“I don’t need nobody telling what I’m gonna do about my destiny”
These were the words Britney Spears sassily sung to the world in 2001 on her hit ‘Overprotected’ – this week’s From The Vault Pick.
Its selection is timely too, as the pop star gears up to take center stage at tonight’s Billboard Music Awards to perform and receive the Artist of the Millennium honor.
**********
Serviced as the second single from Spears self-titled third album, the track was considered a return to Pop-i-er form for the singer after the release of the Urban-kissed ‘Slave 4 U’. Hitmaker Max Martin produced the cut, which narrates a girl’s need to break free and find herself. A remix courtesy of Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins was released as well.
Surprisingly, the album version did not chart inside the Billboard Hot 100 – although the remix managed a peak of #86. Still, success awaited across the pond in Europe, where the song reached #2 in Sweden, #5 in Italy and #15 in France, and performed well in Australia and Canada charting at respectively #16 and #22.
**********
In its accompanying video, Spears is seen escaping the paparazzi by entering an abandoned warehouse – where she is joined by her trademark troop of dancers. Billie Woodruff directed the visual and Brian Friedman choreographed.
Referenced in Rihanna’s ‘S&M’ video a decade later, the singer appears in a room where the walls are plastered with pictures and articles about herself; those same walls are moving in and out, symbolizing the oppression expressed in the lyrics.
**********
The Britney Spears journey, with its glorious ups and saddening downs, has been quite the roller-coaster. One thing is level to see – her career has never been “boring” (sans “that” ‘Britney Jean’ album).
Could tonight be the beginning of a new exciting chapter? We truly hope so!
I’ve never really been into Britney’s full albums per se (In The Zone is my favorite body of work by her though) but I SURE DID LIVE for her music videos and performances back in the day! Girl had an innate star quality that just burst thought whatever screen she was on. I prefer this version to the remix although that latter’s video slays. I’ll always have a soft spot for Brit. Say what you will about her these days but she was arguably the first major pop icon of her generation.
I can’t wait to see her open the show tonight lets go Brit!!!
Say what you want about ms spears, but she slayed every chart possible & her videos were always the ish!
Britney has nothing to prove now a day she had her prime she was the best performer hands down. I don’t think Britney likes what she does anymore I think her management pushes her to be on the spot light. Anyways good luck tonight beautiful.
I hate when people say that an artist has nothing to prove when they suck @ss. If people aren’t entertained, then it’s just that. I think she’ll do well tonight bc her Vagus shows are pretty good.
What I’m trying to say is that Britney doesn’t need to compete with today’s clowns. She has been in the music scene for 20 years has sold millions of albums has preform for millions of people world wide and is still relevant with her very successful Vegas residency.
Ok, I agree with that.
She was never THE BEST performer. She was good, but she wasn’t Janet, no matter how hard she tried
She was the child of Janet. But she was a great performer and whenever she hit the stage, people were talking.
It’s all about Darkchild Remix!
–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahdTmIst-lE
Yassss wow this video looks like it was done today not 15+ years ago!!!!
Dang I miss this Britney. She was my second fav of all artists. I’m going to watch the Billboard Awards tonight and hope to get just a glimpse of old Brit Brit.
Britney had no business being a singer but no one can deny that she had that “it” factor. Everyone knew she couldn’t sing and never sang live but she brought it to the stage and always gave some of the best performances of the night. Her music was never my cup of tea but I do love this song and would love to see that fire return.
There’s a huge range of artistry, performing and dancing is a talent. I’m sick of people down playing dance as if it’s nothing. Dancing is more of a rarity than singing imo.
This was her 4, her dip. I don’t think this even cracked the top 20. Plus style wise it was a All For You jack. Britney was her trying to me taken sersouly as an adult. Yes her first two albums went diamond, but Baby was such a kiddie album (email my heart???). None of Britney t*** albums had the maturity as a One In A Million, The Boy Is Mine, or Never Say Never, or even Pre Fatina. But boy could she dance, there’s still haven’t been a white girl that dance as well as Brit.
I literally can-NOT at the Slavi still hiding behind that
AssHŒliyah-DANA-Cümdump
account 😆 That is not an Aaliyah stan and is clearly one of the gayvî trying to make the Hive drag Aaliyah. KII I still own this pørn-addicted bītche’s mind though! KIIIIIIII!
One of her best songs, Britney has an amazing pop catalogue
Awesome