Piece of Me

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Not to be confused with the Ashlee Simpson song "Pieces of Me".
“Piece of Me”
“Piece of Me” cover
Single by Britney Spears
from the album Blackout
Released November 27, 2007 (2007-11-27)
(see release history)
Recorded 2007
Genre Electropop
Length 3:32 (Album version)
3:09 (Video/Radio edit)
Label Jive
Writer(s) Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Klas Åhlund
Producer Bloodshy & Avant
Certification Platinum (Australia, US, Denmark, United World Chart)
Gold (New Zealand, Canada)
Silver (UK)
Britney Spears singles chronology
"Gimme More"
(2007)		 "Piece of Me"
(2007)		 "Break the Ice"
(2008)

"Piece of Me" is a song written by Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, and Klas Åhlund and recorded by American singer Britney Spears. It is the second single (except in France where it hasn't been released) from Spears' fifth studio album Blackout. The song was successful, peaking inside the top ten in most countries, and reaching number one in Ireland and Brazil. It was also successful in clubs, reaching number one in various Dance Club Play charts, including in the United States and in Australia. It was also one of her most successful singles in the UK, peaking at a high number two, and staying in the top seventy-five for twenty-three consecutive weeks. Piece Of Me has sold over 3.6 million copies since it's release[1].

Contents

[edit] Background

"Piece of Me" was written by Swedish songwriters Bloodshy & Avant duo, Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg, and Klas Åhlund for Spears's fifth studio album, Blackout. Although Spears was not credited as writer of the song, her A&R rep, Teresa LaBarbera Whites, stated that she was involved in the songs and how they turned out.[2] The song was recorded in response to the constant media scrutiny and sensationalization of her private life. In a radio interview with Ryan Seacrest, Spears said of the song: "wherever you go there's a lot of people who ask questions and sometimes you don't know their intentions and stuff like that. So, it's kind of a cute way of putting it out there you know like, 'You want a piece of me', you know in a cool, cute and clever way. It's a cute song... I like it."[3] Swedish pop singer Robyn is featured on background vocals. The track was produced by Bloodshy & Avant, who produced Spears' Grammy Award-winning single "Toxic".

[edit] Composition

 

"Piece of Me" is a pop-groove song performed in a three minutes and thirty-two seconds duration, and is 115 BPM. It is composed in the key of C# minor,[4] and is set in common time; in 4/4 count.[4] The melody runs through a down-tempo dance beat, and highlights loud '80s-influenced synth.[5] Spears's voice is heavily synthesized[6] and constantly shifts in pitch.[7] The track consists of over-the-top vocal distortions which caused a split sound effect, making it difficult to discern which voice is Spears'.[8] It has a dominating sounds of squelching series of beats and bleeps, introduced in the sludgy bassline beginning of the melody. Background vocals for Piece of Me were performed by Robyn. The song has a background of Middle Eastern-like percussion finger cymbals.

"Piece of Me" is constructed in the common verse-chorus pattern. The lyrics are written like a biography retelling Spears's mishaps, sung in nearly spoken manner.[5] "Piece of Me" starts with a pre-verse before its main verse. The chorus repeatedly ask "You want a piece of me?" which slightly changes in melody to "You wanna piece of me?".[9] There are also rhyming lyrics of "rich and famous" with "shameless" in the chorus. The producers chimes in when she sings "Extra! Extra!". A new pre-verse and verse is created after the first chorus.[10] The bridge follows after the second chorus using the same lyrics in the first pre-verse. "Piece of Me" ends in a repeated chorus.

[edit] Release and cover artwork

"Piece of Me" was officially released on January 7, 2008 in the U.S. and the UK[11][12], but had already received radio airplay before then.

