Can't Hold Us Down

American singer Christina Aguilera rose to prominence with the successes of her first three studio albums Christina Aguilera (1999), Mi Reflejo (2000), and My Kind of Christmas (2000).{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/arts/28iht-chris.2322180.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&|title=Aguilera aims for edgy, but richer, sound|first=Lola|last=Ogunnaike|work=The New York Times|date=July 28, 2006|access-date=April 20, 2016}} However, she was dissatisfied with being marketed as what her then-manager Steve Kurtz desired rather than Aguilera's own wish.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/a/aguilera_christina/news_feature_feb_02/|title=Not Your Puppet|publisher=MTV News. Viacom Media Networks|date=February 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020402020027/http://www.mtv.com/bands/a/aguilera_christina/news_feature_feb_02/|archive-date=April 2, 2002|first=Kim|last=Stitzel}} In late 2000, Aguilera hired Irving Azoff as her new manager and announced that her forthcoming album would have more musical and lyrical depth.{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2002-10-23-christina-aguilera_x.htm |title=Aguilera's image is 'Stripped' |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |first=Elysa |last=Gardner |date=October 24, 2002 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301144224/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2002-10-23-christina-aguilera_x.htm |archive-date=March 1, 2016 }} She named the album Stripped, explaining that the term represented "a new beginning, a re-introduction of [herself] as a new artist".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458433/christina-stands-up-for-the-ladies-discusses-fathers-abuse/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715052232/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458433/christina-stands-up-for-the-ladies-discusses-fathers-abuse/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=Christina Stands Up For The Ladies, Discusses Father's Abuse|first=Jennifer|last=Vineyard|publisher=MTV News. Viacom Media Networks|date=October 31, 2002|access-date=February 4, 2014}} Hip hop producer Scott Storch wrote and produced several tracks for the album, including "Can't Hold Us Down".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1567366/miley-cyrus-we-cant-stop-8-examples-of-female-pop-stars-recruiting|title=Miley Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop' & 8 Examples of Female Pop Stars Recruiting Hip-Hop Producers|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Andrew|last=Unterberger|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=July 2, 2013}} Additional writing credits for the song were provided by Aguilera and Matt Morris.{{cite AV media notes|title=Stripped|others=Christina Aguilera|year=2002|publisher=RCA Records}}

"Can't Hold Us Down" was serviced to mainstream radio and rhythmic stations in the United States as the fourth single from Stripped by RCA Records on July 8, 2003.{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=07/08/2003&Format=1 |title=R&R :: Going for Adds :: CHR/Top 40 |work=Radio & Records |publisher=VNU Media |date=July 8, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021224038/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=07%2F08%2F2003&Format=1 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=07/08/2003&Format=9 |title=R&R :: Going for Adds :: Rhythmic |work=Radio & Records |publisher=VNU Media |access-date=May 31, 2014 |date=July 8, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610115841/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=07%2F08%2F2003&Format=9 |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead }} The song was distributed as a CD single from September to October 2003 in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Italy by RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-Hold-Christina-Aguilera-feat/dp/B0000BZNMY|title=Can't Hold Us Down [Single, Maxi]|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=April 25, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue708.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20031006140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20031007-0000/Issue708.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-10-06|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th September 2003|publisher=ARIA|page=25|date=September 15, 2003|access-date=May 15, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/CanT-Hold-Down-Christina-Aguilera/dp/B0000BZNMY|title=Can't Hold Us Down [Single, Maxi]|publisher=Amazon.de|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306123110/http://www.amazon.de/Cant-Hold-Down-Christina-Aguilera/dp/B0000BZNMY|language=de}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.it/Cant-Hold-Us-Down-Intl-Version/dp/B0000BZNMY|title=Can't Hold Us Down [Singolo, Maxi]|publisher=Amazon.it|access-date=February 6, 2014|language=it}} A 12-inch edition of the song was released in the United States on September 9, 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hold-Us-Down-Vinyl/dp/B0000C5086|title=Christina Aguilera: Can't Hold Us Down [Vinyl]|website=Amazon |access-date=February 16, 2015}}

