Express (Christina Aguilera song)

In support of her sixth studio album, Bionic, Aguilera planned to embark on the Bionic Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebrity-news/461666/leona-lewis-to-tour-with-christina-aguilera/1/ |title=Leona Lewis to tour with Christina Aguilera |work=Now Magazine |date=May 12, 2010 |access-date=June 20, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215090811/http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebrity-news/461666/leona-lewis-to-tour-with-christina-aguilera/1/ |archive-date=December 15, 2010 }} However, on May 24, 2010, the singer and tour promoter Live Nation both posted messages on their websites stating that due to excessive promotion of Bionic and preparing for her upcoming film debut in Burlesque, she felt she would need more time to be able to put together a show that her fans deserve to see. Aguilera stated that this was not possible to do in less than one month between the release of the album and the start of the tour as she would need more time to rehearse.{{cite web|last=Sisario |first=Ben |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/christina-aguilera-postpones-tour/ |title=Christina Aguilera Postpones Tour – ArtsBeat Blog|work =The New York Times |date= May 24, 2010|access-date=June 20, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.christinaaguilera.com/us/news/message-about-bionic-tour |title=A Message About The BIONIC Tour |publisher=ChristinaAguilera.com |access-date=June 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701042519/http://www.christinaaguilera.com/us/news/message-about-bionic-tour |archive-date=July 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }} For the accompanying soundtrack for the film, Aguilera worked with Tricky Stewart;{{cite magazine|first=Gail|last=Mitchell|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/951073/tricky-stewart-talks-jessica-simpson-burlesque-production|title=Tricky Stewart Talks Jessica Simpson, 'Burlesque' Production|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=November 12, 2010|access-date=November 12, 2010}} he co-wrote and produced two songs, "Show Me How You Burlesque" and "Express", and produced several other tracks including "Something's Got a Hold on Me", "Tough Lover" and "But I Am a Good Girl".{{cite AV media notes|others=Christina Aguilera|title=Burlesque|year=2010|type=liner notes|publisher=RCA Records}} "Express" was premiered on the On Air with Ryan Seacrest radio show (KIIS-FM) on November 3, 2010 as a promotional single from the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/209332/hear-christina-aguilera-e-x-p-r-e-s-s-herself-in-new-burlesque-track|title=Hear Christina Aguilera E-X-P-R-E-S-S Herself in New Burlesque Track!|work=E! Online|publisher=E!|first=Natalie|last=Finn|date=November 3, 2010|access-date=November 4, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2010/11/03/world-premiere-new-music-from-christina-aguilera-express-audio/|title=Ryan Seacrest - World Premiere: New Music from Christina Aguilera 'Express'|work=Ryan Seacrest|first=Sadao|last=Turner|date=November 3, 2010|access-date=May 22, 2013}}

"Express" was written by Aguilera, Christopher Stewart and Claude Kelly, and was produced by Tricky Stewart. Aguilera's vocals on the track span two octaves, from the low-note of E₃ to the high-note of E₅.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0091998&|title=Christina Aguilera – Express Sheet Music|work=Musicnotes.com|date=April 2011|publisher=Universal Music Publishing Group|access-date=May 22, 2013}} It is an electropop song;{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/showgirl-aguilera-shows-her-skills/story-fn6br9e4-1225988297869?nk=8f39251496af0bba3cfa30a4fc7cab5f|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140812013633/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/showgirl-aguilera-shows-her-skills/story-fn6br9e4-1225988297869?nk=8f39251496af0bba3cfa30a4fc7cab5f|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2014|title=Showgirl Aguilera shows her skills|work=The Advertiser|date=January 16, 2011|access-date=August 9, 2014}} the melody of "Express" is similar to the old-school style of "Lady Marmalade",{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/burlesque-original-soundtrack|title=Burlesque: Original Soundtrack – Music Review|work=Slant Magazine|first=Eric|last=Henderson|date=November 21, 2010|access-date=November 22, 2010}} and has a dance production.{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-burlesque-original-motion-picture/|title=Music Review: Burlesque – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|work=Blogcritics|date=December 13, 2010|access-date=May 22, 2013|archive-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703205231/http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-burlesque-original-motion-picture/|url-status=dead}} Thus, "Express" has an old-school sound, but is also modern. Lyrically, the song evokes sexual theme, as she "seductively" sings, "Show a little leg, you gotta shimmy your chest".{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/5652662/express-christina-aguilera-burlesque-theme-song|title=Hop On The 'Express' That Is Christina Aguilera's 'Burlesque' Theme Song|work=Idolator|publisher=Buzz Media|first=Robbie|last=Daw|date=October 11, 2010|access-date=September 12, 2013}}