An alternate cover for the CD single which features images of Spears's fans making up the main image of her in a montage form. Fans that had signed up for Sony BMG UK Britney Spears updates received the e-mail informing them. The cover was revealed on January 4, 2008.[13]

[edit] Reception

Prior to the release of Blackout, "Piece of Me" was among the critically praised and recommended of the album's tracks. Margeaux Watson of Entertainment Weekly praised "Piece of Me" stating it "is a rump shaker that finds Spears venting".[14] Chuck Taylor of Billboard said that "the song drips and drools '80s synths, alongside a drowsy midtempo clip, as Brit sings in a heavily layered near-monotone."[15] Bill Lamb from about.com wrote that the song is brilliant, and is one reason to listen to Blackout.[16] Kelefa Sanneh of New York Times defined "Piece of Me" as: "[a song] introduced by a sludgy bass line, Ms. Spears waxes defensive, in a heavily synthesized voice that's the main (and sometimes only) instrument."[6] Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy noted that the song's "fat, squelching series of beats and bleeps", is "an electro-thudding cry of defiance".[17] Jennifer Vineyard reported that "Spears' mission statement of sorts, finds the singer so vocoder-ized that it's hard to tell where the real Britney begins and ends — which is part of the point."[2]

"Piece of Me" gained attention from critics for its introspective content. Kelly Oliver-Hornyak of The Lantern, a student publication of Ohio State University, found "Piece of Me" a matured version of Spears's 2000 single "Stronger, noting that "she has dealt with her family in the spotlight and a divorce rather than her teenage break-ups."[18] Bill Lamb commented that "Britney Spears answers all of the critics directly, forcefully, and fearlessly", giving the song four and a half stars out of five.[19] Melissa Maerz of Rolling Stone referred to it as "tabloid-bashing banger" and a "must hear song",[20] while including it in their annual "100 Best Songs of the Year" at number fifteen.[21] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide commented that Bloodshy & Avant "try desperately to craft a defiant anthem for this tabloid fixture".[22]

[edit] Music video

The music video was filmed on November 27 and November 28, 2007 at an exclusive Hollywood nightclub and restaurant, Social Hollywood.[23] It was directed by Wayne Isham, who had previously worked with Spears in the video "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" and in the international Pepsi commercial campaign in 2002.[23] On November 30, 2007, the "Britney Spears Wants a Piece of You" contest was launched in which fans can make videos of "Piece of Me" themselves using MTV's Video Remixer.[2][24] The clips used was the images of Spears over the years including interviews, red-carpet appearances and performances.[2] MTV, Jive Records and Spears chose the winner and the winning video aired on Total Request Live on December 20.[24] MTV premiered the video of "Piece of Me" on December 14.[25]

Britney Spears dancing in a luxurious restroom for the video.
Britney Spears dancing in a luxurious restroom for the video.

The music video for "Piece of Me" follows a paparazzi theme.[23] The clip begins with a group of paparazzi taking pictures outside a residential area of Spears bemoaning her exposed bottom and wiggles it for all to see while various blonde girls are changing clothes, putting makeup on and playfully dancing. Spears shows in front of a multi-colored illuminated background wearing a brown-fur vest, black bra and destroyed jeans. Scenes with Spears tearing negative tabloid covers down and creating positive ones are interpolated in the video. Spears later joins the other girls who have changed into matching blonde-bob wigs, dark sunglasses, and black trench coats as they enter a car being hounded by paparazzi, a representation of how Spears is forced to live her life. The girls make it to the party and exit the car in different clothes. Inside the party, a rogue paparazzi joins the girls in the bathroom but Spears spotted him at the end . The girls are seen back at the apartment watching an entertainment news where the "Britney invasion" from earlier is reported. The final scene shows a close up of Spears's face smirking.

