Britney Spears

Hear tracks by Margo Price, Julia Jacklin and Michael Kiwanuka.

“Amorpha” starts with plinking mallet percussion patterns that recall Steve Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians,” but the 10-minute piece soon takes its own dizzying path, with undulating synthesizers, flickers of hyperspeed and slyly shifting meters behind its steady pulse. Bitchin Bajas is the jokey name of a serious instrumental trio from Chicago that explores the possibilities of repetition where minimalism, psychedelia, jazz, dub and electronica overlap. Their overlap is in stately songs with hymnlike chords, and that’s what “Weird Goodbyes” is: Matt Berninger of the National and Vernon sharing harmonies in lyrics about self-doubt. In her conversational delivery, Jacklin offers a font of healthy and practical advice: Quit smoking, drive the speed limit and put away some money in case of an emergency because, as she admits, “I’m making plans for my future and I plan on you being in it.” It’s a tender sentiment, but the song crackles with an undercurrent of jangly, distorted guitar and palpable anxiety, as Jacklin frets that a love so pure is doomed to be lost. [Margo Price](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/arts/music/margo-price-all-american-made.html) contains multitudes on her rollicking new single “Been to the Mountain”: “I’ve been a dancer, a saint, an assassin,” she sings with a hard-living swagger atop a chugging guitar riff. Stories like this are possible because of our deep commitment to original reporting, produced by a global staff of over 1,700 journalists who have all dedicated themselves to helping you understand the world. PARELES “Calm Down,” by the Nigerian singer Rema, has been an international hit — more than 100 million plays on Spotify — since February. In between, Spears and John mostly sing in unison, but she grabs just enough melismatic flourishes — and a distinctive “baby” — to make her presence known. As he did last year with Dua Lipa in [“Cold Heart,”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fheer5B1P_M) he has reclaimed hooks from his old songs over a plush disco track, then enlisted a headlining duet partner. [Listen to the Playlist on Spotify here](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gtlT7gXefz0ewzdm6zf9n?si=03dc15128e5d4d43) (or find our profile: nytimes). Just want the music?

Now that's an occasion to celebrate. A moment that pop fans have spent years waiting for. “Hold Me Closer” is her collaboration with Elton John, tripping ...

And “Passenger” is her version of Beyonce’s “Halo,” a power ballad about finally finding a companion she trusts enough to take the wheel. [debut](https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/britney-spears-baby-one-more-time-anniversary-rob-sheffield-777564/), all the way to her genius [It’s Britney Bitch](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-blackout-a-salute-to-her-misunderstood-punk-masterpiece-121525/) trilogy of Blackout, Circus, and Femme Fatale. But I said, she was brilliant when she started so I think she can.” Like the rest of us, Elton hopes this leads to more. The moment where she sighs, “This is living!”—well, that’s a lot like how “Hold Me Closer” feels. She’s not your perfect little American metaphor—she’s a fighter who’s steadily built one of the most amazing songbooks in the annals of pop noise. If you really want to appreciate “Hold Me Closer,” go back to Glory and open your ears to what she’s doing in “Clumsy” and “Man in the Moon.” And savor the bonus track “Swimming in the Stars”—Knee Knee was on a real streak with Bowie-style astro-love ballads. It helps that she’s got another legend in her corner, cheering her on: Elton John, who she calls “one of the classic men of our time.” Elton is a million different things, but chief among them is that he’s the most devout of pop fans. There’s no other sound quite like that droid-soul glitch-twang in Britney’s voice – think “Toxic,” “Lucky,” “Piece of Me” – speaking to the bored, frustrated, ready-to-explode disaster queen in all of us.” As she wrote this week, “I want to be fearless like when I was younger and not be so scared and fearful.” You can hear that in “Hold Me Closer.” For a woman who’s got every reason and then some to feel bitter, it’s poignant to hear her reclaim her voice, singing the word “closer” three times in a row, hitting each one harder. “Alien” is the mother of all Britney-as-Bowie ballads, where she drifts sadly through the cosmos to William Orbit space bleeps. “Hold Me Closer” is her collaboration with [Elton John](https://www.rollingstone.com/t/elton-john/), tripping through a few of his classic hits with a disco throb. [debut single ](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/greatest-debut-songs-singles-990470/britney-spears-baby-one-more-time-2-990475/)“Baby One More Time,” she’s been counted out, written off as a joke, dismissed as a puppet.