{{listen

|filename=Can't Hold Us Down (Christina Aguilera song - sample).ogg

|title="Can't Hold Us Down" (2003)

|description=A 20-second sample of "Can't Hold Us Down", a hip hop and R&B song which criticizes "common" societal double standards

|filetype=Ogg

|pos=left}}

"Can't Hold Us Down" is written in the key of E♭ major.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0043932|title=Christina Aguilera feat. Lil' Kim – Can't Hold Us Down|date=17 March 2003 |publisher=Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group|archive-date=October 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020200513/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0043932}} Chuck Taylor from Billboard described it as a R&B track,{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Q0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36|title=Singles: Highlights|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Chuck|last=Taylor|page=36|volume=115|issue=28|date=July 12, 2013|access-date=October 16, 2013}} while The New York Times{{'}}s Kelefa Sanneh characterized it as a hip hop song.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/arts/music/29sann.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1381922126-nZrOMq/6Sv3PxUO3RhQjlw |title=Beyoncé, Aguilera, Jackson, Simpson and Jewel: Seeking Another Turn in the Spotlight |first=Kelefa |last=Sanneh |work=The New York Times |date=July 29, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216095815/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/arts/music/29sann.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1381922126-nZrOMq%2F6Sv3PxUO3RhQjlw |archive-date=February 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Todd Burns writing for Stylus Magazine also noted elements of dancehall towards the end of the track.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/christina-aguilera/stripped.htm|title=Christina Aguilera – Stripped – Review|first=Todd|last=Burns|magazine=Stylus Magazine|date=September 1, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202139/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/christina-aguilera/stripped.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2016}} Aguilera and Kim's vocals on the track, which Taylor described as "faux-R&B", span two octaves, from F₃ to F₅.

"Can't Hold Us Down" lyrically discusses feminism;{{cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/ae/20021101recordings7.asp|title=Recording Reviews: 11/1/02|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|publisher=John Robinson Block|first=Ed|last=Masley|date=November 1, 2012|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222024710/http://old.post-gazette.com/ae/20021101recordings7.asp}} the song criticizes "common" gender-related double standards, in which men are applauded for their sexual behaviors, while women who behave in a similar fashion are disdained.{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/articles/a-soundproofed-room-of-ones-own-17-wellintended-ye,39169/|title=A soundproofed room of one's own: 17 well-intended yet misguided feminist anthems|first1= Jason|last1= Heller|first2=Genevieve |last2=Koski|first3= Leonard|last3= Pierce|first4= Tasha|last4= Robinson|first5= Kyle|last5= Ryan|first6= Claire|last6= Zulkey|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|date=March 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403042138/http://www.avclub.com/articles/a-soundproofed-room-of-ones-own-17-wellintended-ye%2C39169/|archive-date=April 3, 2010}}{{harvnb|Railton|Watson|2011|page=88}}. In the book Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip-Hop, Susan Hadley and George Yancy discuss that "Can't Hold Us Down" is a hip hop song that "encourages young women to be proud, strong, and empowered to be all that they can be".{{harvnb|Hadley|Yancy|2012|page=94}}. At the song's first verse, Aguilera sings "Call me a bitch 'cause I speak what's on my mind / Guess it's easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled"; she later rejects that all women "should be seen, not heard" and encourages them to "shout louder" during the chorus.{{cite web|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Whats-On/Music/Top-ten-empowering-lady-anthems-08032013.htm|title=Top ten empowering lady anthems|work=Burton Mail|publisher=Staffordshire Newspapers Ltd|first=Yasamin |last=Saeidi|date=March 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311171616/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Whats-On/Music/Top-ten-empowering-lady-anthems-08032013.htm|archive-date=March 11, 2013}} Aguilera comments on the double standard with the lyrics "The guy gets all the glory the more he can score / While the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore". Lil' Kim shares a similar sentiment during her verse in the bridge, questioning why a man is able to give a woman "some sex or sex her raw" while "if the girl do the same and then she's a whore".

Media outlets speculated that the lyrics of "Can't Hold Us Down" were directed towards rapper Eminem, who referred to Aguilera in his songs "Off the Wall" and "The Real Slim Shady".{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/christina-aguilera-stripped-rca/|title=Christina Aguilera, 'Stripped'|first=Josh|last= Kun|work=Spin|publisher=Spin Media|date=July 15, 2003|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001163145/http://www.spin.com/reviews/christina-aguilera-stripped-rca}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/08/arts/the-new-season-music-idol-returns-her-image-remade.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=The New Season/Music: Idol Returns, Her Image Remade|work=The New York Times|date=September 8, 2002|first=Kelefa|last=Sanneh|access-date=August 11, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20278448,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514040452/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20278448,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2009|title=Eminem and His Many Feuds|first=Steve| last=Helling|work=People|publisher=Time Inc|date=May 12, 2009|access-date=April 25, 2013}} Spin magazine's Josh Kun wrote that Aguilera suggested Eminem "Must talk so big / To make up for smaller things". According to Kelefa Sanneh writing for The New York Times, Aguilera referred to Eminem in the lyrics "It's sad you only get your fame through controversy".

