ONTD Original: Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U" turns 23
23 years ago today, Britney Spears released “I’m a Slave 4 U.” pic.twitter.com/xVV9OJW6U0
- Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 25, 2024
23yr ago Britney Spears released "I'm a Slave 4U" for her third studio album, Britney (2001).
Click to viewI was 17 and this video blew my mind. Britney was perfect and I would've give anything for those abs and I think it was something we all talked about (I cannot remember back that far, lol)
Wikipedia tells me:
"I'm a Slave 4 U" is a dance-pop track with urban pop and R&B influences. The lyrics describes the plea of a young woman to be liberated and feel independent.
Wikipedia recounts the world's reaction to a grown up Britney:
Some argued it was the singer's most mature sound at the time, while others noticed the video and the song's attempt to leave behind Spears' girl next doorsexier image emulated then. by many pop idols like Christina Aguilera.
Britney and the snake:
It is a crime to mention this song without adding the epic performance at the MTV VMA 20(back when it mattered). Britney holds a massive snake and dances around looking calm despite holding a big fuckoff snake and knowing it can kill you!!!
I don't know if my friends and I discussed this video (other than awe) but the world wasn't willing for Britney to grow up. The song peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
20yr later Billboard tried to record their error. In 2021, Billboard ranked "I'm a Slave 4 U" at number three in its list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001".
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fav Britney memory or performance? People always mention the lost footage at the Onyx?