What a Girl Wants (Christina Aguilera song)

"What a Girl Wants" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera, taken from her eponymous debut album in 1999. The song was originally written and recorded by French singer Ophélie Winter in 1998 for her album Privacy, released a year before Aguilera's. Though a songwriter along with Peiken and Roche, Winter was never credited as such for this single. A re-recorded version was released on November 28, 1999 by RCA Records as the album's second single, following the commercial success of the album's lead single "Genie in a Bottle". The song was written by Shelly Peiken and Guy Roche. The song was completed and pitched to RCA executive Ron Fair as "What a Girl Needs" and was renamed "What a Girl Wants"; Fair later gave the track to Aguilera. A Spanish version of the song, titled "Una Mujer," was included on Aguilera's second studio album Mi Reflejo (2000).

"What a Girl Wants"
Single by Christina Aguilera
from the album Christina Aguilera
B-side	"Too Beautiful for Words" "We're a Miracle" "Genio Atrapado" "Christina Aguilera Medley"
Released	November 28, 1999
Recorded	1998 (album version) September 1999 (re-recorded version)[1]
Genre	Teen pop R&B
Length	3:52 (original version) 3:35 (new album version) 3:20 (radio edit)
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Shelly Peiken Guy Roche
Producer(s)	Guy Roche
Christina Aguilera singles chronology
"Genie in a Bottle" (1999) "What a Girl Wants" (1999) "I Turn to You" (2000)

The song was described as a pop and R&B track and had similarities to "Genie in a Bottle". It received positive reviews from music critics, who described it as a "light" song and compared Aguilera's vocals on the track to those of Mariah Carey. Commercially, the song became her second consecutive US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, and topped the charts in Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, and Spain. The single eventually earned gold certifications in countries including Australia, Belgium, Sweden and the US.

A music video was directed by Diane Martel, who had also directed her previous video for "Genie in a Bottle". The video features Aguilera dancing in a room with female friends whilst being viewed by their boyfriends, and includes a scene where she is dressed as a medieval-style princess. In December 1999, the video reached pole position on the US music video chart TRL. Aguilera has performed the song at events such as the US Jingle Ball and the MTV New Year's Eve Special in 1999,[2] as well as her tours including the 2000–01 Christina Aguilera: In Concert, the 2003 Stripped Live... on Tour, the 2006–07 Back to Basics Tour, the 2018 Liberation Tour, and most recently on both the 2019 X Tour and The Xperience.

Background

After what was described as an "incredible" response to her debut single, the interest in Aguilera began to grow, at which point her record label decided it was time to release a second single.[3] The label and Aguilera disputed over which track should be released, with Aguilera recalling: "You know, some people do want me to stay in the pop scene, [but] I want to grow from there. I always want to continue growing and getting to that level of, 'Oh, she's a real singer, a real ballad-singer, she can do it'."[3] However, the announcement then came that "What a Girl Wants" would be released as the follow-up single, with Aguilera saying "The next single will be 'What a Girl Wants', but a totally cool remix of it".[3] The single was not chosen by Aguilera, but instead her record label RCA and label executive Ron Fair. Aguilera herself had little control over the entire project, and a marketing strategy foresaw that Aguilera would have better success as a "teen idol" so in an effort to maintain her persona, music was chosen and recorded under the basis that she would become the next pop phenomenon.[4]

Writing and recording

"I had a little cassette running, a work tape in case you can't remember something but you know it was good. A lot of hooks come out of making mistakes and then you can't remember what you did. I went home that night and got into bed with my husband. I was listening to our work tape. I knew there was a real gem there in a very raw form that was going to be something one day."

Writer Peiken talks about the development of the track.[5]

Shelly Peiken was the writer behind "What a Girl Wants". One day the pair were working with a cassette tape, experimenting with vocals and hooks, after which she decided that the work-in-progress had potential and she would return to it at a later date.[5]

"What a Girl Wants" was the first track recorded for Christina Aguilera in June 1998. Fair liked the song and after the decision was made to release it as the second single the label called for a second recording of the track, changing the original key in addition to editing rhythmic changes.[5] The second recording came in September 1999 after the success of her debut single "Genie in a Bottle", with Aguilera's label wanting to produce a similar tone.[5]

Composition

"What a Girl Wants" is a teen pop[6]-R&B track with some similarities to her debut single "Genie in a Bottle".[7] Written in the key of C major, the track begins with the lyrics "What a girl wants, what a girl needs, whatever makes me happy sets you free" and is set at a tempo 142 beats per minute. The vocal range is F♯₃-E♭₆.[8] Anthony Violanti from Buffalo News described the track as a "light hip-hop song" in comparison to the previous single.[9] Aguilera's vocals have been compared to that of Mariah Carey, with Carey's single "Emotions" being the grounds for these comparisons.[7] In Aguilera's vocal performance she starts singing in a lower register and "carefully" scales notes until she reaches "the highest echelon of her upper register".[7] During the track Aguilera performs the lyrics "A girl needs somebody sensitive but tough, Somebody there when the going get rough."[9] The track that was released as a single was a revised version of the song, it focused more upon the "funky R&B edge", and with Aguilera taking participation in the revision her additions made the track lighter and a mix of "pop and R&B".[7] But despite this Aguilera was disappointed in her lack of input into the single saying;

"I was held back a lot from doing more R&B ad-libbing. They clearly wanted to make a fresh sounding young pop record and that's not always the direction I wanted to go in. Sometimes they didn't get it, didn't want to hear me out because of my age, and that was a little bit frustrating. But I want to write more about experiences I've gone through. I've gone through bad situations. I come from a divorced home. I've been around abuse. I've lived a different life, been on the outside."[10]

Critical reception

Village Voice critic Robert Christgau called "What a Girl Wants" "clever" adding "but in a far less ingratiating way" than "Genie in a Bottle".[11] Anthony Violanti from Buffalo News discussed the success behind the record, citing the formula that incorporated teen idols with R&B and pop music releases; Violanti discussed the track calling it a "light track", and despite saying the track had been "buried in production" he concluded it "has a way of selling a song".[12]

Author Pier Dominquez of A Star is Made called the song "a lightweight but pleasant Pop/R&B confection" and stated Aguilera performed "vocal acrobatics" and labelled it a "less effective" Mariah Carey style vocal performance.[7] Nana-Adwoa Ofori of the AOL Radio blog compiled a list of Aguilera's ten best tracks in which she listed "What a Girl Wants" at number nine, writing: "The huge success of this Christina Aguilera song solidified her as a strong musical force".[13] Brock Radke from Las Vegas Magazine called it a "classic track".[14] The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 43rd Grammy Awards held on February 21, 2001.[7] It was Bill Lamb's number ten on the list of the best songs of 2000.[15]

Spanish version "Una Mujer" received positive reviews. Orlando Sentinel editor Parry Gettelman wrote that it holds up to her "out of my way" vocals.[16]

Chart performance

In the United States, the song spent 24 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 during which time it topped the chart,[17] becoming her second consecutive US number one single after topping the chart on the issue date of January 15, 2000 for two consecutive weeks, becoming the first new number-one entry of the 2000s on the Hot 100.[7] On the Billboard component charts, the song peaked at number one on the US Pop Songs chart where it spent 26 weeks,[18] and peaked at number 18 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart where it spent 11 weeks.[19] The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)[20] and has sold over 600,000 copies in the US to date.[21] In Oceania, the song performed well. In Australia, the track debuted at number 21 on the issue date of January 9, 2000, where it stayed for a further week. For the next two weeks the single rose up the charts before making its peak at number five on the charts.[22] The track spent a total of 18 weeks on the chart, five of which were spent within the top ten.[22] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 39 on the singles chart, before jumping to number two the following week.[23] In its third week the track topped the chart on the issue date of February 6, 2000, the single fell to number two the following week, before making its second run at number one on February 20, 2000 and once again falling to number two.[23] On the issue date of March 3, 2000, the track made its third run at number one spending three weeks atop the chart before falling to number three spending a total of 13 weeks on the chart.[23]

In Europe, the song became a number one single in Spain. After debuting at number three, the song topped the chart in its second week on the issue date of January 29, 2000 where it spent just one week before returning to number three and spent eight weeks on the chart.[24] In the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at number three on the issue date of February 26, 2000, the song spent two weeks inside the top ten and thirteen weeks on the chart.[25] In Sweden, the song was certified Gold[26] after spending twelve weeks on the chart and in its seventh week it made its peak at number 24 where it spent two weeks before falling out of the chart four weeks later.[27] The song was also certified Gold in Belgium,[28] after debuting at number 40 on the Flanders chart on the issue date of January 1, 2000 and after spending six weeks on the chart it entered the top ten at number nine before making its peak of number eight where it remained for three weeks.[29] On the Wallonia charts, the song also debuted at number 40 and on its sixth week in the chart it made its peak of number 16 spending just that one week inside the top 20.[30]

Music video

Aguilera in the music video for "What a Girl Wants". The video shows her and her female friends perform in front of their on-screen boyfriends.

