I'm a Slave 4 U

"I'm a Slave 4 U"
"I'm a Slave 4 U"
Single by Britney Spears
from the album Britney
B-side	"Intimidated"
Released	September 25, 2001
Recorded	July 2001
Studio	MSR (New York City); Master Sound (Virginia Beach);
Genre	Dance-pop; R&B;
Length	3:24
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Chad Hugo; Pharrell Williams;
Producer(s)	The Neptunes
Britney Spears singles chronology
Music video
	"I'm a Slave 4 U" on YouTube

"I'm a Slave 4 U" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her third studio album, Britney (2001). It was released as the album's lead single on September 25, 2001, by Jive Records.^[1] Written and produced by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, the song marked a transition for Spears from the teen pop sounds of her previous singles. Musically, "I'm a Slave 4 U" is a dance-pop song with urban and R&B influences. The lyrics describe the plea of a young woman to be liberated and feel independent.

Heralding a new, provocative image for Spears, "I'm a Slave 4 U" garnered a mixed reception from music critics at the time of its release. Some argued it was the singer's most mature sound at the time, compared to her previous singles, while others noticed the music video and the song's attempt to leave behind Spears' girl next door image to a more sexier image. Commercially, "I'm a Slave 4 U" achieved global success, peaking within the Top 10 in almost every country that it charted in. It peaked at No. 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 85 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, both being the lowest chart positions of the single worldwide. However, "I'm a Slave 4 U" was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Since its release, "I'm a Slave 4 U" has become one of Spears' signature songs, as well as having been considered one of the defining songs of the early 2000s, the new millennium, and of the pop genre. The original dance choreography, from the music video and live performances, has also been widely praised and imitated, with Spears doing little to alter it for many years after the song's release. Her performance of the song at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards is considered amongst the greatest live performances in pop music history, as well as a career highlight for the singer, on-par with iconic past performances of artists such as Madonna, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson. MTV summarized Spears' performance at the ceremony, saying, "Draping herself in a python and slithering around a steamy garden setting – surrounded by dancers in zebra and tiger outfits – Spears created one of the most striking visuals in the 27-year history of the show."^[2] In 2021, Billboard ranked "I'm a Slave 4 U" at No. 3 in its list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001".^[3]

^ Cite error: The named reference radio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 25, 2011). "Britney Spears' Iconic VMA History: Snakes, Stripteases And Smooches". MTV. Retrieved March 6, 2012.^{[dead link]}
^ Billboard Staff (May 4, 2021). "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001: Staff Picks". Billboard.

[radio-1] Cite error: The named reference radio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[2] Vena, Jocelyn (August 25, 2011). "Britney Spears' Iconic VMA History: Snakes, Stripteases And Smooches". MTV. Retrieved March 6, 2012.^{[dead link]}

[3] Billboard Staff (May 4, 2021). "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001: Staff Picks". Billboard.

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