Britney Spears much-anticipated return to the music scene is here!
The 40-year-old pop superstar is back with a new single “Hold Me Closer,” a collaboration with Elton John. Her duet with the legendary artist was released on streaming services.
Britney provided new vocals for the new song, which features lyrics from Elton’s iconic hit “Tiny Dancer” as well as “The One.”
Elton spoke to Billboard about being there for Britney as she worked on her comeback to making music:
“She’s been away so long – there’s a lot of fear there because she’s been betrayed so many times and she hasn’t really been in the public eye officially for so long.
We’ve been holding her hand through the whole process, reassuring her that everything’s gonna be all right.”
The single’s producer Andrew Watt told Billboard:
“She really pushed herself, vocally. Sometimes when you produce, the greatest thing in the world you can do is say nothing, so I just let her do her thing. She’s so good at knowing when she got the right take. She took complete control.”
On Wednesday, Britney took to Instagram to share her thoughts on her collab with Elton:
“Thanks @eltonjohn for posting my baby pic 📸 !!! Most people say that it’s CUTE … it surely is 😊 !!! Maybe we should have Tea Time ☕️ !!! Oh and let’s invite Queen Elizabeth too 👑 !!! I bet she’s a brilliant study of behavior 📚 !!! So shall we tidy up 🤷🏼♀️ ?
Since most say they are honored TO KNOW ME SO WELL and only want happiness for me … you can bet your bottom dollar that THIS collaboration will heighten my year by joining your brilliant hands of play.
Thank you for your genorosity and just thinking of me to join you on such a brilliant song 🎶 !!! How cool is it to be a background voice ON YOUR song 🎤 !!! Sir Elton I did it thanks to your genius, creative, and legendary mind 🧠 !!! I am so grateful !!! I just keep on giving dont I 🤷🏼♀️ ??? Can I get an AWWWWE 🙊 ???”
She deleted her Instagram account that same day and then headed to Twitter, where she teased the song:
“Okie dokie … my first song in 6 years 🎶 !!!!” she started off her series of new tweets. “It’s pretty damn cool that I’m singing with one of the most classic men of our time … @eltonofficial 🚀!!!!”
She also tweeted that she was feeling “kinda overwhelmed… it’s a big deal to me !!! I’m meditating more 🧘🏼♀️ and learning my space is valuable and precious !!!”
Britney also celebrated the release of “Hold Me Closer” on Friday by sharing an adorably hilarious video on Twitter where she said in a British accent:
“Hello Sir Elton John, we are like No. 1 in 40 countries. Holy s–t! I’m in the tub right now, and I’m about to have the best day ever and I hope you’re well.”
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Elton said this about working with Britney:
“I’m just crossing my fingers that this will restore her confidence in herself to get back into the studio, make more records, and realize that she is bloody good.”
“Hold Me Closer” marks Britney’s first new release since 2016.
