin' names for popularity It's sad you only get your fame through controversy (It's so sad) But now it's time for me to come and give you more to say [Chorus: Christina Aguilera] This is for my girls all around the world (Around the world) Who've come across a man that don't respect your worth (Whoa) Thinkin' all women should be seen not heard (Whoa) So what do we do girls? Shout louder! Lettin' 'em know we're gonna stand our ground (Stand our ground) Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud (Whoa) Take a deep breath and say it loud (Whoa) Never can, never will, can't hold us down [Post-Chorus: Christina Aguilera] Nobody can hold us down (Hold us down) Nobody can hold us down (Hold us down) Nobody gonna hold us down (Hold us down) Never can, never will [Verse 2: Christina Aguilera] So, what, am I not 'sposed to say what I'm sayin'? Are you offended with the message I'm bringin'? Call me whatever 'cause your words don't mean a thing Guess you ain't even a man enough to handle what I sing If you look back in history It's a common double standard of society The guy gets all the glory, the more he can score While the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore I don't understand why it's okay The guy can get away with it, the girl gets named All my ladies come together and make a change And start a new beginning for us, everybody sing [Chorus: Christina Aguilera & Lil' Kim] This is for my girls all around the world (Around the world) (Yeah) Who've come across a man that don't respect your worth (Respect your worth) Thinkin' all women should be seen not heard (You can't get rid of us) So what do we do girls? Shout louder! Lettin' 'em know we're gonna stand our ground (We standin' our ground on this one) Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud (Whoa) Take a deep breath and say it loud Never can, never will, can't hold us down (Check it) [Verse 3: Lil' Kim] Here's something I just can't understand If a guy have three girls then he's the man He can even give her some head, then sex her raw If a girl do the same, then she's a whore But the tables 'bout to turn, I bet my fame on it Cats take my ideas and put they name on it It's alright though, you can't hold me down I got to keep on movin' To all my girls with a man who be tryna mack Do it right back to him and let that be that You need to let him know that his game is whack And Lil' Kim and Christina Aguilera got your back [Bridge: Christina Aguilera] You're just a little boy, you think you're so cute, so coy You must talk so big, to make up for smaller things Said you're just a little boy, all you do is annoy You must talk so big, to make up for smaller things This is for my girls! [Chorus: Christina Aguilera] This is for my girls all around the world, oh Who've come across a man that don't respect your worth (Respect your worth, oh) Thinkin' all women should be seen not heard So what do we do girls? Shout louder! (Shout louder!) Lettin' 'em know we're gonna stand our ground (Stand our ground) Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud (Whoa) Take a deep breath and say it loud Never can, never will, can't hold us down (Whoa) This is for my girls all around the world (All my girls) Who've come across a man that don't respect your worth (Around the world) Thinkin' all women should be seen not heard (Yeah) So what do we do girls? Shout louder! Lettin' 'em know we're gonna stand our ground (Stand our ground) Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud (Whoa) Take a deep breath and say it loud Never can, never will, can't hold us down [Breakdown: Christina Aguilera & Lil' Kim] (Uh, oh-oh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh) Spread the word (Can't hold us down) Yeah, we here, we back again, yeah Lil' Kim and Christina Aguilera Yeah (Can't hold us down, uh, uh)