Christina Aguilera, Fighter | Music Lifts

In the 41^st edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by pop superstar Christina Aguilera performing, “Fighter.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 41^st edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Fighter” as performed by Christina Aguilera. 

An elite, powerhouse voice is one awesome way to lift the spirit . Christina Aguilera is a prodigiously talented singer, PERIOD.  Her best moments from her 2002 album, Stripped, arrive when her voice is the focal point . On the controversial song “Dirrty”, sex and a raunchy music video are the focal point. On “Fighter”, however, the voice shines bright, while the empowerment – the work that Aguilera has put in to fight – is what catches the ears.  Unsurprisingly, the chorus is section to beat:

“Makes me that much stronger

Makes me work a little bit harder

Makes me that much wiser

So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster

Made my skin a little bit thicker

Makes me that much smarter

So, thanks for making me a fighter.” 

Oh, the lift ! Backtracking a bit to provide more context, Aguilera speaks about being taken advantage of.  Even though the person being sung about has done some dirty deeds, rather than allow it to destroy her, she uses it as fuel for her fire as a fighter. “‘Cause if it wasn’t for all of your torture,” she sings in the pre-chorus, “I wouldn’t know how to be this way now and never back down / So, I wanna say thank you.” In the bridge, Aguilera also makes the epic lyrical statement, “But in the end you’ll see, you won’t stop me / I am a fighter.” The positive message of “Fighter” is terrific.  This empowered, Scott Storch produced aughts gem (love the use of guitar to provide some bite) peaked at no. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Christina Aguilera • Stripped • Sony Music Entertainment • 2002

Christina Aguilera, Fighter: Music Lifts No. 41 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; cottonbro studio, Itzel Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]