Britney Spears

Solo Artist · Princess of Pop

Photo: Glenn Francis · CC BY-SA 4.0
Active 1997-2023
Origin Kentwood, Louisiana
Albums 9
Tracks 105
Most frequent collaborator Martin Karl Sandberg · 20 tracks
Genres PopDance-PopElectropopTeen Pop
Co-Performer
32%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 34 of 105 tracks

Did Britney Spears write her own songs?

Mostly no. Britney is primarily a performer, and her biggest hits, including '...Baby One More Time,' 'Oops!... I Did It Again,' and 'Toxic,' were written by professional songwriters like Max Martin and Cathy Dennis. She does hold co-writing credits on a handful of personal tracks, most notably the ballad 'Everytime,' and took on more writing on her later album Glory.

By the Numbers

9
Studio Albums
105
Tracks Credited
32%
Self-Written
150M+
Records Sold
26
Years Active
217
Collaborators

Authorship Breakdown 34 / 105 self-written

Who wrote the songs?

Across all 105 tracks: how many Britney Spears wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.

Britney Spears has a writing credit32%
32%
68%
Sole author0tracks0%
Co-written34tracks32%
Outside writers71tracks68%

Role Fingerprint how they contribute

Lyricist Performer Composer Producer
Britney Spears's roles across the catalogue

Share of all 105 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.

Lyricist (words)32%
Composer (music)32%
Producer0%
Performer100%

Authorship Over Time writing credit per album

Britney Spears's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.

avg 32%
0%
8%
42%
67%
17%
25%
0%
100%
42%
1999...Baby One More Time
2000Oops!... I Did It Again
2001Britney
2003In the Zone
2007Blackout
2008Circus
2011Femme Fatale
2013Britney Jean
2016Glory
Early · 17% written
Mid · 36% written
Late · 44% written

Authorship by Decade track-weighted

0%
1990s
...Baby One More Time
32%
2000s
Oops!... I Did It Again, Britney +3 more
44%
2010s
Femme Fatale, Britney Jean +1 more

Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author

Where Britney Spears sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.

Britney Spears
Other artists on the site

Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.

Katseye0%
The Pussycat Dolls21%
NSYNC41%
Kelly Rowland53%
Kesha77%
Pink85%
Katy Perry100%
32%Britney Spears
Pure Performer0%
Songwriter~50%
Complete Author100%

Who Really Wrote the Hits signature songs

...Baby One More Time
...Baby One More Time
Written by Martin Karl Sandberg
Outside writers
Sometimes
...Baby One More Time
Written by Jörgen Elofsson
Outside writers
From the Bottom of My Broken Heart
...Baby One More Time
Written by Eric Foster White
Outside writers
Oops!... I Did It Again
Oops!... I Did It Again
Written by Martin Karl Sandberg, Rami Yacoub
Outside writers
Lucky
Oops!... I Did It Again
Written by Martin Karl Sandberg, Rami Yacoub, Alexander Kronlund
Outside writers
Stronger
Oops!... I Did It Again
Written by Martin Karl Sandberg, Rami Yacoub
Outside writers
I'm a Slave 4 U
Britney
Written by Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams
Outside writers
Overprotected
Britney
Written by Martin Karl Sandberg, Rami Yacoub
Outside writers
Me Against the Music
In the Zone
Written by Britney Spears, Madonna, Christopher Stewart, Thabiso Nkhereanye, Penelope Magnet, Nash, O'Brien
Co-wrote
Toxic
In the Zone
Written by Cathy Dennis, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback
Outside writers
Everytime
In the Zone
Written by Britney Spears, Annet Artani
Co-wrote
Outrageous
In the Zone
Written by Robert Sylvester Kelly
Outside writers
Gimme More
Blackout
Written by Nathaniel Hills, James Washington, Keri Hilson, Marcella Araica
Outside writers
Piece of Me
Blackout
Written by Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Klas Åhlund
Outside writers
Break the Ice
Blackout
Written by Nathaniel Hills, James Washington, Keri Hilson, Marcella Araica
Outside writers
Womanizer
Circus
Written by Nikesha Briscoe, Rafael Akinyemi
Outside writers
Circus
Circus
Written by Lukasz Gottwald, Claude Kelly, Benjamin Levin
Outside writers
If U Seek Amy
Circus
Written by Martin Karl Sandberg, Karl Johan Schuster, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund
Outside writers
Hold It Against Me
Femme Fatale
Written by Martin Karl Sandberg, Lukasz Gottwald, Mathieu Jomphe, Bonnie McKee
Outside writers
Till the World Ends
Femme Fatale
Written by Lukasz Gottwald, Alexander Kronlund, Martin Karl Sandberg, Kesha Sebert
Outside writers
I Wanna Go
Femme Fatale
Written by Karl Johan Schuster, Martin Karl Sandberg, Savan Kotecha
Outside writers
Criminal
Femme Fatale
Written by Karl Johan Schuster, Martin Karl Sandberg, Tiffany Amber
Outside writers
Work Bitch
Britney Jean
Written by Britney Spears, William Adams, Otto Jettman, Sebastian Ingrosso, Anthony Preston, Ruth-Anne Cunningham
Co-wrote
Perfume
Britney Jean
Written by Britney Spears, Sia Furler, Christopher Braide
Co-wrote
Make Me...
Glory
Written by Britney Spears, Gerald Gillum, Joe Janiak, Burns
Co-wrote
Slumber Party
Glory
Written by Mattias Larsson, Robin Fredriksson, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter
Outside writers