With more than 48 million viewers, it has so far become the 15th most viewd video ever on You Tube and the 10th most viewed music video

[edit] Chart performance

"Piece of Me" debuted on November 17, 2007 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number sixty-five,[26] as well as at number thirty-seven on the Canadian Hot 100.[27] After the release of the single's music video, "Piece of Me" climbed up the charts. On January 5, 2008, the single rose to number twenty-one, receiving the Greatest Gainer certification.[28] On February 9, "Piece of Me" peaked at number eighteen,[29] and has since stayed the chart for twenty weeks, it was then removed from the Hot 100 due to Billboard deletion criteria[30], it was, however, charted on the Hot 100 Singles Recurrents at nine on the week of April 05, 2008 due to still-strong digital sales as well as a somewhat high airplay. The single has been certified Platinum by the RIAA[31]

The single debuted at number two on the Australian Singles Chart on February 4, 2008.[32][30] Certified Platinum by ARIA,[33] the single also spent nine consecutive weeks at number one on the Australian Dance Chart, while simultaneously topping the Australian Airplay Chart. The track enjoyed a second surge in support by fans which saw it climb back to the top of the Australian Dance Chart. It held the number one spot for thirteen weeks and achieved Platinum status. On the 11th of May, the single dropped back down to number two on the Australian Dance Chart, behind My People by The Presets but then in the next week, her single Break the Ice would take the number one.[34]

The single was successful in European charts. In the United Kingdom, "Piece of Me" debuted at number sixty-nine on December 24, 2007.[35] From number nineteen on January 7, "Piece of Me" propelled to number two on January 14, 2008 after its physical release,[36] surpassing the peak position of its predecessor, "Gimme More", which peaked at number three in 2007. In the UK, as of March 2, 2008, "Piece of Me" has sold 147,382. The single failed to top the chart and has since stayed there for eight weeks.[37] The song entered the Irish Singles Chart on December 20, 2007 at number twenty-four,[38] and after four weeks on the chart, it reached the top spot on January 12, 2008.[39] "Piece of Me" became her seventh Irish number-one single, tying with Madonna as solo female artist with the most number ones in the country. "Piece of Me" has also reached the top ten in Denmark, Finland, Greece, and Sweden, where the single had it's first chart entry.[30] In Italy the single, peaking at number 5, spent fourteen consecutive weeks in the Top 15 becoming one of Britney's most successful single in the country.

The single debuted in New Zealand at number thirty-four on December 31, 2007.[40] "Piece of Me" peaked at number four on February 4, 2008, surpassing the achievements of "Gimme More", which peaked at number fifteen in October 2007. The single was certified gold after thirteen weeks on the chart. "Piece Of Me" is Spears' highest charting single in New Zealand since Toxic, which peaked at number two in April 2004.[41] The song remained on the chart for twenty weeks becoming one of her biggest hits there.

In Latin America, the single has so far has peak at six in the Latin America Top 40, making Spears' fourth entry in the top ten on the chart.[42]

"Piece of Me" debuted on the United World Chart on January 5, 2008 at number thirty-eight.[43].The single peaked at number six, staying there for three weeks, and accummulating 2,594,000 points[44].

[edit] Certifications

Country Certification Sales
Australia Platinum[45] 70,000[46]
Belgium[47] Gold 7,500
Denmark Platinum[48] 15,000[48]
New Zealand Gold[49] 7,500[50]
United Kingdom Silver 196,000
United States Platinum[51] 1,130,000[52]
United World Chart Platinum[53] 2,594,000

[edit] Charts

Chart (2007-2008) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Dance Chart 1
Hot 100 Brazil 1
Irish Singles Chart 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 2
UK Singles Chart 2
Danish Singles Chart[54] 4
Greek Singles Chart[55] 4
Dutch Singles Chart[56] 4
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart 4
Canadian Hot 100 5
Euro 200 5
Italian Singles Chart 5
Austrian Singles Chart[57] 6
United World Chart 6
German Singles Chart 7
Finnish Singles Chart[58] 8
Swedish Singles Chart 9
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 18
U.S. Billboard Pop 100 18
Swiss Singles Chart[59] 19
Belgian Singles Chart[60] 36

[edit] Track listings and versions

Major formats released for "Piece of Me":

European/Australian Maxi CD Single (88697 186802)

(Released: January 11, 2008)

