Me Against the Music (Original Version) is an unreleased song by Britney Spears featuring Penelope Magnet, recorded for her fourth studio album, In the Zone.
This version was originally intended to be the album's lead single. It was later reworked when Madonna featured on the song and this version wasn't released.
Background[]
The song was originally recorded as a solo version featuring rapper Penelope Magnet, who co-wrote the song.[1] In May 2003, Spears said “a young girl named Penelope” was going to rap on the album.[2]
Spears recorded several alternate versions with input from choreographer Columbus Short, who she was dating at the time.[3] Following the MTV VMAs that year, Madonna was then added to the song, causing Penelope’s rap and a portion of Spears' vocals to be omitted.
Spears performed the original at the NFL Kickoff event. The original has several different demos with slightly alternate production, but none have leaked. Various fanmade versions have been posted online.
Recording[]
Britney with Penelope Magnet and Tricky Stewart
The title was inspired by rapper 2Pac’s album “Me Against the World”, with Penelope saying, “the electricity of that era breathed life into Brit’s record.”[4]
Penelope stated, “the whole concept is kind of like she was battling the track. Like she was hearing the music and trying to out-dance the track or out-beat the drum or out-pluck the guitar. It’s as if she’s in the club, losing herself in the music.” Tricky Stewart added, “It’s half-rapping, half-singing... It’s a hip-hop dance genre.”[5]
Penelope’s verse[]
Penelope said, “My rap was all about being sexy and hanging out with my girl Britney!”[6] Her verse refers to herself and Spears as “two red hot chicks" and declares Spears a “badass”. Penelope spells out her name, referencing Method Man spelling his name in the Wu-Tang Clan’s single “Method Man” (1993).[7]
It was Magnet’s debut appearance, later appearing on 3LW’s “How U Gonna Act” and the chorus of Petey Pablo’s hit “Freek-A-Leek”. Her album produced by Tricky Stewart and Scott Storch was unreleased.[8]
Penelope was often mistaken to feature on the leaked "Toxic" remix known as the Found Sound or SatOne remix, but this features rapper Bahamadia.[9]
Remixes[]
Several remixes of the original version were released:
- Bloodshy & Avant's Chix Mix - 5:17
- Bloodshy & Avant's Chix Mix Edit - 3:31
- DragonMan Remix - 3:45
- Rishi Rich Remix (Edit Version Only) - 3:28[10]
The DragonMan remix was later included on the Japan Tour Edition of Glory.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
All my people in the crowd
Grab a partner, take it down
It's me against the music, it's just me
Yeah, ho, huh
Are you ready? (Yeah)
Uh!
[Verse 1]
And no one cares (It's whippin' my hair, it's pullin' my waist)
To hell with stares (The sweat is drippin' all over my face)
And no one's there (I'm the only one dancin' up in this place)
Tonight, I'm here (Feel the beat of the drum, gotta keep it that bass)
[Pre-Chorus]
I'm up against the speaker
Tryin' to take on my music
It's like a competition, me against the beat
I wanna get in the zone, I wanna get in the zone
If you really wanna battle
Saddle up and get your rhythm
Tryin' to hit it, chic-a-ta, in a minute
I'mma take a ya on, I'ma take a ya on
(Hey, hey, hey)
[Chorus:]
All my people on the floor, let me see you dance, hey
All my people wantin' more, let me see you dance, hey
All my people 'round and 'round, let me see you dance, hey
All my people in the crowd, let me see you dance, hey
[Post-Chorus 1]
How would you like a friendly competition?
Let's take on the song (Let's take on the song, let's take on the song, let's go!)
It's you and me, baby
Where the music
Turns to party all night long
All night long (oh yeah, let's go)
[Verse 2]
(We're almost there) I'm feelin' it bad and I can't explain
(My soul is bare) My hips are movin' at a rapid pace
(Baby, feel it burn) From the tip of my toes, runnin' through my veins
(And now's your turn) Let me see what ya got, don't hesitate
[Pre-Chorus]
I'm up against the speaker
Tryin' to take on my music
It's like a competition, me against the beat
I wanna get in the zone, I wanna get in the zone
(Get in the Brit zone)
If you really wanna battle
Saddle up and get your rhythm
Tryin' to hit it, chic-a-ta, in a minute
I'mma take a ya on, Imma take a ya on (hey, hey, hey!)
[Chorus]
All my people on the floor, let me see you dance, hey
All my people wantin' more, let me see you dance, hey
All my people round and round, let me see you dance, hey
All my people in the crowd, let me see you dance, hey
[Post-Chorus 2]
Get on the floor, baby lose control (Yeah, uh huh?)
Just work your body and let it go (Let it go)
If you wanna party, just grab somebody
Hey baby, we can dance all night long (Dance all night)
[Bridge]
Two red hot chicks over by the bar
Hot red zone chick and a superstar
Britney, baby, badass
M-A-G-N-E-T, man
Ooh, you could be my boo
Got a lot more shakin' in my ass to do
Big tricks, Imma keep 'em hard
Pop it, shake it, drop it, roll it
Big tricks (Hey, hey, hey)
[Chorus]
All my people on the floor, let me see you dance, hey
All my people wantin' more, let me see you dance, hey
All my people round and round, let me see you dance, hey
All my people in the crowd, let me see you dance, hey
[Post-Chorus 2]
Get on the floor, baby lose control (Yeah, uh huh?)
Just work your body and let it go (Let it go)
If you wanna party, just grab somebody
Hey baby, we can dance all night long (Dance all night)
[Chorus]
All my people on the floor, let me see you dance, hey
All my people wantin' more, let me see you dance, hey
All my people round and round, let me see you dance, hey
All my people in the crowd, let me see you dance, hey
[Outro]
All my people in the crowd, grab a partner, take it down
All my people in the crowd, grab a partner, take it down
All my people in the crowd, grab a partner, take it down
All my people, all my people, grab a partner, take it down
(Giggles)
References[]
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20170319121138/https://absolutebritney.com/britney-galaxy-exclusive-interview-with-penelope-magnet/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20030607000555/http://www.britneyconnection.com/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20031023122823/http://www.worldofbritney.com/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20170319121138/https://absolutebritney.com/britney-galaxy-exclusive-interview-with-penelope-magnet/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20140911151104/http://www.mtv.com/news/1479776/getting-aggressive-with-britney-pays-off-for-redzone/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20170319121138/https://absolutebritney.com/britney-galaxy-exclusive-interview-with-penelope-magnet/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20170319121138/https://absolutebritney.com/britney-galaxy-exclusive-interview-with-penelope-magnet/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20050410140413/http://www.peermusic.com:80/artistpage/Penelope_Magnet.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkYvyWPeWpc
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_FvksXwYmY