What was the worldwide reaction to 'I'm a Slave 4 U'?

[Blackout2006]

At the time of release of Britney's most important song towards the progressing of her career in the early 2000s, how did the world and media react to the drippy, urban and unique production of this song that even helped in ushering The Neptunes as a prominent group and retain the success of Britney with the end of teen-pop? Lemme know

[ivosoares]

Well, I was only 7 and I remember it playing on MTV and me being totally obsessed about it, not even understanding the lyrics. I live in Portugal, that song was really popular here and still is.

[RadicalOptimism]

It was a moment that shook my entire class. That entire era. Everyone had the Britney album and we would all play it during our play breaks at school. Everyone talked about the VMA’s and kept up with everything happening that era. Of course a lot of the adults and prudes had **** to say and then 9/11 happened so all attention was on that. I also remember hearing the radio premier on KIIS FM weeks later on my way to get Pokémon cards with my dad. And then a week later Whenever, Wherever came out and those two songs were always playing on the radio 

[DollyParton]

8 minutes ago, CrazyButItFeelsAllright said:

It was a moment that shook my entire class. That entire era. Everyone had the Britney album and we would all play it during our play breaks at school. Everyone talked about the VMA’s and kept up with everything happening that era. Of course a lot of the adults and prudes had **** to say and then 9/11 happened so all attention was on that. I also remember hearing the radio premier on KIIS FM weeks later on my way to get Pokémon cards with my dad. And then a week later Whenever, Wherever came out and those two songs were always playing on the radio 

How old were you in 2001? 

[RadicalOptimism]

3 minutes ago, DollyParton said:

How old were you in 2001? 

10  do you have a problem? 

[DollyParton]

26 minutes ago, CrazyButItFeelsAllright said:

10  do you have a problem? 

Why so negative? 

 

[fays1]

I think it took a while for the song to be as iconic as it is today

[RadicalOptimism]

9 minutes ago, DollyParton said:

Why so negative? 

 

Are you serious? You’re the one that called me a clown 

[GlitterRain]

It was iconic! 

[DollyParton]

41 minutes ago, CrazyButItFeelsAllright said:

Are you serious? You’re the one that called me a clown 

Didn't mean it that way. 

[PokemonSpears]

well I don't know about worldwide, but I think what shocked people the most was the performance with the python more than the song in itself.

At least in Latin America I remember Overprotected being more popular than Slave in the long term. My only reference is MTV and radio lol I don't have exact sales numbers or things like that.

 

[RadicalOptimism]

13 minutes ago, DollyParton said:

Didn't mean it that way. 

You’re forgiven 

[Screamous]

I was 16. Its getting mixed review since it was her first “racy” video. Some  didnt like the video because of her sudden image change. In my country, Not a girl not yet a woman getting more airplay than slave

[BabyD01]

Everyone in my class especially the girls were rocking to that song and even sang it everyday. Some even tried the dance moves as well. That song was huge in Africa at the time

[everybodygoesdown]

Don’t know about the rest of the world but for me it was the song that made me transform from a fan to a stan. I was OBSESSED with slave from the first time I heard it and saw the video. 
The Britney era is still my favorite. 

[Email My D]

I remember when the song came out, it was nothing like I've ever heard before, I was absolutely in love with the song and this was before even watching the video or the performance. It's this song that really made me Stan Britney. 

[pancake]

i actually loved the video

it took a bit for the song to grow on me bc i was used to her pop songs and this was more urban

her performance with the snake really made an impact, more than the video itself