File:Christina Aguilera - Can't Hold us.jpg in Dublin, November 2006]]

Upon its release, "Can't Hold Us Down" received mixed reviews from music critics. Rob O'Connor of Yahoo! Music praised the song, noting that it "perfectly encapsulates the earnest and strident young talent".{{cite web|url=http://launch.yahoo.com/read/album.asp?contentID=211050|title=Album Review – Stripped|work=Yahoo! Music|publisher=Yahoo!|date=October 28, 2002|first=Rob|last=O'Connor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040415090640/http://launch.yahoo.com/read/album.asp?contentID=211050|archive-date=April 15, 2004|access-date=February 13, 2025}} While reviewing Stripped for The Guardian, Betty Clarke opined that the song rewrites the rules of feminism, using a hip-hop beat to do so.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/oct/25/popandrock.artsfeatures1|title=Christina Aguilera: Stripped|work=The Guardian|first=Betty|last=Clarke|date=October 25, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020180540/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/oct/25/popandrock.artsfeatures1|archive-date=October 20, 2013|access-date=February 13, 2025}} Chuck Taylor from Billboard criticized the song as a "real waste of time and talent", while Rolling Stone{{'}}s Jancee Dunn called the track "curiously lifeless".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/stripped-20021105|title=Christina Aguilera: Stripped|first=Jancee|last= Dunn|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Jann Wenner|date=November 5, 2002|access-date=April 25, 2013}} Stylus Magazine{{'}}s Todd Burns was critical of the song's "bland" lyrics yet appreciated the dancehall elements that emerged at the end of the track. Josh Kun of Spin praised the lyrics for being more confrontational than the works of her contemporary Britney Spears. Jacqueline Hodges writing for BBC Music appreciated Lil's Kim's inclusion on the track for adding "a bit of edge".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fqcz|title=Christina Aguilera Stripped Review|first=Jacqueline|last= Hodges|publisher=BBC Music. BBC|date=November 20, 2002|access-date=April 25, 2013}} "Can't Hold Us Down" was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 2004 Grammy Awards, but lost to "Whenever I Say Your Name" by Sting and Mary J. Blige.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/topics/g/grammy/2004/nominees/|title=2004 Grammy Winners|publisher=Viacom Media Networks|archive-date=February 20, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040220141343/http://www.mtv.com/news/topics/g/grammy/2004/nominees/}} On reviewing Aguilera's greatest hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits in 2008, Nick Levine from Digital Spy shared disappointment because the song could not make it to the compilation.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/review/a135367/christina-aguilera-keeps-gettin-better-a-decade-of-hits.html#~oIANWPONaASoyO|title=Christina Aguilera: 'Keeps Gettin' Better – A Decade of Hits'|first=Nick |last=Levine|publisher=Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation|date=November 10, 2008|archive-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316060843/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/album-reviews/review/a135367/christina-aguilera-keeps-gettin-better-a-decade-of-hits/}}

