Jump to content

Me Against the Music

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Me Against The Music)
Not to be confused with Against Music a work by Chinese philosopher Mozi.

"Me Against the Music"
A blonde woman wearing a white top standing in front of a cement wall. The words "Britney Spears Me Against the Music featuring Madonna" are written in capital black letters.
Single by Britney Spears featuring Madonna
from the album In the Zone
ReleasedOctober 14, 2003 (2003-10-14)
Recorded2003
Genre
Length3:43
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Britney Spears singles chronology
"Anticipating"
(2002) 		"Me Against the Music"
(2003) 		"Toxic"
(2004)
Madonna singles chronology
"Hollywood"
(2003) 		"Me Against the Music"
(2003) 		"Nothing Fails"
(2003)
Music video
"Me Against the Music" on YouTube

"Me Against the Music" is a song by American singers Britney Spears and Madonna for Spears' fourth studio album, In the Zone (2003). It was written by Spears, Madonna, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Thabiso "Tab" Nikhereanye, Penelope Magnet, Terius Nash and Gary O'Brien. The song was released on October 14, 2003, by Jive Records, as the lead single of In the Zone. After bonding with Spears during a night in New York City, Stewart and Magnet started working on the song for her. During rehearsals for the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Spears played Madonna the track and asked her to do the song with her.

"Me Against the Music" contains influences of dance-pop, hip hop and usage of funk guitars. Spears and Madonna trade lines during the verses, and Madonna sings the bridge. Lyrically, the song talks about battling the music and the pleasures of letting go on the dancefloor. The song received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Some felt it was a strong dance track of In the Zone, while others referred to it as lackluster and disappointing. The song was a commercial success, peaking atop of the charts in countries such as Australia, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland and Spain, as well as the European Hot 100 Singles. It also peaked at number two in Canada, Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom, and inside the top five in many other nations. The song won the "Hot Dance Single of the Year" accolade at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards.

The accompanying music video for "Me Against the Music" shows Spears and Madonna playing opposites in a nightclub. A cat-and-mouse chase ensues, and Spears finds Madonna in the end, only for the latter to disappear before they kiss. The video received positive reviews from critics, who noted it as symbolic of the sexual roles between the women. Spears has performed the song in a number of live appearances including the 2003 NFL Kickoff Live, Saturday Night Live, 2003 American Music Awards and TRL. She has also performed remixed versions with elements of bhangra music at The Onyx Hotel Tour (2004) and The Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009). Spears performed the song on her Las Vegas residency show Britney: Piece of Me. "Me Against the Music" has been remixed by Justice, while the music video was recreated by television series Glee and included an appearance by Spears.

In 2023, Billboard's staff placed "Me Against the Music" at the 19th position on their 'The 100 Greatest Songs of 2003' list.[1]

Background and writing

[edit]
An African American man wearing glasses, sits smiling in a recording studio.
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, co-wrote and produced "Me Against the Music".

American producers Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Penelope Magnet, known collectively as RedZone Entertainment, presented Spears with the third song they had written and produced, "Pop Culture Whore". While her management liked the track, she rejected it, telling them the song "sucked". After bonding with Spears during a night in New York City to "get in her world", as Magnet explained, it was easier to "actually write and know what she would and wouldn't say, to know where her real vibe is". Stewart and Magnet began working on the first version of the song; Stewart came up with the track, while Magnet developed the melody on a piano and some of the lyrics.[2] American producer The-Dream became involved after Stewart proposed him to work together on the track for Spears. He explained, "I was just getting into the business. I'm in Atlanta, driving home in a '92 Cadillac, and I get the call [...] I hung up and just screamed out joyous sounds."[3] During the recording sessions, Stewart recalls that the studio's air-conditioning died for three days, but Spears "didn't complain or anything, and for me that shows she's where she is for a reason."[4]

While rehearsing for their performance at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Spears played a finished version of "Me Against the Music" to Madonna. After Madonna commented that she liked the track, Spears asked her to do the song with her.[5] RedZone then handed "Me Against the Music" to Madonna, who arranged and recorded her vocal additions on her own, therefore making the song a duet.[4] Spears, who has been a Madonna fan for years, was "beyond surprised" when she heard Madonna's verse. She said "I just asked her to do a little thing, but she really went there. She did a lot of stuff to it."[6] Jive Records hoped "Outrageous" would be released as the first single from the album, but Spears pushed for "Me Against the Music".[7] After she performed the song for the first time at the 2003 NFL Kickoff Live, Spears refused to answer if it was the first single from the album, but said that "there are some surprises that are going to come up in the song that I'm really excited about."[8] On September 16, 2003, it was confirmed that "Me Against the Music" would be released as the first single from In the Zone.[9]

Composition and remixes

[edit]
'Me Against the Music'
A 22-second sample of "Me Against the Music", featuring the first verse where Spears and Madonna trade lines.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Me Against the Music" is a dance-pop and hip hop song with "funky guitar riffs" and "rapid-fire singing".[2][4][10][11] The song features Madonna, but was constructed as a duet after she was added to the track. Spears and Madonna trade lines during the verses, and Madonna sings solo in the bridge.[4] Stewart described the sound as "half-rapping, half-singing" and "beat-driven".[2] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, "Me Against the Music" is set in a moderate dance beat, with a tempo of 120 beats per minute. Spears's vocal range span from the low-note of G2 to the high-note of B4.[12] Gavin Mueller of Stylus Magazine deemed Spears's vocals as "sexy and sultry" and compared them to those of Prince.[13]

In the song, Spears and Madonna sing of the pleasures of letting go on the dancefloor, in lyrics such as "I'm up against the speaker / Trying to take on the music / It's like a competition".[4] Spears explained the concept of the song as "basically about just going to a club and letting yourself go and battling with whoever is around you and battling against the music as well."[5] Magnet continued, saying, "Like she was hearing the music and trying to out-dance the track or out-beat the drum or out-pluck the guitar. It's as if she's in the club, losing herself in the music."[2] William Shaw of Blender stated Madonna's verse could be interpreted as her passing the baton to a new talent, as well as "a taunt from the old guard to the uptight youngster."[6]

A number of remixes were commissioned by Jive Records to accompany the release. The Australian CD singles included remixes by artists such Peter Rauhofer, Rishi Rich, Passengerz and Terminalhead.[14][15] The US CD single also contained remixes by Trak Starz, Gabriel & Dresden, Bloodshy & Avant and Kanye West.[16] The Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix was later included in the track list of In the Zone. The remix removes the original melody of the song and adds a clattering backbeat and Punjabi shouts. Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times called the remix "excellent", noting that it is "so frenetic you barely notice Ms. Spears and Madonna – it's odd to hear two such ubiquitous figures sounding so anonymous."[17] There are two remixes released which do not feature Madonna; the Bloodshy & Avant's Chix Mix was released on Spears's first EP accompanying the Britney Spears: In the Zone video, while the DragonMan Remix appears on the Dare for More Pepsi promotional CD,[18] the New Divas 2004 compilation album and the Japan Tour edition of Glory. Spears had also contacted Outkast to remix "Me Against the Music" but the remix was not released.[19]

Critical response

[edit]
A woman wearing a red ensemble, standing in front of a metallic staircase around a group of dancers.
Spears performing "Me Against the Music" at The Onyx Hotel Tour

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic selected "Me Against the Music" as one of the 'track picks' from In the Zone.[20] Caryn Ganz of Spin called the song "a fine specimen of Britney 4.0 – a fast-paced dance anthem, all grinding percussion shuttling through a traffic jam of synths."[21] Dave De Sylvia of Sputnikmusic said that "Aside from numerous rather awful name-dropping passages and a disappointing chorus, the track is an ideal way to open the album. It's an up-tempo dance track with a big name attached; what else could you ask for?"[22] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine deemed it as "arguably one of Britney's finest moments and one of her mentor's worst".[23] Nick Southall of Stylus Magazine said that "Madonna vamps it up (literally – her appearance here is not Sapphic but vampiric, the wizened old crone bleeding another period of forced longevity into her career like a cruenating corpse leaking plasma backwards) on 'Me Against The Music', but can't make it a bad tune."[24] Gavin Mueller, also writing for Stylus Magazine, said that the single "benefits from a kinetic garage-inspired beat, even when a tepid Madonna threatens to spoil the fun."[13]

Spence D. of IGN commented, "Initially catchy, it's ultimately forgettable other than it's the musical counterpart/fallout to/from the duo's lip lock publicity stunt on the 2003 MTV Music Video Awards."[25] Jamie Gill of Yahoo! Music Radio stated that "Madonna's appearance on the brilliantly titled but deeply dreary 'Me Against The Music' was a postmodern prank designed to make all sane listeners think 'actually, American Life was pretty good, after all.'"[26] While reviewing The Singles Collection, Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy said that "the only arguable weak link is the Madonna-featuring 'Me Against The Music', but in this context what once looked like a respectful passing of the baton now seems like an unconditional surrender of pop Queendom to its rightful heir."[27] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly called "Me Against the Music" "the album's coy, overly busy single".[28] Dorian Lynskey of The Guardian noted it as "the only duff track" of the album.[29] Jon Pareles of Rolling Stone wrote, "Madonna shows up in the album's first song, 'Me Against the Music', as if endorsing Spears's foray into come-hither posing and club-land beats."[30]

Larry Flick from The Advocate denounced the track as an "'Into the Groove' redux". He added that the song "propels the listener into Spears' collaborations with heavy-hitting producers. There's nary a hint of her pristine pop past on Kelly's hip-grinding 'Outrageous' or Perry's 'Girls & Boys'. Instead Spears swims through dark, often hip-hop hued waters with occasional forays into minor keyed electro dance terrain."[31] Ali Fenwick of The Johns Hopkins News-Letter said, "Despite bringing out the big guns in a duet with Madonna, 'Me Against The Music' is not danceable, the measure of success in any pop tune."[32] Linda McGee of RTÉ.ie commented that although much of the content of In the Zone is "catchy", "it is hard to see any potential singles impressing as much as 'Me Against The Music'."[33] Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times deemed it as "an odd, overstuffed track, not so much a song as a series of party chants".[17] Mim Udovitch of Blender called it "lackluster".[34] While ranking Madonna's singles in honor of her 60th birthday, The Guardian's Jude Rogers placed the song at number 71, writing that "[Madonna] is usually better when she's striding alone. This duet with Britney is all raunch and no solid roots".[35]

Commercial performance

[edit]
A blond female performer in a black-and-white ensemble, holding a microphone near her mouth.
Spears performing "Me Against the Music" at the 2003 NFL Kickoff Live

On October 25, 2003, "Me Against the Music" debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was Spears' 10th chart hit, as well as the first of her entries that she had co-written. "Me Against the Music" was incidentally Madonna's 50th chart entry, 20 years after her first appearance on the Hot 100 with "Holiday" the week of October 29, 1983. It was also the first song in chart history to credit Madonna as a featured artist, and her first chart entry not produced by her since "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" in 1996.[36] On the issue dated November 29, 2003, "Me Against the Music" peaked at number 35.[37] On the component charts, the song peaked at the top of Hot Dance Club Songs, becoming her first song to do so, and at number 11 on Pop Songs.[38][39] It won the "Hot Dance Single of the Year" accolade at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards.[40] In June 2012, Nielsen Soundscan reported that "Me Against the Music" sold 60,000 physical copies and 281,000 digital downloads in the US.[41] "Me Against the Music" also peaked at number two on the Canadian Singles Chart.[42]

In Australia, "Me Against the Music" debuted at number one on November 17, 2003, replacing Kylie Minogue's "Slow", and remained at the top for two weeks.[43] It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of 70,000 units.[44] On November 24, 2003, the song debuted at number 13 in New Zealand.[45] "Me Against the Music" debuted in the United Kingdom at number two, on the week of November 16, 2003. It was blocked from ascending the top spot by Busted's "Crashed the Wedding". The song became Spears' most successful single since "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" in April 2002.[46] According to the Official Charts Company, the song has sold 240,000 copies there.[47] "Me Against the Music" also topped the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles chart for three consecutive weeks.[48] The song topped the charts in Denmark, Hungary and Ireland; reached number two in Italy and Norway; the top five in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands. "Me Against the Music" also charted in the top 20 of Austria and France.[49]

Music video

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The music video for "Me Against the Music" was filmed over three days in October 2003, at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City, New York.[50] It was directed by Paul Hunter, who revealed that the concept was setting Spears and Madonna apart, hence Spears wore a black outfit whereas Madonna sported a white suit.[5] Kevin Tancharoen was the choreographer of the video.[51] The vehicle used in the video, a Mazda RX-8, was autographed by Spears on the hood and auctioned off to benefit the Britney Spears Foundation.[52] In 2009, Hunter talked to MTV News about the video, saying, "Madonna is an icon of an earlier generation, and then Britney of the newer generation. She was at her peak at that point [...] So it was a challenge to kind of bring both of the worlds together. I wanted it to be a bit of a cat-and-mouse sort of game and a little bit of a foreplay between Britney and Madonna and just sort of tease the audience."[5]

Synopsis

[edit]

The video starts with Spears parking a silver Mazda RX-8 and going into a New York nightclub.[53] She enters a wooden room populated with 'cool kids' flaunting pink and purple hair while taking whiffs from an oxygen tank. Madonna, who is in a room filled with men smoking cigars, observes her from television monitors throughout the club.[53] She wears a white trouser suit and carries a cane, signifying a position of moneyed power. Her suit is also notably fitted, especially in the waistcoat, revealing Madonna's body to be female and not masculine.[54] Although the areas are separated by a wall, Spears and Madonna sense their presences through extrasensory perception and dance in synchronicity.[53] Julie Andsager in Sex in consumer culture (2006) noted that the video hints at a same-sex relationship between the two.[55]

This is followed with Spears performing a dance routine inside a blacklight paint graffiti room, and the two women dancing around a metal bedframe.[56] Spears then begins chasing Madonna in a wooden-like maze, and the latter enters a room covered with fallen leaves and stands in a swing. Once Spears finds the room, Madonna is nowhere to be found.[53] Throughout the video, Madonna gradually loses her symbolic power, paralleled by her disposing the cane and jacket, becoming less phallic and more noticeably female biologically and more feminine socially. Although it ultimately seems that Spears becomes the dominant figure, Madonna recovers her phallic power in the form of a cigar from an onlooking male.[54] Spears appears in Madonna's room and throws her against the wall, and Madonna vanishes just as they are about to kiss. The video ends as Madonna's laugh is heard in the background.[56]

Release and reception

[edit]

The video premiered on television on Making the Video on October 21, 2003, at 23:00 EDT.[53] Its online premiere was on Yahoo! Music. It was viewed more than two million times in its first five days.[57] The video reached number one on the AOL Music Top Video chart in November 2003, with 3,356,007 million streams.[58] In January 2004, the video topped the same chart again with 1,198,920 million streams.[59] Jocelyn Vena of MTV said, "It was the changing of the guard – or at least the meeting of two of the most influential pop musicians of all time. [...] The superstars tantalize the audience (and each other) throughout the flirty video."[5]

Julie Andsager stated the 'fantasy-fulfillment' strategy of Spears continued with the Madonna kiss and the "Me Against the Music" video, but added that "she has, perhaps, taken her sexuality to its extreme – for network television, at least – at the age of 21".[55] Laurenz Volkmann said that it showcases an entire range of different female roles between 'older' and 'younger' sign systems.[60] Author Judith Ann Peraino commented, "In 1963, Judy Garland presented Barbra Streisand as her protégée as songstress and gay icon; in 2003, Madonna instated Spears as her protégée in same-sex erotica and icon of polymorphous sexuality."[61] The music video received a nomination for the Outstanding Achievement in Choreography at the 10th American Choreography Awards.[62]

Live performances and usage in media

[edit]
A blond female performer. She is wearing a Bollywood-inspired outfit, while surrounded by a group of dancers.
Spears performing "Me Against the Music" at the Circus Tour

Spears performed "Me Against the Music" for the first time at the 2003 NFL Kickoff Live on September 4, 2003, at the National Mall.[63] She sported a shoulder-length blond wig and was dressed in black football pants, a black-and-white referee halter top and boots from Reebok.[63] The performance segued into a medley of "...Baby One More Time" and "I'm a Slave 4 U", which included pyrotechnics.[8][52][64] Her outfit was later auctioned off to benefit the Britney Spears Foundation.[52] On September 14, 2003, Spears played a surprise concert at Rain Nightclub in the Palms Casino Resort, and "Me Against the Music" was the first song in the set.[65] On October 18, 2003, the song was performed by Spears during the twenty-ninth season episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Halle Berry.[66] William Shaw of Blender stated, "Dancing and singing, Spears is in her element. She drips song-and-dance confidence. Within a few seconds, her shiny hat falls off, sending her blond hair everywhere, but Spears doesn't miss a step. When it comes to Madonna's verse, she can't help mouthing along to the words."[6] Spears opened the 2003 American Music Awards telecast with a performance of "Me Against the Music". She floated down on a wire from the rafters in a gold overcoat, which she quickly shed to reveal a pink bustier, black vinyl thigh-high boots and black hot pants. She was accompanied by a troupe of brightly dressed faux punk rock dancers and a dizzying set that featured shooting flames, Vegas-style neon signs and a massive video screen.[67]

It was also performed by Spears at Britney Spears: In the Zone, a concert special that aired in ABC on November 17, 2003.[68] The following day, she performed on the American music show TRL at Times Square, wearing a fedora and her signature half-shirt.[69][70] "Me Against the Music" was also performed on American late-night show The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and American morning show Live with Regis and Kelly on November 17 and 24, 2003.[70] She performed the song as the headliner of the Jingle Ball on December 8, 2003, at the Staples Center.[71] The Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix of "Me Against the Music" was performed as the encore number of 2004's The Onyx Hotel Tour. It began with a system malfunction where a female voice counted down as the screens sketched Spears's outline, which then rose to reveal her at the top of a staircase.[72] Spears wore a red ensemble, an ended the performance on the staircase where the screen is lowered. She made her exit as a shower of confetti was shot towards the audience.[73] "Me Against the Music" was also performed on 2009's The Circus Starring Britney Spears, in a Bollywood-inspired group dancing routine which included mudras. Spears wore green and gold harem pants ensemble.[74] Jim Farber of Daily News said, "In a nod to trendiness, the shows included a mock-Bollywood dance sequence during 'Me Against The Music,' eagerly riding the 'Slumdog' gravy train."[75] Spears performed the song during her Las Vegas residency show Britney: Piece of Me. During the performance, Spears is seen doing a dance routine with walls made of wood, which is a resemblance to the labyrinth scene from its music video.[76]

Cover versions, samples and parodies

[edit]
  • The music video was parodied during the 2003 French & Saunders Christmas special and on an episode of the American comedy show Mad TV.[77]
  • French electronic music duo Justice released a remix of "Me Against the Music" in 2005, and reproduced the coda of the song in their 2007 single "D.A.N.C.E.".[78]
  • A cover of the song by Helen is featured in the 2007 arcade game Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova 2, and in the 2008 arcade game Dance Dance Revolution X.
  • The song is not only covered but the music video was recreated on the 2010 American series Glee episode "Britney/Brittany". The characters of Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) and Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) are put under general anesthesia during a trip to the dentist's office. They share an hallucination, in which Morris appears as Spears, whereas Rivera plays Madonna.[79] Morris explained, "The 'Me Against the Music' montage, it's literally copied exactly from the video, the shots and looks, but the choreography is made so much more for a dancer – none of it is from the video. [...] It's insane."[80] At the end of the number, Spears replaces Santana and pins Brittany against the wall, announcing to her that she is in a fantasy.[79] Spears applauded the cover, pointing out that it "looks just like the original," and adding, "Santana does a great Madonna impression."[81] The song charted at number ninety-three in Australia, fifty-four in Canada and fifty-six in the United States.[82][83][84]

Track listings

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of In the Zone.[85]

Recording

Personnel

  • Britney Spears – lead vocals, background vocals, songwriting, arranging
  • Madonna – lead vocals, songwriting
  • Penelope Magnet – songwriting, co-production, background vocals, arranging
  • C. "Tricky" Stewart – songwriting, arranging, programming, all other instruments
  • Thabiso Nikhereanye – songwriting
  • Terius Nash – songwriting
  • Gary O'Brien – songwriting, guitar
  • Trixster – producer
  • Steve Lunt – A&R, arranging
  • Brian "B-Luv" Thomas – recording, digital editing
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – vocal recording, mixing
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • John Hanes – digital editing
  • P-Dub Walton – digital editing
  • Courtney Copeland – background vocals
  • Emma Roads – background vocals
  • Roxanne Estrada – background vocals
  • Charles McCrorey – engineering assistant
  • David Treahearn – engineering assistant
  • Rob Haggert – engineering assistant
  • Tim Roberts – engineering assistant

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Me Against the Music"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] Platinum 70,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[131] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[132] Silver 240,000[47]
United States (RIAA)[133] Gold 500,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Me Against the Music"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
United States October 14, 2003
Jive [134][135]
October 21, 2003 12-inch vinyl [136]
Japan November 5, 2003 Maxi CD Avex Trax [102]
Australia November 10, 2003 BMG [137]
France Virgin
[138]
Germany
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • maxi CD
 BMG [139][140]
United Kingdom
RCA [141]
France November 25, 2003 CD Virgin
[142]
United States December 9, 2003 Maxi CD Jive [143]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Footnotes
  1. ^ "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2003: Staff Picks". Billboard. November 4, 202. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Moss, Corey (October 15, 2003). "Getting Aggressive With Britney Pays Off For RedZone". MTV. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  3. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (February 27, 2009). "The-Dream: Behind-the-scenes superstar". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Hiatt, Brian (October 2, 2003). "Secrets of the Madonna/Britney collaboration". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e Vena, Jocelyn (December 20, 2009). "Britney Spears And Madonna 'Tease' Fans In 'Me Against The Music' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Shaw, William (December 20, 2003). "Britney Busts Loose!". Blender. ISSN 1534-0554.
  7. ^ Strauss, Neil (November 2, 2003). "Growing Up – Britney Did It Again". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  8. ^ a b MTV News Staff (September 3, 2003). "Britney Talks New Album But Remains Coy On First Single". MTV. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  9. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (September 16, 2003). "Britney Gets Down With Madonna Again". MTV. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  10. ^ Gracie, Bianca. "Britney Spears' 'In The Zone' Turns 15: Ranking All the Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  11. ^ Molanphy, Chris (September 27, 2019). "State of the World Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "Digital Sheet Music – Britney Spears Me Against the Music". Musicnotes. November 17, 2003. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Mueller, Gavin (November 18, 2003). "Britney Spears – In The Zone". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  14. ^ Me Against the Music (Australian CD Single liner notes). Britney Spears. Jive Records. 2003. 82876 57755 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Me Against the Music (Australian CD Single liner notes). Britney Spears. Jive Records. 2003. 82876 57756 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Me Against the Music (U.S. CD Single liner notes). Britney Spears. Jive Records. 2003. 82876 58215 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ a b Sanneh, Kelefa (September 17, 2003). "CRITIC'S CHOICE/New CD's; Oops! It's Album Time Again, Britney". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022.
  18. ^ "Pepsi Music 2004 (Dare For More) (Britney Exclusive) (2004, CD)". Discogs. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  19. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (September 22, 2003). "Britney Gets 'Just A Little Freaky' On In The Zone". MTV. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  20. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (November 2003). "In the Zone – Britney Spears : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  21. ^ Ganz, Caryn (November 18, 2003). "Britney Spears 'In the Zone'". Spin. Spin Media LLC. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  22. ^ De Sylvia, Dave (November 11, 2005). "Britney Spears: In the Zone". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  23. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (November 12, 2003). "Review: Britney Spears, In The Zone". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  24. ^ Southall, Nick (November 18, 2003). "Britney Spears – In the Zone – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  25. ^ D., Spence (November 16, 2004). "Britney Spears Greatest Hits: My Prerogative". IGN. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  26. ^ Gill, Jamie (November 20, 2003). "Britney Spears – 'In The Zone'". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on February 27, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  27. ^ Nissim, Mayer (November 20, 2009). "Britney Spears: 'The Singles Collection'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  28. ^ Browne, David (November 21, 2003). "In the Zone (2003)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 21, 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  29. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (November 14, 2003). "Britney Spears: In the Zone". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  30. ^ Pareles, Jon (November 19, 2003). "Britney Spears: In The Zone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  31. ^ Flick, Larry (November 25, 2003). "Brit Young Thing". The Advocate (903). Here Publishing: 65. ISSN 0001-8996. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  32. ^ Fenwick, Ali (November 18, 2003). "New Vibrations – Arts". The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. Johns Hopkins University. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  33. ^ McGee, Linda (December 5, 2003). "Britney Spears – In The Zone – RTÉ Ten". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  34. ^ Udovitch, Mim (November 18, 2003). "In the Zone". Blender. ISSN 1534-0554.
  35. ^ Rogers, Jude (August 16, 2018). "Every one of Madonna's 78 singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  36. ^ "Madonna Hits 50 (Songs)". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 43. October 25, 2003. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  37. ^ a b "Britney Spears Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  38. ^ a b "Britney Spears Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  39. ^ a b "Britney Spears Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  40. ^ Susman, Gary (December 9, 2004). "Usher dominates Billboard Music Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  41. ^ Trust, Gary (June 5, 2012). "Ask Billboard: What Are Britney Spears' Best-Selling Singles?". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  42. ^ "allmusic ((( Britney Spears > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  43. ^ a b "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  44. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  45. ^ a b "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  46. ^ "Busted beat Britney to number one". BBC News. BBC. November 16, 2003. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  47. ^ a b "Madonna: The Official Top 40". MTV. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on October 10, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  48. ^ Sexton, Paul (December 8, 2003). "Will Young Overtakes U.K. Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  49. ^ a b "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  50. ^ Grove, Lloyd; Lipsky-Karasz, Elisa (October 14, 2003). "Madge gets mad, lips are sealed". Daily News. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  51. ^ "Step Master". Los Angeles. 49 (8). Emmis Communications. August 2004. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  52. ^ a b c "For The Record: Quick News On Britney Spears, 50 Cent, White Stripes, Beck, Simple Plan, Buzzcocks & More". MTV. November 24, 2003. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  53. ^ a b c d e Vineyard, Jennifer (October 13, 2003). "When Madonna Co-Stars In Britney Video, Opposites Attract". MTV. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  54. ^ a b Fouz-Hernández, Santiago; Freya, Jarman-Ivens (2003). "Re-inventing the Phallus: Madonna and Female Masculinity". University of Liverpool. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  55. ^ a b Reichert & Lambiase 2006, p. 43
  56. ^ a b Reporter, Rolling Stone (2009). "The Complete Video Guide: "Me Against the Music"". Rolling Stone. ISSN 0035-791X.
  57. ^ Pavlik 2008, p. 108
  58. ^ "AOL Music: Total Monthly Streams". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 47. November 22, 2003. p. 48. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  59. ^ "AOL Music: Total Monthly Streams". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 3. January 17, 2004. p. 39. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  60. ^ Delanoy, Helbig & James 2007, p. 99
  61. ^ Peraino 2006, p. 146
  62. ^ Morfoot, Addie (August 11, 2004). "Choreography noms named". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  63. ^ a b Huhn, Mary (September 6, 2003). "Britney fumbles the ball". New York Post. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  64. ^ Ollison, Rashod D (September 5, 2003). "NFL kicks off the season with sizzle". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  65. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (September 15, 2003). "Britney Romps On Bed, Loses Her Shirt At Surprise Vegas Show". MTV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  66. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (October 22, 2003). "Britney Album Preview: Sex, Sex And More Sex". MTV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  67. ^ Kaufman, Gil (November 17, 2003). "50 Cent, Luther Vandross Take Home Multiple AMAs; Many Artists Skip Out". MTV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  68. ^ Brown, Joel (November 17, 2003). "Britney Spears previews new album on ABC special before football". The Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  69. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 6, 2009). "Britney Spears' Top 10 Best TV Performances". MTV. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  70. ^ a b "In the Zone: The highly-anticipated new album from Britney Spears". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 47. November 22, 2003. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  71. ^ Moss, Corey (December 8, 2003). "Steamy Britney Set Brings Holiday Concert To An Anticlimax". MTV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  72. ^ Wallace, Brian (March 4, 2004). "Britney Strips, Gyrates, Sweats, Flirts At Tour Kickoff". MTV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  73. ^ Stout, Gene (March 13, 2004). "Britney ready for Vegas in a show rated 'R' for racy". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  74. ^ Powers, Ann (March 3, 2009). "Acrobats, magicians and a bit of erotica: Britney Spears' 'Circus' opens in New Orleans". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  75. ^ Farber, Jim (March 4, 2009). "Britney Spears kicks off 'Circus' tour in the Big Easy at New Orleans Arena". Daily News. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  76. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 28, 2013). "Britney Spears' Hits-Filled 'Piece of Me' Show Opens In Las Vegas: Live Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  77. ^ Bivona 2009, p. 578
  78. ^ Massive tunes you'll hear differently when you know who they sampled Archived August 10, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. BBC September 26, 2018. Retrieved on March 18, 2021.
  79. ^ a b Futterman, Erica (September 29, 2010). "Glee Playback: Britney Spears Makes for Mixed Results". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2010. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  80. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (September 29, 2010). "Britney Spears' 'Me Against The Music': 'Glee' Vs. The Original". MTV. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  81. ^ Dinh, James (September 29, 2010). "Britney Spears Tweets About 'Glee' Tribute Episode". MTV. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  82. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart: 11/10/2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 11, 2010. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  83. ^ "Canadian Hot 100: Week of October 16, 2010 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard. October 16, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  84. ^ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard. October 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 22, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  85. ^ In the Zone (Media notes). Britney Spears. RCA Records. 2003.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  86. ^ "ARIA Dance - Week Commencing 8th December 2003" (PDF). ARIA Charts. December 8, 2003. p. 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  87. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  88. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  89. ^ "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. December 13, 2003. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  90. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on December 6, 2003. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  91. ^ "OOFICIÁLNÍ ČESKÁ HITPARÁDA: RÁDIO 2004. PRO TÝDEN 7" (in Czech). ČNS IFPI. Archived from the original on February 19, 2004. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  92. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  93. ^ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 48. November 29, 2003. p. 51.
  94. ^ "European Radio Top 50" (PDF). Billboard. December 6, 2003. p. 47. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  95. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna: Me Against the Music" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  96. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  97. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  98. ^ "Ελληνικó Chart" (in Greek). December 9, 2003. Archived from the original on December 9, 2003. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  99. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  100. ^ "Chart Track: Week 46, 2003". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  101. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music". Top Digital Download. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  102. ^ a b "ブリトニー・スピアーズのCDシングルランキング、ブリトニー・ORICON STYLE" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  103. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Britney Spears" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  104. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  105. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music". VG-lista. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  106. ^ "Romanian Top 100: archive" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 20, 2005.
  107. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  108. ^ "Hits of the World: Spain". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 49. December 6, 2003. p. 46. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  109. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  110. ^ "Britney Spears feat. Madonna – Me Against the Music". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  111. ^ "Britney Spears: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  112. ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  113. ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  114. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  115. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Dance Singles for 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  116. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2003 (Flanders)" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on April 10, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  117. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2003 (Wallonia)" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  118. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2003". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  119. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2003". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2003. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  120. ^ "Top of the Music – Mix e Singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  121. ^ "Netherlands over het jaar 2003" (PDF). Dutch top 40. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  122. ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN – SINGLE 2003". Dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on September 19, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  123. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  124. ^ "SWISS YEAR-END CHARTS 2003". Swiss Charts. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  125. ^ "UK Year-end Singles 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 20, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  126. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2003" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  127. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  128. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Dance Singles for 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  129. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2004". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  130. ^ "Year in Music & Touring" (PDF). Billboard. pp. YE-24, YE-60. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  131. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  132. ^ "British single certifications – Britney Spears ft Madonna – Me Against The Music". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  133. ^ "American single certifications – Britney Spears – Me Against the Music (feat. Madonna)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  134. ^ "R&R :: Going For Adds :: CHR/Top 40". R&R. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014.
  135. ^ "R&R :: Going For Adds :: Rhythmic". R&R. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014.
  136. ^ "Me Against the Music [Vinyl]: Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  137. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 10th November 2003" (PDF). ARIA. November 10, 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 6, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  138. ^ "Me against the music – Britney Spears – CD maxi single" (in French). France: Fnac. November 10, 2003. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  139. ^ "Me Against the Music – Britney Spears feat. Madonna: Amazon.de". Zomba (Sony Music). Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  140. ^ "Me Against the Music [Vinyl Single]: Amazon.de: Musik". Jive. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  141. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 8, 2003. p. 29.
  142. ^ "Me against the music – Britney Spears – CD single" (in French). France: Fnac. November 25, 2003. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  143. ^ "Me Against the Music: Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
Bibliography
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Me_Against_the_Music&oldid=1257670723"