Christina Aguilera - Beautiful (Single) - Stripped Review

Bottom-Line: A career defining song.

Whatever else can be said about Christina Aguilera, no one can dispute the beauty of her remarkable voice and its power to transform.  Such is the case with December 2002 record Beautiful, the second release from Aguilera's critically acclaimed sophomore album, Stripped (2002).  Written by long-time Aguilera lyricists Linda Perry, Beautiful is a statement about the inner beauty in all of us, no matter our outward appearance and labels society seems determined to brand us with.        

Beautiful is a beautifully written and performed ballad, and is a complete 180 degree turn from the aforementioned Dirrty, and highlights the complexity of Christina Aguilera.  The song is as much an anthem about her as it is about all of us and the popularity of the ballad was and is its universal message of acceptance and self-love. 

The song begins with an eloquent piano introduction as Aguilera whispers "Don't look at me." From here on out Christina delivers a soul searing performance that time cannot diminish.  Her trademark voice makes love to each word daring you not to feel what she's feeling.  All of us not matter our station in life can relate because we are human, a bundle of emotions and outward facing connections.  We all suffer from self-doubt, and word do hurt despite our best efforts to tune them out.  What defines us as survivors is our ability to keep love of self above the fray and persevere; that is the message of Beautiful, as sung with much heart and soul by Ms. Aguilera.