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Christina Aguilera - Fighter CD cover

"Fighter" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera from her fourth studio album Stripped (2002). The song was written by Aguilera and Scott Storch and was produced by the latter. RCA Records released it to US contemporary hit radio stations on March 13, 2003 as the third single from the album. Musically inspired by band Guns N' Roses' song "November Rain", "Fighter" combines influences from R&B, rock, arena rock and rock and roll genres. Lyrically, Aguilera thanks a man doing wrong to her for making her stronger.

Music critics were mostly positive toward "Fighter", praising the song's empowering message and Aguilera's vocal delivery. It peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding 500,000 copies in the United States. The single reached the top ten of several national music charts, including those in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.

A music video for "Fighter" was directed by Floria Sigismondi, inspired by Sigismondi's dark theatrics. Aguilera performed the track on three of her major concert tours: Justified and Stripped Tour (2003), The Stripped Tour(2003) and Back to Basics Tour (2006–08). "Fighter" has been covered by several artists, including Jordin Sparks and Darren Criss. The stylistic similarities of "Fighter" to her song "Army of Me" from her 2012 album Lotus would later lead Aguilera to compare the two and consider "Army of Me" as a genuine sequel, describing it as "Fighter 2.0".

Music Video

The video was filmed in Los Angeles, California and was inspired by the director's signature dark theatrics and the life circle of moths. Sigismondi explained the theme and plot of the clip to MTV News:

Fighter-Music-Video-christina-aguilera-26783864-911-680

The video begins with Aguilera wearing a black velvet kimono, with a pale complexion and long black hair, refers to a larva. Three pins are lodged in her back, making her hunch. Initially, she is trapped in a glass box, and her kimono is billowing like a balloon. Three Gothic ballerinas eat fruit and then collapse. Aguilera then breaks free from the box by pounding on it until it breaks. She tosses aside her kimono after furiously removing the pins on her back and throwing them away. A tattered, white, moth-covered dress is revealed, symbolizing her metaphoric evolution from the larva to a pupa. In addition, her hair becomes white, and moths fly around her. Near the end, Aguilera wears an Elvira-type spider dress, again proclaiming that she is a "fighter".

The music video for "Fighter" garnered numerous awards. At the 2003 Belgian TMF Awards, the clip won Best Video International. It garnered Aguilera and Sigismondi a Juno Award for Video of the Year at the 2004 ceremony, which was held at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It also earned four MVPA Awards for Best Pop Video, Best Cinematography, Best Make-Up and Best Styling in a Video in 2004, held at Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Christina_Aguilera_-_Fighter

Christina Aguilera - Fighter

Christina Aguilera - "Fighter" (official music video)

Lyrics

After all you put me through
You'd think I'd despise you
But in the end I want to thank you
'Cause you made me that much stronger

Well I thought I knew you
Thinking that you were true
Guess I, I couldn't trust called your bluff
Time is up, 'cause I've had enough

You were there by my side
Always down for the ride
But your joy ride just came down in flames
'Cause your greed sold me out in shame, mmm hmm

After all of the stealing and cheating
You probably think that
I hold resentment for you
But uh uh, oh no, you're wrong

'Cause if it wasn't for
All that you tried to do
I wouldn't know just how capable
I am to pull through
So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it
Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It 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

Never saw it coming
All of your backstabbing
Just so, you could cash in on a good thing
Before I'd realized your game

I heard you're going around
Playing the victim now
But don't even begin feelin' I'm the one to blame
'Cause you dug your own grave

After all of the fights and the lies
Guess you're wanting to hurt me
But that won't work anymore
No more, uh uh, it's over

'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture
I wouldn't know how to be this way now
And never back down
So I wanna say thank you

'Cause it 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
It makes me that much smarter
So, thanks for making me a fighter

How could this man I thought I knew
Turn out to be unjust so cruel?
Could only see the good in you
Pretended not to see the truth

You tried to hide your lies
Disguise yourself through
Living in denial
But in the end you'll see
You won't stop me

I am a fighter
(I'm a fighter)
I ain't gonna stop
(I ain't gonna stop)
There is no turning back
I've had enough

'Cause it 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
It makes me that much smarter
So, thanks for making me a fighter

Thought I would forget
But I, I remember
Yes I, I remember
I'll remember

'Cause it 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
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter

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