The music video for "What a Girl Wants" was directed by Diane Martel, who had also directed the music video for her previous single "Genie in a Bottle." The video was choreographed by Tina Landon. Notably, the lighting in the video was more "defined" than the previous single's allowing a "clearer view" of Aguilera.[7] The video's narrative, featuring protagonists Aguilera and model Paul Forgues, unwinds as a performance given by Aguilera to thank her lover. An opening shot shows a group of young men cycling and DJing. Aguilera's troupe enters, moves the young men towards the far-end of the room, and, after asking Forgues and the other men to cover their eyes, breaks into a tightly choreographed dance as Aguilera introduces the song's hook. Solo shots of Aguilera seated atop speakers punctuate the dance sequence. As the dance sequence in the first room ends, the camera moves over the ceiling of the venue and cuts to Aguilera dressed in medieval garb[7] lying on a chaise longue whilst women dance around her with fans. After the bridge section finishes the video cuts back to the dancers in the first room and the video ends with a bird-eye-view shot of everyone in the room surrounding Aguilera and Forgues who are intimately dancing.

On December 16, 1999, the music video reached pole position on the music video chart, TRL.[7] It received heavy rotation on VH1 and was the most played video on MTV for six straight weeks.[31]

Live performances

Aguilera performing the song during her Back to Basics Tour.

Aguilera performed the track during the promotional campaign of Christina Aguilera.[32] Aguilera performed the track at Franklin High, a Milwaukee high school; the performance saw her live in front of 1,300 teenagers in a set list that consisted of three tracks: "Genie in a Bottle", "The Christmas Song" and "What a Girl Wants".[32] Aguilera performed the song on the Jingle Ball for radio station Kiss 108 just days after the release of the music video, continuing promotion for the album.[7] Later in December 1999, Aguilera was chosen to perform on MTV's live New Year's Eve Special, which she commented on beforehand, saying "I'm nervous about what's going to go on that night. Everything's going to be so chaotic", wearing tight leather pants. Aguilera started with a performance of "Genie in a Bottle", continuing into "What a Girl Wants".[33] Aguilera performed the song during the time in which she supported the band TLC on their FanMail Tour.[34] She also performed the song at the American Music Awards in a medley with the third single from Christina Aguilera, "I Turn to You"; wearing a "tummy-baring bodice", she removed the skirt before performing "What a Girl Wants" in the medley-style performance.[34]

Aguilera performed the track on the VH1 special Men Strike Back, where she once again performed a medley of "I Turn to You" and "What a Girl Wants"; she entered the stage "amid total darkness" with a spotlight aiming at her wearing a black suit. VH1 critic Michael Hill positively commented on her performance, writing "Young Christina Aguilera has a set of diva's pipes already and can cram more notes into a single line than a trio of Mariah's. Though she delivered hits, 'I Turn to You' and 'What a Girl Wants,' with great technical prowess, the real surprise of her set was a rendition of the pre-rock'n'roll-era pop standard 'At Last' with a small jazz combo".[35] After performing with TLC, Aguilera announced her debut headlining tour, Christina Aguilera in Concert, in which she performed "What a Girl Wants" which she dedicated to the female fans in the audience saying "Girls, I hope you're getting everything you want".[36]

In 2000, Aguilera performed the track on the ABC Christmas Special with "carefully choreographed" dance routines, she sang eight songs, including "Gene in a Bottle" and "I Turn to You" ending the special with a performance of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain".[37] She performed the song on Stripped Live... on Tour and it was included on her video release of the concert tour titled Stripped Live in the U.K. which was filmed live in London's Wembley Arena.[38] She also performed the track on her following concert tour titled the Back to Basics Tour; the track was featured on the live video release of the show titled Back to Basics: Live and Down Under.[39] In 2010, while promoting her sixth studio album Bionic on The Early Show, she performed the track in a medley with her debut single "Genie in a Bottle" after a performance of her single "Not Myself Tonight". CBS News commented that the performance was commended by fans.[40]

