In the Zone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the Britney Spears album. For the DVD, see In the Zone (DVD).
In the Zone
In the Zone cover
Studio album by Britney Spears
Released Flag of World November 17, 2003
Flag of the United States November 18, 2003
Recorded December 2002 – October 2003
Genre Pop, dance-pop, urban pop
Length 49:51
Label Jive
Producer Britney Spears, R. Kelly, Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Bloodshy & Avant, P. Diddy, Jimmy Harry, Brian Kierulf, Steve Lunt, Penelope Duhmkunt, Harry P. Ness, The Matrix, Moby, Josh Schwartz, Guy Sigsworth, Shepard Soloman, Mark Taylor, Trixster
Professional reviews
Britney Spears chronology
Britney
(2001)		 In the Zone
(2003)		 Greatest Hits: My Prerogative
(2004)
Alternative cover
iTunes cover
iTunes cover
Singles from In the Zone
  1. "Me Against the Music"
    Released: October 20, 2003
  2. "Toxic"
    Released: February 24, 2004
  3. "Everytime"
    Released: June 8, 2004
  4. "Outrageous"
    Released: October 2004

In the Zone is the fourth studio album by American singer Britney Spears, released in late 2003 (see 2003 in music). It debuted at number one in the United States and France, breaking Spears' own record of having her first three albums debut at number one. While album sales were fewer in comparison to her previous albums, it generated three worldwide number-one hits with "Me Against the Music", "Toxic" and "Everytime".[1]

In The Zone has sold 6 million albums worldwide.

Contents

[edit] Critical reception

Spears' most sexual offering to date, In The Zone was also Britney's most musically diverse album, featuring producers such as R.Kelly, Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Bloodshy & Avant, and Moby and also, an increased artistic input by Spears herself compared to her other albums. After the release of the album the critics ignored "Toxic" and focused their attention on "Breathe on Me" and "Touch of My Hand". Both songs have lyrics that are sexually suggestive.

The album had a mixed critical reception, although the positive notices were stronger on this outing. Stylus Magazine gave the album a D and even blamed her career choices saying, "Ultimately, In the Zone suffers greatly from Britney's uneasy transition from teen tart to sexually powerful woman. Had Britney been in charge of her career direction instead of mercilessly prostituted by her management, she might have been able to produce something with some semblance of musical vision."[2] The Guardian praised the albums melodies and her effort giving it 4 out of 5 stars and writing, "Unlike previous Britney albums, In the Zone has no filler and no shoddy cover versions, just 57 varieties of blue-chip hit-factory pop. There is southern hip-hop, deep house, Neptunes-style R&B, the ubiquitous Diwali beat and, most importantly, oodles of Madonna."[3]

The album spawned the international number one and U.S. top ten hit single, "Toxic", which won Spears her first Grammy in the category of Best Dance Recording.[4]

[edit] Chart performance

In the Zone debuted at number-one in the United States selling over 609,000 copies in its first week- while impressive, it fell short of the 746,000 copies sold by her previous release Britney.[5] "In the Zone" fell 1-3, its second week sales dipped 59% to 251,000 copies, giving the album a total of 860,000.[6] In its third week on the tally it fell 3-7 . Although sales were down 40% to 150,000 copies, it was enough to bring Spears' total to just above the 1 million mark.[7] After the release of "Toxic" the album sales increased once again. The album has sold 3 million copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan[8] but it is listed at 2× Platinum according to the RIAA.[9] When it debuted at number-one, Spears broke her own record again by becoming the first female artist in SoundScan history to have her first four studio albums debut at number-one. (She previously set the record for her 2001 number-one album Britney). Despite the fact it was less successful than her previous album , In the Zone had more success with singles than its predecessor; "Toxic", "Everytime", and "Me Against the Music" all reached #1 worldwide, and top 40 in the US.[10] It stayed on chart for 37 weeks.[11]

In Australia, the album has been accredited Platinum with sales in excess of 70,000.

