It's all about compromise, which I don't think she deals with so easily. She does some music she wants and then also records some material the label wants. In this case, when RCA merged with Jive it brought in new executives with different contacts. Max Martin is tight with one of the execs working on Xtina's project so she cut the song and it's probably the best song she could release for a comeback. It's a MONSTER.
This!
You're the insider, right? I really hope that YB is as superb as you (and everyone else who has heard the song) said it is, if not more...
She's always had a mix of commercial and more alternative producers working for her.
I'm sure the label pushed for Max Martin's song as the lead single, though. I'm personally fine with that; I really can't wait to reclaim my slut days and love my body, etc.
I don't think it's all that deep. If she likes the song, she likes it. I just think she ment she doesn't to run to use the "producer of the moment" just because everyone else is using them at the time. Not that she would never work with a producer who had hits.