"Express" received mainly positive reviews from music critics. Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine called the song "nasty, buzzing bump-and-grind" and "a bionic 'Lady Marmalade'". Blogcritics thought that "Express", among with "Show Me How You Burlesque" are the two songs that "work better in the context of the movie, where the elaborate visuals help distract from their lack of melody and strong hooks". An online website, Movie-Moron was positive toward the track, saying that it is "the most modern sounding thing" in the soundtrack, also compared "Express" to Aguilera's 2002 single "Dirrty".{{cite web|url=http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=14406|title=Burlesque Soundtrack – Songs|work=Movie-Moron|date=November 23, 2010|access-date=May 22, 2013|archive-date=November 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127005738/http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=14406|url-status=dead}} Jamie Tabberer of the Attitude magazine named "Express" a "glam big band number", and ranked it among the best songs ever recorded by Aguilera.{{cite web|url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film-tv/christina-aguileras-17-best-songs-ranked-from-dirrty-to-beautiful-404002/|title=Christina Aguilera's 17 best songs ranked – from Dirrty to Beautiful|work=Attitude|first=Jamie|last=Tabberer|date=August 2, 2022|access-date=August 22, 2023}} Julianne MacNeill placed it on a similar list for the First for Women magazine.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstforwomen.com/entertainment/music/10-best-christina-aguilera-songs-ranked|title=From 'Genie in a Bottle' to 'Beautiful': The Iconic Christina Aguilera's 10 Biggest Hits Ranked!|work=First for Women|publisher=A360Media Women’s Service Group|date=October 3, 2024|first=Julianne|last=MacNeill|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250306114928/https://www.firstforwomen.com/entertainment/music/10-best-christina-aguilera-songs-ranked|archive-date=March 6, 2025|access-date=March 6, 2025}}

Commercially, "Express" charted on several music charts worldwide, despite not being released widely as a single. In the United States, the song peaked at number two on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. In the United Kingdom, "Express" peaked at number 75 on the UK Singles Chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK2010.HTM|title=Chart Log UK: New Entries Update|access-date=September 6, 2013|publisher=Zobbel Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707043849/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK2010.HTM|archive-date=2019-07-07}}{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/christina%20aguilera/|title=Christina Aguilera – Artist – Official Charts|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 22, 2013}} and also charted on the UK R&B Chart at number 21 on December 25, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20101219/114/|title=2012–12–25 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 22, 2013}} On the Swiss Singles Chart, "Express" debuted and peaked at number 54 on January 21, 2011, and stayed there for 3 weeks. In Japan, the track also peaked at number 32,{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/system/jp_charts/hot100/11-50/|title=Hot 100 − JAPAN Charts − Billboard JAPAN|work=Billboard Japan|date=December 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215123141/http://www.billboard-japan.com/system/jp_charts/hot100/11-50/|language=ja|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=2010-12-15}} and in Italy it charted at number 91.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_anno/hpy2011.htm|title=Tutti i successi del 2011|language=it|publisher=Hit Parade Italia|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=May 24, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150524152753/http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/indici/per_anno/hpy2011.htm|url-status=live}} The song reached number 58 on Australian Singles Chart in January 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.top100singles.net/2011/09/every-aria-top-100-single-in-2011.html|title=Every ARIA Top 100 Single in 2011|publisher=Top 100 Singles|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200529132155/https://www.top100singles.net/2011/09/every-aria-top-100-single-in-2011.html|url-status=live}} MacNeill noted that although "Express" wasn't a big commercial hit on charts, it "did experience a surge in success on TikTok" in the 2020s.

To promote "Express" and Burlesque, Aguilera has performed the track on two shows. Aguilera performed "Express" for the first time at the American Music Awards of 2010 on November 21, 2010, held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652768/christina-aguilera-struts-through-express-burlesque-at-amas.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20111216150213/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652768/christina-aguilera-struts-through-express-burlesque-at-amas.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 16, 2011|title=Christina Aguilera Strust Through 'Express' (Burlesque) At AMAs|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|date=November 21, 2010|access-date=May 23, 2013|publisher=MTV News. Viacom}} During an interview with MTV News about the performance, Aguilera stated that the performance would be "fantastic" and would "give a fitting look inside the movie". Wearing a "black spangly bodysuit" with knee-high boots and a bowler, Aguilera seated in a chair with her back to the audience in the beginning of the show. She began to snap her fingers and leaned into the "jazzy, skittery rhythms" of "Express". Later, the scene revealed a set made up to mimic the backstage at a burlesque club, with the singer surrounded by a number of dancers. Gil Kaufman of MTV News said that the performance is a flash back to the "Dirrty-era" of Aguilera.

On December 11, 2010, Aguilera performed "Express" again on the seventh series of British television singing contest The X Factor. Aguilera's performance, as well as Rihanna's one of "What's My Name?", received criticism for being inappropriate for pre-watershed television.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/12/17/christina-aguilera-as-raunchy-in-burlesque-as-she-was-on-the-x-factor-115875-22789374/|title=Christina Aguilera: As raunchy in Burlesque as she was on the X Factor|date=December 17, 2010|work=Daily Mirror|publisher=Trinity Mirror|access-date=December 30, 2012}} ITV was later exonerated and the performances were deemed to be "at the limit" of acceptability for pre-watershed television. However, Ofcom received about 2,868 complaints about the matter.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/apr/20/x-factor-cleared-rihanna-christina-aguilera-dance-routines | location=London | work=The Guardian |publisher=The Guardian News and Media | first=Tara | last=Conlan | title=The X Factor cleared over Rihanna and Christina Aguilera dance routines | date=April 20, 2011|access-date=May 23, 2013}}

The song was later included in the setlist for Aguilera's Vegas residency Christina Aguilera: The Xperience, as well as her European/Mexican The X Tour.

On February 18, 2011, a video featuring a 10-year-old Taiwanese boy dressing in drag and performing a dance number choreographed to "Express", channeling Aguilera's performance of the song in Burlesque, was uploaded to the Internet.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/472968/watch-little-boy-dresses-up-like-christina-aguilera-dances-to|title=Watch: Little Boy Dresses Up like Christina Aguilera, Dances to 'Express'|first=Jillian|last=Mapes|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=February 18, 2011|access-date=August 23, 2013}} The video was met with controversy, with Billboard magazine questioning if "the kid's parents filmed his sexualized dance routine and uploaded it to YouTube". In January 2021, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue won the gold medal at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. During the 2020–21 season they danced to a medley of Aguilera's Burlesque songs, which included "Express".{{cite web|url=https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/hubbell-donohue-burlesque-ice-dance-nationals-2021-48113893|title=Watch the Sexy, Burlesque-Inspired Skate That Propelled These Ice Dancers to a National Title|work=PopSugar UK|publisher=Group Nine Media|first=Amanda|last=Prahl|date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119135557/https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/hubbell-donohue-burlesque-ice-dance-nationals-2021-48113893|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=2021-01-19}}{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013466.htm|title=Madison HUBBELL / Zachary DONOHUE – isuresults.com|publisher=ISU Results. International Skating Union|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126233135/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013466.htm|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=2020-11-26}}

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• {{YouTube|NKD4UAbVvRo|"Christina Aguilera - Express"}}

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Category:2010 singles

Category:Christina Aguilera songs

Category:Songs written by Claude Kelly

Category:Songs written by Tricky Stewart

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Category:2009 songs