10 Songs That Prove Why Britney Spears Is The Princess Of Pop

The revival of Y2K fashion and music, fueled by movie reboots, viral TikTok videos, and various social media trends, is a reminder that the late ’90s/early 2000s pop culture was a golden era that spurred some of Hollywood’s brightest stars, the most beloved romantic comedies, and many of pop music’s biggest hits, all without the power of streaming and social media as we know it. Not to mention, this era ushered in a resurgence of the teen pop music genre, a cultural movement that saw Britney Spears rise to the forefront.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, the Grammy-winning pop princess has dropped nine albums and put on ten concert tours. Spears earned her place in pop culture royalty by, in the ’90s, becoming one of the bestselling teen acts of all time, and in the 2000s and 2010s, maintaining relevance in the music industry. From Spears’ debut single “…Baby One More Time” (1998) to 2012’s “Scream & Shout,” she has mastered the formula for making a pop hit.

What’s so impressive about her early catalog is the way she managed to connect with so many young fans while humbly living the life many of them coveted. Spears’ journey has taken her to incredible heights, and she has faced many obstacles on her path to success. She was met with a ton of unnecessary public scrutiny and constant pressure to be a role model.

Spears has built and sustained a pop empire, leaving a blueprint that artists will attempt to replicate for years to come. It’s no easy feat. Here are 10 songs that helped rocket the Mississippi-born singer to megastardom.

10

…Baby One More Time

A Signature Hit For The Ages

Britney Spears has the bragging rights of being a megastar from the start. Her debut single “…Baby One More Time,” written and produced by Max Martin, sold over 10 million copies. That makes it one of the bestselling singles of all time. It has a 14x platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The international success of this track alone cemented Spears as a global teen idol.

I’ve got to have a moment for the music video, which follows Spears as a high school student dancing and yearning for an ex. This song and the video essentially made Spears synonymous with the whole schoolgirl look. It’s not uncommon to see a Halloween costume based on the video (or other iconic Britney outfits) over 25 years after the song’s release.

This song and the video essentially made Britney synonymous with the whole schoolgirl look.

“…Baby One More Time” also served as the vehicle for Spears to establish her signature growl adlib. The dance-pop track is among Spears’ favorite songs in her catalog, which speaks to the song’s timeliness and Spears’ impeccable taste since the very beginning of her career. What makes this song so successful even today (it’s in the prestigious billions club on Spotify) is Spears’ vocal ability to balance sweetness with soul. Plus, the lyrics and rhythm are addictive.

9

Toxic

Spears Cements Status As Innovative Hitmaker

It was January 2003, mere months since Spears had dropped her fourth studio album, In The Zone, to critical acclaim and commercial success. She was also fresh off a collaboration with Madonna – but more on that later – when “Toxic” was tapped as the album’s second single.

The irresistible techno-pop song snagged Spears her first, and sole, Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 47th annual ceremony. Her raspy, seductive falsetto combined with the song’s funky accompaniment transformed the age-old trope of an inescapable attraction to a love interest into a fresh, uniquely Britney experience.

The irresistible techno-pop song snagged Britney her first, and sole, Grammy Award.

The song’s synth hook is one of the most recognizable modern pop instrumentals, which makes sense, considering “Toxic” hit No. 1 in 11 countries. In the United States, “Toxic” became Britney’s fourth top 10 single with its peak at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of modern pop’s most influential songs. “Toxic” has appeared in movies, trended on TikTok remixes, and garnered more than 1 billion streams on Spotify.

8

Circus

2008 Gave Us This Hit From A Natural-Born Entertainer

Spears’ creativity and imagination are in full force on “Circus,” a definitive pop masterpiece from her sixth studio album of the same name. The electropop, rap-leaning track debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Spears’ creativity and imagination are in full force on “Circus.”

2009 was a big year for pop music, especially in Spears’ case. Released Dec. 2, 2008, “Circus” went on to become one of 2009’s bestselling songs. It’s Spears’ second-best-selling single in the United States. Its popularity bolstered Spears’ reputation as a pop tastemaker.

7

Womanizer

A Fierce Comeback Single With Staying Power

The moody lead single from Spears’ sixth studio album, Circus (2008), “Womanizer” calls out a gaslighting ladies’ man. The lyrics, set to the techno-pop sound Britney has mastered, are straightforward. She sees through lies and manipulation.

Spears put it simply herself while promoting the track: “It’s a girl anthem,” she said during an interview with Z100 in 2008. Think of some of the most iconic pop stars and their discographies: Beyoncé, Madonna, Janet Jackson, and more. Each has at least one women’s empowerment anthem. It’s a rite of passage, one Spears marked with critical and commercial success.

