Beautiful

"Beautiful"
Single by Christina Aguilera
from the album Stripped
Released	December 24, 2002 (U.S.) March 3, 2003 (UK)
Format	12" single, CD single
Genre	Pop, Blue-eyed soul
Length	4:05
Label	RCA
Writer(s)	Linda Perry
Producer	Linda Perry
Certification	Platinum (ARIA) Gold (RIAA)
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"Dirrty" (2002) "Beautiful" (2002) "Fighter" (2003)

"Beautiful" is a song written and produced by Linda Perry and recorded by American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera for her second studio album, Stripped (2002). It is a cello-driven, classically-flavored ballad in which its protagonist deals with hurtful statements made against her that cause her to feel insecure and have low self-esteem. She does not let other people's negativity get the best of her. It was released as the album's second single in late 2002 and reached number one in several countries. The song received the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards.

Contents 1 Background 2 Music and structure 3 Critical reception 4 Commercial performance 5 Release 6 Awards 7 Music video 8 Live performances 9 Cover versions 10 Track listings and formats 11 Official versions and remixes 12 Credits and personnel 13 Charts and certifications 13.1 Year-End Charts 14 References 15 External links

Background

Perry had written "Beautiful" long before she let anyone hear it. She considered the song very dear and personal to her and was insecure about sharing it with anyone else. At first she had let Pink hear "Beautiful" before anyone else during their Missundaztood sessions. Pink was so impressed with the song that she had asked Perry if she could record it for her album, but Perry declined, feeling that she wanted to save it for her own singing career. A few months later, while Aguilera and Perry were recording for the Stripped session, Perry also let Aguilera listen to the song. Aguilera also very much liked the song that while Perry was playing the piano for it, Aguilera took over the vocals for the song. After that, Aguilera told Perry that she needed this song on her album. Perry was both impressed by Aguilera and confused, because even though she was blown away by her rendition of the song, she still did not want to give it up. After Aguilera continued lobbying for the song, Perry was finally convinced that Aguilera matched the song perfectly and handed it over to her.^[1]

The song was recorded in a single take. Aguilera reportedly expressed concerns that she had hit some notes too flat and some too sharp, but Perry insisted that she leave them in.

Some instruments used in this song include the cello, piano, violin and drums.

As with "Genie in a Bottle", which was re-recorded as "Genie 2.0" and performed at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, Aguilera has re-recorded "Beautiful" in an electronic style for inclusion alongside the original version on her greatest hits album Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade of Hits with the name "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)". The song became a massive success, becoming Aguilera's fifth number one single worldwide, and her fifth Top 10 hit in America. In addition, the song topped over 20 charts worldwide. Aguilera performed "Beautiful" on various TV shows and on the Back to Basics Tour. In America, the single was viewed as a comeback single, due to the slight underperformance of her previous single, Dirrty, on the American charts,both released on a 12" format.

Music and structure

"Beautiful" is a gentle ballad composed in the key of E♭ major.^[2] It moves at a slow 78 beats per minute.^[2] Aguilera's vocal range spans over two octaves from E₃ to G₅.^[2] She uses several melismas in the song, fitting as many as seven notes in one syllable.^[2]

Critical reception

"Beautiful" received positive reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weekly found it to be a highlight of Stripped, finding it "more restrained" than the rest of the album.^[3] Stylus Magazine described the song as "a typical ballad that actually tastefully reins in Aguilera's frequent vocal acrobatics".^[4] "Beautiful" received critical praise from some critics, appreciating how Aguilera and Perry released an opposite genre than the previous single, "Dirrty'. Some critics felt the change in Aguilera's style was too fast, but most appreciated her toying with her image.

"I'm truly proud of that song. To me it almost sounds like a Beatles song. I was trying to write a song that affected everybody -- this almost desperate cry that 'I am beautiful, no matter what you say," Linda Perry once stated in an interview. Paul Bryant, music director of influential New York top 40 station Z-100, praised the track, saying "Beautiful' is hands-down a runaway number one record. It's taken her to the next level and given her more respect in the adult community. It's just a classic ballad." ^[5]

Commercial performance

According to Perry, she and Aguilera's management had recommended "Beautiful" as the lead single from Stripped but that Aguilera insisted on releasing "Dirrty" instead.^[6] RCA Records stated that it had agreed with Aguilera to release "Dirrty" to attract attention;^[6] when the song only reached number forty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100, "Beautiful" was rush-released as the second single.^[4] The song peaked at number two on the U.S. Hot 100 largely because of its strong radio airplay; it was released as a 12" maxi single and at the time sales of this format were much lower than those of regular CD and CD maxi singles. "Beautiful" stayed in the U.S. Top Ten for 12 weeks, and topped many other Billboard magazine charts. It was equally successful elsewhere, and reached number one on the charts in the UK (where it was her fourth number-one single), Australia (where it was her first) and Canada (where it was her second). In New Zealand, it peaked at number one too, and with thirteen weeks in the Top 10, it became the sixtieth most successful song of all time there.^[7] "Beautiful" was released in the U.S. on December 24, 2002, and peaked at #2 on Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 27 weeks.

