Change (Christina Aguilera song) explained

Change
Cover:Change Christina Aguilera.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Christina Aguilera
Recorded:2016;
Los Angeles, California
Genre:Gospel
Length:3:07
Label:RCA
Prev Title:We Remain
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Telepathy
Next Year:2016

"Change" is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was written by Aguilera, Fancy Hagood and Flo Reutter, while its production was done by Flo Reutter and Martin Terefe. RCA Records premiered the song on June 16, 2016, on On Air with Ryan Seacrest. The song was dedicated to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. The proceedings are donated to the National Compassion Fund to benefit the victims' families.[1]

Lyrically, the song talks about self-identity and acceptance.[2] Characterized as a slow ballad, received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who praised Aguilera's vocals and the song's empowering lyrics.

Background and composition

The song was recorded for her forthcoming record but was repurposed and mastered in light of recent events, premiered on Apple Music, is Aguilera's way of honoring the victims lost in the Orlando tragedy and promoting peace. Aguilera writes in a message posted on her website:

The horrific tragedy that occurred in Orlando continues to weigh heavily on my mind. I am sending so much love and so many prayers to the victims and their families. Like so many, I want to help be part of the change this world needs to make it a beautiful inclusive place where humanity can love each other freely and passionately.[3]

Co-writer Who Is Fancy revealed that he started writing the song in 2015 after a police officer shot and killed 18-year-old Mansur Ball-Bey in St. Louis. "I was just having a lot of conversation about race and minorities and how something needed to be done". "It just felt like so much injustice. At that time, the bill allowing gay marriage had also not passed. So the song was just a reflection on what was needed by so many — change."[4]

"Change" is a gospel ballad.[5] The song is written in the key of G major with a tempo of 82 beats per minute. The song alternates between time and time while the song follows a chord progression of G/B – C – G, and Aguilera's vocals span from E3 to D5.[6]

In January 2015, it was reported that "Change" was intended for Aguilera's then-upcoming, eight studio album, supposedly called Blonde.[7] [8] It was listed among nineteen other titles from the alleged, leaked tracklist.[7] [8] "Change" was then released in Spring 2016 and omitted from 2018's Liberation.

Critical reception

"Change" received an average rating of 7.75/10 from music blog Idolator based on four editors' reviews. Robbie Daw wrote that the song is "a lovely anthem about tolerance that never teeters toward the overly dramatic," though the reviewers did find the song somewhat "undercooked" compared to some of Aguilera's previous ballads such as 2002's "Beautiful".[9] Lucas Villa of AXS wrote, "[The song] is a little soulful tune with a heartfelt message capable of reaching the heavens in Xtina's hands."[10] Spins Brennan Carley praised the song, saying that it reminds listeners "just how vocally walloping Aguilera can be when she sings even the simplest of notes".[11] Fuse complimented the song's "empowering message",[12] and Sophie Atkinson of Bustle called it "haunting", as well as a "genuinely moving and beautiful piece of music".[13]

Elton John praised the song, calling it "beautiful" and "very moving" during his Rocket Hour radio show.[14] Samuel Granger of The Odyssey called "Change" one of his favorite songs of 2016,[15] Luvpop listed it as one of the year's best songs,[16] and Billboards Muri Assunção believed it has an empowering value.[17] Assunção also considered "Change" an LGBTQ anthem.[17] In 2020, Mike Wass from the Idolator ranked it among the best songs ever recorded by Aguilera.[18]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Change" debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. On the Digital Songs chart, it peaked at number 32, selling 27,063 copies during the week of its debut.[19] The single also peaked at number 17 on the Pop Digital Songs. On the Canada AC, it peaked at number 36. It also peaked at number 40 on the Hot Canadian Digital Songs. Throughout Europe, it reached number 28 in Spain, number 47 in Scotland, number 78 in Croatia, number 121 in France, and number 173 in United Kingdom.

Music video

A lyric video premiered on Vevo and later on YouTube on June 16, 2016. In the video, lyrics of the song on a background of home movie, alternating childhood photographs of Aguilera with scenes that appear with red hair and chanting the subject.

Performances

The song was performed for the first time at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 23, 2016. On July 31, 2016, Aguilera performed the song at the Black Sea Arena in Georgia.[20] In September 2020, Aguilera posted a video on Twitter, in which she gives a rendition of the song.[21] The reason was the #YourVoiceYourVote campaign which encouraged social media users to participate in the 2020 presidential elections.[21]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[22]

Charts

Chart (2016)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatia (HRT)[23] 78
French Digital Singles (SNEP)[24] 120
Portugal (AFP)[25] 44
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[26] 44

Release history

Release history and formats for "Change"!Country!Date !Format!Label
United StatesJune 16, 2016Digital downloadRCA

