I'm a Slave 4 U
"I'm a Slave 4 U" | |||||||
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Single by Britney Spears | |||||||
from the album Britney | |||||||
A-side | "Overprotected" | ||||||
B-side | "Intimidated" | ||||||
Released | September 24, 2001 | ||||||
Format | |||||||
Recorded | 2001; MSR Studios (formerly known as Right Track Studios) (New York City), Master Sound Studios (Virginia Beach) | ||||||
Genre | |||||||
Length | 3:24 | ||||||
Label | JIVE | ||||||
Writer(s) | |||||||
Producer(s) | The Neptunes | ||||||
Britney Spears singles chronology | |||||||
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"I'm a Slave 4 U" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her third and eponymous studio album, Britney (2001). It was released on September 24, 2001 through Jive Records as the lead single off the record. The track was written and produced by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, known collectively as The Neptunes. The urban song, has a similar soundscape to Vanity 6's 1982's song "Nasty Girl", while its lyrics talks about being a slave to the music.
"I'm a Slave 4 U" garnered mixed reception from music critics. Some critics argued it was the singer's most mature sound at the time compared to her previous singles, while other noticed the song's attempt to leave behind Spears' girl next door image and said her vocals were unnatural. "I'm a Slave 4 U" achieved commercial success, peaking inside the top-ten in almost every country that it charted on. However, the song peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 85 in Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, both being the lowest chart positions of the single worldwide.
A music video for the single, which was directed by Francis Lawrence, was released along with the single released. It features Spears dancing in a sauna. Spears' performance of the song at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City was highly criticized by animal rights group PETA for the inclusion of exotic animals. Spears performed the song on every tour since its release, including the promotional The M+M's Tour. The song was also featured on the 2002 compilation album Now That's What I Call Music! 9.
Background and composition
"I'm a Slave 4 U"
A sample of the song's chorus backed with breathy and moaning vocals. | |
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"I'm a Slave 4 U" was written and produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo,[1] best known as The Neptunes, who also collaborated with Spears on another album track, "Boys",[1] for her third and self-titled LP, Britney. "I'm A Slave 4 U" was originally intended for Janet Jackson for her All for You album.[2] Spears' single "Boys" was also intended for Janet, who recorded an unreleased demo of the song before it was recorded by Spears.[3] "I'm a Slave 4 U" was recorded by Andrew Cleman at Master Sound Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia and by Brian Garten at Right Track Studios in New York City, being later mixed by Serban Ghenea in New York City. Audio engineering was done by Ryan Smith and Tim Roberts.[4][5] After reading the lyrics for the first time, Spears stated it talks "about me just wanting to go out and forget who I am and dance and have a good time. That's kinda where I am now right now. I love working, but at the same time, I love having a good time."[6] The urban song is backed with breathy and moaning vocals and scratching. The soundscape of the song has been noted to be similar to Vanity 6's 1982's song "Nasty Girl."[7]
Critical reception
The song was met with mixed reviews by critics. A review from NME magazine stated that "the song is funk the way God intended —hypnotic, insistent, mysterious, suggestive— and if Prince was a nineteen-year-old former Disney Club host and virgin, he'd be proud to create such a record".[8] Other reviews from Rolling Stone magazine[9] and Allmusic[10] agreed that "I'm a Slave 4 U" was a step towards a more mature sound. Bill Lamb from About.com listed at number nine, on her Top 10 Songs, saying: "By the time of this single off her third album, it was obvious Britney Spears was becoming an adult. This song is a radical shift from the "not quite innocent" 16-year-old schoolgirl of Britney's first album. Slinky and sexy have crept into the Britney Spears style".[11]
"I'm a Slave 4 U" received several comparisons to Janet Jackson, with one critic noting "Spears’ main musical and visual influence has not been Madonna but Janet Jackson". "But Jackson’s not the only influence to appear on “Slave:” the Neptunes’ minimal, electronic production and Spears’ breathy, cooing delivery create a track that smacks of Prince." "Spears, on the other hand, became more and more interesting – and enjoyable – as she continued to explore elements of Janet Jackson and Prince throughout her career."[12] Lyndsey Parker of Yahoo! Music wrote "'Slave,' written and produced by the Neptunes and originally intended for OG pop bombshell Janet Jackson, evoked the old-school sexcapades of Prince and his protégés Vanity 6—and in many ways, it was a real artistic leap."[13] Stephanie McGrath from All Pop despite considering "I'm a Slave 4 U" as a "huge step away from the bouncy pop that made her a superstar" and was an "attempt to leave behind her pigtails and chirpy image", stated that the track "did not suit her style, the vocals were forced and the Janet Jackson slinkiness was unnatural".[14]
Chart performance
"I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the issue date of December 1, 2001,[15][16] becoming Spears' first lead single from an album not to crack the U.S. top ten. The track also became a top 30 hit on the Hot 100 Airplay,[17] but just barely made into the Hot 100 Singles Sales peaking at number 73.[18] The low sales points are due mostly because of the song's 12-inch single release instead of a competitive regular CD single. Despite the little sales, "I'm a Slave 4 U" became Spears' first dance hit, reaching number four on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.[16] It is also her first and, so far, only song to appear on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 85.[16] In Europe "I'm a Slave 4 U" was more successful, becoming a top ten hit in nearly every country that it charted in, including big markets such as Germany and France, where it was certified Silver by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique for selling over 125,000 copies.[19] The track spent two weeks at number-five on the European Hot 100 Singles chart provided by magazine Music and Media at the time.[20] "I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number-four on the official UK Singles Chart[21] and spent a total of 14 weeks within the top 75 and sold over 150,000 copies.[22] In the Pacific, the track was somewhat successful, debuting at number seven on the Australian Singles Chart. Despite spending a very short period on the chart, eight weeks,[23] it was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments of over 35,000 units.[24] In New Zealand, "I'm a Slave 4 U" debuted at number 46 on November 4, 2001 and missed the top ten, peaking at number 13 in its third week. The song spent just six weeks on the chart.[25]
Music video
The music video was shot on a soundstage in Universal City, California, over Labor Day weekend (Sep. 1–2), under the direction of Francis Lawrence, and is one of Britney's most risqué videos ever.[26] It made its world premiere on MTV's Making the Video on September 24 at 5 p.m. EST,[26] the same day the song officially hit the American radio stations,[27] and debuted at number one on Total Request Live two days later.[28] The video also made its world premiere on BET's 106 & Park on October 16, 2001, making Spears the only white artist to get rotation on an African-American show. Choreographed by Wade Robson and Crystal Chewning though some of the dancing was choreographed by Puerto-Rican dancer and Prince's ex-wife Mayte Garcia, who taught Spears bellydancing for the video.
In the video, Spears and fifteen dancers employ the same choreography seen in her with Spears looking over a balcony whilst singing with cars down in the distance. Spears is portrayed as a slave to the music who dances all day until she and the other dancers are sweaty and near dehydration, forcing them to search for water, Spears is standing by a mirror at the sink. Two alternative versions of the video clip can be found on the Greatest Hits: My Prerogative DVD released on November 9, 2004.[29] The music video was nominated in three categories at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video, Best Dance Video, and Best Choreography. The video clip for "I'm a Slave 4 U" was noted for its influence from Janet Jackson, with one review saying "Spears’ main musical and visual influence has not been Madonna but Janet Jackson, particularly in her visual element. The Jackson influence can be seen in the video for 'I’m A Slave 4 U', and it continues through 'Me Against the Music,' 'Boys,' and 'My Prerogative,' as well as her live performances in general."[12] The video ranked #1 in the list of the "50 Sexiest Music Videos of All-Time" published by Canadian music channel MuchMusic in 2007.[30] An official remix video used the "Miguel Migs Petalpusher Vocal Mix" was also released. There are another 2 unreleased remix videos using the Thunderpuss Club Mix and the Thunderpuss Dark Mix. Nearly 10 years later in 2011, the video would be compared to her "Till The World Ends" music video. Several references from the "I'm a Slave 4 U" video were made in the video for "Till The World Ends", such as the dancers crowding around her and the sweaty dancers scene.
