This Day in Pop: Britney releases 'Greatest Hits: My Prerogative' in 2004 (November 9)

[PokemonSpears]

Though it originally came out on November 3, 2004 in Europe, it was on November 9 that the Greatest Hits: My Prerogative album was released in the United States, Britney Spears' first compilation album that included her hits from her first four studio records, plus three new tracks, but actually, it was originally scheduled for a November 16 release. An accompanying DVD of the same name was also released, which included her entire videography to date, plus alternative versions / cut content from many of her very well known music videos, which could be unlocked interactively.

Two of the new tracks were released as singles to promote the album: My Prerogative, a Bobby Brown cover, had been released on September as the lead single and Do Somethin', produced by Bloodshy & Avant, would be released on February 2005. I've Just Begun (Having My Fun) had already been released as a digital single in August as (I've Just Begun) Having My Fun ( ) and it was the only track that didn't receive a music video.

Technically speaking, the compilation was recorded from 1997 to 2004, since it included her hits from ...Baby One More Time, Oops!... I Did It Again, Britney and In the Zone, her first four studio albums, all of which went #1 on the Billboard 200. Some critics felt that it was too soon for Britney to be releasing a greatest hits compilation six years into her career, but the truth is that the tracklist of this album includes literally hit after hit, showing Britney's different styles through the years and no song feels like a filler at all.

 

Several editions were released around the world, being the Australia / UK / Japan one the most complete:

1. My Prerogative
2. Toxic
3. I'm a Slave 4 U
4. Oops!... I Did It Again
5. Me Against the Music (ft. Madonna)
6. Stronger
7. Everytime
8. ...Baby One More Time
9. (You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!)
10. Boys (Co-Ed Remix ft. Pharrell Williams)
11. Sometimes
12. Overprotected (The Darkchild Remix)
13. Lucky
14. Outrageous
15. Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know
16. Born to Make You Happy
17. I Love Rock 'n' Roll
18. I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman
19. I've Just Begun (Having My Fun)
20. Do Somethin'

A limited edition bonus disc was also part of the compilation:

1. Toxic (Armand Van Helden Remix)
2. Everytime (Hi-Bas Radio Remix)
3. Breathe on Me (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)
4. Outrageous (Junkie XL's Dancehall Mix)
5. Stronger (Miguel 'Migs' Vocal Mix)
6. I'm a Slave 4 U (Thunderpuss Club Mix)
7. Chris Cox Megamix

with the Hong Kong edition including an Extended version of the Chris Cox Megamix.

The album debuted and peaked at #4 on the US Billboard 200, but it went #1 on the French, Greek, Irish, Japanese and Scottish charts, #2 on the UK, Belgian, Dannish and Finnish charts and #3 on the Canadian and European Top 100 charts. It was certified Platinum and has sold over 7M copies around the world.

The DVD comprised all of her videos from 1998 to 2004, and it even included footage from the scrapped Outrageous video, which couldn't be finished due to her knee injury while shooting the clip. Two menus let you go from all of her videos from ...Baby One More Time to My Prerogative, while the other menu was for the alternate cuts with never before seen footage from videos ...Baby One More Time, (You Drive Me) Crazy, Oops!... I Did It Again, Stronger, Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know, I'm a Slave 4 U, Toxic, Everytime and My Prerogative. Crazy and Slave received new vocal mixes, and Toxic had a karaoke version of the song showing the diamonds scene. The third alternative version of My Prerogative appeared as hidden footage.

It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Top Music Videos and stayed on the chart for 22 weeks. It was certified double platinum in the US, Argentina and Australia and according to ABPD it was the second most selling video of 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JeniLeeSK8]

Love the DVD but still mad to this day that the videos are in reverse chronological order. Whyyyyy

[asitalian12587]

such a great dvd...love all the bonus footage

[J45x]

I had the DVD! and played constantly almost every single day! and I remember some TV stores like Sony in my country used to play it too with the DWAD tour.

She looks so hot in the cover! Its pure s**! I remember the girls in HS envying her body and doing abs every day so they could look like her. 

Such good memories. And the Chris Cox remix till slays till this day, I wish some day there is a new version of it!

 

Is there a Vinyl version?? If so I need it!

[LizeS_]

One of the best years of my life 😪 Can't believe it's been 18 years! Time is crazy

[Fab britney]

I love it and all but in hindsight it kinda cuts off the in the zone era and would’ve rathered a re-release which were common in the 00s with breathe on me my prerogative, just begun and showdown as singles.

[jordeezy river red]

Do Somethin is still in my Top 10 and DVD is my favorite Britney memorabilia 

[PinkBarbie]

And Do Somethin is still not getting the recognition it deserves