The single proved to be another itnernational phenomenon for Aguilera, entering the Top 5 in almost every European country it was released in, including Germany, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, and Austria. "Beautiful" stayed on the charts in Germany for 11 weeks, and for 42 weeks in Argentina's Top 100 Airplay, at #1. "Beautiful" became Aguilera's third #1 in the United Kingdom.

In the Pacific, "Beautiful" peaked at number one on the Australian Singles Chart, and got a Platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments of 70,000.^[8] In New Zealand, the single also peaked at #1, staying on the chart for 22 weeks. It was eventually certified Gold there.

In 2004 "Beautiful" won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Linda Perry received a nomination for Song of the Year. The song was ranked number two in the "Readers' Top Ten Singles" list at the 2004 Rolling Stone Music Awards, and its video was also placed at number two in the "Best Video, Readers' Pick" category. The video was the recipient of the "Popular Female Video" award at the 2003 Channel [V] Thailand Music Video Awards. A remix of "Beautiful" by Peter Rauhofer won a 2003 HX Award for "Dance Song of the Year".

"Beautiful" still has the success to become one of the most played on radio ballads of the decade, reaching more than 6 billion audience.^[9]

Release

"Beautiful" was released to American radio station on December 24, 2002. The single was released as a 12" single, and released as a CD Single later in late 2003. "Beautiful" was released on March 3, 2003 in the United Kingdom also as a 12" single. Also, the instrumental version of the song were accompanied by a remix of "Beautiful" made by Peter Rauhofer. In addition, another CD Single was released in Europe in late 2003. It included remixes by Peter Rauhofer, Brother Brown, and Tom Mandolini.

Awards

Year	Ceremony	Award	Result
2004	Grammy Awards	Song of the Year	Nominated
2004	Grammy Awards	Best Female Pop Vocal Performance	Won
2004	Grammy Awards	Best Remixed Recording	Nominated
2004	HX Awards	Dance Song of the Year	Won

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund. The video opens with Aguilera speaking the line "Don't look at me", followed by scenes of her singing alone in a room intercut with self image-related sequences of other people. An underweight girl examines herself in a mirror, eventually punching through it; a thin boy stands lifting weights in a room plastered with images of bodybuilders; and a girl rips out pages of women's magazines and throws them into a fire. In one sequence, a girl is bullied by several peers, and in another, a goth with piercings sits at the back of a bus while several people get up and move. The video also touches on LGBT issues. One scene features a gay couple, portrayed by Jordan Shannon and Justin Croft, kissing on a bench and ignoring the stares of people who pass them.^[10] Another scene shows a drag queen, played by Robert Sherman, putting on makeup, a wig, and women's clothing.^[10]

The music video was successful on video chart programs. It debuted on MTV's Total Request Live on December 9, 2002 at number two.^[11] It was unable to reach the top of the countdown but remained on it for fifty days and retired at number six on February 25, 2003.^[12] The video topped MuchMusic's Countdown for two consecutive weeks and remained on the countdown for fifteen weeks.^[13] The video received a Special Recognition award, presented by David LaChapelle, from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation at its 14th annual media awards.^[14] After an a cappella performance of the song, Aguilera stated in her acceptance speech that "this song is definitely a universal message that everybody can relate to - anyone that's been discriminated against or unaccepted, unappreciated or disrespected just because of who you are."^[14]

The video became an instant hit on MTV and other music video channels.

Live performances

In 2003, Aguilera performed on the David Letterman show, wearing a black gown, a black top hat, and black heels. She performed while sitting on a stool, something she commonly done while performing the single throughout her Back to Basics Tour.

"Beautiful" has been performed by Aguilera at a number of shows. The song was performed for the first time on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2004.

The performance starts with the introuduction, with Aguilera standing up or sitting on a stool while performing. While performing on the Ellen Degeneres show, Aguilera wore green jacket and pants, with a beige undershirt. Her hair was died a light brown at the time. She comes out singing on the microphone with singers in the background. It featured no instrumental in the background; just a pianist. In 2006, Aguilera performed it on Good Morning America. The performance was slightly different than usual, because Aguilera no longer had the image she previous had in "Stripped". During her Back to Basics era, she died her hair cherry blonde and wore it in thick curls. The performance was live.

The song was a major part in the Back to Basics Tour, and on Aguilera's Stripped World Tour. At the end of the song the instrumental of the song is usually played while Aguilera is exiting the stage, previous to when she waves thank you to the audience and bows.