In Canada it debuted at number two[12] and it is 3× Platinum in that country.[13] In Japan In the Zone debuted at number three selling 59,128 copies,[14] earning Platinum certification it has sold 250,000+ to date.[15]

In April 2004, In the Zone was certified Platinum by the IFPI[16] for shipments of one million copies inside Europe. The album debuted at number fourteen in the United Kingdom, but later re-entered the top 15 and peaked at number thirteen.[17] And it has sold over 492,000 copies in the UK earning Platinum certification.[18] Also, It debuted at number-one in France[1] and after spending sixty weeks inside the Top 200 the album was certified Platinum selling over 400,000 copies.[19]

In Latin America, Spears proved to be successful with In the Zone, reaching number-one in Mexico and Argentina, in Mexico it was certified Platinum by the AMPROFON for selling over 100,000 copies while in Argentina it was certified 2× Platinum.[20][21]

In New Zealand In The Zone was a moderate success debuting and number twenty eight in December 2003. It was the eight highest entry out of thirteen that week. The next week it fell out of the chart and re-entered five weeks later at number forty seven. In its fifth week in the chart In The Zone was certified with a Gold certification by RIANZ selling in the excess of 7,500 albums. Three weeks later it fell off one again only to re-enter at number forty four in March 2004. The album spent a total of thirteen weeks on the chart and peaked at number twenty five in April 2004. In The Zone is Spears' only album in New Zealand not to enter the top twenty.

[edit] Track listing

Track listing

In the Zone Import Bonus Track

  1. "Me Against the Music" (featuring Madonna) (Spears, Madonna, Stewart, Nikhereanye, Magnet, Nash, O'Brien) (Produced by Trixster, co-produced by Penelope Magnet) — 3:44
  2. "(I Got That) Boom Boom" (featuring Ying Yang Twins) (Hamilton, Royal, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson) (Produced by Roy Hamilton) — 4:51
  3. "Showdown" (Spears, Dennis, Karlsson, Winnberg, Jonback) (Produced by Bloodshy & Avant) — 3:17
  4. "Breathe on Me" (Lee, Anderson, Greene) (Produced by Mark "Metro" Taylor) — 3:43
  5. "Early Mornin'" (Spears, Moby, Stewart, Magnet) (Produced by Moby) — 3:45
  6. "Toxic" (Dennis, Karlsson, Winnberg, Jonback) (Produced by Bloodshy & Avant) — 3:21
  7. "Outrageous" (R. Kelly) (Produced by R. Kelly) — 3:21
  8. "Touch of My Hand" (Spears, Harry, Muhammad, Soloman) (Produced by Jimmy Harry, co-produced by Shep Soloman) — 4:19
  9. "The Hook Up" (Spears, Stewart, Nikhereanye, Magnet) (Produced by Trixster, co-produced by Penelope Magnet) — 3:54
  10. "Shadow" (Spears, Christy, Spock, Edwards, Charlie Midnight) (Produced by The Matrix) — 3:45
  11. "Brave New Girl" (Spears, Brian Kierulf, Joshua M Schwartz, Kara Dioguardi) (Produced by Kierulf & Schwartz) — 3:30
  12. "Everytime" (Spears, Stamatelatos) (Produced by Guy Sigsworth) — 3:53
  13. "Me Against the Music (Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix)" (featuring Madonna) [Bonus Track] — 4:33
  14. "The Answer" [Bonus Track in the UK, Japan, Australia & Latinamerica] (Sean Combs, Ryan Leslie) (Produced by P. Diddy) — 3:54
  15. "Don't Hang Up" [Bonus Track in the UK, Japan & Australia] (Spears, Joshua M Schwartz, Brian Kierulf) (Produced by Kierulf & Schwartz) — 4:02