Live performances and covers versions
Spears first performed "I'm a Slave 4 U" at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City on September 6, 2001.[31] The performance featured a number of exotic animals, including a white tiger and a live albino Burmese Python on her shoulders.[32] The inclusion of the animals in the performance brought a great deal of criticism from animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).[33] In August 2008, MTV named the performance the most memorable moment in VMA history.[34] Other performances include several television appearances to promote her third album, Britney. She performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on October 11, The Rosie O'Donnell Show on November 5 and the Late Show with David Letterman on November 6.[27] A special named Total Britney was made by MTV on November 3, where the singer performed the song with "Stronger" and "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman". A month later, Spears opened the 2001 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on December 4 with a performance of the track on a stage inside the fountains of the Bellagio Hotel.[35] 15 years later, at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, the song was once again performed at the award show as part of a medley, on May 22, 2016. The song was also included in Spears's setlist for the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 24th, 2016. She also performed the song as part of her Apple Music Festival performance in London on September 27, 2016.
Notably, the song was performed at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to kick off the 2003 National Football League season.[36] Spears performed the track on her latest five tours, Dream Within a Dream (2001-2002), The Onyx Hotel (2004), The M+M's Tour (2007), The Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009), The Femme Fatale Tour (2011), and on her residency concert Britney: Piece of Me (2013-2017).
"I'm a Slave 4 U" was covered by the musical television show Glee in the episode "Britney/Brittany" sung by Heather Morris in her singing debut. In a dream sequence, Morris's character Brittany S. Pierce sings the number, while recreating several iconic looks from Spears's videos: the red catsuit from "Oops!... I Did It Again", the outfit with a snake from Spears's "I'm a Slave 4 U" performance at the VMA's, and the white diamond bodysuit from "Toxic". Morris also performed the song during the live 2011 Glee Tour.
Track listings
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[75] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Belgium (BEA)[76] | Gold | 25,000* |
France (SNEP)[77] | Silver | 197,000[78] |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[79] | Gold | 5,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[80] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] | Silver | 200,000 |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States[27] | September 24, 2001 | Contemporary hit radio | JIVE |
Germany[82] | October 15, 2001 | CD single | Bertelsmann |
United Kingdom[83] | RCA | ||
United States | October 30, 2001 | 12" (The Remixes)[84] | JIVE |
Japan[85] | November 6, 2001 | CD single | BMG |
References
- 1 2 Britney (liner notes). Britney Spears. JIVE Records. 2001.
- ↑ "20 Hit Songs Meant For Other Singers". Billboard. February 28, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- ↑ "All Projects". Startrak. 2002. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
- ↑ Moss, Corey (July 16, 2001). "Britney Loves Rock And Roll, But Club Beats Also Pop Up On New LP". MTV News. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ Reid, Shaheem (August 1, 2001). "Neptunes Working With Britney, Kelis, But Dreaming Of Michael Jackson". MTV News. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ Dingwall, John. "OTR.. Off the Record: Your Time Is Up, Jacko; Britney Wants Album Top Slot". Daily Record. Scotland, United Kingdom. 19 p.
