Great read - Stereogum remembers 'Hold it Against Me'

[Lemon]

Hi. So Stereogum has been doing great, incredibly insightful articles on each Number 1 on Billboard Hot 100's history, and one of the latest entries is Britney's Hold it Against Me, which is arguably her most forgotten number 1 single. The whole article is great. I highly recommend everyone to read it. It gives great context on the Femme Fatale album as well, and on the later part of her career pre and post conservatorship. Obviously there are great articles on BOMT, Womanizer and 3, and they still have the S&M Remix left. A great read for your morning coffee!

My opinion: I quite enjoyed HIAM after its release. However, I can see why they say it is a pretty forgettable song. The production is huge but Britney's presence is cold and robotic and the hooks are not that strong. Even the dubstep breakdown hasn't aged that well imo. What do you think?

The Number Ones: Britney Spears’ “Hold It Against Me”

WWW.STEREOGUM.COM

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In The Number Ones, I’m reviewing every single #1 single in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, starting with the chart’s beginning, in 1958, and working my way up into the present...

 

[Mutya]

Love HIAM, love FF.

[ICouldntThinkOfOne]

I think this statement encompasses the entire album. The album is incredibly well produced dance music, but the quintessential Britney elements arent there at all; the melodies are simple to cover that, the vocals are covered in harmonies that create a very pleasing sound but lose "Britney"; the inflections in her voice, the punch and attitude, the ad libs aren't there...

Certain songs like stand out more because of the above things, but for me, it's the reason I don't particularly revisit the album barring a few tracks.

[BritneyBitch88]

[Danielle1987]

I F-ing love HIAM, IDGAF! One of her best singles, ever. 

[briprin1]

One of her best songs ever, I love the entire FF album.

It's actually the only one I listen to completely on a regular basis.

Edited September 23 by briprin1

[Onyxgirl17]

Love HIAM and love FF album. FF has a bunch of bangers and had me singing about a pot full of vegetables. 🤣 Also holds a special place since I got to see her 2nd row in concert. 

[Sia]

Trash song, not to mention the performances...

[CaseClosed]

First time reading this and it's absolutely mind-blowing. Read them all Britney related  in one (deep) breath. Insightful, analytical read, that absolutely paint the picture how heavy her story and music are!

Can't wait for S&M! 

[princessmimi]

I actually love that song. 

In my opinion its one of the strongest and catchiest singles in her entire catalog which is ironic considering how out of it she was during the FF era.

[Tetris]

@Lemon Thank you for sharing! These were such interesting, well-thought, in-depth reads. It brings me so much joy when culture critics take Britney seriously and speak about her artistry/legend status with the respect it deserves and regard her music as real MUSIC and not teeny-bopper manufactured tripe. 

[peacht]

16 hours ago, Sia said:

Trash song, not to mention the performances...

I mean we cant blame her for it tho...

She was medicated af on that era, she looked so sad from late 2010 till 2012

[peacht]

Also why tf almost all of the non britney fans and gp looooove criminal lmao 

Im a huge britney fan but to me criminal is mid 

[Lemon]

5 hours ago, Tetris said:

@Lemon Thank you for sharing! These were such interesting, well-thought, in-depth reads. It brings me so much joy when culture critics take Britney seriously and speak about her artistry/legend status with the respect it deserves and regard her music as real MUSIC and not teeny-bopper manufactured tripe. 

For more you can check out Tom Ewing's UK number 1 articles. This is the guy who wrote the Blackout review for Pitchfork and he's been reviewing every UK number 1 single for a long time. The Stereogum column is based on his! That means you can read reviews on songs like Born To Make You Happy, Everytime, etc.  They are really interesting as well.

Popular – Every UK#1 reviewed

POPULAR-NUMBER1S.COM

 

Edited September 24 by Lemon

[Lemon]

3 hours ago, peacht said:

Also why tf almost all of the non britney fans and gp looooove criminal lmao 

Im a huge britney fan but to me criminal is mid 

I think it's just a pleasing, melodic track and it reminds people of Supertramp's The Logical Song which is apparently based on. Also, it has that classic Britney melodramatic pop vibe and you can hear her actually singing (if you can ignore the vocal processing which I can't). Those are my guesses. 

I remember being quite shocked at the song on my first listen because of the flute melody. That was an extremely unusual choice to make for a pop track. I used to love it, and was very disappointed at it flopping at the time. I don't listen to it much now, but I'm glad it has took off and established another Britney classic.

Still, my fav FF track is Trip to Your Heart - I think it's the ONE song on the album where you can hear Britney's vulnerability through her voice. Maybe that's just my imagination.  

[Sia]

21 hours ago, Sia said:

Trash song, not to mention the performances...

If y’all ever wondered what abuse of power looks like, here it is folks. Guess the line between censorship and moderation doesn’t exist here or perhaps just another way to display power hunger.

@princessmimi