Express (Christina Aguilera song)
Encyclopedia
"Express" is a song recorded by American recording artist Christina Aguilera
. The song was written by Aguilera, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, and Claude Kelly
, and produced by Stewart, for the soundtrack album, Burlesque
(2010). The song premiered on November 3, 2010 the On Air with Ryan Seacrest
radio show. Aguilera performed the song in 2010 on the British television show The X Factor
. The sexual content featured in the performance garnered criticism and lead to an investigation by Ofcom
.
gave reviewed the song saying "But there's way more fission from the numbers that recast her as a bionic Lady Marmalade: the nasty, buzzing bump-and-grind "Express". The online critic Movie-Moron gave the song a positive review saying "Express, the lead single from the Burlesque soundtrack, is the most modern sounding thing here, boasting a 21st century hum and a chorus that recalls Aguilera’s hit Dirrty
".
chart. In the United Kingdom
, after Aguilera's performance on the show the X Factor
, the track peaked at number seventy-five. In the United Kingdom the single also charted on the R&B Chart
at position twenty-one.
. The performance began with Aguilera seated in a chair with her back to the audience wearing a black 'spangly' bodysuit, she then proceeded to click her fingers to the opening of the track. As the camera pulled back from the stage it revealed a mimic of a Burlesque club similar to that of the film. She then used influences from her 'Dirrty' era dancing and strutting across the stage. Aguilera commented on the performance several times beforehand saying' "You're going to get quite the show", "Quite the Spectacle" also adding "it will give you a fitting little look inside the movie". On December 11, 2010 Aguilera performed the track on the British television show the X Factor
, her performance, as well as Rihanna
's performance of "What's My Name?
" received criticsm for being inappropriate for pre-watershed
television. British media regulator Ofcom
launched an investigation against the television network, ITV
after receiving 2,868 complaints on the matter. ITV was later exonerated and the performances were deemed to be "at the limit" of acceptability for pre-watershed television. Ofcom also highlighted the media coverage of the performances, noting that 2,000 of the complaints were actually made after the Daily Mail
reported "viewer outrage" at X Factor
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
. The song was written by Aguilera, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, and Claude Kelly
Claude Kelly
Claude Kelly is an American singer-songwriter. He has a prolific discography, well known for writing for artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, Jay Sean, Adam Lambert, Jessie J and Charice.-Career:He began playing the piano...
, and produced by Stewart, for the soundtrack album, Burlesque
Burlesque (soundtrack)
Burlesque: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a soundtrack album by Christina Aguilera and Cher from the film of the same name. It was released on November 22, 2010 by RCA Records. The first buzz single from the soundtrack "Express" was released on November 19, 2010. The other two singles from...
(2010). The song premiered on November 3, 2010 the On Air with Ryan Seacrest
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
On Air with Ryan Seacrest is an American syndicated television talk show, which ran from January 12, 2004, through September 17, 2004. It was distributed in the United States and Canada by Twentieth Television.-Series background:...
radio show. Aguilera performed the song in 2010 on the British television show The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
. The sexual content featured in the performance garnered criticism and lead to an investigation by Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
.
Background
It was confirmed after Christina Aguilera had completed work on her sixth studio album Bionic that she had invited Tricky Stewart to start work on the soundtrack album to accompany the film 'Burlesque'. Together Aguilera and Stewart co-wrote two tracks for the soundtrack album being 'Show Me How You Burlesque' and 'Express' in addition to this he also worked on various other tracks for the album. The track debuted on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM Radio Show on November 3rd 2010.Critical reception
The song has received positive reviews from critics. Slant MagazineSlant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
gave reviewed the song saying "But there's way more fission from the numbers that recast her as a bionic Lady Marmalade: the nasty, buzzing bump-and-grind "Express". The online critic Movie-Moron gave the song a positive review saying "Express, the lead single from the Burlesque soundtrack, is the most modern sounding thing here, boasting a 21st century hum and a chorus that recalls Aguilera’s hit Dirrty
Dirrty
"Dirrty" is a song performed by American singer Christina Aguilera featuring rapper Reggie "Redman" Noble. The song was written by Aguilera and Redman along with Jasper Cameron, Balewa Muhammad, and Rockwilder for Aguilera's fourth studio album Stripped...
".
Chart performance
In Japan the single peaked at number thirty-two on the Japan Hot 100Japan Hot 100
The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....
chart. In the United Kingdom
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, after Aguilera's performance on the show the X Factor
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
, the track peaked at number seventy-five. In the United Kingdom the single also charted on the R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
at position twenty-one.
Live performances
Aguilera performed this song at the American Music Awards of 2010American Music Awards of 2010
The 38th American Music Awards were held November 21, 2010 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums from 2010. Nominees were announced on October 12, 2010. Justin Bieber was nominated for, and won, four awards, including Artist of...
. The performance began with Aguilera seated in a chair with her back to the audience wearing a black 'spangly' bodysuit, she then proceeded to click her fingers to the opening of the track. As the camera pulled back from the stage it revealed a mimic of a Burlesque club similar to that of the film. She then used influences from her 'Dirrty' era dancing and strutting across the stage. Aguilera commented on the performance several times beforehand saying' "You're going to get quite the show", "Quite the Spectacle" also adding "it will give you a fitting little look inside the movie". On December 11, 2010 Aguilera performed the track on the British television show the X Factor
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
, her performance, as well as Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
's performance of "What's My Name?
What's My Name? (Rihanna song)
"What's My Name?" is mid-tempo electro-R&B song, produced by Norwegian producers, StarGate, who return Rihanna to the "Island-pop" of her early career with a backing track consisting of "heavy reggae" and ska beats with synthesised organs. Bill Lamb from About.com noted that before Rihanna's vocals...
" received criticsm for being inappropriate for pre-watershed
Watershed (television)
In television, the term watershed denotes the time period in a television schedule during which programs with adult content can air....
television. British media regulator Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
launched an investigation against the television network, ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
after receiving 2,868 complaints on the matter. ITV was later exonerated and the performances were deemed to be "at the limit" of acceptability for pre-watershed television. Ofcom also highlighted the media coverage of the performances, noting that 2,000 of the complaints were actually made after the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
reported "viewer outrage" at X Factor
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
58 |
| Japan (Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... ) |
32 |
| Swiss Singles chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
54 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
75 |
| UK R&B Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
21 |
| US Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Bubbling Under Hot 100 Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100... |
2 |