- Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits
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Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits Greatest hits album by Christina Aguilera Released November 7, 2008 Recorded 1998–2008 Genre Pop, R&B Length 59:41 Label RCA Producer Christina Aguilera, David Frank, DJ Premier, Ron Fair, Steve Kipner, Linda Perry, Guy Roche, Rockwilder, Mark Ronson, Scott Storch Singles from Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits - "Keeps Gettin' Better"
Released: September 22, 2008
Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits is the first greatest hits album from American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The album was released on November 7, 2008 with the confirmation that a lead single named "Keeps Gettin' Better was released in September 9th 2008. The single entered the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart and marked the start of the promotional work for the compilation album. The compilation contains tracks from all of the singer's studio albums released up to 2008: Christina Aguilera (1999), Mi Reflejo (2000), Stripped (2002) and Back to Basics (2006). The album also featured four new additions of which two were revisions of previous singles from Aguilera and two original songs being that of the lead single and a new addition named "Dynamite". New content featured was recorded and produced with Linda Perry. During the production of the compilation album Aguilera stated that the Superhero theme was a recurring one for the new material. She also stated that the new material was a preview of what was to come with a future studio album, the lead single "Keeps Gettin' Better" featured electropop and dance-pop themes which was recurring in her following studio album release, Bionic (2010).
In the United States the album was released exclusively through retailer Target and was later made available digitally in September 2009 with the album release in stores elsewhere on February 2, 2010. Several versions of the album were made available for different regions in addition to a deluxe edition which featured a DVD of her past music videos. Being released only at Target, the album debuted at number 9 in the United States and sold 73,000 copies on the US Billboard 200 in November 2008. It was entered the top 10 and was certified gold in countries as Belgium; Ireland, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom. The album has sold a total of 450,000 copies in the United States and almost 1 million worldwide.
Contents
Background
"It was tough looking back — it was surprising, it was really gratifying to see how much hard work I've put in over the last 10 years. When you're in it, you just don't realize as it accumulates how much you've done and how far you've come. I can't believe it's been a decade already. [On the album] I wanted to include all the songs that I know I loved and that are crowd pleasers and real staples of my career thus far."
Aguilera discussed the content and development of the album.[1]In 2008 Aguilera confirmed she would be releasing her first greatest hits album named Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits, stating about the album title "I'm looking forward to the next 10 years, which is partly why I named the album, Keeps Gettin' Better, 'cause it does".[1] It was confirmed that Aguilera had signed the rights of the album distribution in the US exclusively to Target, with the album being released by her record label RCA which allowed people who pre-ordered the album receive a free digital download of the lead single "Keeps Gettin' Better".[2] Aguilera stated the compilation album was an introduction to future recordings saying "Once you hear the new material you'll have a very clear idea what the direction of it is". The album features revisions of her previous singles with Aguilera calling them "reinventions".[3]
The new additions featured named; "Genie 2.0", is a revised version of the song "Genie in a Bottle" and "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)", is a revised version of her single "Beautiful". The compilation album also features new original songs; "Keeps Gettin' Better" and "Dynamite". The new album additions and remixes were produced by Linda Perry.[4] Aguilera said about the new additions "This time around, I'm playing with this superhero element based on the fact that fans have grown up with me since I was 17 and have continually supported my changes throughout the years."[4] Aguilera discussed the content of the album saying "I can't believe it's been a decade already [...] but it's very exciting. All the old, the biggest hits I've come out with [are on the album]. I don't even know how to describe what a journey it's been but it's been amazing."[3]
Critical reception
Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating Allmusic [5] Digital Spy [6] Entertainment Weekly (B+)[7] The Times [8] Sputnikmusic (4/5)[9] Slant Magazine [10] The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said "Keeps Gettin' Better proves that no other teen pop singer of her era has a better track record than Christina and if the new songs are any indication, the title of this hits comp is no lie either."[11] Nick Levine from Digital Spy noted the "spunky attitude" featured and compared her recordings to recording artist Britney Spears saying "She may have started out with similar material to another Mickey Mouse Club alumnus, but Aguilera moved on to bigger and better things more quickly than Britney, co-writing the lion's share of her second album, Stripped, and making her third, Back To Basics, a 2-CD pop-soul-jazz-blues opus."[6] Chris Willman from Entertainment Weekly noted the lack of traditional Aguilera styles stating "The singer has banished melisma and belting from these electronic confections, and her chops sound just as hot set on simmer." Whilst also comparing the "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)" remix to John Lennon noting The real curiosity is a Beautiful redo that imagines how John Lennon might've sounded if he'd lived into the age of electro."[7] The Times writer Steve Jilbert stated his dislike for her previous recordings writing; "Always the most ludicrous pop diva with her distracting vocals and fashions, Aguilera has produced her first hits collection. The terrible operatic rock of Fighter and sexless funk of Dirrty sit alongside such X Factor fodder as The Voice Within and Beautiful".[8] Nick Butler from Sputnikmusic positively received Aguilera's new recordings saying "Christina the pop singer is dead, long live Electro Christina. She couldn't signpost her new direction any more clearly if she announced the title of the next album as Bionic. At any rate, these four tracks are more than enough to build anticipation for what could be a very, very good album."[9]
Commercial performance
In the United States the album debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 on the issue date of December 13, 2008. The album spent five weeks on the Top Catalog chart where it peaked at number 2 on the issue date of July 16, 2011.[12] In the United States the album has currently sold over 450,000 copies and spent 27 weeks on the chart.[12][13] The album re-entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 45 on the issue date of July 26, 2011[12] In Australia the album debuted on the chart at number eight on the issue date of November 23, 2008, the album spent nine weeks on the chart and charted at number 49 on its ninth and final week on January 1, 2008.[14] In Austria the album debuted at number ten on the Austrian Albums Chart on the issue date of November 21, 2008 spending five weeks on the chart, and charting at number 69 in its final week on December 19, 2008.[15] In Belgium the album debuted at number 67 on the Flanders chart on the issue date of November 15, 2008, spending fourteen weeks on the chart peaking at position number 23.[16] In Belgium's Wallonia chart the album debuted at number 100 on the issue date of November 15, 2008 spending seventeen weeks on the chart and debuting at number 24.[17] The album has also been certified Gold in Belgium.[18] In the Netherlands the album debuted at number 28 on the Dutch Album Chart. The album spent eleven weeks on the chart peaking at number 28.[19] In Finland the album debuted at number nine spending six weeks on the chart.[20] In Italy the album spent two weeks in the Top 20 chart peaking at number 15 on the chart.[21] In Ireland the album peaked at number nine on the albums chart,[22] and has since been certified Gold.[23] In Sweden the album debuted at number 41 on the albums chart on the issue date of November 20, 2008 and spent five weeks on the chart.[24] In the United Kingdom the album debuted at number ten on the chart[25] and has since been certified Gold.[26] It sold 20,000 copies in France in 2008.[27]
Promotion
Promotion started on September 7, when Aguilera performed at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Hollywood. She previewed the remade version of her first single "Genie 2.0" and later performed the lead single of the compilation, Keeps Gettin' Better.[28] Aguilera started her promotional tour on October 11 performing at the UK leg of the Thisday Africa Rising at the London's Royal Albert Hall, where she performed several old hits and the lead single of the greatest hits album.[29] In late October she was supposed to tour Eastern Europe, holding concerts in Moscow,[30] Riga[31] and Kiev. Instead, she held two concerts in Kiev, Ukraine, on the 20th and 21 October.[32] The last date was held on October 24 in Abu Dhabi at the Emirates Palace Hotel.[33] On November 23 Aguilera promoted the greatest hits album by performing at the 36th Annual American Music Awards. She opened the show with a seven-minute medley of her greatest hits, which include "Beautiful", "Keeps Gettin' Better", "Genie in a Bottle", "Dirrty", "Ain't No Other Man" and "Fighter".[34]
Singles
"Keeps Gettin' Better" was confirmed as the lead single from the album and was sent to radio on September 22, 2008.[2] An accompanying video saw Aguilera as Catwoman and performing in front of green screens.[35] Aguilera performed the track at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards where she dressed resembling "Catwoman".[36] In the United States the single peaked at number 7,[37] and elsewhere had a good commercial response charting at number 14 in the UK.[25] "Dynamite" the second original new addition to the compilation album was released as a single via iTunes.[38]
Track listing
International edition[39] No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length 1. "Genie in a Bottle" Steve Kipner, David Frank, Pam Sheyne Guy Roche 3:36 2. "What a Girl Wants" Shelly Peiken, Roche Guy Roche 3:35 3. "I Turn to You" Diane Warren Guy Roche 4:39 4. "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" Christina Aguilera, Johan Aberg, Pauli Reinikainen, Ron Fair, Roche, Raymond Cham, Chaka Blackmon, Eric Dawkins, Peiken ChakDaddy, Sol Survivor, E. Dawk, Ron Fair 3:23 5. "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" (with Ricky Martin) Desmond Child, Victoria Shaw, Gary Burr Walter Afanasieff 4:11 6. "Lady Marmalade" (with Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink) Bob Crewe, Kenny Nolan Missy Elliot, Rockwilder 4:25 7. "Dirrty" (featuring Redman) Aguilera, Dana Stinson, Balewa Muhammad, Reginald Noble, Jasper Cameron Rockwilder, Christina Aguilera 4:45 8. "Fighter" Aguilera, Scott Storch Scott Storch 4:05 9. "Beautiful" Linda Perry Linda Perry 3:59 10. "Ain't No Other Man" Aguilera, Chris Martin, Kara DioGuardi, Charles Roane, Harold Beatty DJ Premier, Roane*, Christina Aguilera^ 3:48 11. "Candyman" Aguilera, Perry Linda Perry 3:14 12. "Hurt" Aguilera, Perry, Mark Ronson Linda Perry 4:03 13. "Genie 2.0" Kipner, Frank, Sheyne Linda Perry 4:15 14. "Keeps Gettin' Better" Aguilera, Perry Linda Perry 3:04 15. "Dynamite" Aguilera, Perry Linda Perry 3:09 16. "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)" Perry Linda Perry 4:44 Total length:64:04 British and Japanese edition[40][41] No. Title Length 1. "Genie in a Bottle" 3:36 2. "What a Girl Wants" (Video Version) 3:35 3. "I Turn to You" 4:39 4. "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" (Radio Edit) 3:23 5. "Nobody Wants To Be Lonely" (Single Version with Ricky Martin) 4:11 6. "Lady Marmalade" (feat. Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Mýa, Pink) 4:25 7. "Dirrty" (Video Edit, feat. Redman) 4:45 8. "Fighter" 4:05 9. "Beautiful" 3:59 10. "The Voice Within" (Radio Edit) 4:24 11. "Ain't No Other Man" 3:48 12. "Candyman" (Single Mix) 3:14 13. "Hurt" 4:03 14. "Genie 2.0" 4:15 15. "Keeps Gettin' Better" 3:04 16. "Dynamite" 3:09 17. "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)" 4:44 Total length:64:39 Spain and Latin America[42] No. Title Length 1. "Genie in a Bottle" 3:36 2. "What a Girl Wants" (Video Version) 3:35 3. "I Turn to You" 4:39 4. "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" (Radio Edit) 3:23 5. "Ven Conmigo" 3:11 6. "Falsas Esperanzas" 3:10 7. "Lady Marmalade" (feat. Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Mýa, Pink) 4:25 8. "Dirrty" (Video Edit, feat. Redman) 4:58 9. "Fighter" 4:05 10. "Beautiful" 3:59 11. "Ain't No Other Man" 3:48 12. "Candyman" (Single Mix) 3:14 13. "Hurt" 4:03 14. "Genie 2.0" 4:15 15. "Keeps Gettin' Better" 3:04 16. "Dynamite" 3:09 17. "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)" 4:44 Total length:62:38 Deluxe edition bonus DVD[43] No. Title Length 1. "Genie in a Bottle" (video) 3:37 2. "What a Girl Wants" (video) 4:06 3. "I Turn to You" (video) 4:04 4. "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" (video) 3:52 5. "Dirrty" (video, feat. Redman) 4:49 6. "Fighter" (video) 4:15 7. "Beautiful" (video) 4:07 8. "Ain't No Other Man" (video) 4:53 9. "Candyman" (video) 3:15 10. "Hurt" (video) 4:04 Total length:39:42 - Notes
- The US version of the album excludes "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" and "Lady Marmalade".[44]
(*) denotes co-producer
(^) denotes additional producerCharts and certifications
Categories:- Albums certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
- Albums certified gold by the Irish Recorded Music Association
- Albums certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan
- Albums certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry
- Christina Aguilera albums
- 2008 greatest hits albums
- RCA Records compilation albums
- Pop rock compilation albums
- 2008 video albums
- Music video compilation albums
- RCA Records video albums
- "Keeps Gettin' Better"
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