[edit] Charts and certifications

See also: Britney Spears discography
Chart Provider(s) Peak
position		 Certification Sales/
shipments
United World Chart 1 3x Platinum 6,000,000+
U.S. Billboard 200[12] Billboard 1 2× Platinum[22][23] 2 million
U.S. Billboard Top Internet Albums[12] 1
European Albums Chart[24] IFPI 1 Platinum [16] 1 million+
Argentinean Albums Chart CAPIF 1 Platinum[25] 40,000
Australian Albums Chart[1] ARIA 10 Platinum[26][27] 70,000+[28][29]
Austrian Albums Chart[1] Media Control Europe 10 Platinum[30] 15,000+
Belgium Albums Chart IFPI Belgium 4 Gold 15,000+[31]
Brazilian Albums Chart ABPD 4 2× Platinum[citation needed] 225,000
Canadian Albums Chart[12] Nielsen SoundScan 2 3× Platinum [13] 300,000+
Denmark Charts IFPI Denmark 9 Gold[citation needed] 20,000+
French Albums Chart SNEP/IFOP 1 2xGold[32] 190,000
German Albums Chart[1] Media Control 2 Gold [33] 100,000+
Hungarian Albums Chart MAHASZ 1 Gold[34] 3,000
Irish Albums Chart IFPI Ireland 1 Platinum[citation needed] 20,000+
Italy Album Charts FIMI 16 Gold[citation needed] 95,000+
Japanese Albums Chart[15] Oricon 3 Platinum [15] 250,000+ [15]
Mexican Albums Chart AMPROFON 2 Platinum[35] 100,000
New Zealand Album Chart[36] RIANZ 25 Gold[37] 7,500+[38]
Norwegian Albums Chart[39] VG Nett 11 Gold [40] 15,000+[41]
Russian Albums Charts 2xPlatinum [42] 40,000+
Spain Albums Charts PROMUSCAE 7 Gold[citation needed] 40,000+
Swedish Albums Chart[1] GLF 8 Gold[43] 20,000+
Swiss Albums Chart[1] Media Control 6 Gold [44] 20,000+
UK Albums Chart BPI/The Official UK Charts Company 13 Platinum [18] 550,000+ [45]

[edit] Singles

  • "Me Against the Music" became the first single from "In the Zone," when Britney appeared with Madonna at the MTV VMAs and asked her to appear on the track. Co-written by Britney with production team, RedZone, "Me Against the Music" reached #1 in Australia and became Britney's biggest hit since "I'm a Slave 4 U" in the U.S., reaching No. 35 in the Billboard Hot 100, hit No. 2 in the UK Singles Charts, and went straight into the top 5 in many European countries. In the Philippines, it became the first single of 2004 to be number one.
  • "Toxic" was produced by Swedish duo, Bloodshy & Avant, British songwriter, Cathy Dennis, co-wrote the infectious electropop-influenced second single. The track, complete with a fitting futuristic video, directed by Joseph Kahn, sold over 105,000 copies in the UK in its first week alone, as well as being huge in Europe. "Toxic" became Britney's biggest hit worldwide since "Oops!... I Did It Again," worldwide, hitting #1 yet again in Australia and going to No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and giving Britney her fourth UK No. 1 single. In the Philippines, the single hit number one for four weeks.
  • "Everytime," the third single from "In the Zone," showcased Britney at her most mature; a haunting piano-led ballad, with introspective, personal lyrics, written by Britney & produced by Guy Sigsworth, one half of Frou Frou. The song gave Britney her fifth No. 1 in Australia and the UK, released shortly after her sell-out The Onyx Hotel Tour, which hit Europe in May, and reached No. 15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (it reached No. 7 on the U.S. download chart), selling steadily and propelling sales of "In the Zone" worldwide. It debuted at number three in the Philippines, before moving to top the chart the next week.
  • "Outrageous" — written and produced by R. Kelly — it was contracted to be a single, so, Britney, having won the battles for the first and second singles, agreed that it would be the fourth single. Unfortunately, whilst shooting the video, she injured her knee on set, leaving the video incomplete. The track was still released in certain territories - it was a radio-only single in Australia, the U.S. and parts of Europe, charting at #1 in Australia, #79 in the U.S., and was also released in Japan, with a commercial single, backed with remixes from the likes of Junkie XL (famous for remixing an Elvis track and scoring a UK No. 1), Josh Harris and R. Kelly himself.