Britney Spears tweeted that she was "kinda overwhelmed" by teaming up with Elton John for "Hold Me Closer," a club-ready take on his hit "Tiny Dancer."

“Now I’ve got the experience to be able to advise people and help them because I don’t want to see any artists in a dark place.” There’s a lot of fear there because she’s been betrayed so many times and she hasn’t really been in the public eye officially for so long,” he said. “We’ve been holding her hand through the whole process, reassuring her that everything’s gonna be alright.” [since-deleted](https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-deletes-instagram-after-teasing-elton-john-collab-1235130829/) account. Spears, who was placed under the conservatorship in 2008 after exhibiting erratic behavior in public, argued in court that it was “embarrassing” and “abusive” toward her. In addition to having to seek permission for medical treatment, such as the removal of her IUD, Spears recalled being forced to perform while unwell.

Paris Hilton is "sliving" for Britney Spears and Elton John's new song, "Hold Me Closer," and posted a video of her dancing to the hit track on TikTok.

“I just heard it a couple days ago in Ibiza, and it is, it’s insane.” She looked stunning, and it just made me so happy to see that she found her fairy tale.” “So we stand by her and root for her as she turns pain into purpose, her unwavering spirit stronger than ever.” [Up Next](https://pagesix.com/2022/08/26/jennifer-lopez-performed-at-her-wedding-to-ben-affleck/) [ended in November 2021](https://pagesix.com/2021/11/12/britney-spears-conservatorship-is-officially-over/), the “Stronger” singer was able to focus on some of her life goals, including [marrying her longtime boyfriend](https://pagesix.com/2022/06/09/britney-spears-marries-sam-asghari-in-fairy-tale-wedding/), Sam Asghari. [new song, “Hold Me Closer.”](https://pagesix.com/2022/08/26/elton-john-britney-spears-release-hold-me-closer-listen/)

11:24 AM PT -- Britney just posted a hype video of her own, with a message to Elton John ... she says she's about to have the best day ever celebrating the ...

The video exchange gives a ton of insight into Britney and Drew's friendship ... and Britney makes it clear she wants to get together and take some fun pics. 11:24 AM PT -- Britney just posted a hype video of her own, with a message to Elton John ... and expressing how proud she is to be back on top of the music world. and TMZ has the video messages they exchanged!!! [Elton John](https://www.tmz.com/people/elton-john/) collab, "Hold Me Closer," so she sent Britney a congratulatory message on video ...

Spears teamed up with Elton John for the mashup "Hold Me Closer"

“Hold Me Closer” may be a tepid offering that fails to utilize everything Spears brings to the table as a pop star, but it serves as a triumphant victory lap regarding the end of her lengthy conservatorship. “Sometimes when you produce, the greatest thing in the world you can do is say nothing, so I just let her do her thing. Watts stepped back and witnessed the pop icon hold herself to her own high standards, re-recording lines and bringing in new ideas without his input. But I said, she was brilliant when she started so I think she can. “She was so prepared. “She’s unbelievable at layering her voice and doubling, which is one of the hardest things to do.

Britney Spears is featured on Elton John's "Hold Me Closer" makeover, which debuted Thursday night and marked Spears' first song in six years.

