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Change (Christina Aguilera song)

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"Change"
Single by Christina Aguilera
ReleasedJune 16, 2016 (2016-06-16)
Recorded2016;
Los Angeles, California
GenreGospel, adult contemporary
Length3:07
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"We Remain"
(2013) 		"Change"
(2016) 		"Telepathy"
(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 were 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. The single reached number thirty-two on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart and number thirty-six on the Canada AC chart. Billboard also called "Change" an LGBTQ anthem.

Background and composition

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"Change"
A 20-second sample of "Change".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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 Fancy Hagood (a.k.a. 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] Other co-writers of the song are Aguilera and Flo Reutter.[5]

"Change" is a gospel and adult contemporary mid-tempo ballad.[6][7] The song is written in the key of G♭ major with a tempo of 82 beats per minute. The song alternates between 3
4 time and 4
4 time while the song follows a chord progression of G♭/B♭ – C♭ – G♭, and Aguilera's vocals span from E♭3 to D♭5.[8]

In January 2015, it was reported that "Change" was intended for Aguilera's then-upcoming, eight studio album, supposedly called Blonde.[9][10] It was listed among nineteen other titles from the alleged, leaked tracklist.[9][10] "Change" was then released in Spring 2016 and omitted from 2018's Liberation.

Critical reception

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"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".[11] 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."[12] Spin's 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".[13] Fuse complimented the song's "empowering message",[14] and Sophie Atkinson of Bustle called it "haunting", as well as a "genuinely moving and beautiful piece of music".[15]

Elton John praised the song, calling it "beautiful" and "very moving" during his Rocket Hour radio show.[16] Luvpop listed it as one of the year's best songs,[17] and Billboard's Muri Assunção believed it has an empowering value.[18] Assunção also considered "Change" an LGBTQ anthem.[18] In 2020, Mike Wass from the Idolator ranked it among the best songs ever recorded by Aguilera.[19]

Chart performance

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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.[20] 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

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Red-haired Aguilera in the lyric 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

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The song was performed for the first time at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 23, 2016.[21] On July 31, 2016, Aguilera performed the song at the Black Sea Arena in Georgia.[22] In September 2020, Aguilera posted a video on Twitter, in which she gives a rendition of the song.[23] The reason was the #YourVoiceYourVote campaign which encouraged social media users to participate in the 2020 presidential elections.[23]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[24]

  • Christina Aguilera – lead vocals, songwriter
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing engineer
  • Florian Reutter – songwriter, producer
  • Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
  • Martin Terefe – producer
  • Jake Hagood – songwriter

Charts

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Chart performance for "Change"
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Canada AC (Billboard)[25] 36
Croatia (HRT)[26] 78
France (SNEP)[27] 121
French Digital Singles (SNEP)[28] 120
Portugal (AFP)[29] 44
Scotland (OCC)[30] 47
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[31] 28
UK Singles (OCC)[32] 173
UK Download Chart (OCC)[33] 43
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[34] 5
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[35] 32

Release history

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Release history and formats for "Change"
Country Date Format Label
United States June 16, 2016 Digital download RCA

References

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  1. ^ Billboard Staff (June 17, 2016). "Christina Aguilera Releases 'Change', Pledges Proceeds to Orlando Shooting Victims". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  2. ^ Kreps, Daniel (June 17, 2016). "Christina Aguilera's Empowering New Song for Orlando". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  3. ^ "Christina Releases New Song "Change" Dedicated To Victims Of Orlando Tragedy". Official Website of Christina Aguilera. Sony Music Entertainment. June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  4. ^ Wass, Mike (June 21, 2016). "Christina Aguilera & Who Is Fancy Explain Their "Change" Lyrics". Idolator. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  5. ^ Goodman, Jessica (June 17, 2016). "Christina Aguilera Releases New Song 'Change' to Benefit Orlando Victims". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  6. ^ Reed, Ryan (June 24, 2016). "Watch Christina Aguilera Belt Orlando Tribute 'Change' on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  7. ^ Cantor, Brian (June 21, 2016). "Hozier, Christina Aguilera, G-Eazy Singles Featured On Latest US Radio HitDisc". Headline Planet. Cantortainment Company. Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  8. ^ Aguilera, Christina (20 June 2016). "Christina Aguilera "Change" Sheet Music in Gb Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
  9. ^ a b Roman, Alex (January 9, 2015). "Christina Aguilera's New Song 'Fire' With Rihanna?". Real Obsession. Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Filtrado el posible título y tracklist del nuevo disco de Christina Aguilera". CromosomaX (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  11. ^ Daw, Robbie; Sonis, Rachel; Williott, Carl; Wass, Mike (June 17, 2016). "Pop Perspective: Christina Aguilera's "Change" Rated & Reviewed". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  12. ^ Villa, Lucas (June 18, 2016). "Christina Aguilera releases 'Change' single to benefit Orlando shooting victims". AXS. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  13. ^ Carley, Brennan (June 16, 2016). "Christina Aguilera Drops Emotionally Resonant New Single, 'Change'". Spin. Next Management Partners. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  14. ^ "Christina Aguilera Releases 'Change': New Song to Benefit Orlando". Fuse. Fuse Media, LLC. June 17, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-06-18. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  15. ^ Atkinson, Sophia (June 17, 2016). "Christina Aguilera's Orlando Benefit-Single Proves She Is The Ultimate LGBT Ally". Bustle. Bustle Digital Group. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  16. ^ "Elton John praises Christina Aguilera's 'Change'". YouTube. August 5, 2016. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  17. ^ "#2016: The 50 Best Singles of the Year". Luvpop. December 29, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Assunção, Muri (June 25, 2018). "10 Christina Aguilera Songs for Your Pride Month Playlist: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  19. ^ Wass, Mike (December 18, 2020). "Christina Aguilera's 40 Best Songs". Idolator. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  20. ^ "Chart: Digital Songs – Week Ending: 06/23/2016" (PDF). Nielsen SoundScan. June 23, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  21. ^ Christina Aguilera Performs "Change" on YouTube
  22. ^ "ZDJĘCIA/VIDEO: KONCERT W GRUZJI – RELACJA" (in Polish). christinaaguilera.com.pl. July 31, 2016. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Christina Aguilera & Liz Phair Sing About Voting for #YourVoiceYourVote Twitter Campaign". Billboard. September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  24. ^ "Change / Christina Aguilera TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  25. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  26. ^ "Airplay Radio Chart − Issue Date: September 5th 2016". HRT. September 5, 2016. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  27. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Change" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  28. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – 2016 Semaine du 17 Juin" (in French). SNEP – Top Singles Téléchargés. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "Change – Christina Aguilera". AFP. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  30. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  31. ^ "Christina Aguilera – Change" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  32. ^ Chart Log UK: "CLUK Update 25.06.2016 (wk25)". UK Singles Chart. Zobbel.de. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  33. ^ "Christina Aguilera Songs and Albums – Full Official Charts History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  34. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  35. ^ "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
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