Obvious

Album: Christina Aguilera (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A track from her self-titled debut album, "Obvious" is a very important song for Christina Aguilera. It was written by Heather Holley, a Los Angeles based songwriter who worked with the producer Rob Hoffman to create songs for other artists. Aguilera was 16 and looking to make a demo; her management put her in touch with Holley, and when they talked on the phone, they agreed that they needed a big ballad to show off Christina's vocal range. Holley had recently written "Obvious" and played it for her over the phone. Aguilera knew right away that she wanted to record the song.

    It ended up going on her demo, which earned her a deal with RCA Records. It wasn't released as a single but was a milestone in Aguilera's career.
  • The song was a great fit for Christina Aguilera, who was just 18 when it was released. Not only does it show off her might vocal range, the lyrics are on point for what a girl that age would be singing about: having such strong feelings for someone that you can't help but express them, not necessarily in words but with trembling hands and a hard time making eye contact. Many of the tracks on Aguilera's debut album were about this kind of innocent puppy love, although the first single, "Genie in a Bottle" was a little racy.
  • Aguilera was mentored by the song's writer, Heather Holley. In 2024, they performed the song together on a Spotify special to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Christina Aguilera album.

    "I don't think you know how much your friendship impacted me as a woman," Aguilera told Holley. "I was just a young girl. I was in LA and had literally no one there. You took me under your wing like a big sister, and I really appreciate that. When I started doing rehearsal with you, I remember that little girl that felt the world so massively. This song helped me own my own space in what I was feeling. It still moves me so much."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.