  1. "Piece of Me" (Album Version) – 3:32
  2. "Piece Of Me" video 3:10
  3. "Piece of Me" (Bloodshy & Avant's Böz o lö Remix) – 4:55
  4. "Piece of Me" (Bimbo Jones Remix) – 6:26
  5. "Piece of Me" (Vito Benito Remix) – 6:46
  6. "Gimme More" (The "Kimme More" Remix) (featuring Lil' Kim) – 4:14
The Remixes - EP [Digital]

(Released: January 28, 2008)

  1. "Piece of Me" – 3:33
  2. "Piece of Me" (Bloodshy & Avant's Böz o lö Remix) – 4:55
  3. "Piece of Me" (Tiësto Radio Edit) – 3:25
  4. "Piece of Me" (Junior Vasquez and Johnny Vicious Radio Edit) – 3:40
  5. "Piece of Me" (Friscia and Lamboy Radio Edit) – 3:29
  6. "Piece of Me" (Reggae Remix) (featuring Sly & Robbie) – 4:19



[edit] Credits and personnel

  • Written by: C. Karlsson, P. Winnberg & K. Åhlund
  • Produced by: Bloodshy & Avant
  • Recorded by: Bloodshy & Avant at Bloodshy & Avant Studios, Stockholm, Sweden and Chalice Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California
  • Mixed by: Niklas Flyckt at Mandarine Studios, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Keyboard, Programming, Bass & Guitar by: Bloodshy & Avant
  • Additional Guitar by: Henrik Jonback
  • Additional Bass: by Klas Åhlund
  • Background Vocals by: Robyn Carlsson
  • Mastered by: Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound, New York City