Notes and References

  1. Billboard Staff. Christina Aguilera Releases 'Change', Pledges Proceeds to Orlando Shooting Victims. June 18, 2016. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 17, 2016.
  2. Web site: Christina Aguilera's Empowering New Song for Orlando. Rolling Stone. Kreps. Daniel. June 17, 2016. July 22, 2016.
  3. Web site: Christina Releases New Song "Change" Dedicated To Victims Of Orlando Tragedy. June 16, 2016. Official Website of Christina Aguilera. Sony Music Entertainment. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160618085813/http://www.christinaaguilera.com/2016/06/16/new-song-change-out-now-dedicated-to-victims-of-orlando-tragedy/. June 18, 2016. April 8, 2020.
  4. Web site: Christina Aguilera & Who Is Fancy Explain Their "Change" Lyrics. Idolator. Wass. Mike. June 21, 2016. July 22, 2016.
  5. Watch Christina Aguilera Belt Orlando Tribute 'Change' on 'Kimmel'. Reed. Ryan. June 24, 2016. Rolling Stone. September 7, 2016.
  6. Web site: Christina Aguilera "Change" Sheet Music in Gb Major (transposable) - Download & Print. Aguilera. Christina. Musicnotes.com. 20 June 2016 . 2016-06-21.
  7. Web site: Christina Aguilera's New Song 'Fire' With Rihanna?. https://web.archive.org/web/20160402142204/http://realobsession.com/christina-aguileras-new-song-fire-with-rihanna/. dead. 2016-04-02. Real Obsession. Alex. Roman. January 9, 2015. August 14, 2021.
  8. Web site: Filtrado el posible título y tracklist del nuevo disco de Christina Aguilera. https://web.archive.org/web/20210814100659/https://www.cromosomax.com/28584-filtrado-el-posible-titulo-y-tracklist-del-nuevo-disco-de-christina-aguilera. CromosomaX. es. August 14, 2021. August 14, 2021.
  9. News: Daw. Robbie. Sonis. Rachel. Williott. Carl. Wass. Mike. Pop Perspective: Christina Aguilera's "Change" Rated & Reviewed. June 18, 2016. Idolator. Spin Media. June 17, 2016.
  10. Web site: Villa. Lucas. Christina Aguilera releases 'Change' single to benefit Orlando shooting victims. AXS. June 18, 2016. June 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160826013224/http://m.axs.com/news/christina-aguilera-releases-change-single-to-benefit-orlando-shooting--86672. August 26, 2016. dead.
  11. Web site: Christina Aguilera Drops Emotionally Resonant New Single, 'Change'. Spin. Next Management Partners. Brennan. Carley. June 16, 2016. August 14, 2021.
  12. Web site: Christina Aguilera Releases 'Change': New Song to Benefit Orlando. https://web.archive.org/web/20160618151300/http://www.fuse.tv/2016/06/christina-aguilera-new-song-change-orlando-charity-single. dead. 2016-06-18. Fuse. Fuse Media, LLC. June 17, 2016. August 14, 2021.
  13. Web site: Christina Aguilera's Orlando Benefit-Single Proves She Is The Ultimate LGBT Ally. Bustle. Bustle Digital Group. Sophia. Atkinson. June 17, 2016. August 14, 2021.
  14. Web site: Elton John praises Christina Aguilera's 'Change'. YouTube. August 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20220331105528/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxsuKfhCZmk&gl=US&hl=en. March 31, 2022. February 22, 2022. bot: unknown.
  15. Web site: My Top 10 Favorite Songs Of 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121191641/https://www.theodysseyonline.com/my-top-10-favorite-songs-of-2016. dead. 2018-11-21. The Odyssey. Odyssey Media Group, Inc.. Samuel. Granger. December 19, 2016. August 7, 2021.
  16. Web site:
    1. 2016: The 50 Best Singles of the Year
    . https://web.archive.org/web/20161229011114/http://www.luvpop.pl/blog/?p=2902. dead. 2016-12-29. Luvpop. December 29, 2016. August 7, 2021.
  17. 10 Christina Aguilera Songs for Your Pride Month Playlist: Listen. Billboard. Muri. Assunção. June 25, 2018. August 7, 2021.
  18. Web site: Christina Aguilera's 40 Best Songs. Idolator. Mike. Wass. December 18, 2020. August 22, 2023.
  19. Web site: Chart: Digital Songs – Week Ending: 06/23/2016. Nielsen SoundScan. June 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20220222145245/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-6-23-16.pdf. February 22, 2022. February 22, 2022. bot: unknown.
  20. Web site: ZDJĘCIA/VIDEO: KONCERT W GRUZJI – RELACJA. christinaaguilera.com.pl. July 31, 2016. Polish. September 18, 2020. September 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160917010744/http://christinaaguilera.com.pl/2016/07/zdjeciavideo-koncert-w-gruzji-relacja/. dead.
  21. Christina Aguilera & Liz Phair Sing About Voting for #YourVoiceYourVote Twitter Campaign. https://archive.today/20200918135147/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9450200/christina-aguilera-liz-phair-your-voice-your-vote-twitter-campaign. dead. 2020-09-18. Billboard. September 16, 2020. September 18, 2020.
  22. Web site: Change / Christina Aguilera TIDAL. Tidal. July 22, 2016.
  23. Web site: Airplay Radio Chart − Issue Date: September 5th 2016. HRT. September 5, 2016. June 10, 2020. September 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160920041842/http://radio.hrt.hr/data/files/07e0a4ce85125c72cd7c1366a2dffc4dbaae1635.xls. dead.
  24. Web site: Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – 2016 Semaine du 17 Juin. SNEP – Top Singles Téléchargés. French. https://archive.today/20160624151321/http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-singles-telecharges/?ye=2016&we=25. June 24, 2016. January 16, 2024.
  25. Web site: Change – Christina Aguilera. AFP. January 16, 2024. January 16, 2024. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240116100141/https://acharts.co/song/100436. bot: unknown.
  26. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart: 24 June 2016 – 30 June 2016. Official Charts Company. August 22, 2023.

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