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In the Zone is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Britney Spears. It was released on November 16, 2003, by Jive Records. Following the end of the Dream Within a Dream Tour in July 2002 and her break-up with Justin Timberlake, Spears announced she would take a six-month break from her career. She started working on the album in November 2002, with producers such as Bloodshy & Avant, R. Kelly, Tricky Stewart, Moby, Guy Sigsworth and The Matrix. Musically, In the Zone is a dance-oriented album that incorporates elements of various genres, such as house, trip hop and hip-hop. It features instrumentation from guitars, drums, synthesizers, strings and Middle Eastern instruments.
Spears began writing songs for In the Zone while touring around the world, despite not knowing the direction of the album. She started to experiment with different producers, trying to find those who she had chemistry with. Spears stated she was an autobiographical songwriter, although not the point were she felt self-exploited. She also explained that the sexual nature of In the Zone was subconscious and happened while she was in the process of developing the album. The topic for the songs range from love, dancing, empowerment, and in the case of songs such as "Touch of My Hand", sex and masturbation.
Following its release, In the Zone received mixed reviews from critics. Some appreciated the album, calling it a strong and confident pop record, while complimenting the mix of different styles and Spears's skills as a songwriter. Others, however, criticized it for what they perceived as distant and processed vocals. Commercially, In the Zone became an international success, debuting atop of the charts in France and the United States, and peaking inside the top ten in eleven countries. In the United States, she became the first female artist to have four consecutive number-one albums. In the Zone went on to become the eighth best selling album of 2003.
Four singles were released from the album: "Me Against the Music", "Toxic" and "Everytime" became worldwide hits, peaking at number one in Australia and reaching top five positions worldwide. To promote In the Zone, Spears performed the songs in a number of television appearances and also embarked on The Onyx Hotel Tour. The album and its music videos are largely seen by critics as the end of her transition from teen pop star to a more adult female artist. In 2009, Amy Schriefer of NPR listed In the Zone as one of The 50 Most Important Recording of the Decade, calling it "a primer on the sound of pop in the '00s".
Spotify[]
Track Listing[]
In the Zone[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Me Against the Music (Ft. Madonna)" | Britney Spears, Madonna, Christopher Stewart, Penelope Magnet, Thabiso Nikhereanye, Terius Nash, Gary O'Brien | Tricky Stewart, Penelope Magnet | 3:45 |
| 2. | "I Got That (Boom Boom) (Ft. Ying Yang Twins)" | Deongelo Holmes, Eric Jackson, Chyna Royal, Roy Hamilton | Roy Hamilton | 4:51 |
| 3. | "Showdown" | Britney Spears, Cathy Dennis, Henrik Jonback, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg | Bloodshy & Avant | 3:17 |
| 4. | "Breathe on Me" | Steve Anderson, Lisa Greene, Steve Lee | Mark Taylor | 3:43 |
| 5. | "Early Mornin’" | Britney Spears, Penelope Magnet, Tricky Stewart | Moby | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Toxic" | Cathy Dennis, Henrik Jonback, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg | Bloodshy & Avant | 3:21 |
| 7. | "Outrageous" | Robert Kelly | Robert Kelly | 3:25 |
| 8. | "Touch of My Hand" | Britney Spears, Jimmy Harry, Balewa Muhammad, Shep Solomon | Jimmy Harry, Shep Solomon | 4:19 |
| 9. | "The Hook Up" | Britney Spears, Penelope Magnet, Thabiso Nikhereanye, Tricky Stewart | Tricky Stewart, Penelope Magnet | 3:54 |
| 10. | "Shadow" | Britney Spears, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Charlie Midnight, Scott Spock | The Matrix | 3:45 |
| 11. | "Brave New Girl" | Britney Spears, Kara DioGuardi, Brian Kierulf, Josh Schwartz | Brian Kierulf, Josh Schwartz | 3:30 |
| 12. | "Everytime" | Britney Spears, Annette Stamatelatos | Guy Sigsworth | 3:53 |
| 13. | "Me Against the Music (Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix) (Ft. Madonna)" | Britney Spears, Madonna, Christopher Stewart, Penelope Magnet, Thabiso Nikhereanye, Terius Nash, Gary O'Brien | Rishi Rich, Tricky Stewart, Penelope Magnet | 4:30 |
In the Zone (Japan Edition)[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14. | "The Answer" | Ryan Leslie, Sean Combs | Ryan Leslie | 3:45 |
| 15. | "Don't Hang Up" | Britney Spears, Brian Kierulf, Josh Schwartz | Brian Kierulf, Josh Schwartz | 4:02 |
In the Zone DVD Bonus Audio []
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Hang Up" | Britney Spears, Brian Kierulf, Josh Schwartz | Brian Kierulf, Josh Schwartz | 4:02 |
| 2. | "The Answer" | Ryan Leslie, Sean Combs | Ryan Leslie | 3:45 |
| 3. | "Toxic - Lenny Bertoldo Radio Edit" | Cathy Dennis, Henrik Jonback, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg | Bloodshy & Avant, Lenny Bertoldo | 3:32 |
| 4. | "Me Against the Music - Chix Mix (Bloodshy & Avant) - (no Madonna)" | Britney Spears, Madonna, Christopher Stewart, Penelope Magnet, Thabiso Nikhereanye, Terius Nash, Gary O'Brien | Bloodshy & Avant | 5:18 |
Singles[]
"Me Against the Music" (featuring Madonna), the album's lead single, reached number one in international countries such as Denmark and Spain. The music video features Spears chasing Madonna in a nightclub. Their kiss at the end of the video is similar to the one they had during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.
"Toxic", the album's second single, is one of Spears' biggest songs. It charted in the top five in 15 countries, and reached number one in Australia, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Its music video is possibly Spears' most expensive (costing $1 million).
"Everytime", the album's third single, was apparently a response to Justin Timberlake's song "Never Again". The song is considered one of Britney's best ballads. The concept of the song's music video was controversial.
"Outrageous", the album's fourth and final single, charted in the United States and did not reach full success due to not having a music video or promotion. A video was planned, but Spears hurt her knee and had to undergo arthroscopic surgery. The video was canceled, as well as The Onyx Hotel Tour.
Promotional Singles[]
”(I Got that) Boom Boom” was released for airplay in select areas in late 2003 along with "Outrageous". An alternate remix known as the Collipark Remix was also heard on radio. It also became the second single in South Africa, where it received positive reception. The song had multiple promo performances.
Unreleased & Unused songs[]
- Main article: List of Unreleased Recorded Songs
Underlined can be found on the internet.
- "And Then We Kiss" - Junkie XL remixed the song for the 2005 remix album B In The Mix. Original version leaked in 2011.
- "Are You Ready" - Confirmed by Britney Online, but Michelle Bell couldn't release it.
- "Baby Can't You See" - Reconsidered for In the Zone, described it as "a beautiful folk song" by Spears.
- "Because I Like It" - Leaked along with other unreleased songs.
- "Bring Back Yesterday" - Confirmed by Joshua Schwartz in 2021.
- "Conscious" - Also known as "Conscience". Leaked in 2015.
- "Crazy Girl" - Intended as a bonus track for the European edition of the album
- "Crazy Girls" - Leaked along with other unreleased songs. Not to be confused with "Crazy Girl".
- "Chaotic" - The song was released on the Chaotic EP in 2005.
- "Disguise My Love" - Britney was confirmed to record the song. Demo by Michelle Bell has leaked.
- "Free" - Registered on ASCAP and BMI.
- "Girls And Boys" - The only bonus song on the In the Zone DVD bonus disc that isn't available on streaming services.
- "Guilty" - The song samples Prince's "Kiss". It is rumored to be about her affair with Wade Robson.
- "Giving It Up For Love" - Registered on EMI Publishing in August 2004.
- "Graffiti My Soul" - Britney recorded a undermixed version before it was given to Girls Aloud for their album.
- "Hollow" - Registered on ASCAP.
- "I Ain't Runnin' Away" - Leaked along with other unreleased songs.
- "I'm Aaaaaight" - Registered on BMI with only "Britney" as the performer.
- "Instant Deja Vú" - Leaked in 2016. Alternate mixes leaked in September 2024.
- "Like I'm Fallin'" - Songwriter Michelle Bell said it has a country sound.
- "Look Who's Talking Now" - The song is a partial response to Justin Timberake's "Cry Me A River". It was later given to BoA for her debut English album.
- "Love's Supposed 2 Be" - Mentioned by Rob Fusari in 2003.
- "Mad Love" - Initially intended for In the Zone.
- "Me Against the Music (Original Version)" - The song was originally recorded as a solo version featuring rapper Penelope Magnet
- "Million Reasons" - Registered on SACEM.
- "Money, Love and Happiness" - Leaked in 2012.
- "Movies" - Registered on SOCAN.
- "Mystic Man" - It's believed to be written about Justin Timberlake. The song was only performed live in 2002.
- "Need You Tonight" - Confirmed by Rolling Stone. Produced by Fred Durst. Described as a dark trip-hop of INXS' song
- "New Religion" - Confirmed by Joshua Schwartz in 2021.
- "Ouch" - Leaked in 2012.
- "Over to You Now" - The song was later released on the Chaotic EP in 2005.
- "Peep Show" - Snippet leaked in 2012.
- "Pleasure You" - In 2012, the song was stolen and leaked with unofficial vocals from Don Philip. This song is also rumoured to be considered for her 7th album Femme Fatale.
- "Pulse" - Spears recorded the song and it was later given to Brother+Sister in 2005.
- "Reminded" - Confirmed by Joshua Schwartz in 2021.
- "Rockstar" - The song is possibly a response to Limp Bizkit's song "Just Drop Dead" but this is unconfirmed. Leaked in 2011.
- "Sacred" - Registred in EMI.
- "Sippin' On" - The song was intended to be included on the In the Zone DVD but was omitted.
- "Stay" - Confirmed in the June 2003 issue of “Music Week”, described as “Massive Attack meets Coldplay meets Britney".
- "Strip" - The song was Britney's manager Larry Rudolph's favorite but was not on the final tracklisting.
- "Take Off" - Leaked in 2017 by Michelle Bell.
- "Tilt Ya Head Back" - Her label rejected it, although Spears liked it and wanted to release it.
- "Untitled DFA Demo" - Known by the unofficial title "Get It". Leaked in 2006.
- "Untitled with Missy Elliott" - Confirmed by Missy Elliott to be working on songs for Spears.
- "Untouchable" - Registered on ASCAP.
- "Weakness" - Britney only performed the song live on tour in 2002.
- "Welcome to Me" - Leaked in 2014.
- "When It Rains" - One of three unreleased songs produced by Fred Durst. Durst didn't allow Spears to use the songs he produced after the controversy of their alleged relationship. Demo by Durst leaked in 2007.
- "Wonderland" - According to songwriter Jimmy Harry, it has an electronic sound.
- "You Can't Stop What You Can't Stop" - Leaked along with other unreleased songs.
- "You Were My Home" - The song is written about her relationship with Justin Timberlake. It was only performed once on tour in 2002.
Pitched Songs[]
- Main article: List of Songs Pitched to Britney Spears
Commercials[]
Artwork/Booklets[]
Physical Versions[]
Pre-release cover[]
Designs[]
