"What a Girl Wants" is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for her self-titled debut album (1999).

Written by Shelly Peiken and Guy Roche as "What a Girl Needs", the song was originally released by French singer Ophélie Winter in 1998.

[8] However, a newly produced re-recorded version was sent to contemporary hit radio in the United States on November 8, and later internationally instead.

[9][10] A Spanish version of the song, titled "Una Mujer", was included on Aguilera's second studio album Mi Reflejo (2000).

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.

The single eventually earned gold certifications in countries including Australia, Belgium and Sweden, as well as being certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

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.

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.

[14] 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.

[14] Peiken stated that "What a Girl Wants" and "Bitch" — another song co-written by her — were both inspired by the songwriter's relationship with her husband.

[20] Anthony Violanti from Buffalo News described the track as a "light hip-hop song" in comparison to the previous single.

"[22] Village Voice critic Robert Christgau called "What a Girl Wants" "clever" adding "but in a far less ingratiating way" than "Genie in a Bottle".

[24] In retrospect, Billboard's Kenneth Partridge complimented the re-recorded version of the single as "a little harder and sexier" [than the original], and noted that "it's still pretty airy, but Christina hints at the soulfulness and sensuality she'd explore to greater degrees later on.

"[17] Chris Malone, also from the Billboard magazine, praised "What a Girl Wants" for its "starry-eyed lyrics" and empowering nature, and summarized it as "quintessential late-90s teen pop".

[27] On a similar list for the Attitude magazine "What a Girl Wants" was ranked at number six; it was praised for Aguilera's "passionate" vocals.

[31] Porcys listed it at number thirty-nine in their ranking of the hundred best singles of the 1990s, and called the radio edit the "crowning achievement of bubblegum–R&B music".

[38] The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)[39] and has sold over 600,000 pure units in the US to date.

[49] The single was also successful in Mexico, where it reached number six on the international music chart (as reported by El Siglo de Torreón).

[55] 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.

[18] 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.

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".

[60] She also sang "What a Girl Wants" on the British television chart show Top of the Pops,[61] and on the Hit Machine in France.

[65] In July 2021, Aguilera performed the reggaeton version of the song at the Hollywood Bowl with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

[66][67] In November 2024, Aguilera sang "What a Girl Wants" along with Sabrina Carpenter at her Short n' Sweet Tour show at the Crypto.com Arena.

[78][79] An advertisement for AT&T that has run during the 2024 NBA Playoffs features Oklahoma City Thunder players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren performing the song as "What a Pro Wants".