The song has been recognized as a feminist anthem. Nicholas Ransbottom from The Charleston Gazette placed the song on his list of the top ten songs of female empowerment in 2013, calling it a "great anthem about women sticking up for themselves in a misogynistic world".{{cite web|url=http://www.wvgazette.com/Entertainment/gazzmusic/201303010100|title=Music for Women's History Month|first=Nicholas|last= Ransbottom|newspaper=The Charleston Gazette|publisher=The Daily Gazette Company|date=March 1, 2013|access-date=February 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109050719/http://www.wvgazette.com/Entertainment/gazzmusic/201303010100|archive-date=November 9, 2013}} Several writers for The A.V. Club included the track on their list of seventeen "well-intended yet misguided feminist anthems" in 2010; they agreed that the song itself was "actually one of her better songs", although they felt that its accompanying music video overshadowed its lyrical "[confrontation of] the double standard of female sexuality" since Aguilera conducted herself in a provocative fashion that conflicted its intended meaning. Yasamin Saeidi from Burton Mail listed "Can't Hold Us Down" on her list of the "top ten empowering lady anthems" in 2013. According to Julianne Shepherd of Portland Mercury "Can't Hold Us Down" is a "valuable and important moment for feminist pop music".{{cite web|url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/music/christina-aguilera-riot-grrl/Content?oid=32043|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200620115509/https://www.portlandmercury.com/music/christina-aguilera-riot-grrl/Content?oid=32043|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 20, 2020|title=Christina Aguilera, Riot Grrl|work=Portland Mercury|first=Julianne|last=Shepherd|date=September 2, 2004|access-date=June 20, 2020}} Since then, the single has been placed on similar rankings of feminist songs for Marie Claire,{{cite web|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a18625/galentines-party-playlist/|last=Keong|first=Lori|title=40 Galentine's Day Songs That Are All About Female Empowerment|work=Marie Claire|date=February 1, 2017|access-date=March 1, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201192345/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a18625/galentines-party-playlist/|archive-date=December 1, 2023}} Nylon,{{cite web|url=https://www.nylon.com/articles/girl-power-songs-aughts|last=Deczynski|first=Rebecca|title=12 Best Girl Power Anthems of the Aughts|work=Nylon|date=September 7, 2005|access-date=March 1, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729201712/https://www.nylon.com/articles/girl-power-songs-aughts|archive-date=July 29, 2023}} and Pride.com.{{cite web|url=https://www.pride.com/feminism/2015/5/29/20-girl-anthems-made-me-feminist-0|last=Willis|first=Raquel|title=20 Girl Anthems That Made Me A Feminist|publisher=Pride.com|date=September 9, 2012|access-date=March 1, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610160553/https://www.pride.com/feminism/2015/5/29/20-girl-anthems-made-me-feminist-0|archive-date=June 10, 2016}}

{{-}}

"Can't Hold Us Down" peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the Pop Songs chart. The song peaked at number 4 on the Canadian Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/stripped-mw0000662221/awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012032330/http://www.allmusic.com/album/stripped-mw0000662221/awards |title=Christina Aguilera: Stripped: Awards |publisher=AllMusic. All Media Network |access-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-date=October 12, 2015 |url-status=dead }} In Australia, "Can't Hold Us Down" reached a peak position of number 5 on the Australian Singles Chart, and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments of 35,000 copies in the country. Additionally, it reached number 2 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. It peaked at number 4 on the Hungarian Singles Chart, number 5 on the Irish Singles Chart, and number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20030914/7501/|title=2003 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive: 20th September 2003|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=September 20, 2003}} On May 4, 2020, it was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry for shipments of 200,000 copies in the UK. The single charted at numbers 7 and 15 on the Belgian Flanders and Walloon Singles Charts, respectively. On the Danish Singles Chart, "Can't Hold Us Down" peaked at number 8, while its highest position on the German Media Control GfK chart was number 9.

File:Orchard St looking south at Rivington St.jpg, Manhattan, in the 1980s.]]

The music video for "Can't Hold Us Down" was directed by David LaChapelle, who previously directed the music video for Stripped{{'}}s lead single "Dirrty" in 2002. It was filmed in a Los Angeles soundstage that depicted a 1980s Lower East Side neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City. LaChapelle described the concept of the video as his "ode to the '80s".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1471890/christina-lil-kim-get-even-dirrtier-for-cant-hold-us-down-clip/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107230607/http://www.mtv.com/news/1471890/christina-lil-kim-get-even-dirrtier-for-cant-hold-us-down-clip/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2015|title=Christina, Lil' Kim Get Even 'Dirrtier' For 'Can't Hold Us Down' Clip|first=Corey|last= Moss|publisher=MTV News. Viacom Media Networks|date=May 16, 2003|access-date=April 25, 2013}} In the video, Aguilera wears a pink midriff shirt matching a sleeveless sports jacket and pair of shorts, a purple baseball cap embroidered with the words "Lady C", and white long socks. She is seen with dyed black hair and gold earrings.