Discography 9 albums

Collaborator Network who they worked with most

Britney Spears105 tracks
20Martin Karl Sandberg, 20 tracks 18Max Martin, 18 tracks RY12Rami Yacoub, 12 tracks CK9Christian Karlsson, 9 tracks PW9Pontus Winnberg, 9 tracks B&9Bloodshy & Avant, 9 tracks AP9Anthony Preston, 9 tracks DL8Dr. Luke, 8 tracks W8will.i.am, 8 tracks on Black Eyed Peas's page HJ7Henrik Jonback, 7 tracks NH7Nathaniel Hills, 7 tracks MA7Marcella Araica, 7 tracks D7Danja, 7 tracks EF6Eric Foster White, 6 tracks JB6Jim Beanz, 6 tracks WA6William Adams, 6 tracks on Black Eyed Peas's page JS5Josh Schwartz, 5 tracks BK5Brian Kierulf, 5 tracks JW5James Washington, 5 tracks BL5Benjamin Levin, 5 tracks BB5Benny Blanco, 5 tracks BM5Bonnie McKee, 5 tracks JM5Julia Michaels, 5 tracks AC4Andreas Carlsson, 4 tracks AK4Alexander Kronlund, 4 tracks PM4Penelope Magnet, 4 tracks T4Trixster, 4 tracks NM4Nicole Morier, 4 tracks JT4Justin Tranter, 4 tracks JE3Jörgen Elofsson, 3 tracks PM3Per Magnusson, 3 tracks DK3David Kreuger, 3 tracks PW3Pharrell Williams, 3 tracks TN3The Neptunes, 3 tracks D3Darkchild, 3 tracks CS3Christopher Stewart, 3 tracks KD3Kara DioGuardi, 3 tracks GS3Guy Sigsworth, 3 tracks KH3Keri Hilson, 3 tracks CK3Claude Kelly, 3 tracks KJ3Karl Johan Schuster, 3 tracks MJ3Mathieu Jomphe, 3 tracks DG3David Guetta, 3 tracks GT3Giorgio Tuinfort, 3 tracks MB2Mikey Bassie, 2 tracks KL2Kristian Lundin, 2 tracks JS2Jake Schulze, 2 tracks RJ2Rodney Jerkins, 2 tracks SL2Steve Lunt, 2 tracks CH2Chad Hugo, 2 tracks TN2Thabiso Nkhereanye, 2 tracks CD2Cathy Dennis, 2 tracks BM2Balewa Muhammad, 2 tracks EL2Ezekiel Lewis, 2 tracks PS2Patrick Smith, 2 tracks TC2The Clutch, 2 tracks SK2Savan Kotecha, 2 tracks HW2Henry Walter, 2 tracks S2Shellback, 2 tracks ML2Magnus Lidehäll, 2 tracks S2Sia, 2 tracks RG2Richard Gonzalez, 2 tracks JL2Joshua Lopez, 2 tracks NM2Nick Monson, 2 tracks ML2Mattias Larsson, 2 tracks RF2Robin Fredriksson, 2 tracks M&2Mattman & Robin, 2 tracks CM2Carla Marie Williams, 2 tracks TW2Tramaine Winfrey, 2 tracks SS2Simon Smith, 2 tracks DP1Don Philip, 1 track SB1Sonny Bono, 1 track TA1The All Seeing I, 1 track MJ1Mick Jagger, 1 track on The Rolling Stones's