Britney (song)

"Britney" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bebo Norman. It was written and produced by Norman for his ninth self-titled studio album (2008), with additional writing by Jason Ingram. The song was released on July 28, 2008 through BEC Records as the album's first single. The inspirational folk song, is an apology to pop singer Britney Spears for the consequences of fame and success.

"Britney"
A gray background featuring the words "Bebo Norman" in white, a white line below, the word "Britney" in blue and the word "single" in white at right.
Single by Bebo Norman
from the album Bebo Norman
ReleasedJuly 28, 2008
Recorded2008
GenreFolk, contemporary Christian music
Length3:34
LabelBEC
Songwriter(s)Bebo Norman, Jason Ingram
Producer(s)Bebo Norman, Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp
Bebo Norman singles chronology
"Into the Day"
(2007)		 "Britney"
(2008)		 "The Only Hope"
(2008)

"Britney" was very well received by music critics, with some calling it "sweet" and "not cynical at all," and noticing the song's sympathetic message to Spears. After its release, Lynne Spears praised the song and thanked Norman for writing it. "Britney" failed to chart on Billboard Hot 100, but did manage to peak at number 28 on the Hot Christian Adult Contemporary chart.

Background and composition

"Britney" was written by Bebo Norman in the beginning of 2008 as an apology to the pop singer Britney Spears,[1] after watching a news report about Spears on television.[2] The song was later recorded and produced by Norman for his self-titled album, with additional production by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp.[3] When asked about the song, Norman said:

"'Britney' is a song about what our culture says and does to young women these days. It's about the lies we tell them about fame and money and what's beautiful and what will give them life. It's an apology for those lies. But more than that, it's an invitation to the truth about a God who is bigger than the pain this world so often leaves them in."[4]

"Britney" is an inspirational ballad with elements of folk music,[5][6][7] that lasts for three minutes and thirty-four seconds long.[5] Josh Taylor of Jesus Freak Hideout compared its structure to "Hey There Delilah" by the Plain White T's.[8] The song was released on July 28, 2008 as a digital single on iTunes Store,[5] two months before the official release of Norman's album.[1] Despite not being a Spears fan, Norman enjoys her song "Toxic".[9]

Reception

Upon its release, "Britney" received generally positive reviews from critics. Andree Farias of AllMusic highlighted "Britney" on Bebo Norman's album, saying, "the left-field stunner is "Britney", a poignant, heartfelt ode to the teen pop superstar that also serves as a sharp analysis of culture's make-or-break treatment of celebrities."[10] The team of New Release Tuesday, "a popular music website in the Christian community", praised the song, with reviews saying, "["Britney"] is without a doubt one of Bebo Norman's best songs."[1] A review by Lancaster Online called "Britney" a "hit song", and described it as "a compassionate look at someone damaged, but maybe not broken, by the relentless glare of the spotlight."[6] Kim Jones of About.com called the song an "anthem of sorts".[11] Deborah Evan Price of Billboard said "Britney" has "a sympathetic message to the burnished pop singer."[12]

Josh Taylor of Jesus Freak Hideout said, "the way in which [Norman] continually addresses Britney Spears just seems the least bit odd", but commented on how pleasant the song is.[8] A review by Idolator noticed "Britney" has "a melody that dares to be clear and pretty in ways emo bands [...] don’t usually dare," and commented how the song's "strongly sung" lyrics are "sweet [and] not cynical at all."[13] The Denver Post reported that after the song's release, Spears' mother Lynne thanked Norman for writing the song, "because it was all she wanted to say to her daughter."[14] On the week of September 19, 2008, "Britney" peaked at number twenty-eight on Billboard Hot Christian Adult Contemporary chart.[13]

Track listing
  1. "Britney" - 3:34

Credits and personnel
  • Bebo Norman – lead vocals, songwriting, acoustic guitar, background vocals
  • Mike Payne – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • Adam Lester – electric guitar
  • Jason Ingram – keyboards, songwriting, programming, background vocals
  • Josh Moore – keyboards
  • Tony Lucido – bass guitar
  • Will Sayles – drums
  • Ben Phillips – drums
  • Rusty Varenkamp – programming

Source:[16]

Release history
Region Date Format Label
Australia[5] July 28, 2008 Digital download BEC Records
Canada[17] July 29, 2008 Tooth & Nail
France[18] BEC Records
Germany[19]
Netherlands[20]
United States[21]

References
  1. "Bebo Norman by Bebo Norman - Details and Review". New Release Tuesday. September 26, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  2. Conner, Matt (July 28, 2008). "Story Behind The Song: Bebo Norman's Britney". CCM Magazine. Salem Publishing. Archived from the original on October 3, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  3. Wendell, Sean (2008). "Review: Bebo Norman, Self Titled". Youth Specialities. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  4. "Bebo Norman raising interest with "Britney" song from self-titled album". Cross Rhythms. Cornerstone House. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  5. "Britney - Single by Bebo Norman". Apple Store. July 28, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  6. O'Conner, Dave (October 31, 2008). "Bebo Norman offers a sympathetic look at Britney Spears". Lancaster Online. Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  7. "Britney - Bebo Norman". Yahoo Music. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  8. Taylor, Josh (September 14, 2008). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Bebo Norman, Bebo Norman Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. John DiBiase. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  9. Farias, Andree. "This Changes Everything - An Interview With Bebo Norman". Christianity Today. The Fish. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  10. Farias, Andree (September 16, 2008). "Bebo Norman - Album Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  11. Jones, Kim. "CD Review of Bebo Norman's Self-Titled Release". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  12. Price, Deborah Evan (September 16, 2008). "Bebo Norman". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  13. "We Search The Internet For Up-And-Coming Country Singers, Phat Jazz Musicians, And Other Musical Microstars". Idolator. Buzz Media. September 19, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  14. Sommers, Liz (April 21, 2010). "Bebo Norman Hears from Britney Spears' Mom". The Denver Post. William Dean Singleton. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  15. "Amazon.com: Britney: Bebo Norman: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. September 16, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  16. Bebo Norman liner notes. BEC Records (2008)
  17. "hmvdigital.ca - Britney by Bebo Norman". HMV Digital Store. July 29, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  18. "Britney - Single by Bebo Norman" (in French). Apple Store. July 29, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  19. "Britney - Single by Bebo Norman" (in German). Apple Store. July 29, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  20. "Britney - Single by Bebo Norman" (in Dutch). Apple Store. July 29, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  21. "Britney - Single by Bebo Norman". Apple Store. July 29, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
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