As the video starts with Aguilera is chatting with a group of women. When Aguilera leaves the conversation, a man suddenly grabs her butt, making Aguilera stop and causing an argument between them. As she continues to sing, the nearby women in the neighborhood join her, while the male dancers are joined and form their respective sides in the street. They performed their own hip hop dance skills against each other. At the bridge, Lil' Kim appears in a bikini and a mesh black coat, and dances in her high heels. The argument ends with Aguilera spraying the men with a water hose, which she holds between her legs and parodies the penis.{{harvnb|Besigiroha|2010|pages=244–245}}.

Jason Heller from The A.V. Club criticized LaChappelle for "[swallowing] the message" of the track by following an unrelated concept in the clip. In the book Music Video and the Politics of Representation, Diane Railton and Paul Watson felt that the video exemplified cultural appropriation, specifically noting how Aguilera conducted herself as an African-American woman, and elaborated that it emphasized "a range of issues concerning the representation of gender and race". Andy Cohn from The Fader provided a more favorable review, and opined that Aguilera's "sass" helped to highlight her mixed Irish-Ecuadorian background.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2010/03/23/5-videos-to-remind-christina-aguilera-of-herself/|title=5 Videos To Remind Christina Aguilera of Herself|work=The Fader|publisher=Andy Cohn|date=March 23, 2010|access-date=February 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028141445/http://www.thefader.com/2010/03/23/5-videos-to-remind-christina-aguilera-of-herself/|archive-date=October 28, 2010}}

The music video for "Can't Hold Us Down" has received scholarly attention as an example of cultural appropriation. Murali Balaji, author of the article "Vixen Resistin': Redefining black womanhood in hip-hop music videos" published in the Journal of Black Studies, noted that "blackness and sexuality" has become characteristics by which African-American women are able to self-define. Consequently, he opined that the inclusion of Lil' Kim in the clip represented an element of "'primitive' sexuality", which Aguilera intended to imitate through her own behavior in the video.{{harvnb|Balaji|2008|pages=5–20}}. In their article "Naughty girls and red-blooded women: Representations of female heterosexuality in music video", published in Feminist Media Studies, Diane Railton and Paul Watson made specific note of the conflicting message raised by the lyrics "all my girls around the world", while "blackness and whiteness are clearly inscribed on and through the bodies of Aguilera and Kim." They suggested that this example detracted the message of the track by emphasizing the problem that "female heterosexuality" is confined to "the very limited range of ways" in mainstream culture, in this instance "gender and race [and] sexual behaviour".{{harvnb|Railton|Watson|2005|pages=51–63}}.

In March 2019, Brazilian singer Anitta paid tribute to Aguilera's attire from the "Can't Hold Us Down" music video, wearing an almost identical outfit.{{cite web|url=https://revistaquem.globo.com/Carnaval/noticia/2019/03/anitta-ataca-de-christina-aguilera-em-mais-um-dia-de-carnaval-2019.html|title=Anitta ataca de Christina Aguilera em mais um dia de Carnaval 2019|work=Quem|publisher=Editora Globo|date=March 5, 2019|language=Portuguese|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241114143520/https://revistaquem.globo.com/Carnaval/noticia/2019/03/anitta-ataca-de-christina-aguilera-em-mais-um-dia-de-carnaval-2019.html|archive-date=November 14, 2024|access-date=November 14, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://revistaquem.globo.com/Carnaval/noticia/2019/03/de-bebel-beyonce-essas-sao-todas-fantasias-que-anitta-usou-no-carnaval.html|title=De Bebel a Beyoncé, essas são todas as fantasias que Anitta usou no Carnaval|work=Quem|publisher=Editora Globo|date=March 10, 2019|language=Portuguese|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240826154413/https://revistaquem.globo.com/Carnaval/noticia/2019/03/de-bebel-beyonce-essas-sao-todas-fantasias-que-anitta-usou-no-carnaval.html|archive-date=August 26, 2024|access-date=August 26, 2024}}

