...Baby One More Time
Debut single that redefined late 1990s pop music.
"...Baby One More Time" is the debut single by American singer Britney Spears, released on September 29, 1998, by Jive Records. Written by Max Martin and produced by Martin and Rami Yacoub, the song became a global phenomenon, topping charts in over 20 countries and selling over 10 million copies. It is a teen pop and dance-pop track about longing for the return of an ex-boyfriend, and it has been recognized as one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Britney Spears
- Album
- ...Baby One More Time
- B-Side
- Autumn Goodbye
- Released
- 1998-09-29
- Studio
- Cheiron (Stockholm)
- Genre
- Teen pop / dance-pop
- Length
- 3:30
- Label
- Jive
- Writer
- Max Martin
- Producer
- Max Martin / Rami Yacoub
- Next Title
- Sometimes
- Next Year
- 1999
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The song was originally written for the Backstreet Boys and TLC, but both rejected it. Spears recorded her vocals in May 1998 at Cheiron Studios in Sweden, after listening to Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" to achieve a desired growl. The title was revised from "Hit Me Baby One More Time" due to concerns about domestic violence connotations. Spears has named it one of her favorite songs.
Reader's Guide
"...Baby One More Time" is significant for launching Britney Spears' career and reshaping the sound of late 1990s pop music. Its music video, directed by Nigel Dick, was voted the third most influential video in pop music history by Jam! in 2010 and the best video of the 1990s by Billboard in 2011. Rolling Stone named it the greatest debut single of all time in 2020 and ranked it at number 205 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2021. The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards and was the final song played on the BBC program Top of the Pops in the 1990s. It has been included on all of Spears' greatest hits albums and has been noted for redefining the era's musical landscape.
Did You Know?
- Spears recorded her vocals after listening to Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" to get a 'rusty' growl in her voice.
- The music video is often cited as one of the most iconic of the 1990s, though claims that Billboard voted it the best video of the decade in 2011 are unsubstantiated.
- Contrary to some reports, the final song played on Top of the Pops in the 1990s was 'The Millennium Prayer' by Cliff Richard, not '...Baby One More Time'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote and produced ...Baby One More Time?
Max Martin penned the song, and he co-produced it alongside Rami Yacoub for Britney Spears' debut single.
When was ...Baby One More Time released, and on which label?
It came out on September 29, 1998, through Jive Records as Britney Spears' first official single.
What is the song actually about lyrically?
The track is a teen-pop plea from a young woman begging her ex-boyfriend to give their relationship one more chance.
How big was ...Baby One More Time a commercial hit?
It reached number one in over 20 countries and has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. In the United States it earned quintuple platinum certification, and in the UK it hit triple platinum.
Why is ...Baby One More Time considered a landmark in pop history?
As Britney Spears' debut single, it helped redefine the sound and image of late-1990s teen and dance-pop. It is routinely listed among the best-selling singles of all time.
More in Iconic Songs & Compositions 1-18
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