Sometimes (Britney Spears song)
"Sometimes" | |||||||||||||
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![]() Standard artwork, used for most non-US commercial releases and US promotional single | |||||||||||||
Single by Britney Spears | |||||||||||||
from the album ...Baby One More Time | |||||||||||||
B-side | "I'm So Curious" | ||||||||||||
Released | April 30, 1999 | ||||||||||||
Format | |||||||||||||
Recorded | March 1998; Cheiron Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) | ||||||||||||
Genre | Teen pop | ||||||||||||
Length | 4:05 | ||||||||||||
Label | JIVE | ||||||||||||
Writer(s) | Jörgen Elofsson | ||||||||||||
Producer(s) |
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Britney Spears singles chronology | |||||||||||||
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"Sometimes" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her debut studio album, ...Baby One More Time (1999). Written by Jörgen Elofsson and produced by Elofsson himself, Per Magnusson and David Kreuger, the song was released as Spears' second single on April 30, 1999 by JIVE Records. "Sometimes" is a teen pop song that is influenced by bubblegum pop, and alludes to a relationship where a shy girl is reserved on expressing feelings to her lover. The song received generally mixed reviews from contemporary critics.
"Sometimes" attained worldwide success, peaking inside the top ten in eleven countries. In the United States, the song peaked at number twenty one. The song reached number one in Belgium (Flanders), Netherlands and New Zealand, while reaching number two in Australia. In the United Kingdom, the song reached number three, and is also Spears' third best-selling single in the country. An accompanying music video, directed by Nigel Dick, was shot at the Paradise Cove in Malibu, California. It portrays Spears watching her love interest from afar. Spears has performed "Sometimes" in four of her concert tours, including at the ...Baby One More Time Tour (1999), the Oops!... I Did It Again World Tour (2000–01), and the Dream Within a Dream Tour (2001–02).
Background
Before recording her debut album, Spears had originally envisioned it in style of "Sheryl Crow music, but younger [and] more adult contemporary".[1] However, the singer agreed with her label's appointment of producers, who had the objective to reach a teen public at the time.[1] She flew to Cheiron Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, where half of the album was recorded from March to April 1998, with producers Max Martin, Denniz Pop and Rami Yacoub, among others.[1][2] "Sometimes" was written by Jörgen Elofsson, and produced by Per Magnusson and David Kreuger. Spears recorded the vocals for the song in March 1998, at Cheiron Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. It was also mixed at Cheiron Studios by Martin. Esbjörn Öhrwall played the acoustic guitar, while bass guitar was done by Thomas Lindberg. Keyboards and programming was done by Kreuger, and additional keyboards by Magnusson. Background vocals were provided by Anders von Hoffsten.[3] Spears also co-wrote and recorded a track called "I'm So Curious", produced by Eric Foster White, that was released as a b-side to "Sometimes".[3] The track was recorded in 1997 at 4MW East Studios in New Jersey.[3] "Sometimes" was released as the second single from ...Baby One More Time on April 30, 1999.[4]
Songwriting controversy
The song created controversy over the writing credits. Steve Wallace, an Indiana songwriter, claimed he wrote "Sometimes" in 1990, but didn't copyright it until 2003, four years after Spears registered the song's copyright. Wallace claimed Spears confessed he wrote the song, by showing to the court a possible e-mail from the singer, which said, "I now know for a fact that you wrote ['Sometimes']. But there's nothing I can do about it. That's all I can say about it."[5] The e-mail was considered fake and the lawsuit was dismissed on October 31, 2005, when Judge John D. Tinder claimed the singer didn't steal the song.[6]
Composition
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"Sometimes"
![]() A 22-second sample of the song's chorus, where Spears sings over a teen pop background with bubblegum pop influences.[7][8] |
Problems playing this file? See media help. |
"Sometimes" is a romantic teen pop song that is influenced by bubblegum pop,[7][8] with a length of four minutes and four seconds. The song is composed in the key of B♭ major and is set in time signature of common time with a moderately slow tempo of 96 beats per minute. After the bridge, it transposes to B major. Spears' vocal range spans almost two octaves from the low note F3 to the high note E5.[7] The song has a sequence of Cm11–F7sus–B♭–B♭(9)/D–F/A–F as its chord progression.[7] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic noted "Sometimes" has "a catchy hook and endearing melody, with a reminiscent euro-dance rhythm."[9]
Lyrically, the song is a "heartbroken ballad",[10] where Spears declares on the introduction, "You tell me you're in love with me / That you can't take your pretty eyes away from me / It's not that I don't wanna stay / But every time you come too close I move away".[7] According to musicologist Melanie Lowe, "Spears shows a different side of her personality [with 'Sometimes'] than she does in her other songs."[8] Both of them also commented the song "lacks rhythmic drive and the backing track is fuller, with smoother and rounder synthsized instruments",[8] while describing Spears' vocals as more natural when compared to "...Baby One More Time" and "(You Drive Me) Crazy".[8]
Critical reception
"The positive message the girls find in "Sometimes" lies not so much in the song itself, but rather in its contrast—both lyrical and musical—with Spears's other songs. In the end, the girls celebrate the many sides of Britney and the idea, communicated musically, that she has different "personalities"."
