Template:Current single

"Gimme More" is a pop-related song performed by American singer Britney Spears. Primarily written and produced by Nate "Danja" Hills^[3][4] for Spears' fifth studio album, it was the first single off Blackout. (See 2007 in music). A comeback release for Spears, it was her first single since In the Zone and her highest peaking single in the United States since her 1999 number one debut "...Baby One More Time".

Gaining mixed views and attentions from critics, the single was first released in the form of CD in Australia on October 6, 2007. It was successful in North America where it topped Canadian chart and reached number three in the US Billboard Hot 100.^[5] Same through in Australia, it reached a peak of number three and was certified as gold both in the US and the latter.

Production and music structure

Produced solely by Nate Hills in 2006, the song was collaboratively co-written by James Washington, Keri Hilson, Marcella Araica for Britney Spears's fifth studio album, Blackout.

The song is constructed in a verse-chorus pattern. It opens with a phrase where Spears says, It's Britney, bitch. She repeatedly utter Gimme More in the chorus and ended with a rap by Danja. Mixed by Araica, it interpolates background vocals by Keri Hilson and Jim Beanz.

"Gimme More" is generally written as a pop song. Liam Kinnon of "Wordpress.com" said, "it reflects the degree to which pop stars are denied the ability to grow up." Furthermore, he stated that "the melody and construction of everything but the outro is well done. The subtle use of the synth strings to change the chord structure during the chorus is brilliant, simply because nothing else changes. It took a number of listens to figure out that one. The melody is mostly on one note. Perfect for having a crowd sing along. The outro is what producer Danja, apparently a protege of Timbaland, has learned from Timbaland, throwing in some shameless self promotion in the song you’ve just produced.^[6]"

Single release

On August 30 2007, "Gimme More" premiered on New York City radio station Z100's web site,^[7][8] followed by premieres in other major markets such as KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, 97.1 ZHT in Salt Lake City and Hot 99.5 in Washington, D.C.^[9] Later on September 28 2007, the song was officially released for radio airplay in the United Kingdom.

On September 25 2007, the song was digitally released in Australia and North America.

The song was released as a CD single in Australia on October 6, 2007. It was released in Ireland on the October 19 2007, and on the same format in the UK on October 22 2007, and on the rest of the European countries on October 29, 2007.

Critical reception

"Gimme More" was generally well-received by music critics. Blender Magazine complimented the song for being an "unsettling disco dazzler," rating it four out of five stars.^[10] DJ Shelly Wade of Z100 told TIME that, "the listeners love it." Within three days, Spears went as the most requested artist hitting the songs with 1.5 million points on Z100.com.^[11] Chuck Taylor, Billboard writer and editor, also positively approved the song:

The uptempo dance track is a cutesy if redundant jam in which the title is repeated no fewer than three dozen times in four minutes. Instantly most added at top 40, Spears is destined for a lofty chart debut.^[12]

However, when Spears performed the song at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, many critics were very judgmental of her performance, or lack of. Her poor lip-synching and inability to remember her choreography were the main reasons the performance was panned. Despite criticisms, the song proved to be a hit, entering the top 10 in most countries. "Gimme More" became Spears' tenth top three single in the United World Charts.^{[citation needed]}

The lyrical composition of the song received comments as well. Source stated that "lyrically it is a pretty stupid song (the reality is that the lyrics are probably as close as Britney gets to the writing process)."^[6] "Fox News" dubbed the opening line as "sounding cocky and fun."^[13] "Ramcigar.com" posted a commentary about the content of the song:

"Gimme More" is the first single that hit radio waves off of Blackout and let's just say that this may be the best thing going for Britney at the moment. Her sexy demeanor and impulsive whines take us back to her yesteryears of "Baby One More Time" and "Drive Me Crazy," except the lyrics are a bit racier. Shocker, huh?^[14]

Chart performance

"Gimme More" debuted at number nine on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart on September 6 2007,^[15] subsequently debuting at number sixty-five on the Billboard Pop 100 in the same week.^[16] In the issue dated September 22 2007, the song debuted at number eighty-five on the Billboard Hot 100 and moved up to number thirty-eight on the Billboard Pop 100.^[17][18][19] On September 25 2007, the first day of limited digital release, the single debuted at number three in Canada, number two in New Zealand, and number six in Australia on the iTunes Store Chart.^[20] In less than 24 hours, the song debuted at number sixteen in the United States, peaked at the number one position on the iTunes Chart. It has since reached number one in Australia, Canada, U.S., Ireland, UK and New Zealand's iTunes Stores.^[21] "Gimme More" opened at number one on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs with 179,000 downloads and soared 68-3 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Britney her fifth top ten hit and making the single her highest showing in 8 years. The song held its number three position for a second week. "Gimme More" is currently her second highest charting single in the U.S. since her debut "...Baby One More Time".^[5]

The song has also been successful in Australia. It debuted at number three in the ARIA singles chart, number two in ARIA physical singles chart and number one in ARIA Top 20 Dance Chart, where it remained for six weeks. After being certified with a gold status, having shipments of 35,000 copies, the single is almost earning a platinum status with sales of over 65,000.

In the Asia Hitlist, the song became Spears' 19th chart-topper, the most for an artist.

In Iberoamerica the song debuted on 1 October 2007 at number seventy-nine, it has since peaked at twenty-three, and it's currently on its fifth week.^[22] In Latin America the song debuted on 9 October 2007 at number thirty-nine, it has since peaked at number five, and it's currently on its ninth week.^[23] The single is Spears' fifth entry in the Latinamerican Top 40, and her first since Do Somethin', which peaked at number twelve in May 2005.^[24]

In Sweden, the song debuted at number three on the Swedish Top 60 Singles chart on September 6, 2007 and has since peaked at number two. ^[25] In Ireland the song debuted at number nine on the official single charts on downloads alone, and it peaked at number two the following week. Also, "Gimme More" jumped from number seventy-seven to number ten in the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles and debuted at number one in the Euro Digital Tracks.^[26]

The single has sold 754,054 copies in the U.S. achieving a Gold certification.^[27] The single has accumulated a total of 2.018.000 points globally as of December 8, 2007.^[28]

Music video

Directed by first time director Jake Sarfaty,^[29] the video was shot in a warehouse in downtown Los Angeles on July 19 and August 7 2007.^[30]

The original video had a much more complex plot but due to its mature content Jive edited much of it out. This is obvious after viewing photo's of Spears in costume not seen in the final video. The remaining footage involves Spears pole-dancing in a strip club while a blond-haired version of her sits watching the strip tease and staring at a man at a bar. In approximately the middle of the video, she takes off her top and uses it to cover her breasts, then continues to pole-dance with the blond friends also featured in the bar. This is the second video in which Spears sports black hair, the first being Toxic.

The music video had its world premiere in the U.S. iTunes Store on Friday, October 5, 2007. In addition, it premiered on television on MuchMusic on October 7, 2007, was rotating on VH1 on October 8, 2007 and was posted on MTV's official blog^[31] several hours before the previously announced Total Request Live's exclusive world premiere. The video has since risen to number four on the countdown.^[32] "Gimme More" also managed to reach number ten on VH1's Vspot Top 20 Countdown.

Formats and track listings

Official track listings and formats for "Gimme More":^[33]

Official versions and remixes

"Gimme More" was one of Spears' most remixed single songs. It received attentions from different record producers and several recording artist. Lil' Kim remixed the track with her she dubbed as Kimme More. Featured on the rapper's forthcoming mix tape, Ms. G.O.A.T, along with the brand-new track, Chillin Tonight, she interpolated her own version with "... and Lil' Kim!" after Spears' opening "Its' Britney B----."^[34] Record producer Paul Oakenfold listed the track at the top of his new remixes along Santana's classic "Oye Como Va". In an interview, he said:

"I think the record is a f*cking great record. I think it's so on the mark with what's going on in the clubs today. But the tempo wasn't right for Europe and the main dance floors in America, so I got rid of the crap on it which I didn't think worked, speeded it up and gave it more structure and arrangement and more of a heavier club feel. They liked it. Now I have to do a radio edit, and hopefully that'll do well for her."^[35]

Credits

• Producer: Danja
• Vocal Producer: Jim Beanz
• Mixer & Additional Programming: Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica
• Background Vocals: Keri Hilson, Jim Beanz
• Additional Editing: Ron Taylor

Charts

References

External links

• Music video at Britney Spears' official YouTube Channel
• Britney Spears' official website
• Official UK website