02. Can't Hold Us Down
Christina Aguilera Lyrics

So what am I not supposed to have an opinion
As a woman, am I supposed to keep quiet and not have any opinions?

Should I keep quiet just because I'm a women
Is it wrong for me to speak up just because I'm a woman?

Call me a bitch cause I speak what's on my mind
Labeling me as a derogatory term just because I express my thoughts isn't fair.

Guess it's easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled
It seems like it's more comfortable for you if I just kept quiet and didn't assert myself.

When a female fires back suddenly big talker don't know how to act
When a woman responds to a man's criticism confidently, the man tends to get uncomfortable and doesn't know how to react.

So he does what every little boy would do
The man acts immaturely, like a child.

Makin'up a few false rumors or two
He creates lies about the woman to discredit her.

That for sure is not a man for me, slanderin' names for popularity
This type of person, who spreads lies about others to gain popularity, is not someone I admire or respect.

It's sad you only get your fame through controversy
It's regrettable that some people become popular by creating controversy and causing drama.

But now it's time for me to come and give you more to say
It's time for me to speak up even louder and give my opinion, despite any backlash.

This is for my girls all around the world
The following message is directed to all the women worldwide.

Who have come across a man that don't respect your worth
If you've ever met a man who doesn't value you and your worth as a person, be aware of this message.

Thinkin' all women should be seen and not heard
If this man believes women shouldn't voice their opinions and deserve to be silent, then he needs to hear what's coming.

So what do we do girls, shout out loud
Women, let's not be silent any longer, let's speak up and be heard.

Lettin 'em know were gonna stand our ground
We're going to assert ourselves and show that we won't back down.

So lift your hands high and wave 'em proud
Raise your hands in solidarity and let's demonstrate our collective power.

Take a deep breath and say it loudNever can, never willCan't hold us down
Take a deep breath and proclaim that you will never back down, and that nothing can stop us.

Here's something I just can't understand
Here's an issue that I can't comprehend.

If the guy have three girls then he's the man
Men are praised and rewarded for having multiple sexual partners.

He can even give her some head, or sex her off
Men are even granted bragging rights for performing certain sexual acts on their partners.

But if a girl do the same, she's a whore
Women, on the other hand, are shamed and called derogatory names for the same actions.

But the tables about to turn
Now, the tides are changing.

I bet my fame on it
I'm confident that this change will happen.

Cats take my ideas, and put their name on it
People take my ideas and brand it as their own.

It's aight though, you can't hold me down
It's alright, though, because nothing can stop me.

I got to keep on moving
I need to keep moving forward.

To my girls to their man who be trying to mac
To all the women whose partners try to 'flirt' or seduce other women.

Do it right back to him and let that be that
Respond to his behavior by doing the same to him.

You need to let him know that his game is whack
Call him out on his bad behavior and let him know that his actions are unacceptable.

And Lil' Kim and Christina Aguilera got yo back
You're not alone and have the support of Lil' Kim and Christina Aguilera.

You're just a little boy
As a grown man, you're still acting like a child.

Think you so cute, so coy
You think that your behavior is cute and charming.

You must talk so big to make up for smaller things
You use big words and try to belittle others to compensate for feeling inadequate.

All you do is annoy
Your behavior is bothersome and unpleasant to deal with.

Never can, never will
Nothing will ever be able to hold us back or stop us from being heard and respected.

Can't hold us down
People who try to oppress or silence us will never succeed.