Though Lil' Kim and Christina have not performed the song together, Aguilera performed "Can't Hold Us Down" on her Justified and Stripped Tour, which was held in support of Aguilera's Stripped and Justin Timberlake's album Justified (2002).{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Aguilera-Timberlake-aging-well-Sexy-soulful-2611168.php|title=Aguilera, Timberlake aging well / Sexy, soulful show in Oakland|first=Neva|last=Chonin|date=June 9, 2013|work=San Francisco Chronicle|publisher=Hearst Corporation|access-date=August 16, 2013}} In late 2003, the track was included on the setlist of the Stripped Tour,{{cite news|title=Aguilera delivers killer concert|first=Cameron|last=Adams|work=Herald Sun|date=December 12, 2003|publisher=The Herald and Weekly Times}} which acted as the Justified and Stripped Tour's extension and happened without Timberlake's acts.{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1536125/two-years-later-aguilera-fans-finally-getting-their-due-a-refund/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723111745/http://www.mtv.com/news/1536125/two-years-later-aguilera-fans-finally-getting-their-due-a-refund/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2014|title=Two Years Later, Aguilera Fans Finally Getting Their Due: A Refund|date=July 11, 2006|access-date=July 6, 2013|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|publisher=MTV News. Viacom Media Networks}} The performance in London was included on the singer's first full-length DVD Stripped Live in the U.K. (2004).{{cite video| people=Julia Knowles (director), Sharon Ali (producer) and Christina Aguilera (singer-songwriter, producer) | title=Stripped Live in the U.K. | location=United Kingdom | publisher=RCA Records |date=October 12, 2004 }} On her Back to Basics Tour (2006–08), Aguilera performed excerpts of "Can't Hold Us Down" in a medley with "Still Dirrty".{{cite magazine|url=http://blogcritics.org/concert-review-christina-aguilera-back-to/|title=Concert Review: Christina Aguilera – Back to Basics Tour|first=Chris|last=Evan|date=March 26, 2007|magazine=Blogcritics|access-date=July 30, 2013|archive-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611032638/http://blogcritics.org/concert-review-christina-aguilera-back-to/|url-status=dead}}

In July 2021, Aguilera performed the song for two nights at the Hollywood Bowl with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/9602622/christina-aguilera-philharmonic-hollywood-bowl-recap/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717181511/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/9602622/christina-aguilera-philharmonic-hollywood-bowl-recap/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2021-07-17|title=Christina Aguilera Reimagines Her Biggest Hits With the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl|magazine=Billboard|first=Rania|last=Aniftos|date=July 17, 2021|access-date=July 18, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.noise11.com/news/christina-aguilera-performs-with-orchestra-at-hollywood-bowl-20210718|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718042318/https://www.noise11.com/news/christina-aguilera-performs-with-orchestra-at-hollywood-bowl-20210718|url-status=dead|archive-date=2021-07-18|title=Christina Aguilera Performs With Orchestra At Hollywood Bowl|publisher=Noise11.com. The Noise Network|first=Paul|last=Cashmere|date=July 18, 2021|access-date=July 18, 2021}} She also sang excerpts from the song during the 47th People's Choice Awards,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/christina-aguilera-recreates-dirrty-outfit-peoples-choice-2021-1235007051/|title=Christina Aguilera Recreates & Updates Her Iconic 'Dirrty' Outfit for 2021 People's Choice Awards|magazine=Billboard|first=Starr|last=Bowenbank|date=December 8, 2021|access-date=December 8, 2021}}

and later made "Can't Hold Us Down" part of her setlist at the EuroPride concert in Malta in September 2023.{{cite web|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/christina-aguilera-dazzles-europride-concert-energetic-performance.1055623|title=Christina Aguilera dazzles in Europride concert with energetic performance|work=Times of Malta|publisher=Allied Newspapers Limited|date=September 17, 2023|first=Giulia|last=Magri|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925173829/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/christina-aguilera-dazzles-europride-concert-energetic-performance.1055623|archive-date=September 25, 2023|access-date=September 25, 2023|url-status=bot: unknown}}{{cite web|url=https://www.maltanewsagency.com/2023/09/malta-europride-ends-with-an-electrifying-show-by-christina-aguilera/|title=Malta, EuroPride ends with an electrifying show by Christina Aguilera|work=Malta News Agency|date=September 17, 2023|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230925180926/https://www.maltanewsagency.com/2023/09/malta-europride-ends-with-an-electrifying-show-by-christina-aguilera/|archive-date=September 25, 2023|access-date=September 25, 2023|url-status=live}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• CD single

1. "Can't Hold Us Down" – {{duration|m=4|s=15}}
2. "Can't Hold Us Down" (Sharp Boys Orange Vocal Remix) – {{duration|m=7|s=22}}
3. "Can't Hold Us Down" (Jacknife Lee Remix) – {{duration|m=4|s=30}}