In 2008 Aguilera performed the single CNN Heroes Tribute in 2008. There, Aguilera had worn a black gown and short blonde hair with bangs. Aguilera received a standing ovation at the end of the performance.

Cover versions

• Elvis Costello covered the song specifically for the House episode "Autopsy".^[15]
• Angy Fernandez sang it in the first season of the Spanish version of Factor X.
• It was also covered by Gloria Gaynor in the British television program Hit Me Baby One More Time, where she performed a disco version of the song.
• In addition, guitarists Richard Fortus and Robin Finck of Guns N' Roses covered "Beautiful" instrumentally for the early shows of Guns N' Roses' 2006 tour.
• It was covered by Kenny G and Chaka Khan for Kenny G's At Last...The Duets Album.
• Clem Snide covered the song as the title track to its 2004 A Beautiful EP.
• MADtv parodied the music video as "Virginal", with Christina Moore portraying Aguilera. In the video, the public "didn't care to see Aguilera's pubic hair" in the "Dirrty" video, so Aguilera becomes "virginal".^[16]
• Alex Parks winner of BBC TV's "Fame Academy" also recorded a version for her 2003 debut album and appeared as a b-side to her first single "Maybe That's What It Takes".
• Australian Idol 2006 runner up Jessica Mauboy performed a cover during the Top 10 show #1 Hits, which received much praise from the judges and audience. She then went on to release a cover of "Beautiful" for her Australian Idol: The Journey album which was released as a single but never was charted.
• Bob Ricci recorded a parody of the song called "Unhackable" for his 2008 album Bob's Gone Wild.
• In "Believe the Unseen", an episode of ER that first aired on January 10, 2008, the song is performed a capella by a young girl with Leber's congenital amaurosis.
• The band Hunchback recorded a cover version for their album Pray For Scars which features Michael Gerald from Killdozer.
• The Zutons performed a cover of the song for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.
• Daniel Franzese, who plays Damian in the 2004 teen comedy film Mean Girls, covered the song in the Christmas talent show scene.
• Israeli punk band Make It Rain often play a cover version in their shows.
• David Walliams sang it to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, played by Anthony Head, in an episode of Little Britain.
• The Lemonheads cover the song on their album Varshons (2009).
• Suede singer Brett Anderson performed a version of the song on piano, which was uploaded to his official Youtube channel.^[17]
• Krezip performed this song as part of their unplugged "PURE" session for music channel The Box. This recording is available on CD and DVD "That'll be unpugged".

Track listings and formats

U.S. 12" single "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer remix) "Beautiful" (Al B Rich Next Level mix) "Beautiful" (Valentin club mix) U.S. digital download "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer radio mix) "Beautiful" (Al B Rich radio mix) "Beautiful" (Valentin radio mix) "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer short club) "Beautiful" (Brother Brown mixshow) "Beautiful" (Brother Brown Divine mix) "Beautiful" (Al B Rich Next Level mix) "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer Beautiful theme) "Beautiful" (Valentin club mix) "Beautiful" (Peter Rauhofer extended club) "Beautiful" (Brother Brown dub)

Australian CD single "Beautiful" "Dame Lo Que Yo Te Doy" "Beautiful" (video) Canadian CD single "Beautiful" "Dame Lo Que Yo Te Doy" UK CD single "Beautiful (album version)" "Dirrty (MaUVe Mix)" "Beautiful" (video) UK 12" single "Beautiful" (Shanghai Surprise mix) "Beautiful" (Tom Mandolini mix) "Beautiful" (Brother Brown mixshow) "Beautiful" (Brother Brown Divine mix)

Official versions and remixes

Beautiful Remixes

"Beautiful" [Peter Rauhofer Club Mix] - 7:01 "Beautiful" [Brother Brown Mixshow] - 5:01 "Beautiful" [Al B Rich Next Level Mix] - 8:33 "Beautiful" [Beautiful (Club Mix)] - 5:51 "Beautiful" [Al B Rich Radio Mix] - 4:16

"Beautifull" [Valentin Club Mix] - 5:57 "Beautiful" [Peter Rauhofer Remix] - 10:35 "Beautiful" [Brother Brown Divine Mix] - 9:05 "Beautiful" (Brother Brown Mixshow] - 5:13 "Beautiful" [Peter Rauhofer Mixshow] - 7:05 "Beautiful" [Peter Rauhofer Beautiful Theme] - 3:42 "Beautiful" [Valentin Radio Mix] - 3:58

Credits and personnel

• Lead vocals: Christina Aguilera
• Producer: Linda Perry
• Recording engineer: Linda Perry
• Bass guitar: Linda Perry
• Cello: Richard Dodd
• Drums: Brian MacLeod
• Keyboards: Damon Fox
• Piano: Linda Perry
• Violin: Eric Gorfain
• Audio mixer: Dave Pensado