6

Stronger

Spears’ Signature Empowerment Anthem

Britney aced the inspirational girl power theme early in her career. “Stronger,” the third single from 2000’s Oops!… I Did It Again, is all about self-empowerment and moving on from a toxic situation, defying someone’s negative expectations.

Blending synth and dance pop, “Stronger” is a masterclass of early 2000s teen pop. The three-minute track was a global success. The lyrics even feature a callback to “Oops!… I Did It Again” – an incredible power move for Britney.

5

Lucky

A Vulnerable Look Behind The Scenes

This is my all-time favorite Spears track because of its universal but personal message, and it’s one of her strongest vocal performances. The second single from her second album, Oops!… I Did It Again (2000), “Lucky” is bubble-gum pop at its finest with narrative lyrics that follow a star who seems to have it all but struggles with loneliness and anxiety. The song’s bright, danceable beat juxtaposes with its bittersweet message. It followed the wildly popular …Baby One More Time (2000).

This is my all-time favorite Britney track because of its universal but personal message.

“Lucky” resonated with fans globally. Sure, the average listener isn’t feeling suffocated by fame. But plenty of people can relate to feeling like something is missing in their lives. Although I appreciate the bubbly beat, this song paints a somber picture considering all the times Spears was exploited by the people closest to her as she navigated superstardom. At the heart of “Lucky” is a girl who just loves to sing and dance. It’s also one of Spears’ strongest vocal performances, which cements the song’s excellence.

4

Me Against The Music Feat. Madonna

Britney Proves She Can Hang With The Greats

The legendary Madonna joined Britney on this hip-hop-meets-dance-pop anthem. The two singers go bar-for-bar on “Me Against The Music.” Britney and Madonna are among the track’s songwriters, and they stuck to their roots. It’s a signature party anthem – and the singers go bar-for-bar, hyping each other up.

This collaboration is kind of like watching a mentor with their mentee. It’s always inspiring to see two generations meet on a track. On “Me Against The Music,” Britney and Madonna have a common goal of getting lost in the music.

3

My Prerogative

This Isn’t An Original Britney Song, But It Expresses Her Versatility

Bobby Brown’s Grammy-nominated 1988 “My Prerogative” had long been declared a megahit by the time Spears released her cover in 2004, but Britney’s version served as a resounding clapback amid constant taunting from paparazzi and celebrity gossipmongers. She turned up the angst in her vocal tone and dressed the song in her signature pop flair.

Britney’s version served as a resounding clapback amid constant taunting from paparazzi and celebrity gossipmongers.

Spears’ work on this cover is underrated because she maintained a balance, honoring the R&B track’s original sense of urgency. The cover soared to No. 1 in Norway, Finland, and Italy, and it’s often in rotation on my Spotify On Repeat playlist. I’d be hype for an album full of covers by Spears.

2

Gimme More

Britney’s The Princess Of Dance Pop

2007’s “Gimme More” is four minutes of hypnotic pop perfection. At this song’s release, Spears had been established as a club hitmaker, so it was no surprise when “Gimme More,” an EDM track with subtle references to disco, met commercial success.

This song also successfully transitioned into the streaming era, and that’s thanks to the song’s timeless, catchy, and irresistible beat. You’ve probably heard it on some TikTok video edits more than once.

1

Oops!… I Did It Again

Contender For Spears’ Best Track

Britney has so many hits, it’s hard to pinpoint which song is most recognizable. I’m not just talking in terms of sales or charts (FYI: “Oops.. I Did It Again” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100). For me, it’s all about nostalgia.

When I was a little girl, my sister and I had an American Idol/Britney Spears Barbie. The doll came decked out in a one-sleeve, pink ruffles and denim outfit, and her accessories include a karaoke machine that plays “Oops!… I Did It Again.” I was probably about 5 years old and could not stop replaying the short snippet. It’s my first memory of Spears’ music, a moment that ignited my interest in pop music.

Britney Spears has inspired an entire generation of pop stars, fashion designers, music producers, songwriters, screenwriters, actors, and authors. She laid the groundwork as a teen girl, coming of age in the harsh public eye. It’s a difficult, unfair aspect of being a pioneer in pop culture, and Britney deserves her flowers. Her inimitable confidence, stage presence, and creativity serve as the blueprint for pop music. Her voice is one of one, and she’s led a career that, like her tone, can’t be fully replicated.

Her songs, in the true nature of traditional pop music, carry a wide range of relatable messages that encourage body confidence, living life on one’s own terms, and finding resilience through heartbreak. With so many years and albums under her belt, Britney Spears has crafted a unique, irresistible discography.