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Song Stories

“Not Myself Tonight”

Christina Aguilera | 2010

"Not Myself Tonight" is the debut single from Christina Aguilera's fourth studio album, Bionic. The tune was intentionally different from anything she had previously recorded: "I was able to explore and create a fresh, sexy feel using both electronic and organic elements with subject matter ranging from playful to introspective," the singer explained. "It is something I don't think anyone will expect." The accompanying video was a direct homage to "Express Yourself" by Madonna, who Aguilera credits as being an inspiration.

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Song Stories

“Help Me”

Joni Mitchell | 1974

Joni Mitchell wrote and recorded this song for her album Court and Spark, but she had to switch from her regular band to make the song sound exactly the way she wanted. "I had attempted to play my music with rock & roll players," she told Rolling Stone. "They’d laugh, 'Awww, isn't that cute? She's trying to teach us how to play.'" Mitchell switched to a jazz band, Tom Scott’s L.A. Express, and scored the biggest hit of her career in the process.

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