Covers

In 2009, the song was covered by Lea Michele in "Mash-Up"—an episode of the American TV series Glee.[41]

Track listings and formats

UK CD single 1[42] "What a Girl Wants" (radio edit) – 3:22 "What a Girl Wants" (smooth mix) – 3:20 "Christina Aguilera medley" ("I Turn To You", "So Emotional", "Somebody's Somebody", "Genie in a Bottle", "Come On Over") – 4:55 UK CD single 2[43] "What a Girl Wants" (radio edit) – 3:22 "We're a Miracle" – 4:09 "What a Girl Wants" (video enhancement) – 4:06 UK Cassette single[44] "What a Girl Wants" (radio edit) – 3:20 "Christina Aguilera medley" ("I Turn To You", "So Emotional", "Somebody's Somebody", "Genie in a Bottle", "Come On Over") – 4:55

Australian maxi single[45] "What a Girl Wants" (radio edit) – 3:22 "What a Girl Wants" (smooth mix) – 3:20 "Too Beautiful for Words" – 4:11 US CD single "What a Girl Wants" (radio edit) – 3:20 "We're a Miracle" – 4:10 US remix single[46] "What a Girl Wants" (Thunderpuss Fiesta club mix) – 6:16 "What a Girl Wants" (Thunderpuss Dirty club mix) – 6:36 "What a Girl Wants" (Eddie Arroyo long dance mix) – 8:10 "What a Girl Wants" (Eddie Arroyo tempo mix) – 4:11

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2000) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[22] 5 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[47] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[29] 8 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[30] 5 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[48] 1 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[49] 3 Czech Republic (IFPI)[50] 22 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[51] 8 European Airplay Chart (Music & Media)[52] 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[53] 12 France (SNEP)[54] 11 Germany (Official German Charts)[55] 18 GSA Airplay Chart (Music & Media)[56] 4 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 20)[57] 15 Ireland (IRMA)[58] 7 Italian Airplay Chart (Music & Media)[59] 6 Italy (Musica e dischi)[60] 17 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[61] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[62] 14 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23] 1 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[63] 8 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[24] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 24 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[64] 17 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[25] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[17] 1 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[65] 31 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[19] 18 US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[66] 2 US Latin Pop Songs (Billboard)[67] 29 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 1 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[68] 1 US Latin Tropical Airplay (Billboard)[69] 25

Year-end charts Chart (2000) Position Australia (ARIA)[70] 74 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[71] 66 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[72] 87 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[73] 62 France (SNEP)[74] 95 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[75] 68 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[76] 56 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[77] 98 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[78] 32 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[79] 84 US Billboard Hot 100[80] 19