—musicologist Melanie Lowe on the positive message behind "Sometimes".[8]
"Sometimes" received mixed reviews from music critics. A reviewer from CD Universe commented that the song "warns a potential love of [Spears] need for time and patience, rolling along nicely with a slow groove and a big beat."[11] Amanda Murray of Sputnikmusic considered "Sometimes" a competent single, but claimed the song as unremarkable.[12] Kyle Anderson of MTV said that the song "introduces the first sorta-ballad to [...Baby One More Time]," and considered it "reasonable enough, though through three songs Spears' lyric approach appears to be entirely about guys. Like, she never stops thinking about them."[13] Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone called "Sometimes" a "further hit" from ...Baby One More Time, along with "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart" and "(You Drive Me) Crazy".[14] Spence D. of IGN considered "Sometimes" a "[Max Martin] glossy grown-up pop" song,[15] while Annabel Leathes of BBC Online said the song "represent the innocent years when Britney annoyed and titillated in equal measure."[16] During the 2000 BMI Pop Awards, "Sometimes" was honored with the award of Most Performed BMI Song.[17]
Commercial performance
![](../I/m/Sometimes_by_Britney_Spears_US_vinyl.jpg)
"Sometimes" achieved commercial success worldwide. The song reached number one in Belgium (Flanders), Netherlands and New Zealand,[18] and was certified Gold in the latter by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), for selling more than 7,500 physical units of the single.[19] It also peaked at number two in Australia,[18] where it was later certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), after shipping over 70,000 units,[20] and number four in Finland and Sweden, while reaching the top ten on other five music charts.[18] "Sometimes" was also successful in the United Kingdom. It entered and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart on June 26, 1999.[21] According to The Official Charts Company, "Sometimes" is Spears' third best-selling single in the United Kingdom, with sales over 456,000 physical units.[22] In the United States, the song peaked at number 21 on Billboard Hot 100 on the week of July 24, 1999, while reaching number 11 on the Adult Contemporary and number 29 on the Adult Pop Songs charts. Even the song receive a highly airplay rotation, the song was not able on physical Cd, cause Jive Records wanted the fans buy the complete album (Baby One More Time), for that reason "Sometimes" just reached the #21 position on the Hot 100. It also managed to peak at number six on Pop Songs.[23] "Sometimes" was also certified Silver by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP), for sales over 125,000 units of the single in France,[24] where it peaked at number 13.[18]
Music video
![](../I/m/Sometimesvideo.jpg)
Spears started rehearsing for the music video for "Sometimes" in February 1999.[25] However, during the rehearsals, the singer injured her knee and was forced to start sessions of physical therapy.[25] A month later, Spears released in a statement: "I want to thank my wonderful fans and all of the people who have offered their love and support during this time," while revealing she wouldn't be able to shoot the music video until April 1999.[26] The music video was later directed by Nigel Dick,[27] who also directed her previous video for Spears' 1998 debut single "...Baby One More Time".[27] It was shot at the Paradise Cove in Malibu, California.[28] The music video was released on May 6, 1999 on Total Request Live.[27]
According to MTV, the initial concept for the music video was to portray Spears on the porch of a beachfront home watching a group of kids having fun, prompting flashbacks about her former boyfriend.[25] The video begins with Spears going to the telescope, and Spears is looking through a telescope, The concept was later changed a man and a dog walk on the beach, portraying the singer as the girl next door, watching her love interest, played by model Chad Cole, from afar.[29] The beach location was kept,[29] and the music video intercuts with scenes of Spears' dancing on the Paradise Cove pier with her dancers dressed all in beach-friendly white attire, then Spears sits near a car.[29] A writer of Rolling Stone noted the video is best known for "purifying the sexy persona Spears introduced in the '... Baby One More Time' video",[30] while describing it as "a virginal Britney in a long, flowing white dress (and other demure outfits) gazes at a clean-cut boy on the beach, then she walks on the balcony with a pink ball, then does some chaste choreography that features her dancers forming a heart while she sings that she only wants to "hold you tight, treat you right." Spears is sitting on a picnic blanket wishing she was there with him. She leaves alone."[30] On February 20, 2012, behind the scenes footage of the music video leaked online.[31]
Live performances and covers
