(Spears, Madonna, Stewart, Nkhereanye, Magnet, Nash, O'Brien) Album: Me Against the Music – Single / In the Zone
The world was first introduced to the lead single for Spears’s fourth album in September of 2003 during a live performance for an NFL Kickoff event. While it was the public’s first exposure, the final version would go through several changes before its final release in October, most notably the addition of pop legend Madonna, who made headlines with Spears when they locked lips on the VMA stage the previous month. For such a high caliber line-up, expectations were sky high for this collaboration. The song was co-written by Spears (her first writing cred to receive the lead single treatment), with Madonna contributing her own verse. With the persistant funk guitar and the rapid fire vocals on the bridge, the song certainly isn’t lacking in energy. It’s a great match for some of Spears’s best and hardest hitting choreography in the now iconic music video – which is saying a lot considering her repertoire! The song is not exactly a vocal showcase, but that’s far from the point on a track whose sole stated purpose is to get people to the dance floor. And while the duet pairing is a match made in pop heaven, Madonna’s added solo during the song’s middle eight is not exactly a value add. It’s a sweet sentiment, but lyrically feels very forced. It’s no surprise that “Me Against the Music’s” best moments come in the form of high-energy performances. Her 2003 American Music Awards performance ranks among her best, and her dancing is in peak form during the promo tour and later the Onyx Hotel Tour where the song is a highlight. Nonetheless, it was her weakest lead single to date, and the production is a little too “of the moment” (see “Like I Love You” by Justin Timberlake and notice the resemblance). There are a couple (Madonna-less) remixes that improve upon the original, including the “Chix Mix” by Bloodshy & Avant that was included on a bonus CD that served as a companion to the In the Zone as well as the excellent Nick remix available on YouTube.
Kommentare