Britney Spears is a living legend. The proof is in her songs, which are still just as catchy as they were when they were originally released over the course of two decades. Within her lyrics, Spears can seamlessly transition from being sassy and confident to a vulnerable woman expressing emotion. Below, we look at some of the best lyrics Spears’ songs have to offer.
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1. I’m Mrs. Oh my God that Britney’s shameless / You want a piece of me / I’m Mrs. Extra! Extra! This just in/You want a piece of me / I’m Mrs. she’s too big now she’s too thin / You want a piece of me (“Piece of Me”)
Spears came out swinging with “Piece of Me” off her 2007 album, Blackout. Released during the height of an unrelenting media frenzy, “Piece of Me” served as her fight song against the slanderous tabloids, each line packing a pop culture punch. Even though she didn’t write it, Spears owns the attitude infused into this song, as evidenced by the defining lyrics of the chorus above. The iconic opening line, I’m Miss American Dream since I was 17, runs a really close second to the best lyrics of “Piece of Me.”
2. There’s only two types of people in the world / The ones that entertain / And the ones that observe (“Circus”)
Spears continued on the confidence train with the title track of Circus, which followed Blackout. Spears sums up her whole career in just a few lines that put her at the center of the circus, commanding everyone’s attention with her fiery spirit and fierce delivery. Spears is oozing with confidence as she delivers the fearless lyrics, making you believe every word.
3. I may have made it rain / Please forgive me / My weakness caused you pain / And this song’s my sorry (“Everytime”)
Though Spears is known as a superstar, she demonstrated true vulnerability when she released “Everytime” in 2004. This gentle piano ballad was co-written by Spears and Annet Artani in the wake of Spears’ breakup with Justin Timberlake. The song reflects Spears’ pure songwriting, as demonstrated by the lines above that serve as a passionate apology. The words are simply beautiful, making for some of Spears’ best lyrics.
4. She’s so lucky, she’s a star / But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking / If there’s nothing missing in my life / Then why do these tears come at night? (“Lucky”)
Just as naturally as she delivers a confident song, Spears can convey emotion. She proves this with “Lucky,” the glowing second single off her blockbuster album Oops!… I Did it Again. Here, Spears takes on the role of a lonely actress, who, despite being surrounded by fame and glory, just isn’t happy. The singer convincingly tells the story, striking the delicate balance of earnestness and melancholy reflected in the lyrics above.
5. She’s gonna step outside, uncover her eyes / Who knew she could feel so alive? / Her M.O.’s changed / She don’t wanna behave / Ain’t it good to be a brave girl tonight? (“Brave New Girl”)
Spears was seemingly going through an artistic evolution when she released her album, In the Zone, in 2003. In addition to “Everytime,” “Brave New Girl” also provides standout lyrics. The album’s deep cut co-written by Spears, Kara DioGuardi, Brian Kierulf, and Josh Schwartz again finds Spears as a confident young woman out to get what she wants. The lyrics above feel like the singer is letting go of the binds that hold her back, ready to embrace what the world has to offer.
6. There was a time I was one of a kind / Lost in the world, out of me, myself and I / Was lonely then, like an alien/I tried but I never figured it out / Why I always felt like a stranger in a crowd / Oh, that was then, like an alien (“Alien”)
Spears takes us inside her mind with “Alien,” the opening track off her 2013 album, Britney Jean. Co-written by Spears, William Orbit, Ana Diaz, Anthony Preston, and Dan Traynor, the song gives Spears’ personal take on the isolation that comes with mega-stardom. These lines from the opening verse reflect this, with Spears herself describing how the song, “Deals with loneliness and how you can be surrounded at all times by friends, family and adoring fans who you love and still feel alone.” “Alien” is certainly one of her most vulnerable offerings.
Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage
