The lead single of Christina Aguilera’s 1999 self-titled debut album, “Genie in a Bottle” not only became a No. 1 hit in the U.S. but in 20 other countries.
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On the surface, the sexually charged lyrics, written by Pam Sheyne, Steve Kipner, and David Frank, seemed like just the thing to help Aguilera shake off her former Mickey Mouse Club persona. (Aguilera starred as a Mouseketeer on the show along with Britney Spears, actor Ryan Gosling, and Justin Timberlake in 1993.) Though, as the song progresses, its meaning reveals more about having self-respect than acting on one’s physical impulses.
Ready for Love Meaning
Everything starts out fairly literal: a young woman is ready to give herself completely to a man.
I feel like I’ve been locked up tight
For a century of lonely nights
Waiting for someone to release me
You’re lickin’ your lips
And blowing kisses my way
But that don’t mean I’m gonna give it away
The music’s fading and the lights down low
Just one more dance and then we’re good to go
Waiting for someone who needs me
Hormones racing at the speed of light
But that don’t mean it’s gotta be tonight
Treat Her Right
As the song progresses, there’s also a message of self-respect, and waiting for just the right man.
“It’s a song about self-respect,” said Aguilera of the song’s meaning in 1999. “People don’t get that. It really is. You’re saying ‘you gotta treat me the right way.'”
If you wanna be with me
Baby, there’s a price to pay
I’m a genie in a bottle
You gotta rub me the right way
If you wanna be with me
I can make your wish come true
You gotta make a big impression
Gotta like what you do
“Genie in a Bottle” gave Aguilera her very first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy and remains one of her signature songs.
Photo by Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage
