Britney Spears

2022 - 8 - 26

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Britney Spears and Elton John's Mash-up, and 8 More New Songs (The New York Times)

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?

She Is Risen!: The Glorious Rebirth of Britney Spears (Rolling Stone)

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 joins Elton John for first song since conservatorship (The Washington Post)

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.

Britney Spears returns to music with 'Hold Me Closer,' dance mix ... (Globalnews.ca)

Fans of Britney Spears and Elton John had reason to rejoice on Friday when the pair's long-awaited, collaborative single 'Hold Me Closer' was finally ...

“I pray there actually is truth to the Holy Spirit and I hope that spirit is with my children as well !!! “I want to be fearless like when I was younger and not be so scared and fearful,” she concluded. The upbeat dance-pop track is a rework of John’s existing hit, Tiny Dancer, with elements of his other popular songs, The One and Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, also featured.

Britney Spears makes musical comeback with Elton John duet (The Globe and Mail)

'Okie dokie … my first song in 6 years,' Spears says of Hold Me Closer, a club-dance remake of John's 1971 song Tiny Dancer.

A press release for Hold Me Closer, which also has elements of Elton John’s songs The One and Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, said the two singers first met in 2014. I love her dearly and am delighted with what we’ve created together.” Her father Jamie Spears, who had sought the court-imposed arrangement in 2008, was removed as conservator in September. It’s pretty damn cool that I’m singing with one of the most classic men of our time,” Spears wrote in a tweet this week. Hours after its release, the track topped the U.S. Fans welcomed the new song, with the hashtag #WelcomeBackBritney trending on Twitter.

Elton John and Britney Spears unite on a new dance single (Toronto Star)

The funky, piano-driven single uses John's 1971 hit “Tiny Dancer” as the skeleton.

John is in the midst of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Spears, in her statement, told John it was an honour to be asked: ”I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to work with you and your legendary mind.” I love her dearly and am delighted with what we’ve created together,” John said in a statement.

Britney Spears sort un duo avec Elton John, sa première chanson ... (Le Soleil)

La première nouvelle chanson de Britney Spears en six ans est sortie vendredi, un duo avec la légende britannique Elton John intitulé Hold Me Closer.

Britney Spears avait dénoncé une mesure «abusive» qui, selon elle, l’empêchait de retirer son stérilet contraceptif malgré son désir d’avoir d’autres enfants. Depuis, la chanteuse avait surtout fait les gros titres avec son combat pour être libérée de sa tutelle, décidée en 2008 en raison de troubles psychologiques. La dernière sortie de Britney Spears remontant à 2016, avec son album Glory.

Première chanson depuis 2016 | Britney Spears sort un duo avec ... (La Presse)

La première chanson de Britney Spears en six ans est sortie vendredi, un duo avec la légende britannique Elton John intitulé Hold Me Closer.

Britney Spears avait dénoncé une mesure « abusive » qui, selon elle, l’empêchait de retirer son stérilet contraceptif malgré son désir d’avoir d’autres enfants. ! ! La dernière sortie de Britney Spears remontant à 2016, avec son album Glory.

Britney Spears fait son retour en chanson : écoutez son duo avec le ... (Noovo Moi)

Intitulée Hold Me Closer, cette chanson est une toute nouvelle version du classique Tiny Dancer d'Elton John. La pièce comprend également des extraits du ...

Le couple s'est marié lors d'une cérémonie très intime, les tourtereaux préférant s'unir entouré de leur cercle rapproché. Intitulée Hold Me Closer, cette chanson est une toute nouvelle version du classique Tiny Dancer d'Elton John. Après plusieurs semaines d'attente, le nouveau duo de la chanteuse avec Elton John est arrivé.

Britney Spears : comment Elton John a réussi à la faire rechanter ? (Elle)

Dans une interview accordée au « Guardian », publiée ce vendredi 26 août, Elton John s'est exprimé sur sa collaboration avec Britney Spears sur la chanson ...