page KR1Keith Richards, 1 track on The Rolling Stones's page RJ1Robert John Lange, 1 track ST1Shania Twain, 1 track KS1Keith Scott, 1 track ML1Mutt Lange, 1 track LC1Larry Campbell, 1 track DW1Diane Warren, 1 track RJ1Robert Jazayeri, 1 track PU1Paul Umbach, 1 track JB1Jason Blume, 1 track EW1Eugene Wilde, 1 track TA1Timmy Allen, 1 track BE1Barry Eastmond, 1 track D1Dido, 1 track JH1Jake Hooker, 1 track AM1Alan Merrill, 1 track JT1Justin Timberlake, 1 track WR1Wade Robson, 1 track M1Madonna, 1 track N1Nash, 1 track O1O'Brien, 1 track H1Hamilton, 1 track CR1Chyna Royal, 1 track H1Holmes, 1 track J1Jackson, 1 track YY1Ying Yang Twins, 1 track L1Lee, 1 track A1Anderson, 1 track G1Greene, 1 track MT1Mark Taylor, 1 track M1Moby, 1 track RK1R. Kelly, 1 track JH1Jimmy Harry, 1 track S1Solomon, 1 track LC1Lauren Christy, 1 track SS1Scott Spock, 1 track GE1Graham Edwards, 1 track HM1Harry Midnight, 1 track TM1The Matrix, 1 track AA1Annet Artani, 1 track KÅ1Klas Åhlund, 1 track CN1Candice Nelson, 1 track MM1Michael McGroarty, 1 track NH1Nick Huntington, 1 track F1Freescha, 1 track CE1Corté Ellis, 1 track NT1Nigel Talley, 1 track MW1Magnus Wallbert, 1 track SG1Sean Garrett, 1 track T1T-Pain, 1 track FN1Farid Nassar, 1 track EC1Erick Coomes, 1 track NB1Nikesha Briscoe, 1 track RA1Rafael Akinyemi, 1 track TO1The Outsyders, 1 track SP1Shelly Peiken, 1 track AB1Arnthor Birgisson, 1 track WH1Wayne Hector, 1 track LB1Luke Boyd, 1 track KL1Kasia Livingston, 1 track SB1Stacy Barthe, 1 track AG1Adrien Gough, 1 track PK1Peter-John Kerr, 1 track LG1Let's Go to War, 1 track HM1Harvey Mason Jr., 1 track RK1Rob Knox, 1 track JF1James Fauntleroy II, 1 track FS1Frankie Storm, 1 track RJ1Ronnie Jackson, 1 track KS1Kesha Sebert, 1 track JK1Jacob Kasher Hindlin, 1 track JC1Jeremy Coleman, 1 track JC1Joshua Coleman, 1 track ED1Ester Dean, 1 track S1Sabi, 1 track C1Cirkut, 1 track

Bubble size = tracks worked on together. Showing the 150 most frequent of 214. RY Rami Yacoub · CK Christian Karlsson · PW Pontus Winnberg · B& Bloodshy & Avant

Photo credits

Portraits in the web and the rail come from Wikimedia Commons. The artist's own photo carries its credit under the picture.

