 " Not Myself Tonight " is an uptempo electropop and electro @-@ R & B song , which incorporates elements from tribal house . Written in the key of G minor , it has a moderate tempo of 120 beats per minute . Aguilera 's vocals on the track span from the low @-@ note of G3 to the high @-@ note of D5 . Aguilera opted to explore and create a " fresh , sexy feel using both electronic and organic elements with subject matter ranging from playful to introspective " in the track ; the track features " dripping " synthesizers , " pulsing " basslines and house drums in its instrumentation . Eric Henderson from Slant Magazine compared " Not Myself Tonight " to Britney Spears songs " Gimme More " and " If U Seek Amy " for having similar musical style . 
