This Day in Pop: 'Overprotected' music video premieres in 2001

[PokemonSpears]

Disclaimer:

This might be one of the most confusing release dates to track. Unlike Born to Make You Happy which had a very concise release, Overprotected, an international single, seemed to have had very different release dates across the world, both the single and the music video.

If you go to the English Wikipedia page, the earliest release they show is December 12 in Japan. If you go to the Spanish Wikipedia, which has the "good article badge", it shows December 18. Yet it seems in Australia they got it even earlier, on December 08. The official Britney Spears website doesn't mention it and other sources I've quoted before, such as this list made by britney.com blogger BRITannica, either.

Then when it comes to the video, it's missing concrete sources as well. I'm creating this thread today, because the earliest confirmation I could find was this entry (9th post from the bottom to the top) on worldofbritney.com that reveals the music video was premiered in Latin America on December 20, 2001. Yet on ukmix, there's a comment that says they've already seen the video by December 15, and even worldofbritney has the screencaps of it. This other thread may confirm they had it in "Holland" around those days.

So if you know a concrete date for the release of the single or the video, please share

What we know for sure is that on December 2001, Britney Spears released Overprotected as the second single off her third studio album Britney. In Europe it was released on January 2002. This single was released internationally, while on the United States they got I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman (whose release date is also another story ). For the third single they would switch, thus the US getting Overprotected (Darkchild Remix) and the rest of the world getting Not a Girl.

These entries were supposed to be created by our very own @Roxxy so here I'll quote her comments on the calendar page:

Written and produced by Max Martin and Rami, Overprotected stands as one of only five Britney songs to be nominated for a Grammy. In 2003, it was up for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - her third and final nomination in the category.

Overprotected was a Top 10 hit in 13 countries including #4 in the UK and #1 in Poland, ultimately peaking at #8 on the European Hot 100.

The Darkchild Remix peaked at #86 on the US Hot 100 and #22 on the Canadian Hot 100.

Overprotected is a global Top 10 peaking at #6 on the United World Chart dated March 9, 2002. It spent 14 weeks in the chart.

The music video was directed by Billie Woodruff (who directed Born to Make You Happy two years before) and choreographed by @BrianFriedman More roxxy comments:

The Billie Woodruff video features an intro using another track from the album, Bombastic Love.

TRIVIA TIME! The Overprotected music video stands tall as the only one in her videography to feature two songs from her catalog. Not only that, the music video also takes pride in the fact that it is the only one to have it's own follow-up via the release of the Darkchild Remix music video.

It's so good that they had to release two official versions, each with their own music video. I mean, how cool is that? Your faves could never, honestly. Don't even try to come for Godprotected.

The opening scene, which plays Bombastic Love in the background, shows Britney opening a door and right outside is a swarm of paparazzi waiting for her as she makes her way to her car and drives off.

She stops by an abandoned warehouse where she reflects on being 'overprotected' - and in true Britney fashion, she feels herself on some of the furniture.

She is also shown sitting on a horse from a carousel because she needs 'joy'.

Soon after, her dancers arrive and they do one of her best dance breaks eveeer.

After she goes ACTION! is where the song takes you to a high as it goes into a crescendo towards the final chorus and features this iconic scene where Britney literally needs her 'space' with the walls closing in on her with the phrases

'Britney Mania!'
'Girl of the Year'
'Album Goes Double Platinum'
'There Is No Stopping Her!'
'WORLD TOUR SELLS OUT!'

Never has a Britney Spears music video been so self aware and so proud of herself, her sales, and her achievements - and this is coming from one of the most humble pop girls in history.

Which is why the original Overprotected music video should be a celebrated gem in her videography. This is one of the rare moments where Britney acknowledges that she is indeed 100% that girl.

Btw, I always mention her appearances on the MTV Latin America yearly Top 100, but this video was her very first huge snub. It didn't make the list in 2001 because it was released almost at the end of the year, but it totally deserved to appear in 2002, when it really became a hit. However, the video didn't appear at any position at all, infuriating all the fans who voted it throughout the year on the weekly Top 10 and Top 20.

 

 

 

[PokemonSpears]

The song was performed on her Dream Within a Dream Tour and The Onyx Hotel Tour as well as several TV performances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fab britney]

Without her radio ban I feel this could’ve been one of her biggest hits in the states

[NewDisplayName]

The best pop song ever! 

[Karmickiss]

No matter where I am I will always bop it out and sing along with this song.

Classic Britney❤️

Creepy what her life became after having a song of this subject matter.

 

[Midnight]

One of her best choreographies ever 

[Xfactor Sam]

#Freebritney 

[RadicalOptimism]

Wish I was granted the same courtesy when the Crazy anniversaries came up 

[ElenaB]

My fav song and one of my fav Britney videos ever  It’s Britney’s story told by herself BEFORE it actually happened it will always be my anthem

[Iconic 4 U]

The original Overprotected is my favourite  

The choreography during the bridge is everything and this outfit is so cute

[2K16NEY]

Another strangely prophetic song. Always been a fave of mine, I personally prefer the original album version. As for the music video, I prefer the US one because the choreo was amazing. 
 

I’ve always loved the shot of the back of her car and the license plate that has has her name on it  truly iconic 

[MikeMasi]

2 minutes ago, 2K16NEY said:

Another strangely prophetic song. Always been a fave of mine, I personally prefer the original album version. As for the music video, I prefer the US one because the choreo was amazing. 
 

I’ve always loved the shot of the back of her car and the license plate that has has her name on it  truly iconic 

And that number in the rain!!

[rennen]

You're legendary for the time and effort spent on these posts. 

[Martini]

Who knew a 20 year old song would be more relevant in her life now more than ever... 

[asitalian12587]

ill never forgive US radio for blacklisting britney during the "britney" era. this single (along with others) got royally screwed over.

[Hooked-On-Knee]

2 hours ago, CrazyButItFeelsAllright said:

Wish I was granted the same courtesy when the Crazy anniversaries came up 

So off-topic but you made me realize that (You Drive Me) Crazy is her best song.

[RadicalOptimism]

27 minutes ago, Hooked-On-Knee said:

So off-topic but you made me realize that (You Drive Me) Crazy is her best song.

Not even off-topic considering the original post, but I see no lies in your second post 

[PokemonSpears]

3 hours ago, CrazyButItFeelsAllright said:

Wish I was granted the same courtesy when the Crazy anniversaries came up 

but you did

 

[babyimmafreak90]

One of my favourite MVs. Bonus points because Bombastic Love makes a brief cameo 

As it has already been stated, the bridge with her choreo is why pop girls still can’t compete to 👏 this 👏 day👏
 

F cking iconic legend 

[princessmimi]

Man I love this song/video!

It should've been more successful.

Its sadly ironic how this song would later fit her life