• 12-inch single

1. "Can't Hold Us Down" (album version) – 4:15
2. "Can't Hold Us Down" (instrumental) – 4:29
3. "Can't Hold Us Down" (a capella) – 4:25

{{col-2}}

• DVD single

1. "Can't Hold Us Down" (video) – 4:15
2. "Can't Hold Us Down" (album version) – 4:15
3. "Beautiful" (Brother Brown Divine Remix) – 9:07
4. "Impossible" (Performance Snippet) – 1:00
5. "Get Mine, Get Yours" (Performance Snippet) – 1:00

{{col-end}}

Credits adapted from "Can't Hold Us Down" CD liner notes{{cite AV media notes|type=CD single liner notes|title="Can't Hold Us Down"|location=Europe|publisher=RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment|others=Christina Aguilera featuring Lil' Kim|year=2003|id=8-28765-56042-9}}

Studios

• Mixed at the Record Plant (Los Angeles)
• Recorded at the Enterprise Studios (Burbank, California and Conway Studios (Hollywood, California)

Personnel

{{div col}}

• Writing – Christina Aguilera, Scott Storch, Matt Morris
• Producing – Scott Storch
• Vocals arranging – Christina Aguilera
• Vocals producing – Christina Aguilera, E. Dawk
• Mixing – Tony Maserati

:* Assistant mixing – Anthony Kilhoffer

• Recording – Wassim Zreik, Oscar Ramirez
• Assistant Engineering – Aaron Leply, John Morichai, Kevin Szymanski, Scott Whitting
• Drums – Kameron Houff
• Background vocals – Crystal Drummer. Charlean Hines, Erica King, Robinson, Toya Smith
• Lil' Kim appear courtesy of Queen Bee/Atlantic Recording Corporation

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Can't Hold Us Down"}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relyear=2002|access-date=April 26, 2013|refname="aria"}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|artist=Christina Aguilera ft Lil' Kim|title=Can't Hold Us Down|award=Silver|certyear=2020|relyear=2003|id=16307-5222-1|refname="bpi"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|first1=Susan|last1= Hadley|first2= George|last2= Yancy|title=Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip-Hop|page=94|publisher=Routledge|year=2012|isbn=9781136652332}}
• {{Cite journal| doi = 10.1177/0021934708325377| pmid = 21117275| title = Vixen Resistin': Redefining black womanhood in hip-hop music videos| journal = Journal of Black Studies| volume = 41| issue = 1| pages = 5–20| year = 2008| last1 = Balaji | first1 = Murali | s2cid = 26320847}}
• {{cite book|first= Linda|last= Besigiroha|chapter= Independent women? Feminist discourse in music videos|editor1-first= Marion|editor1-last= Gymnich|editor2-first=Kathrin |editor2-last=Ruhl|editor3-first=Klaus |editor3-last=Scheunemann|title=Gendered (Re)Visions: Constructions of Gender in Audiovisual Media|year=2010|publisher=Bonn University Press (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht)|location=Göttingen, Germany|isbn=9783899716627|pages=227–252}}
• {{Cite journal

| doi = 10.1080/14680770500058207| title = Naughty girls and red-blooded women: Representations of female heterosexuality in music video

| journal = Feminist Media Studies| volume = 5| issue = 1| year = 2005| last1 = Railton | first1 = Diane| last2 = Watson | first2 = Paul

| pages = 51–63| s2cid = 144307744

}}

• {{cite book|first1=Diane|last1=Railton|first2=Paul|last2= Watson|title=Music Video and the Politics of Representation|url=https://archive.org/details/musicvideopoliti0000rail|url-access=registration|year=2011|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|isbn=9780748633234|pages=[https://archive.org/details/musicvideopoliti0000rail/page/88 88]–90}}

• {{YouTube|dg8QgUIKXHw|"Can't Hold Us Down" music video}}

{{Christina Aguilera songs}}

{{Lil' Kim}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2003 singles

Category:2002 songs

Category:American hip-hop songs

Category:Christina Aguilera songs

Category:Lil' Kim songs

Category:Manhattan in fiction

Category:Music videos directed by David LaChapelle

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Scott Storch

Category:Songs with feminist themes

Category:Songs written by Christina Aguilera

Category:Songs written by Lil' Kim

Category:Songs written by Matt Morris (musician)

Category:Songs written by Scott Storch

Category:African-American cultural appropriation

Category:Feminist anthems