[edit] Awards

Awards ceremony Award
2004
Billboard Awards Best-Selling Dance Single of the Year (Me Against the Music)
Brasil Music Award Best International Female Artist
Holland TMF Awards Gridlock Award
MTV Europe Music Awards Best Female Artist of the Year
Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Choice Song (Toxic)
Popstar Magazine Popastic Video Right Now (Toxic)
Teen Choice Awards Choice Single (Toxic)
TRL Awards Gridlock Award
UK Ivor Novello Awards Most Performed Work (Toxic)
2005
Golden Music Awards Music Video of the Year (Toxic)
Grammy Awards Best Dance Recording (Toxic)
Groovevolt Awards Video of the Year (Toxic)
Best Female Album
Best Song Performance by a Female Artist (Everytime)
Most Fashionable Artist

[edit] Personnel

  • Vocals: Britney Spears
  • Orchestra: Algozee, Tumbi
  • Keyboards: Steve Anderson, DaCorna Boyz, Kendall D. Nesbitt
  • Multi-instruments: Avant Arranger, Bloodshy, Moby
  • Background vocals: B.U.D., Blackcell, Courtney Copeland, Kara Dioguardi, Roxanne Estrada, Emma Holmgren, Jennifer Karr, R. Kelly, Kyron Leslie, Penelope Magnet, Matrix, Emma Roads, Chyna Royal, Wizardz of Oz, Ying Yang Twins
  • Banjo, Guitar: Roy Gartrell
  • Background vocals, Multi-instruments: Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Chris "Tricky" Stewart
  • Guitar, Keyboards: Jimmy Harry, Brian Kierulf
  • Guitar: Henrik Jonback, Donnie Lyle, Josh Schwartz
  • Bass: Thomas Lindberg

[edit] Production

  • Producers: Britney Spears, Avant, Bloodshy, Jimmy Harry, R. Kelly, Brian Kierulf, Steve Lunt, Penelope Magnet, Matrix, Moby, Josh Schwartz, Guy Sigsworth, Shepard Soloman, Mark Taylor, Trixster, Diddy
  • Production Coordination: Vanessa Letocq
  • Engineers: Avant, Bloodshy, Chris Fudurich, Andy Gallas, Abel Garibaldi, Brad Gilderman, Brian Kierulf, Sean Magee, Matrix, Sean McGhee, Ian Mereness, Moby, Pablo Munguia, Josh Schwartz, Mark "Spike" Stent, Rich Tapper, Mark Taylor, Brian "B Luv" Thomas
  • Assistant Engineers: J.D. Andrew, Steve Bearsley, Tom Bender, Blackcell, Josh Copp, Cathy Dennis, Matt Furnidge, Rob Haggert, Vance Hornbuckle, Charles McCrorey, Jason Mlodzinski, Andrew Nast, Jonas Ostman, Jason Rankins, Tim Roberts, Rich Tapper, David Treahearn, Seth Waldmann, Nathan Wheeler, Jong Uk Yoon, Antony Zeller
  • Digital Editing: Avant, Bloodshy, John Hanes, Brian "B Luv" Thomas, P-Dub Walton, Dan Yashiz
  • Mixdown Producer: Serban Ghenea
  • Mixing: Niklas Flyckt, Mick Guzauski, R. Kelly, Matrix, Sean McGhee, Mark "Spike" Stent, Mark Taylor
  • Remixing: Rishi Rich
  • Editing: Sean McGhee
  • Programming: Steve Anderson, Avant, Bloodshy, Abel Garibaldi, Jimmy Harry, Brian Kierulf, Ian Mereness, Moby, Chris "Tricky" Stewart
  • Mastering: Tom Coyne
  • Arrangers: Avant, Bloodshy, Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Jimmy Harry, Steve Lunt, Penelope Magnet, Chris "Tricky" Stewart
  • String Arrangements: Ed Alton, Janson & Janson
  • Instrumentation: Guy Sigsworth
  • Conductor: Janson & Janson
  • Pro-Tools: Dug Hanes, John Hanes
  • Vocal Producers: Penelope Magnet, Trixster
  • Vocal Engineers: Brian Kierulf, Mark "Spike" Stent, Brian "B Luv" Thomas, Mike Tucker
  • Vocal Editing: Brian Kierulf, Mike Tucker
  • Vocal Arrangement: Penelope Magnet, Trixster
  • Design: Jackie Murphy
  • Photography: Patrick Demarchelier, Ranjit
  • Stylists: Ray Brown, Lori Goldstein, Mary Alice Stephenson
  • Hair Stylists: Laurentius, Stephanie Louise, Oribe
  • Make-Up: Fran Cooper, Isabel, Stephanie Louise

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Chart Data: Britney Spears. Mariah-Charts.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  2. ^ Gavin Mueller (November 18, 2003). In The Zone Review. Stylus Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
  3. ^ Dorian Lynskey (November 14, 2003). In The Zone Review. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-03-16.
  4. ^ Sony Music Blog Staff (February 14, 2005). Britney Spears Wins Her First Grammy Award.... blog.sonymusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
  5. ^ Britney In Her 'Zone' Atop Billboard 200. Billboard magazine. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  6. ^ Jay-Z Back Atop The Billboard 200. Billboard magazine. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  7. ^ Keys Unlocks Second No. 1 Debut. Billboard magazine. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  8. ^ Britney Coming Back 'Bigger And Better' In 2007. Billboard magazine. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  9. ^ Recording Industry Association of America Recording Industry Association of America.
  10. ^ Britney Spears: Artist Chart History. Billboard magazine. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  11. ^ http:/acharts.us/album/31175
  12. ^ a b c d Britney Spears: Charts & Awards. Billboard magazine. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  13. ^ a b Canadian Certification (CRIA). Canadian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  14. ^ Japanese Sales Oricon.
  15. ^ a b c d Oricon Main Albums Chart. Oricon. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  16. ^ a b European Certification (IFPI). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  17. ^ UK Albums Chart (Search). Everyhit.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  18. ^ a b UK Certification (BPI). British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  19. ^ French Chart, Sales & Certification. FanOfMusic.Free.fr. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  20. ^ Mexican Certification (AMPROFON). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas, A.C.. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  21. ^ Argentinean Certification (CAPIF). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  22. ^ Biography | Britney Spears
  23. ^ [1]
  24. ^ European Albums Chart. Music.AllOfMp3.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  25. ^ Argentinian Certification Data Base
  26. ^ Biography | Britney Spears
  27. ^ [2]
  28. ^ Biography | Britney Spears
  29. ^ [3]
  30. ^ Austrian Certification (IFPI). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  31. ^ [4]
  32. ^ http://www.disqueenfrance.com/certifications/album.asp?forme_certif=11&annee=21#
  33. ^ German Certification (IFPI). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  34. ^ [5]
  35. ^ http://www.amprofon.com.mx/certificaciones.php?artista=Britney+Spears&titulo=&disquera=&certificacion=todas&anio=todos&categoria=todas&Submitted=Buscar&item=menuCert&contenido=buscar
  36. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp
  37. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp
  38. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp
  39. ^ Norwegian Albums Chart. NorwegianCharts.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  40. ^ Norwegian Certification (IFPI). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  41. ^ [6]
  42. ^ http://2m-online.ru/gold_n_platinum/detail.php?COUNTRY=4028
  43. ^ http://www.ifpi.se/getfile.aspx?id=41
  44. ^ Swiss Certification (IFPI). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
  45. ^ UK Sales UKBritney.tv Retrieved on July 18, 2007

[edit] External links

Preceded by
The Black Album by Jay-Z		 Billboard 200 number-one album
December 6 - December 12, 2003		 Succeeded by
The Diary of Alicia Keys by Alicia Keys
v • d • e
Britney Spears
Studio albums
…Baby One More Time (1999) · Oops!… I Did It Again (2000) · Britney (2001) · In the Zone (2003) · Blackout (2007)
Other albums
Singles
DVD's
Tours
Related topics