 According to Aguilera , the music video of " Not Myself Tonight " is a tribute to Madonna , citing her music videos as its major influence , most notably " Express Yourself " ( 1989 ) . She viewed the visual for " Express Yourself " as " really strong and empowering which [ she ] always try to incorporate through my expression of sexuality . " Several critics further noted that the S & M @-@ inspired theme of the music video for " Not Myself Tonight " was also resembled other Madonna music videos such as " Human Nature " and " Like a Prayer " . MTV News ' Gil Kaufman also opined that Aguilera recalled her " Dirrty " video for sharing the same sexual depiction . 