Charts and certifications

Charts (2003)[18] Peak position Australia (ARIA) [19] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [20] 5 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) [21] 3 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia) [22] 18 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 1 Denmark (IFPI) [24] 9 Eurochart Hot 100[25] 2 France (SNEP) [26] 27 Germany ( Media Control AG) [27] 4 Hungary (Mahasz) 6 Ireland (IRMA) [28] 1 Italy (FIMI) [29] 8 Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100) [30] 3 New Zealand (RIANZ) [31] 1 Norway (VG-lista) [32] 5 Romania (Romanian Top 100) 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [33] 3 Switzerland ( Media Control AG) [34] 7 United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) [35] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[36] 2 US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[37] 1 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs[38] 1 US Billboard Adult Contemporary[39] 1 US ARC Weekly Top 40 1

Country Certification Sales/shipments Australia[40] Platinum 70,000[41] New Zealand[42] Gold 7,500[43] United States[44] Gold 500,000+[45] Year-End Charts Country Position Australia[46] 24 Austria[47] 45 Germany[48] 56 New Zealand[49] 3 Switzerland[50] 66 UK 23 US 16

References

External links

• "Beautiful" audio (RealAudio format)

Preceded by "Jenny from the Block" by Jennifer Lopez featuring Styles P & Jadakiss	US ARC Weekly Top 40 number-one single December 28, 2002 - February 1, 2003 (5 weeks)	Succeeded by "I'm With You" by Avril Lavigne
Preceded by "Lose Yourself" by Eminem	US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream number-one single January 11, 2003 - February 8, 2003 (4 weeks)	Succeeded by "I'm With You" by Avril Lavigne
Preceded by "All the Things She Said" by t.A.T.u.	Irish Singles Chart number-one single March 1, 2003 - March 29, 2003 (4 weeks)	Succeeded by "Tonight"/"Miss You Nights" by Westlife
Preceded by "Lose Yourself" by Eminem	Australian ARIA Singles Chart number-one single March 2, 2003	Succeeded by "Lost Without You" by Delta Goodrem
Preceded by "All the Things She Said" by t.A.T.u.	UK Singles Chart number-one single March 8, 2003 – March 21, 2003 (2 weeks)	Succeeded by "Spirit in the Sky" by Gareth Gates featuring The Kumars
Preceded by "The Ketchup Song" by Las Ketchup	Canadian Singles Chart number-one single March 15, 2003	Succeeded by "I Drove All Night" by Céline Dion
Preceded by "All The Things She Said" by t.A.T.u.	New Zealand Singles Chart number-one single March 23, 2003	Succeeded by "All I Have" by Jennifer Lopez featuring LL Cool J
Preceded by "The Game of Love" by Santana featuring Michelle Branch	US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary number-one single April 19, 2003 - May 17, 2003 (5 weeks)	Succeeded by "The Game of Love" by Santana featuring Michelle Branch
Preceded by "Try It on My Own" by Whitney Houston	US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single April 19, 2003	Succeeded by "On a High" by Duncan Sheik
Preceded by "Kusha las payas" by Las Ketchup	Romanian Top 100 number-one single April 21, 2003	Succeeded by "Nina Piensa En Ti" by Los Canos

v • d • e Christina Aguilera Studio albums Christina Aguilera (1999)  · Stripped (2002)  · Back to Basics (2006)  · Light & Darkness (2010) Other albums Mi Reflejo (2000)  · My Kind of Christmas (2000)  · Just Be Free (2001) · Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits (2008) Video releases Genie Gets Her Wish  · My Reflection  · Stripped Live in the U.K.  · Back to Basics: Live and Down Under Tours Christina Aguilera: In Concert Tour  · Justified and Stripped Tour/Stripped World Tour  · Back to Basics Tour Related articles Discography  · Awards  · Products  · Burlesque  · RCA Records · Ecuadorian American

v • d • e Christina Aguilera singles Christina Aguilera "Genie in a Bottle" · "What a Girl Wants" · "I Turn to You" · "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" Mi Reflejo "Genio Atrapado" · "Por Siempre Tú" · "Ven Conmigo (Solamente Tú)" · "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti" · " Falsas Esperanzas" My Kind of Christmas "The Christmas Song" · "Christmas Time" Stripped "Dirrty" · "Beautiful" · "Fighter" · "Can't Hold Us Down" · "The Voice Within" Back to Basics "Ain't No Other Man" · "Hurt"  · "Candyman" · "Slow Down Baby"/"Oh Mother" Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits "Keeps Gettin' Better" Soundtracks "Reflection" · "Lady Marmalade" · "Car Wash" Guest appearances "All I Wanna Do" · "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" · "What's Going On" · "Tilt Ya Head Back" · "A Song for You" · "Somos Novios (It's Impossible)" · "Tell Me" Discography