Five minutes with Xtina: Christina Aguilera takes a look back at a decade on top

To say that Christina Aguilera has had a remarkable career is an understatement.  The chart-topping songstress is now a bona-fide brand and arguably the heir to Mariah Carey's R&B throne.

While fans eagerly await a new record -- tipped as "futuristic" and perhaps marking a return to dance-floor bangers such as "Dirrty" -- Xtina today (Nov. 11) releases a greatest-hits collection, "Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits," exclusively through Target and the retailer's website.

Pop & Hiss had a five minute chat via phone with the "Beautiful" singer late last week, when she shared a few thoughts on the last decade.  Suffice it to say, this new mother is not looking back in anger.

How does it feel to release a greatest-hits package already?  You’ve had such a remarkable career, yet it doesn’t feel like you’ve been here a decade.

I feel so fortunate. I can’t believe it’s been a decade already.  It’s not that new to me to revisit my catalog because on tour I do reinvent old hits of mine and sort of give them a new life.  But hearing the original versions in their radio form, was a trip down memory lane for me. It’s kind of crazy!

Is there any one of your older songs that you feel especially attached to?

There’s definitely one with extra sentimental value for me.

(More after the jump) 

Hindsight being 20/20, are there any tracks you wish you could have worked with different producers on? 

Well, it’s hard to say that because the music was perfect for the time where I was at as an artist. As a new artist at the time, I thank God for the songs I recorded because they allowed me to explode onto the scene. They allowed me to live my lifelong dream. I can’t knock that whatsoever. Would I record those songs the way I did then? No (laughs).  But it was great for the time being. I look back at all those songs feeling very accomplished.  You know?  This is a time when I’m a completely different person inspired by new things. 

Any cringe moments looking back a decade?

Sometimes, you have to have a good laugh and be able to reinvent some of the old songs. The direction I’m going musically now is completely different. It’s rewarding for me to be able to know that I have this material to release and that the fans have backed me through all the changes so it’s been really fun for me to look back at the past. 

Why did you choose to work with Target for the greatest-hits exclusive?  Did you approach them?  Or did the retailer reach out to you?

A little bit of both. It was the perfect choice for me. When I’m traveling on tour, one of my favorite things to do is to throw a baseball cap on and go to a Target. The company has always been good to me.  They’ve got such a great creative team. I’ve worked with a lot of different brands, and sometimes they get it creatively, sometimes they just don’t. Target is one of the best at really listening to the artist and understanding what they are about.   

What do you say to those on the Internet who are hinting that you borrowed Lady Gaga’s look?

You know, that’s funny that you mention that. This person [Lady Gaga] was just brought to my attention not too long ago. I’m not quite sure who this person is, to be honest. I don’t know if it is a man or a woman. I just wasn’t sure. I really don’t spend any time on the Internet, so I guess I live a little under a rock in that respect.

- Charlie Amter

Photo: Christina Aguilera poses for a Target commercial currently on the air. Credit: Courtesy BNCPR

Comments

[Gaga]

Sometimes I can't tell whether Xtina is a man or a woman either.

[Julie]

Christina Aguilera is a insecure little girl who is always in the shadows of fellow female singers that she feel the need to put them down.

[Ms. Thing]

Please.....Christina Aguilera is far from insecure. She is an extremely gifted vocalist that sings better than all of her contemporaries. Christina has accomplished so much in her short career.

[JOSE]

Christina is amazing and I don't understand why people cares what she thinks or knows...it is what it is...she didn't know gaga and thats that...when I hear the comparisons I didn't know who this gaga was and Christina got inspired by the pop art form from the Andy Worhole era...she is unique and she is amazing...if you get the CD you will see how the pop aspect comes to life...its great...its great...KEEPS GETTING BETTER A DECADE OF HITS... I like the fact that is only through Target because this store is classic and their commercials are great...

[Nathan]

I love Christina and I love Lady Gaga she didn't have to be soo rude to make that comment about her and Christina has gained soo much over her career her vocals are amazing and I cant wait for next album

[Alicia]

I would think Christina was being catty about the Lady Gaga thing, IF IT WEREN'T COMPLETELY TRUE. It is true, look at her. Any picture. Sometimes it's really hard to tell whether she's a man or a woman. Christina's just telling it like it is.

[Alicia]

To Julie: Christina in Lady Gaga's shadow? Please. Nobody among my group of friends had ever heard of her until the MTV awards. And I've read the same thing all over the internet. Many other people hadn't heard of her either. Lady Gaga should be thanking Christina for the career boost.

[Steve Wimer]

Christina's duet with Mick Jagger on "Shine a Light" really rocked!

[tiifo]

hello!!!!!!! dont the majority of people you pass on the street have long blond hair and bangs?

[Meat]

Christina: Fake boobs, fake face and soon will be fading.

Why do you think she's suddenly changing her style and music?
It's old school.

GaGa is ratcheting up the game, with her album, FAME.

When Christina (Xtina, LOL) comes out with new music, it'll be a ripoff of GaGa's sound.

Christina's, what, 34years old? Damn..GaGa is fresh and new.

You had your moment, XTINA.

Step aside.

[gayana]

christina gave the best answer ever lol, very smart!

how can sum1 say that christina is in the shadow of that gaga chick... who is she? xtina has been there for a decade for gods sake. its like comparing backstreet boys and that diddy's new boy band.,.. what is it called? lol exactly.

[House of GAUS]

Xtina seriously stole Gaga's look, I mean could she have been anymore imature about it, "I don't know weather she's a man or woman" Like for real the bleach must be getting to you girl because I'm pretty sure LADY gaga would mean she's a woman. Put out your greatest hits, that thirty years from now NO ONE will remember, while Just Dance, Pokerface, Love Game, and Eh Eh is playing on the greatest hit's of the thousands, tens and today.

[Xtinarocks]

Gaga fans who attack aguilera are just jealous beacuse Gaga ripped xtine´s singing style but´s not quite as good...

of course gaga y selling more than xtina right now... she´s the "new stuff"... but back when aguilera started, she had 3 billboard No.1´s of 4 singles (Come on over, genie and what a girl wants)... Gaga with her first CD and 5 singles out, has only made 1 No. 1 (just dance)... "beautiful ,dirty, rich" failed... "nothing else i can say" did too... poker face might get there and lovegame may too... sitll it´ll be 3 out of 5, while christina made 3 out of 4...

Let´s just wait till summer... or to the next gaga album... she might be another jessica simpson, sophie ellis bextor, mandy moore... etc...