Spears performed "Sometimes" in four concert tours, with the first time being on the ...Baby One More Time Tour (1999), where she performed a cover of "Open Arms" by Journey before following into the performance of the song.[32] The song was also performed in a medley with (You Drive Me) Crazy at the Teen Choice Awards in 1999, at the Summer Music Mania in 1999, at the UK version of Top Of The Pops in 1999 and at the U.S. Open Arthur Ashe Kid's Day in 1999 along with ...Baby One More Time, (You Drive Me) Crazy and I Will Be There. It was performed again on 2000s Crazy 2k Tour before the show's encore,[33] and, in the same year, on the Oops!... I Did It Again World Tour (2000–01), wearing an outfit similar to the one she wore in the music video of the song during the performance.[34] "Sometimes" was performed for the last time on Dream Within a Dream Tour. Right after the performance of "Overprotected" (2001), a giant musical box was raised on the stage, and Spears emerged from the middle as a ballerina to perform the song in a medley with "Lucky" (2000) and "Born to Make You Happy" (1999).[35][36] the song was briefly sung at The Onyx Hotel Tour. She sang the lines sometimes I run sometimes I fall. "Sometimes" was covered by hardcore punk band Reach the Sky for the compilation album Punk Goes Pop (2002).[37] Jamaican singer Sanchez also covered the song in a reggae form for his album Simply Being Me (2000).[38] Australian musician Anthony Callea covered the song for his album Backbone (2016).
Track listings
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Personnel
Credits for "Sometimes" and "I'm So Curious" are taken from the single's liner notes.[3]
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Charts
All-time charts
Chart | Position |
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Australia (ARIA)[71] | 580 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[72] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Belgium (BEA)[73] | Platinum | 50,000* |
France (SNEP)[24] | Gold | 250,000* |
Netherlands (NVPI)[74] | Gold | 50,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[19] | Gold | 5,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[75] | Platinum | 30,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[76] | Gold | 456,000[77] |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
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Japan[78] | April 14, 1999 | CD single | Zomba Recording Corporation |
United Kingdom[79] | May 17, 1999 | ||
Austria | June 7, 1999[80] | ||
Germany | |||
Switzerland | |||
Notes
- 1 2 3 Daly, Steven (1999-04-15). "Cover Story: Britney Spears: Britney Spears : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. ISSN 0035-791X.
- ↑ "Cover Story: Britney Spears". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. 1999-04-15. Archived from the original on 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
- 1 2 3 4 Sometimes single liner notes. JIVE Records (1999)
- ↑ BRITannica. "Making BRITstory". Britney.com. Sony Music Entertainment. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ↑ MTV News staff report (2005-11-09). "For The Record: Quick News On Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, Paris Hilton, Beyonce, Beanie Sigel, Madonna & More". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
- ↑ Silverman, Stephen M. (2005-11-09). "Judge: Britney Didn't Steal Song". People. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Britney Spears – Sometimes Sheet Music (Digital Download)". musicnotes.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bennett, Petterson 2004, p. 93
- ↑ Elerwine, Stephen Thomas (1999-01-12). "Britney Spears ...Baby One More Time – Album Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ Ryan, Chris (2010-09-15). "Snooki Lip-Synchs To Britney Spears' 'Sometimes'". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
- ↑ "...Baby One More Time – Album Review". CD Universe. Intermix Media. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
- ↑ Murray, Amanda (2006-03-26). "Britney Spears – ...Baby One More Time (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
- ↑ Anderson, Kyle (2010-03-03). "Britney Spears Goes Back To Her Schoolgirl Days For The First Installment Of 'Popology'". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
- ↑ Ganz, Caryn. "Britney Spears: Biography". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
- ↑ D., Spence (2004-11-16). "Britney Spears Greatest Hits: My Prerogative". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
- ↑ Leathes, Annabel (2009-11-13). "BBC – Music – Review of Britney Spears – Greatest Hits: My Prerogative". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
- ↑ "Biografi" (in Swedish). Britney.com. Sony Music Entertainment. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- 1 2 3 4 "Britney Spears – Sometimes Chart History". Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- 1 2 "Britney Spears Sometimes – New Zealand Certification (select week of August 1, 1999)". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1999. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "UK Singles Chart". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Britney Spears: her biggest selling singles and albums revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
- ↑ "Britney Spears Billboard Charts". allmusic. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- 1 2 "Britney Spears France Certifications (select Spears B.)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- 1 2 3 "Britney Spears' Knee Injury Delays Video Shoot, "Tonight Show" Appearance". MTV. MTV Networks. 1999-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
- ↑ "Britney Spears Sidelined For A Month Following Knee Injury". MTV. MTV Networks. 1999-03-10. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
- 1 2 3 "Will Smith, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, "Star Wars" Among Videos Set To Debut". MTV. MTV Networks. 1999-04-29. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
- ↑ "Britney shooting 'Sometimes' video in April 1999". MTV. MTV Networks. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- 1 2 3 BRITannica (2011-05-06). "'Sometimes' Music Video Premieres". Britney.com. Sony Music Entertainment. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- 1 2 Reporter, Rolling Stone (2009). "The Complete Video Guide: "Sometimes"". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. ISSN 0035-791X.