[Britney Spears](https://www.elle.fr/Personnalites/Britney-Spears) car elle était [en lune de miel avec son mari Sam Asghari](https://www.elle.fr/People/La-vie-des-people/News/Britney-Spears-elle-partage-une-video-de-sa-lune-de-miel-4033582), Elton John l’assure : « Elle a chanté de façon fantastique. Sur Twitter, elle a également avoué être un peu « dépassée » par les événements. » Avant de poursuivre : « Je suis tellement excité de pouvoir le faire avec elle parce que si c’est un grand succès, et je pense que ça pourrait l’être, cela lui donnera tellement plus de confiance qu’elle n’en a déjà et elle réalisera que les gens l’aiment vraiment et se soucient d’elle et veulent qu’elle soit heureuse. [Britney Spears est de retour à travers un duo avec Elton John dans le titre « Hold Me Closer »](https://www.elle.fr/Loisirs/Musique/News/Britney-Spears-fait-son-grand-retour-aux-cotes-d-Elton-John-4043762). Je suis passé par ce sentiment de rupture et c’est horrible, a-t-il admis. Dans une interview accordée au « [Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/aug/26/britney-was-broken-ive-been-broken-and-its-horrible-elton-john-on-helping-britney-spears-sing-again) », Elton John s’est exprimé sur sa collaboration avec la chanteuse, confiant que Britney Spears avait hésité à faire partie de ce nouveau projet.

Britney Spears teams up with Elton John on 'Hold Me Closer,' her ... (CNN)

After a six-year hiatus, Britney Spears made her musical comeback on Friday with the release of "Hold Me Closer," her collaboration with Elton John.

reviewer Will Hodgkinson was not as enthusiastic. , "There's something about Britney's voice and a dance track that just go extremely well together -- like red wine and a basket of bread. He adds that "Spears seems to hint at finding that for herself again in music. You sound so good!" Another said: "welcome back!!!! We have missed you so much Brit, you can't imagine how happy it makes me to hear you singing again," one fan wrote on Twitter.

Drew Barrymore Hypes Britney Spears and 'Hold Me Closer' with ... (TMZ)

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 ...

Britney is back, and Lil Nas X and Paris Hilton can't even (Los Angeles Times)

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 …

How Paris Hilton Is Supporting “Queen” Britney Spears' New Song ... (E! Online)

In honor of Britney Spears' new collaboration with Elton John, her longtime friend Paris Hilton celebrated the occasion with a solo dance party.

As fans all over celebrated the release of the [highly-anticipated track](https://www.eonline.com/news/1339419/britney-spears-making-her-return-to-music-with-elton-john-all-the-details), one of the 40-year-old's long time supporters made her excitement known with a stellar dance video: Paris Hilton. She looked stunning," Paris said of Britney. After all, according to Paris, she She captioned the [June wedding](https://www.eonline.com/news/1309605/britney-spears-marries-sam-asghari-after-5-years-together) to [Sam Asghari](https://www.eonline.com/news/1300212/britney-spears-praises-sam-asghari-for-sticking-by-her-through-hardest-years-of-her-life). [Paris Hilton](https://www.eonline.com/news/paris_hilton) is holding [Britney Spears](https://www.eonline.com/news/britney_spears) close to her heart.

Britney Spears and Elton John Finally Drop 'Hold Me Closer' Duet (Hope Standard)

He wanted to collaborate again with an artist and came up with the idea to have Britney on the record. … The fact that it came together and she wanted to do ...

Britney Spears & Elton John Drop 'Hold Me Closer' Shoots to #1 in ... (TMZ)

Britney Spears has made one of the most remarkable comebacks ever in music ... exactly one year ago she was locked in a contentious conservatorship -- one ...

He's found a way to take some of his amazing songs and put a spin on them with younger artists, and it's clearly working. There was a little drama during the post-production, but all worked out. exactly one year ago she was locked in a contentious conservatorship -- one year later she's shot to the top of the music charts in spectacular fashion. It's pretty damn cool that I'm singing with one of the most classic men of our time … She hasn't released music in 6 years. The song is #1 in 35 countries, including England.

Elton John's Husband Thought of the Britney Spears Collab (Vulture)

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 Music Video Coming for 'Hold ... (TMZ)

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'

She's back! Britney Spears releases her first song since her ... (NPR)

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

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Paris Hilton celebrates Britney Spears' duet with Elton John (Today.com)

Paris Hilton shared a fun video of herself dancing on top of her pink car to celebrate the release of Britney Spears and Elton John's duet “Hold Me Closer."

[John replied](https://twitter.com/eltonofficial/status/1563239671102316544?s=20&t=sISaiP9KniMGRaepbVHHuw), "Hey Britney!! I’m in the tub right now and I’m about to go have the best day ever and I hope you’re well." "Hello, Sir Elton John," the pop icon said in a mock British accent. “We’ve been holding her hand through the whole process, reassuring her that everything’s gonna be alright." "'Hold Me Closer' is out now and I will be playing it on repeat until further notice!😍 So proud of you sis." In the video, the star, 41, wore a matching tracksuit and oversized glasses, combining Barbiecore and early '00s vibes for a perfect pink look.

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