by As a huge Pink fan ever since her debut, I was thrilled when I heard that she wanted to re-record her iconic album Missundaztood. This album means so much to me and countless other fans, so the thought of Pink putting her modern spin on these classic songs is incredibly exciting.
Released in 2001, Missundaztood was a pivotal moment in Pink’s career. While her R&B-influenced debut album Can’t Take Me Home in 2000 was a modest success, it didn’t fully capture the rock/pop sound that Pink was going for. With Missundaztood, Pink took creative control and poured her heart and soul into the album, crafting a record that was raw, vulnerable, and deeply personal.
The mix of angsty pop rock anthems and stripped-back ballads connected with fans in a major way. Missundaztood was a huge commercial success, selling over 13 million copies worldwide. It featured hit singles like “Get the Party Started,” “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” and “Just Like a Pill.” The album showcased Pink’s powerhouse vocals and established her as a major force in the music industry.
In the years since its release, Missundaztood has only grown in stature, with many fans and critics considering it to be Pink’s magnum opus. There’s a timeless quality to the songs that still resonate today. As an angsty, artistic teenager when it came out, this album spoke to me on such a deep level. It helped me get through those tough years and I returned to it again and again.
So when Pink mentioned in a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone that she had thought about re-recording Missundaztood, I freaked out! Just the idea of Pink putting her modern spin on these songs and perhaps even adding new tracks made me so excited. She said she wanted to give the album the same level of care and make it sound fresh and new. As a diehard fan, I had so many thoughts about how incredible this could be!
Firstly, I’d love for her to keep the essence of the original album intact. The raw, confessional lyrics and mix of guitar-driven rock and beautiful ballads is what makes Missundaztood so special. Songs like “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” “Just Like a Pill,” and “Family Portrait” are so brutally honest and resonant still today. I’d hope Pink would keep the spirit of those tracks while putting a modern sheen on the production.
One way she could update the sound is by collaborating with some current hitmakers. Imagine Pink teaming up with Billie Eilish’s brother FINNEAS, or pop guru Max Martin. They could lend some fresh, contemporary elements to the music while still retaining that classic Pink attitude. I’d also love some unexpected genre-blending collaborations, maybe with an indie rock act like The 1975 or even an EDM artist like Zedd.
While I hope Pink keeps most of the original tracklist intact, some carefully chosen features could add a cool new dimension. Imagine a rocking duet version of “18 Wheeler” with Sabrina Carpenter or a heartfelt take on “Gone to California” with Sam Smith. She could also do an upbeat reimagining of “Misery” with Olivia Rodrigo or a fun remix of “Get the Party Started” featuring Doja Cat.
The possibilities for new tracks are also endlessly exciting. Pink could write fresh songs that thematically tie into the original Missundaztood themes and act as a continuation of that journey. Or she could dig into the vault and revive old outtakes from those sessions. Even her take on fan-favorite leaked tracks like “Try Too Hard” would be amazing. Any new Pink music in the spirit of this era will be gratefully accepted!
While I hope for some surprises, there are certain things about the original Missundaztood that should remain untouched. The heart-wrenching piano version of “My Vietnam” is a masterpiece that should be left as is. The sparse, acoustic version of “Eventually” needs no embellishment. And the stirring orchestral arrangement on “The Last to Know” is stunningly gorgeous. The bones of this album are so solid, so too much fiddling could disrupt its essence.
Most importantly, I hope Pink continues to pour her heart out in her songwriting. Tracks like “Don’t Let Me Get Me” resonate because of their raw vulnerability and honesty. Bringing that same intimate confessional style, while reflecting on how she’s grown in the last 20 years, would take these re-recorded songs to the next level. Getting even deeper insights into Pink’s mindset and life experiences since the original release would be a gift to longtime fans.
As Pink embarks on new creative endeavors like her recent album Hurts 2B Human and an upcoming musical film, it’s unclear if or when she’ll actually revisit and re-record Missundaztood. But the possibilities are endless and as a devoted fan, I’m keeping hope alive. Getting a refreshed take on this landmark album would be a dream come true. We can only speculate and imagine what a modernized Missundaztood by Pink would sound like. But one thing’s certain – no matter what, Pink will continue blowing us away with her powerhouse voice and openhearted songwriting.