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[81]	Gold	35,000^^
Belgium (BEA)[82]	Gold	25,000^*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[83]	Gold	5,000^*
Sweden (GLF)[26]	Gold	15,000^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[84]	Silver	200,000
United States (RIAA)[85]	Gold	605,000[86]
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Christina Aguilera carving out her own niche". Jam!. Sun Media. September 29, 1999. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
2. "MTV New Year's Eve Party (1999)", Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
3. A year before in Europe, Ophélie Winter the French-Dutch r'n'b singer already had released her second studio album called Privacy which was promoted a year before Aguilera's. The album featured the original song Ce Que Je Suis recorded in French as well as another English version of the same song entitled What A Girl Needs, which was later chosen by Aguilera's label for her first studio album.Dominguez 2003, p. 88 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
4. Dominguez 2003, p. 58 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
5. Bronson 2003, p. 890 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFBronson2003 (help)
6. "Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants Sheet Music". Musicnotes. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
7. Dominguez 2003, p. 89 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
8. "Digital Sheet Music – Christina Aguilera What a Girl Wants". Alfred Publishing Company. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
9. "Christina Aguilera review". Worcester Telegram and Gazette. September 12, 1999. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
10. Dominguez 2003, p. 54 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
11. Christgau, Robert. "Christina Aguilera Reviews". Robert Christgau. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
12. Violanti, Anthony. "News Archive: The Total package, Christina Aguilera, a calculating teen queen". Buffalo News. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
13. Ofori, Nana-Adwoa. "Top 10 Christina Aguilera Songs". AOL Radio.
14. Radke, Brock (October 19, 2018). "Christina Aguilera's creativity has been liberated". Las Vegas Magazine. Greenspun Media Group. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
15. Lamb, Bill (September 11, 2018). "Top 100 Pop Songs of 2000". LiveAbout. Dotdash. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
16. "Aguilera Must Not Know Spanish Word For Subtlety". Orlando Sentinel.
17. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
18. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
19. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
20. "RIAA – Recording Industry of America "What a Girl Wants"". RIAA. 2000. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
21. "Ask Billboard: Who's The Hot 100's King? Elvis Presley Vs. Lil Wayne". Billboard. September 24, 2012.
22. "Australian-charts.com – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
23. "Charts.nz – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
24. "Spanishcharts.com – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
25. "Christina Aguilera | Artist | Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
26. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 11, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
27. "Swedishcharts.com – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
28. "Ultratop Awards 2000". Ultratop. 2000. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
29. "Ultratop.be – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
30. "Ultratop.be – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
31. "Portrait of an artist... Christina Aguilera". Billboard. January 29, 2000. p. 7. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
32. Dominguez 2003, p. 90 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
33. Dominguez 2003, p. 91 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
34. Dominguez 2003, p. 102 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
35. Dominguez 2003, p. 105 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
36. Dominguez 2003, p. 148 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
37. Dominguez 2003, p. 181 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDominguez2003 (help)
38. "Christina Aguilera – Stripped Live In The U.K. [DVD]". Retrieved February 24, 2012.
39. "Back To Basics Live And Down Under [2007] [DVD]". Retrieved February 24, 2012.
40. "Christina Aguilera Rocks the "Early Show" Stage". CBS News. June 11, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
41. "'Glee' recap: Perfect Together". Entertainment Weekly. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
42. What a Girl Wants (CD Single liner notes). Christina Aguilera. RCA. 2000.CS1 maint: others (link)
43. What a Girl Wants (UK CD single liner notes). Christina Aguilera. RCA. 2000.CS1 maint: others (link)
44. "Christina Aguilera - What A Girl Wants". Discogs.
45. What a Girl Wants (US maxi single liner notes). Christina Aguilera. RCA. 1999.CS1 maint: others (link)
46. What a Girl Wants (US remix EP liner notes). Christina Aguilera. Sire Records. 1999. 9 20212-0 A.CS1 maint: others (link)
47. "Austriancharts.at – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
48. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9695." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
49. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9721." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
50. "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda - Pro týden" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on March 3, 2000. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
51. "European Hot 100 Singles - Sales" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
52. "European Radio Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 7. February 12, 2000. p. 20. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
53. "Christina Aguilera: What a Girl Wants" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
54. "Lescharts.com – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
55. "Musicline.de – Christina Aguilera Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
56. "Major Market Airplay – GSA (Germany–Switzerland–Austria)" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 6. February 5, 2000. p. 19. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
57. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (Vikan 21.1. – 27.1. 2000)". Íslenski listinn (in Icelandic). January 21, 2000. p. 10. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
58. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What a Girl Wants". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
59. "Major Market Airplay – Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 5. January 29, 2000. p. 31. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
60. "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 112 no. 4. January 22, 2000. p. 68. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
61. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Christina Aguilera" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
62. "Dutchcharts.nl – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
63. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
64. "Swisscharts.com – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
65. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
66. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
67. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
68. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
69. "Christina Aguilera Chart History (Latin Tropical Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
70. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2000". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
71. "Jaaroverzichten 2000". Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
72. "Rapports Annuels 2000". Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
73. "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17 no. 52. December 23, 2000. p. 9. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
74. "Classement Singles - Année 2000". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
75. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 100". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 5, 2001. p. 10. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
76. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2000". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
77. "Dutch Chart Portal" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
78. "End of Year Charts 2000". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
79. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000" (in German). Schweizer Hitparade. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
80. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
81. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
82. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2000". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
83. "RIANZ Top 50 Singles Archive". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013.
84. "British single certifications – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 17, 2015. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type What a Girl Wants in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
85. "American single certifications – Christina Aguilera – What a Girl Wants". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 2, 2014. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
86. Trust, Gary (September 1, 2014). "Ask Billboard : Taylor Swift Out-'Shake's Mariah Carey". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 2, 2014.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics