In 2007, a complete unknown by the name of Chris Crocker went viral (before going viral was even a thing) for his passionate, tear-filled monologue begging people to “Leave Britney Alone.” While his emotional plea was mocked and made fun of at the time, in hindsight he absolutely had a point. While we all remember the dark, bleak images from Britney Spears very-public breakdown, it’s easy to forget how completely battered she was in the media. Late Night hosts cracked countless jokes about the pop princess’ fall from grace, news anchors contemplated when Spears would overdose and die, and Sarah Silverman even took the stage at the 2007 VMAs calling Britney’s children “adorable mistakes.”
It’s difficult to imagine that this treatment would be tolerated today, and it’s shameful the way our collective society and the media relentlessly attacked a 20-something single-mother who was openly struggling with mental illness. After what she went through with such little support, it’s pretty incredible that today, you can drink your morning coffee from a mug which says, “If Britney Spears can get through 2007, you can get through today.” Before 2007, Britney Spears seemed like a sweet teenager from Louisiana who became super-famous through lots of ambition, hard work, and a genuine flair for delivering spectacular pop performances. People could call her a cypher, but because she felt less cynical and contrived than other pop stars, she could get away with draping a snake around her neck oh-so suggestively at the 2001 VMAs. But after 2007, she gained something extra: that special affection and gravitas we afford to anyone we consider a survivor. The fact that during this period Britney dropped her best and most visionary album, 2008’s still-stunning Blackout, only adds to the narrative.
Speaking of Blackout, Britney Spears simply doesn’t get enough credit for her impact within the music industry, with so much of her music being incredibly experimental, bold and trend-setting. As Rolling Stone stated, Baby One More Time was a truly avant-garde full-length that permanently changed how music sounded. The Backstreet Boys and ‘NSync were having hits already, but they were doing straight-up mainstream pop compared to the alien apocalyptic robot-disco stomp of Britney. You could argue the BSBs’ “I Want It That Way” was the last gasp of 20th-century pop, just as “…Baby One More Time” was the first gasp of the 21st. She’s been predicting the future ever since.
From classics like Oops I Did It Again to recent hits like Till the World Ends, most of the world is aware of Britney’s singles, but her albums are full of even better, mostly unknown hits that truly reflect what a pioneer she is in the world of pop music. Here’s a playlist of the best Britney Spears songs you may not have heard of. You’re welcome in advance.
- Break the Ice, Blackout (listen here)
- Inside Out, Femme Fatale (listen here)
- Unusual You, Circus (listen here)
- Kill the Lights, Circus (listen here)
- Selfish, Femme Fatale (listen here)
- Showdown, In The Zone (listen here)
- Breathe On Me, In The Zone (listen here)
- Anticipating, Britney (listen here)
- Cinderella, Britney (listen here)
- Out From Under, Circus (listen here)
- I Got A Plan, Blackout (listen here)
- Why Should I Be Sad, Blackout (listen here)