“I’m about to have the best day ever and I hope you’re well.” [#1](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/1?lang=en) in 33 countries!! [@eltonofficial](https://twitter.com/eltonofficial) !!!!” the “Stronger” singer [tweeted](https://twitter.com/britneyspears/status/1562603307968778240) ahead of the song’s release. Anyways, when are me and you going to get together and have our own individual, cool sexy momma picture, OK? “We’ve been holding her hand through the whole process, reassuring her that everything’s gonna be alright.” I miss you and thank you for sending me that, that was brilliant.” [@britneyspears](https://www.tiktok.com/@britneyspears?lang=en) and [@eltonjohn](https://www.tiktok.com/@eltonjohn?lang=en),” the “Charlie’s Angels” star captioned the video. “I really needed to hear [that message] this morning,” the “Toxic” musician said in her response. “I’m kinda overwhelmed… It’s pretty damn cool that I’m singing with one of the most classic men of our time … I’m meditating more and learning my space is valuable and precious !! “Okie dokie …

Paris Hilton shared a TikTok hyping up her friend Britney Spears' new single with Elton John. The DJ donned a pink track suit as she danced around to the ...

[TikTok](https://parade.com/935680/stephanieosmanski/what-is-tiktok-app/). [expert TikToker](https://parade.com/news/paris-hilton-tom-cruise-impersonator-viral-tiktok-video)—donned a pink track suit with star shapes cut out over her right knee and left thigh, which she matched with a pair of pink sneakers. [Britney Spears](https://parade.com/1130110/jessicasager/britney-spears-net-worth/) fan in the world—after all, she [bailed on the president](https://parade.com/news/paris-hilton-white-house-britney-spears-wedding) in favor of attending the superstar's wedding. [The reality star](https://parade.com/1243730/jessicasager/paris-hilton-net-worth/) took a moment to jam to Spears' newest single "Hold Me Closer"—a [duet with Elton John](https://parade.com/news/britney-spears-elton-john-duet-tiny-dancer-2022), remixing his '70s classic "Tiny Dancer"—which dropped today, Aug. • 🥰" across the screen about halfway through.

Britney Spears has dropped another nude snap on social media, her first since the release of Elton John duet, "Hold Me Closer," which has already gone No.

[#HoldMeCloser](https://twitter.com/hashtag/HoldMeCloser?src=hashtag_click),” tweeted [one supporter](https://twitter.com/LatinQueenE/status/1563225499475660801). [#HoldMeCloser](https://twitter.com/hashtag/HoldMeCloser?src=hashtag_click).” [Another posted,](https://twitter.com/guimlotfi/status/1563229724352331778) “CONGRATULATIONS QUEEN!! “We are all having the best day ever with you Queen OMG!!! “She’s been away so long — there’s a lot of fear there because she’s been betrayed so many times and she hasn’t really been in the public eye officially for so long. That’s all anybody in their right mind would want after she went through such a traumatic time.”

Teaming up with Sir Elton John, Spears returned to music with “Hold Me Closer.” But it was just the duo who worked together on the tiny dancer remix. In a “you ...

In a “ [you should drop the ‘the’ in ‘The Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU6scly2AFU)’” moment, Elton John’s husband, David Furnish, helped shape the course of the “Tiny Dancer” and “The One” remix. “Hello Sir Elton John, we are like, number one in 40 countries!” said Spears in a video to Teaming up with Sir Elton John, Spears returned to music with “ [Hold Me Closer](https://www.vulture.com/2022/08/britney-spears-elton-john-hold-me-closer-tiny-dancer.html).” But it was just the duo who worked together on the tiny dancer remix.

Britney Spears and Elton John have hit #1 on the streaming charts in more than 40 countries, but next, they'll have their sights set on smashing music video ...

The single has been hugely successful, once again bringing Britney to the forefront of music industry conversation. Sources close to Britney and Elton tell TMZ ... but Britney certainly appreciates all the love. cuz they've got one in the works. Britney Spears Music Video with Elton in The Works ... Britney Spears and Elton John Have Music Video Coming for 'Hold Me Closer'

Spears collaborated with Elton John on the club-ready single "Hold Me Closer."

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. This information is shared with social media, sponsorship, analytics, and other vendors or service providers.