The Authorship Story

Data Insight

Her biggest hits ("...Baby One More Time," "Toxic," "Oops!... I Did It Again," "Gimme More") were written entirely by Max Martin, Cathy Dennis, and other professional songwriters. She holds co-writing credits on a handful of personal tracks, most notably "Everytime" from In the Zone (2003), with her involvement picking up modestly on Glory (2016). Those two albums account for the bulk of her 26% score.

Quick Facts

  • Breakthrough'...Baby One More Time' (1998)
  • Grammys1 win, for 'Toxic' (Best Dance Recording)
  • BillboardFirst woman to debut her first four albums at #1 (SoundScan era)
  • HonorsMTV Video Vanguard Award (2011); Hollywood Walk of Fame

Creative Fingerprint

A performer first: Britney's biggest hits were written by pop songwriters like Max Martin and Cathy Dennis, with her own writing limited to a handful of personal tracks such as 'Everytime' and later Glory cuts.

The Story

Britney Spears is an American singer and entertainer who rose to international fame in 1998 with her debut single '...Baby One More Time.' Often referred to as the 'Princess of Pop,' she became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, known for her high-energy dance performances, elaborately produced albums, and iconic music videos. Throughout her career she worked with top pop producers including Max Martin, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, and Bloodshy & Avant. While she is primarily a vocalist and performer rather than a songwriter, she did contribute writing credits on select tracks, most notably 'Everytime' and 'Shadow' from In the Zone, and increasingly took on co-writing roles on later albums such as Glory.

Awards & Recognition

One of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 150 million records sold
Won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for 'Toxic' (2005)
The first female artist in the SoundScan era to have her first four studio albums debut at number one
Received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards
Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Frequently Asked Questions Britney Spears

Did Britney Spears write her own songs?
Mostly no. Britney is primarily a performer, and her biggest hits, including '...Baby One More Time,' 'Oops!... I Did It Again,' and 'Toxic,' were written by professional songwriters like Max Martin and Cathy Dennis. She does hold co-writing credits on a handful of personal tracks, most notably the ballad 'Everytime,' and took on more writing on her later album Glory.
Who wrote '...Baby One More Time'?
Max Martin, the Swedish songwriter and producer, wrote and produced '...Baby One More Time' (1999). Britney performed it but did not write it, and it launched her career as a global number-one hit.
Who wrote 'Toxic'?
'Toxic' (In the Zone, 2003) was written by Cathy Dennis, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, and Henrik Jonback. It won Britney her only Grammy Award, for Best Dance Recording.
Did Britney Spears write 'Everytime'?
Yes. Britney co-wrote the ballad 'Everytime' (In the Zone, 2003) with her backing vocalist Annet Artani. It is one of the few songs in her catalogue where she holds a personal writing credit.
Who wrote 'Oops!... I Did It Again'?
Max Martin and Rami Yacoub wrote 'Oops!... I Did It Again' (2000). Like her debut, it was a producer-driven hit that Britney performed rather than wrote.
How many records has Britney Spears sold?
An estimated 150 million records worldwide, placing her among the best-selling music artists of all time.
How many Grammys has Britney Spears won?
One. She won Best Dance Recording for 'Toxic' at the 2005 Grammy Awards.
How many albums has Britney Spears released?
Nine studio albums, from ...Baby One More Time (1999) to Glory (2016). Her first four albums each debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, a first for a female artist in the SoundScan era.
Why is Britney Spears called the Princess of Pop?
The nickname reflects her role in defining late-1990s and 2000s teen pop. Alongside Madonna's standing as the Queen of Pop, the press cast Britney as the Princess of Pop as she became one of the era's biggest stars.
Did Britney Spears write any of Glory?
Yes. Glory (2016) is the album where she took on the most writing, including a co-write on the single 'Make Me...' She has more credits there than on her earlier, producer-driven records.

Sources

Wikipedia: Britney Spears Wikipedia: ...Baby One More Time (album) Wikipedia: Oops!... I Did It Again (album) Wikipedia: Britney (album) Wikipedia: In the Zone Wikipedia: Blackout (Britney Spears album) Wikipedia: Circus (Britney Spears album) Wikipedia: Femme Fatale (Britney Spears album) Wikipedia: Britney Jean Wikipedia: Glory (Britney Spears album)