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Friday, November 21, 2008



Deconstructing "Piece Of Me"
http://www.thatchickensite.com/letters/britney/
By embodying the song in which she sings about embodying the song in which she sings about embodying the song and so on, Spears becomes a modern-day symbol of ouroboros: the serpent eating itself in an eternal loop. Whether through the infinite reference loop she forges with this line, or simply from the positive repercussions of her noble sacrifice, her derrière is rendered immortal, and her history of playing with snakes on stage suddenly makes a lot more sense.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/the-rebirth-of-britney-spears-923479.html
After taking part in a comic sketch that kicked-off the headline-prone event, Spears returned to the MTV stage three times as "Piece of Me", a dance song about the incessant media scrutiny and sensationalism of her life, won the Best Video, Best Pop Video and Best Female Video gongs.

The MTV awards carry none of the prestige of rival events such as the Grammys or Ivor Novellos, but they are seen as a crucial barometer of American celebrity. By simply turning up, smiling sweetly, and not making a fool of herself, Spears earned a standing ovation. She appeared to be sober and in rude physical health – noted by the host, the British comedian Russell Brand.

http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=6024
This one was written and produced by Bloodshy & Avant (architects of In the Zone's big hit "Toxic") and they also contribute Britney's most direct personal assault on her media image on "Piece of Me":


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I’m Miss American Dream since I was 17
Don’t matter if I step on the scene
Or sneak away to the Philippines
There still gon' be pictures of my derrière in the magazine
You want a piece of me?
You want a piece of me...
I’m Miss bad media karma
Another day another drama
Guess I can’t see no harm
In working and being a mama
And with a kid on my arm
I’m still an exceptional earner
And you want a piece of me


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Again, it's eerie that such intimate ruminations would not be penned by Spears herself. Speaking of eerie, the vocal manipulations they put the poor girl through make me wonder if Britney was ever in the studio for this track.

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