Britney Spears opens up on 'In the Zone'
by Rob Evans
liveDaily Editor
November 14, 2003 02:12 PM - Britney Spears may have thought she'd left her bubblegum-pop past behind her with the transitional, hip-hop flavored 2000 album, "Britney." But the questions are still coming as she promotes her new album, "In the Zone," which is due in stores on Tuesday (11/18).
During a conference call with reporters this week, Spears was peppered with a steady stream of questions about how her young fans will react to the sensual themes of the new album. Through it all, Spears was unapologetic.
"I'm becoming older, so of course … the things that I talk about aren't going to be able to relate to a 7-year-old," she said. "So I think it's a cool thing--not a negative thing at all--to be able to attract older fans instead of young ones."
In fact, when asked which song from the new album was the most meaningful to her, she volunteered "Touch of My Hand," an ode to masturbation.
"I really love the vibe of 'Touch of My Hand,'" she said. "When I was in the studio, it really came off as, like, such a natural process. And I love the subject that, you know, I'm touching on, because no one's really talked about some of those things in a lot of songs written lately. People are scared to go there and to express themselves in that way. And, you know, I think it's an empowering thing for girls."
Spears said that "In the Zone" represents a good chronicle of the transformation her life has gone through in recent years. That included a very public break-up with 'NSync's Justin Timberlake.
"It was such an emotional journey doing the whole record," she said. "But it's like therapy being able to put it out there right now, you know? Seeing it and [sharing] it with people."
Spears co-wrote eight of the 13 songs on "In the Zone," an album that features collaborations with artists and producers Blood Shy, Avant, The Matrix, Linda Perry and Moby, among others.
Spears' writing contributions usually involve adding lyrics and melodies to tracks she's given. The exception from "In the Zone" is "Everytime."
"[On] 'Everytime,' I wrote the whole thing from scratch on the piano," she said. "Musically, there was no track or anything. I was just at my house and I did the whole thing by myself. And then I went and I played it for [producer] Guy Sigsworth, and I just basically told him exactly how I wanted the song to sound."
Madonna--who co-wrote and is featured on "Me Against the Music," the first single from "In the Zone"--proved a helpful mentor to Spears, who seems to be emulating Madonna's propensity to reinvent herself.
"She really is an interesting and fun person to be with," Spears said. "She thinks [of] the big picture on all levels. And she's a very smart lady. And probably the main [piece of] advice she gave me is, 'Don't care what people think and believe in yourself,' and that's basically it."
Controversial R&B star R. Kelly, who is fighting child-pornography charges, contributed the song "Outrageous" to the new album.
"I mean, I know he has the personal thing going on," Spears said. "... I like his work. I really do. I think he's a very talented guy. I thought the song was really cute. So I really didn't think that deep into it. I just--I really didn't pay attention to all of the personal stuff from the controversy going [on] because that's not, you know, what it's about."
In March, Spears is expected to launch a lengthy tour behind the new album. Asked if she lip-synched in concert, Spears said she didn't--though she admitted that the background vocals and the choruses are often pushed up in her live mix because of her dance-intensive stage show.
"I'm going to do the AMA's this week, and I'm singing the whole thing live," she said.
The American Music Awards air on ABC on Sunday (11/16).