- ↑ Celebuzz (2012-02-20). "Never Before Seen Footage From Britney Spears' 'Sometimes' Shoot Revealed! (VIDEO)". Celebuzz. Buzz Media. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ↑ Ganahl, Jane (1999-07-30). "The musical equivalent of cotton candy". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
- ↑ Graham, Adam (2000-03-18). "Oops! Britney Drives Us Crazy ...One More Time". Central Michigan Life. Central Michigan University. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
- ↑ Miller, Andrew (2000-07-20). "Britney Spears/Mikaila". The Pitch. Village Voice Media. Archived from the original on 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
- ↑ McHugh, Catherine (2002-07-01). "Britney's Big Splash". Live Design. Penton Media. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ↑ Reid, Shaheem; Moss, Corey (2001-11-02). "Britney Goes Bald, Plays Tiny Dancer, Gets Caught In The Rain At Tour Kickoff". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ↑ "Sometimes (Britney Spears cover): Reach the Sky: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2011-04-12. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ↑ Cummings-Yeates, Rosalind (2000-10-03). "Simply Being Me - Sanchez". Retrieved 2012-03-17.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Britney Spears – Sometimes". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Britney Spears – Sometimes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Britney Spears – Sometimes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Britney Spears – Sometimes" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Britney Spears. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Britney Spears: Sometimes" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Britney Spears – Sometimes" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Musicline.de – Spears, Britney Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ Irish Recorded Music Association (17 June 1999). "Irish Singles Chart (Searchable Database)". Irish Charts. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
- ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Spears, Britney – Sometimes". Top Digital Download.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Britney Spears – Sometimes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Britney Spears – Sometimes". VG-lista. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Britney Spears – Sometimes" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Britney Spears – Sometimes". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Britney Spears – Sometimes". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Britney Spears: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Britney Spears. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Britney Spears – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Britney Spears. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ↑ "Rapports annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop 50. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ↑ "RPM 1999 TOP 100 HIT TRACKS". Retrieved 2015-11-13.
- ↑ Dutch Charts - dutchcharts.nl
- ↑ "Classement Singles - année 1999" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ↑ "OFFIZIELLE DEUTSCHE CHARTS TOP 100 SINGLE-JAHRESCHARTS". OFFIZIELLE DEUTSCHE CHARTS. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
- ↑ Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1999
- ↑ Top Selling Singles of 1999 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart
- ↑ http://www.hitlistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=43&dfom=19990001&newi=0&height=420&platform=Win32&browser=MSIE&navi=no&subframe=Mainframe
- ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1999" (in German). Swiss Music Chart. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ↑ "UK Annual Chart" (pdf). The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1999-12-31. Archived from the original on 1999-12-31. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
- ↑ "Best of All Time - Singles". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 1999". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
- ↑ "Britney Spears France Certifications (select Spears B.)". Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ↑ "Certifications" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 1999. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
- ↑ "BPI Certified Awards (Searchable Database)". British Phonographic Industry. 1999-06-14. Retrieved 2010-08-08.
- ↑ Myers, Justin (July 20, 2016). "Britney Spears: her biggest selling singles and albums revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Amazon.co.jp: ブリトニー・スピアーズ : Sometimes - 音楽".
- ↑ "Sometimes: Amazon.co.uk: Music". amazon.co.uk.
- ↑ "Sometimes: Amazon.de: Musik". amazon.de.
References
- Bennett, Andy; Peterson, Richard A. (2004). Music scenes: local, translocal and virtual. Vanderbilt University Press. ISBN 978-0-8265-1451-6.
- Hughes, Mark (2005). Buzzmarketing: get people to talk about your stuff. Penguin Group. ISBN 978-1-59184-092-3.