- ↑ Reid, Shaheem (September 6, 2001). "Britney, J. Lo, 'NSYNC Turn To Jungle, Ja Rule, Jacko For VMA Performances". MTV News. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ↑ Kessler, Ted (September 25, 2001). "Britney Spears: I'm A Slave 4 U". NME magazine. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Walters, Barry (October 31, 2001). ""Britney" review". Rolling Stone magazine. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2001). ""Britney" review". Allmusic. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Top 10 Britney Spears Songs About.com Retrieved January 13, 2011
- 1 2 "Britney Spears – "I'm A Slave 4 U" (Why It's Brilliant and How It Changed Everything)". Vertigo Shtick. December 11, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- ↑ "20 Hit Songs Meant For Other Singers". Yahoo! Music. December 11, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
- ↑ McGrath, Stephanie (September 7, 2001). "Spears debuts new single at MTV Video Awards". canoe.ca. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. December 1, 2001. Archived from the original on November 24, 2001. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Allmusic (2001). "Billboard Charts". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2. Check date values in:
|access-date=
(help) - ↑ Billboard magazine (December 1, 2001). "Hot 100 Airplay". billboard.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
- ↑ Billboard magazine (November 17, 2001). "Hot Singles Sales". billboard.com. Retrieved July 20, 2008.
- ↑ "French single certifications – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- 1 2 Music and Media (November 5, 2001). "European Top 20 Chart" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ↑ "Britney Spears | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ Polyhex (October 27, 2001). "UK Singles Chart". Archived from the original on February 1, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Australian-Charts (October 28, 2001). "Australian Singles Chart". Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 5, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ↑ New Zealand Charts (November 4, 2001). "New Zealand Singles Chart". Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- 1 2 D'Angelo, Joe (September 20, 2001). "Britney Works Double-Time On Music Videos". MTV News. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- 1 2 3 Moss, Corey (September 21, 2001). "Britney Spears Track list, Tour Dates Announced". MTV News. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- ↑ MTV (September 26, 2001). "Total Request Live". ATRL. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- ↑ Amazon (November 9, 2004). "TGreatest Hits: My Prerogative". Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ MuchMusic (2007). "50 Sexiest Videos". Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ MTV (August 2008). "2001 MTV Video Music Awards". Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/1448715/britney-j-lo-nsync-turn-to-jungle-ja-rule-jacko-for-vma-performances/
- ↑ Access Hollywood (December 9, 2008). "PETA slams Britney over animals in video". MSNBC. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ McGregor, Marsha (August 2008). "50 Sexiest Videos". InStyle magazine. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Vineyard, Jennifer (December 5, 2001). "Destiny's Child, R. Kelly Win Big, Britney Gets Soaked At Billboard Awards". MTV News. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Pop Dirt (July 29, 2003). "Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige to Rock NFL Kick-Off". Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Britney Spears. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". Tracklisten. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Britney Spears: I'm a Slave 4 U" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Musicline.de – Spears, Britney Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ MAHASZ (June 11, 2012). "Hungarian Singles Chart". MAHASZ. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
- ↑ "Chart Track: Week 42, 2001". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". Top Digital Download. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ / "ブリトニー・スピアーズのCDシングルランキング、ブリトニー・ORICON STYLE" Check
|url=
value (help) (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 4, 2011. - ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". VG-lista. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Top40-charts.com". Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ↑ Romanian Top 100
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2001-10-21". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
- ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2001-10-27" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Britney Spears. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Britney Spears. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Britney Spears. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Britney Spears. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ↑ "ARIA Annual Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 2001. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ "Ultratop Belgian Charts" (in French). ultratop.be/fr. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Disque en France". Disque en France. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ "INFINITY CHARTS: German Top 20". Ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. March 5, 2001. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe2001.htm
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ "2001 – Top of the Year". Rt100.ro. 2001. Archived from the original on December 9, 2002. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan.se. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ↑ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2001.pdf
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2001". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
- ↑ "French single certifications – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ↑ "InfoDisc: Les Singles en Argent". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". IFPI Norway. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2002" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 17, 2010. Enter I'm a Slave 4 U in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ "I'M a Slave 4 U [Single]". Amazon.de. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ↑ "I'm A Slave 4 U [Single, Maxi]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ↑ "I'm a Slave 4 U [Vinyl] [Single]". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ↑ "I'm a Slave 4 U". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved August 29, 2013.