It was nominated for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" at the 45th Grammy Awards, but lost out to Santana and Michelle Branch's "The Game of Love".
The song is best remembered for its accompanying music video, for which Aguilera was allowed creative control. The video brought her sexuality to the forefront and depicted various sexual fetishes, from mud wrestling to sthenolagnia. It eliminated the teenybopper, "girl next door" image that she had accumulated from the Genie in Bottle era.
Dirty
Christina Aguilera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm feeling a little out of control
Is this me
You wanna get crazy
'Cause I don't give a
I'm out of character
I'm in rare form
You'd know it's not the norm
Cause I'm doing things that I normally won't do
The old me's gone I feel brand new
And if you don't like it fuck you
The music's on and I'm dancing
I'm normally in the corner just standing
I'm feeling unusual
I don't care cause this is my night
I'm not myself tonight
Tonight I'm not the same girl (same girl)
I'm not myself tonight
Tonight I'm not the same girl (same girl)
I'm dancing a lot
I'm taking shots
And I'm feeling fine
I'm kissing all the boys and girls
Someone call the doctor cause I lost my mind
'Cause I'm doing things that I normally won't do
The old me's gone I feel brand new
And if you don't like it fuck you
The music's on and I'm dancing
I'm normally in the corner just standing
I'm feeling unusual
I don't care cause this is my night
I'm not myself tonight
Tonight I'm not the same girl (same girl)
I'm not myself tonight
Tonight I'm not the same girl (same girl)
In the morning
When I wake up
I'll go back to the girl I used to be
But baby
Not tonight
I'm not myself tonight
Tonight I'm not the same girl (same girl)
I'm not myself tonight
Tonight I'm not the same girl (same girl)
Yeah
That feels good
I needed that
Yeah
Get crazy
Let's go
That's right
C'mon
Give it to me now
Don't stop
Yeah
The song "Dirty" by Christina Aguilera is an anthem for anyone who wants to let loose and get wild on a night out. The first verse sets the tone by showing the singer's willingness to be wild and daring, unafraid of the judgment of others. She declares that she is "out of control" tonight and urges her partner to get crazy with her. The chorus reiterates this message, saying that she is not the same girl she usually is and she is doing things that she wouldn't normally do.
The second verse adds some context to the singer's behavior by acknowledging that this isn't how she normally behaves. She says that if people really knew her, they'd know that this isn't typical for her, but she's enjoying herself too much to care. The pre-chorus and chorus repeat with some added detail, emphasising the singer's desire to let go of her inhibitions and have a good time without judgment. The bridge of the song brings up some apprehension about the morning after, but the singer reassures herself that she can go back to being the way she was before.
Overall, "Dirty" is a song that celebrates letting go of your inhibitions and having a good time, even if it's only for one night. It's a declaration of independence that encourages listeners to be their authentic selves and not care what others think.
Line by Line Meaning
You know tonight
Acknowledging the present moment
I'm feeling a little out of control
Losing a sense of self and direction
Is this me
Questioning one's own identity
You wanna get crazy
Inviting someone to join in your madness
'Cause I don't give a
Reckless abandon of inhibitions
I'm out of character
Not behaving as expected
I'm in rare form
Functioning in an unusual state
If you really knew me
Implies the audience doesn't fully know the singer's real self
You'd know it's not the norm
Acknowledging that the current behavior is unusual for the singer
'Cause I'm doing things that I normally won't do
Engaging in behavior that goes against the status quo
The old me's gone I feel brand new
A feeling of undergoing a profound change
And if you don't like it fuck you
Disregarding anyone who does not accept the current behavior
The music's on and I'm dancing
Enjoying the moment of dancing to music
I'm normally in the corner just standing
Suggestive of the singer's usual introverted behavior in social situations
I'm feeling unusual
Acknowledging a different sensation
I don't care cause this is my night
Emphasizing the idea of living in the moment
I'm not myself tonight
Asserting the idea of a newer, liberated self
Tonight I'm not the same girl (same girl)
Reiterating the changes happening within
I'm dancing a lot
Emphasizing the changes in behavior
I'm taking shots
Drinking alcohol without regard for consequences
And I'm feeling fine
Euphoric feelings from the new state of mind
I'm kissing all the boys and girls
Exploring same-gender intimacy and romantic freedom
Someone call the doctor cause I lost my mind
Acknowledging the abnormality of current behavior, yet accepting it as liberating
In the morning
A signal of the new day ahead
When I wake up
A signal of snapping out of the momentary state
I'll go back to the girl I used to be
Acknowledging that the change in behavior is temporary
But baby
Affectionate term of endearment
Not tonight
Expressing the desire to relish in the present moment's liberation
That feels good
Expressing the feelings of pleasure and joy in the moment
I needed that
Acknowledgement of personal satisfaction
Yeah Get crazy
Invitation to indulge in the madness
Let's go That's right
Encouraging to continue the revelry
C'mon Give it to me now
An invitation for more indulgence
Don't stop Yeah
Continuing the rhythm of the moment
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ESTER DEAN, ESTHER DEAN, GREGORY GERARD CURTIS, JAMAL F. JONES, JASON LAMONT PERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dv4975
The new generation will never understand how HUUUUGE this was 🙌🏻
@chrissuryajuanda6406
Agreed 😊
@jonestexx4022
黄蔚蔚 you are obviously young and ignorant. Dirrty was HUUGE. It peaked at #1 in the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Croatia and otherwise charted within the TOP 5 of almost every European country AND in Canada. It was a MAJOR world wide hit. The only countries it didn't do well were in the USA and in some middle eastern countries (they weren't ready lol). But even in those countries she was on EVERY news paper. People either hated or loved it but everyone around the world sure talked about it. Very successful, controversial and career defining moment for Xtina. Forever ICONIC!!
@jonestexx4022
黄蔚蔚 ??? Are you high?? Or just 5 years old?? Nobody said this the only HUGE song. Of course there were and are many others. There is room for more than one successful artist and song. Jesus. A worldwide hit is a worldwide hit. Period.
@jester0075
fart
@spookybagels3447
The world wasn't ready for this Christina when this came out 😂
@dylanpsinakis7930
This song Shocked the whole world..... She was criticized left and right. But this song became an iconic as it is today. The new generation has no idea how huge this was back in the day....
@MsJubjubbird
The fashion sense is still shocking me. Like she called up Serena Williams and asked what she should wear for this video
@leobelcolona4721
Compared to the music videos of today, this is too clean.
@dylanpsinakis7930
Leobel Colona i agree.... this is not Dirrty anymore... hahahaha