[edit] References

  1. ^ Britney Spears Blackout.com
  2. ^ a b c d Vineyard, Jennifer. "Britney Spears's New Album, Blackout: A Track-By-Track Report", MTV News, MTV Networks, (October 12, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-30. 
  3. ^ Staff. "The Weekend Fix: Celebrity Birthdays, the latest news, The 'American Gangster' Movie Minute and more.", MTV News Canada, CTVglobemedia, (November 02, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-28. 
  4. ^ a b Piece of Me. Sheetmusicdirect.us. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
  5. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "Britney Spears - Piece of Me", About.com, About, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-12-30. 
  6. ^ a b Sanneh, Kelefa. "‘Miss Bad Media Karma’ Sings, Too", The New York Times, The New York Times Company, (November 29, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-07. 
  7. ^ Ewing, Tom (November 20, 2007). Britney in the Black Lodge (Damn Fine Album). Pitchfork Media. Pitchfork Media Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
  8. ^ Al-Msaibeeh, Laith (November 10, 2007). Profound comeback blacks out negative press for pop princess. Oshkosh West Index. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.
  9. ^ Sung, Hannah. "Britney's Back in 'Blackout'", AOL Music. Retrieved on 2008-01-19. 
  10. ^ Friedman, Roger. "Britney Spears' Album: First Listen to New Songs", Fox News, FOX News Network, LLC, (September 28, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-19. 
  11. ^ Piece of Me. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
  12. ^ Piece of Me - Out Now!. Sony BMG UK. Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) (January 07, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
  13. ^ Piece of Britney Sleeve contest (December 06, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
  14. ^ Watson, Margeaux (October 23, 2007). Music Review: Blackout (2007). Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
  15. ^ Taylor, Chuck. Single Review: "Piece of Me". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  16. ^ Lamb, Bill (November 30, 2007). Music Review: "Piece of Me". About.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-13.
  17. ^ Fletcher, Alex (December 14, 2007). Britney Spears: "Piece of Me". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Limited. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  18. ^ Oliver-Hornyak, Kelly. "New album redefines Britney Spears", The Lantern, College Publisher, October 31, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-30. 
  19. ^ Lamb, Bill. Britney Spears - Piece of Me. About.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-30.
  20. ^ Maerz (November 15, 2007). Album Review: Blackout. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  21. ^ The 100 Best Songs of 2007. Rolling Stone (December 11, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  22. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Blackout. All Music Guide. Macrovision Company. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
  23. ^ a b c Aswad, Jem. "Britney Spears Shoots 'Piece Of Me' Video, Using Pursued-By-Paparazzi Theme", MTV News, MTV Networks, (November 28, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. 
  24. ^ a b Nudd, Tim. "Britney Spears Wants You to Direct Her Next Music Video", People, Time Inc., (November 30, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-06. 
  25. ^ Lamb, Bill (December 15, 2007). Britney Spears "Piece of Me" Video - Taking No Prisoners. About. About, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
  26. ^ The Billboard Hot 100: Piece of Me. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (November 17, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  27. ^ Canadian Hot 100: Piece of Me. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (November 17, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  28. ^ Billboard Hot 100. αCharts.us (chart dated January 05, 2008). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  29. ^ Billboard Hot 100. αCharts.us (chart dated February 9, 2008). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  30. ^ a b c "Piece of Me" Global Chart Positions and Trajectories. αCharts. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  31. ^ RIAA - "Piece of Me" Certification RIAA.com
  32. ^ Australia Singles Top 50. αCharts.us (chart dated February 04, 2008). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  33. ^ Top 50 Singles Chart - Australian Record Industry Association
  34. ^ Top 20 Dance Chart - Australian Record Industry Assocation
  35. ^ UK Singles Top 75. αCharts.us (chart dated December 24, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  36. ^ UK Singles Top 75. αCharts.us (chart dated January 14, 2008). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  37. ^ pieceofme="aCharts"/>
  38. ^ Ireland Singles Top 50. αCharts.us (chart dated December 20, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  39. ^ Ireland Singles Top 50. αCharts.us (chart dated January 12, 2008). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  40. ^ New Zealand Top 40. αCharts.us (chart dated December 31, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  41. ^ RIANZ
  42. ^ Ranking del 13 de Abril del 2008
  43. ^ United World Chart: Tracks. United World Chart. Media Traffic (chart dated January 05, 2008). Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  44. ^ United World Chart - Britney Spears - "Piece of Me":
  45. ^ Australia Certification
  46. ^ Certified Platinum, which requires sales of 70,000 or more.Australia Certification[1]
  47. ^ Belgium Certification
  48. ^ a b #34 in the Tracklisten Top-40 Uge 19-2008.
  49. ^ #39 on Chart #1616 - Monday 12 May 2008; Top 40 Singles Chart at RIANZ
  50. ^ Certified Gold (#39 on Chart #1616 - Monday 12 May 2008; Top 40 Singles Chart at RIANZ), which requires sales of 7,500[2]
  51. ^ RIAA - "Piece of Me" Certification RIAA.com
  52. ^ Certified Platinum RIAA - "Piece of Me" Certification, which requires sales of 1,000,000 or more [3].
  53. ^ United World Chart, week 21 / 2008 - May 24. "GLOBAL TRACK CHART". Accessed 23 May 2008.
  54. ^ Velkommen til Hit-listen.dk
  55. ^ www.ifpi.gr
  56. ^ Britney Spears - Piece Of Me - swisscharts.com
  57. ^ Britney Spears - Piece Of Me - swisscharts.com
  58. ^ Britney Spears - Piece Of Me - swisscharts.com
  59. ^ Britney Spears - Piece Of Me - swisscharts.com
  60. ^ ultratop.be - Britney Spears - Piece Of Me

60. Piece Of Me on [4] BritneyFM.com

[edit] External links


Preceded by
"Amazing" by Celeda		 Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
March 8, 2008 - March 15, 2008		 Succeeded by
"Together" by Bob Sinclar and Steve Edwards
Preceded by
"When You Believe" by Leon Jackson		 Irish number-one single
January 10, 2008 - January 17, 2008		 Succeeded by
"Now You're Gone" by Basshunter
Preceded by
"Low" by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain		 Hot100Brasil number-one singles
March 29, 2008 - April 5, 2008		 Succeeded by
"Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna
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
v • d • e
Tiësto