"Hold Me Closer"[1] is a song by English singer Elton John and American recording artist Britney Spears. The song is mainly a remix of three of the former's songs, with Spears providing vocals as a duet with John. The song was released to digital platforms on August 26, 2022, both on streaming services and Italian radio stations.[2]
Release[]
The song was released to digital platforms and streaming on August 26, 2022. Similar to most songs released through Interscope and Universal, the song was firstly prompted to Italian radio stations and streaming services on August 26, while United States radio stations had a four-day delay.
An audio video was also released alongside the single.[3]
Critical Reception[]
The song received generally a polarizing response from critics and fans. Some heavily criticized both artists' vocals, and its simplistic childlike sound; while others praised its "cute" and "positive" feel. Spears's vocals were praised as "heartwarming". The song received mixed reviews from fans.
Commercial Performance[]
The song is a commercial success, immediately topping the iTunes charts in numerous countries. The song topped weekly charts in Australia, Hungary, and Israel, and reached the top ten in multiple countries such as Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Elton John]
(Hold me closer)
(Hold me closer)
(Hold me closer)
(Hold me closer)
[Verse 1: Elton John & Britney Spears, Elton John]
I saw you dancin' out the ocean
Runnin' fast along the sand
A spirit born of earth and water
Fire flyin' from your hands (Oh)
[Chorus: Elton John & Britney Spears, Britney Spears]
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today, oh
[Post-Chorus: Elton John & Britney Spears]
Hold me closer, hold me closer (Hold me closer)
Hold me closer, hold me closer
[Verse 2: Elton John, Britney Spears & Both]
There are caravans we follow
Drunken nights in dark hotels, baby (Yeah)
When chances breathe between the silence
Where sex and love no longer gel, oh
[Chorus: Elton John & Britney Spears, Britney Spears]
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway (Yeah)
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
[Post-Chorus: Elton John & Britney Spears]
Hold me closer, hold me closer (Baby, baby)
Hold me closer, hold me closer (Oh, yeah)
[Outro: Elton John & Britney Spears]
(Hold me closer)
(Hold me closer)
Hold me closer
(Hold me closer) Me closer, me closer
(Hold me closer) Mm, yeah
Trivia & Notes[]
- It was Spears's first song to be recorded in nearly five years, and her first release in two years.
- It is also her first song to be released after the termination of her 13 year conservatorship
- The track was leaked six days prior to the official release.
- The song interpolates three songs by Elton John. These songs are "The One" (1992) and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (1976) as the verses; and "Tiny Dancer" (1971) for the hook/chorus.
- In Australia, the song debuted atop the AIRA charts, becoming Spears's first number one hit there since "Everytime", and her sixth overall in the country.
- In the United States, the song debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Spears's first song to do so since "I Wanna Go".[4] It also debuted atop the chart of the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, only the third song to do so.
Video[]
Elton John & Britney Spears ‘Hold Me Closer (Official Audio)’
Original Video
Elton John, Britney Spears - Hold Me Closer (Official Video)
Music Video
References[]
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg21i-WMLiI/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
- ↑ https://pagesix.com/2022/07/25/britney-spears-records-tiny-dancer-duet-with-elton-john/amp/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hLtlzkoGPk
- ↑ https://variety.com/2022/music/news/britney-spears-top-10-elton-john-hold-me-closer-1235360241/