You're cringing aren't you?
You're thinking why the hell is a 30 year old woman compiling a list of her 10 most favourite Britney tracks?
Has she woken up in 2001? (I wish)
Have all of her senses taken leave?
Well, none of the above. No matter how much I'd love to wake up in 2001 again, just for a day or two.
I adore Britney Spears. I make no apology of this and nor is it a secret.
My friends know I love her. My family can't understand that I love her. But I do.
Many, many moons ago. All the way back in 1998 to be precise. I had a pen pal (please tell me I'm not the only one that did this) who lived in Michigan. She would write to me and tell me about this amazing new pop singer who had become a firm favourite of hers. Her name was Britney Spears.
Fast forward a few months, and along came Hit Me Baby One More Time. I was no longer in touch with my pen pal, I'd probably said something a bit strange which curtailed all contact. However, like my one time mate from Michigan, I was full of adulation for Miss Spears.
It's now 2016, nearly 20 years since she first exploded onto the pop scene, and I still love Britney as much as I did back in 1998 when I was 12. Perhaps I love her even more - is that strange? Flatter me and say it isn't.
So, in keeping with the original theme of my website, here you will find a list of my most favourite Britters songs, complete with her amazing videos. It was all about the videos. Oh, how I wanted to be her. Just not in that red cat suit of hers, that shit ain't flattering for no one.
Selena Gomez, you can sit down and Taylor Swift, you can twat off. Because before you came along, we had Britney and she slayed.
10. Gimme More
https://youtu.be/elueA2rofoo
3 words: It's Britney Bitch.
OK, so there's some very questionable dancing. But this was her first track after her annus horriblus in 2007, so she can be more than forgiven for that. This is the song that I would want to come on in a nightclub (stay with me here), after I'd just purchased a drink and was going to saunter on to the dance floor. I'd try to do a bit of a sexy walk. The reality of this is that I don't do sexy. Ever. So would likely end up on a sticky floor in a pile waiting for my friend to pick me up.
9. Toxic
https://youtu.be/LOZuxwVk7TU
When it comes to videos, Britney Spears knows how to do a good one and Toxic is no exception. Just how incredible did she look in that bejewelled body suit? Britney always had a legion of male fans ever since her debut single, however, I think she probably clocked up quite a few more after this video hit our screens back in 2003.
8. Lucky
https://youtu.be/4vvBAONkYwI
You know I said you were cringing when you saw the title of this blog post? Well, you've found yourself cringing once again haven't you? Right, don't judge. This is pop at its best and while I probably wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it now (cus that probably would be weird, even for me), I have to stay truthful to teenage me. And Lucky was one of my favourites when I was an angst ridden 13 year old.
7. Born To Make You Happy
https://youtu.be/Yy5cKX4jBkQ
How's this for a late 90's poptastic video? Full of metallic and PVC. Now, taking into account the fact I'm a huge Britney fan so would love this regardless, I actually think as pop songs go, it's a really good one!
6. I'm A Slave 4 U
https://youtu.be/Mzybwwf2HoQ
It all took a bit of a turn with this one didn't it. Suddenly she wasn't that innocent (no pun intended). When it comes to abspiration, her stomach in this video is my absolute goal. You could crack nuts on it couldn't you. She looks absolutely amazing (even if she is wearing her knickers OUTSIDE her leather trousers - a look that never did take off), her dancing is brilliant and it's an absolute banger of a tune.
5. Stronger
https://youtu.be/AJWtLf4-WWs
GOD I LOVE THE BEGINNING OF THIS SONG.
This is a turn of the millennium pop track if ever I saw or heard one. With references to the iconic Hit Me Baby One More Time, she literally owns this song with her typical Britney vocals and her dancing on a chair. And yes, whenever I had the house to myself I would pull a chair out from under my parents dining table and try and emulate a few of her moves. Don't laugh, I bet you tried it too.
4. Hit Me Baby One More Time
https://youtu.be/C-u5WLJ9Yk4
It had to be here didn't it. It couldn't not. Some might say the ultimate Britney track. Not me though. While it's amazing and changed the face of pop music for sure, paving the way for many new female solo artists, it's not my favourite. Although I'd probably give it a bloody good go on the karaoke.
Just an FYI, I NEVER looked like that in my school uniform.
3. (You Drive Me) Crazy
https://youtu.be/Q4VK9_CfOLQ
When I was in Year 9, we had to choose how we wanted to spend a free period of time on a Wednesday afternoon. I think it was called Enrichment (if you went to school with me could you confirm please?). Well, I chose to join some sort of dance type thing. An absolute disaster because while I like to think I can dance a bit now (just a bit mind), I most certainly couldn't at the age of 13. So, a few friends and I decided (not really me, I just went along with it, for my sins) to do a dance routine to this track for a school show that was coming up. My then friend choreographed the whole routine, looking like a born dancer with every move. My Mum and Dad came into school to watch and I mostly stayed at the back, shitting myself about the finale move that involved half a split, worrying I was going to take someone out in the process. If asked to, I could probably still remember that routine now.
Have I practiced it since? Maybe.
2. Overprotected
https://youtu.be/PZYSiWHW8V0
This one actually reminds me of how I was feeling when I was about 15. In my head I was 19 while I was probably acting 12, which posed a problem to my parents. How much freedom do we give her? I know, we'll impose a 7:00pm curfew. Cheers then.
In all seriousness though, I just love, love, love this song just as much as I did back in 2001/2002 when I used to listen to it on repeat and feel like Britney Spears was my friend and she knew exactly how I was feeling.
1. Womanizer
https://youtu.be/rMqayQ-U74s
ONE OF THE BEST SONGS EVER.
When this was released towards the end of 2008 I was obsessed. I used to listen to it over and over again. Yeah OK, I was 22 but I'm the first to admit I've never been the coolest. I've toyed with the idea of doing a Top 10 Music Video blog at some point, and if I were to, this would more than likely be Number 1 (ruined that idea now haven't I). It's so catchy, so Britney and reminds me of a slightly inappropriate older man I lusted after at the time.
Britney, I love you. Let's be friends.