20 January 2023 - Christina Aguilera - Beautiful

"You know, people will actually read about Christina Aguilera.  Why not continue down that road?"

"Sure.  But I should go non-obvious and not the literal second single from Stripped, right?"

"What?  What is that single"

""Beautiful".  I literally mentioned it yesterday."

"Oh yeah.  You did.  But I kinda think you have to.  It's her biggest hit and her best known song."

"Ugh, fine.  Can I at least talk about new facts people might not know, like that it was written and produced by Linda Perry, who most people know from 4 Non Blondes?" 

"It's not like I can stop you."

"How about the fact that this video won a GLAAD award for the positive and normalized portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community, who have adopted it as kind of an anthem?"

"You really can't not mention that. Better mention the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance as well as its nomination for Song of the Year.  You love mentioning awards."

"How about the lack of assless chaps?"

"....."

"What else do I need to say about this song?"

"Did you mention the second video?"

"The what, now?"

"Yeah, Christina made a 2nd video for this song in 2022, with a focus on body acceptance and the issues of social media in regards to that."

"I did NOT know that existed."

"Yeah, she even put some mental health resources right on the front page of her website.  They're still there right now, as we write this."

"Yeah, I see that.  Looks like this was a 20th anniversary rerelease as well."

"I mean, yeah, but do you see the greater good she's trying to do here?"

"Well, what about the other version of the song/"

"What other version?"

""You Are What You Are (Beautiful)".  She rerecorded it in a different style for her greatest hits album."

"Oh, like "Genie 2.0"?"

"You DO read my blog! Yes, a lot like that.  Very electronic."

"I think it sounds like a funeral dirge."

"Can you be a little positive here?"

"Yeah.  I'm positive it sounds like a funeral dirge."

"Do you think there's video of her performing this song in assless chaps?"

"What is it with you and the assless chaps?"

"Ugh ok.  How about this 2016 video from Russian television?"

"Wow.  OK!"

"Yeah, it showcases her still-gigantic voice and her love of her fans"

"Agreed!!!"