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In the Zone is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Britney Spears. It was released on November 16, 2003, by Jive Records. Following the end of the Dream Within a Dream Tour in July 2002 and her break-up with Justin Timberlake, Spears announced she would take a six-month break from her career. She started working on the album in November 2002, with producers such as Bloodshy & Avant, R. Kelly, Tricky Stewart, Moby, Guy Sigsworth and The Matrix. Musically, In the Zone is a dance-oriented album that incorporates elements of various genres, such as house, trip hop and hip-hop. It features instrumentation from guitars, drums, synthesizers, strings and Middle Eastern instruments.

Spears began writing songs for In the Zone while touring around the world, despite not knowing the direction of the album. She started to experiment with different producers, trying to find those who she had chemistry with. Spears stated she was an autobiographical songwriter, although not the point were she felt self-exploited. She also explained that the sexual nature of In the Zone was subconscious and happened while she was in the process of developing the album. The topic for the songs range from love, dancing, empowerment, and in the case of songs such as "Touch of My Hand", sex and masturbation.

Following its release, In the Zone received mixed reviews from critics. Some appreciated the album, calling it a strong and confident pop record, while complimenting the mix of different styles and Spears's skills as a songwriter. Others, however, criticized it for what they perceived as distant and processed vocals. Commercially, In the Zone became an international success, debuting atop of the charts in France and the United States, and peaking inside the top ten in eleven countries. In the United States, she became the first female artist to have four consecutive number-one albums. In the Zone went on to become the eighth best selling album of 2003.

Four singles were released from the album: "Me Against the Music", "Toxic" and "Everytime" became worldwide hits, peaking at number one in Australia and reaching top five positions worldwide. To promote In the Zone, Spears performed the songs in a number of television appearances and also embarked on The Onyx Hotel Tour. The album and its music videos are largely seen by critics as the end of her transition from teen pop star to a more adult female artist. In 2009, Amy Schriefer of NPR listed In the Zone as one of The 50 Most Important Recording of the Decade, calling it "a primer on the sound of pop in the '00s".

Track Listing[]

Standard Version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Me Against the Music"Britney Spears • Madonna • Gary O'Brien • Penelope Magnet • Terius Nash • Thabiso Nikhereanye • Christopher Stewart3:43
2."(I Got That) Boom Boom"Deongelo Holmes • Eric Jackson • Chyna Royal4:51
3."Showdown"Spears • Cathy Dennis • Henrik Jonback • Christian Karlsson • Pontus Winnberg3:18
4."Breathe on Me"Steve Anderson • Lisa Greene • Stephen Lee3:43
5."Early Mornin'"Spears • Magnet • Nikhereanye • Stewart3:45
6."Toxic"Dennis • Jonback • Karlsson • Winnberg3:21
7."Outrageous"R. Kelly3:22
8."Touch of My Hand"Spears • Jimmy Harry • Balewa Muhammad • Shep Solomon4:19
9."The Hook Up"Spears • Magnet • Nikhereanye • Stewart3:54
10."Shadow"Spears • Lauren Christy • Graham Edwards • Charlie Midnight • Scott Spock3:45
11."Brave New Girl"Spears • Kara DioGuardi • Brian Kierulf • Josh Schwartz3:30
12."Everytime"Spears • Annette Stamatelatos3:53
13."Me Against the Music (Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix)" 4:31
Total length:50:02
International Edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."The Answer"Sean Combs • Ryan Leslie3:54
Total length:53:37
Australian, UK & Japanese Version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."Don't Hang Up"Spears • Kierulf • Schwartz4:02
Total length:57:59

Singles[]

"Me Against the Music" (featuring Madonna), the album's lead single, reached number one in international countries such as Denmark and Spain. The music video features Spears chasing Madonna in a nightclub. Their kiss at the end of the video is similar to the one they had during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

"Toxic", the album's second single, is one of Spears' biggest songs. It charted in the top five in 15 countries, and reached number one in Australia, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Its music video is possibly Spears' most expensive (costing $1 million).

"Everytime", the album's third single, was apparently a response to Justin Timberlake's song "Never Again". The song is considered one of Britney's best ballads. The concept of the song's music video was controversial.

"Outrageous", the album's fourth and final single, charted in the United States and did not reach full success due to not having a music video or promotion. A video was planned, but Spears hurt her knee and had to undergo arthroscopic surgery. The video was canceled, as well as The Onyx Hotel Tour.

Promotional Singles[]

(I Got that) Boom Boom” was released for airplay in select areas in late 2003 along with "Outrageous". An alternate remix known as the Collipark Remix was also heard on radio. It also became the second single in South Africa, where it received positive reception. The song had multiple promo performances.

Unreleased & Unused Songs[]

  • Bring Back Yesterday - Confirmed by Joshua Schwartz in 2021.
  • Conscience - Also known as "Conscious". Leaked in 2015.
  • Crazy Girl - Intended as a bonus track for the European edition of the album.
  • Chaotic - The song was released on the Chaotic EP in 2005.
  • Disguise My Love - Britney was confirmed to record the song. Demo by Michelle Bell has leaked.
  • DFA Demo - Known by the unofficial title "Get It". Leaked in 2006.
  • Girls And Boys - The only bonus song on the In the Zone DVD bonus disc that isn't available on streaming services.
  • Guilty - The song samples Prince's "Kiss". It is rumored to be about her affair with Wade Robson.
  • Graffiti My Soul - Britney recorded a undermixed version before it was given to Girls Aloud for their album.
  • I M.I.S.S U - Confirmed on The Neptunes' discography website.
  • Look Who's Talking Now - The song is a partial response to Justin Timberake's "Cry Me A River". It was later given to BoA for her debut English album.
  • Love's Supposed 2 Be - Mentioned by Rob Fusari in 2003.
  • Mystic Man - It's believed to be written about Justin Timberlake. The song was only performed live in 2002.
  • New Religion - Confirmed by Joshua Schwartz in 2021.
  • Over To You Now - The song was later released on the Chaotic EP in 2005.
  • Sippin On - The song was initially to be included on the In the Zone DVD but was omitted.
  • Strip - The song was Britney's manager Larry Rudolph's favorite but was not on the final tracklisting.
  • Strangest Love - Leaked in 2011.
  • Peep Show - Snippet leaked in 2012.
  • Pleasure You - In 2012, the song was stolen and leaked with unofficial vocals from Don Philip. This song is also rumoured to be on her 7th album Femme Fatale
  • Pulse - Britney recorded the song and it was later given to Brother+Sister in 2005.
  • Rockstar - The song is possibly a response to Limp Bizkit's song "Just Drop Dead" but this is unconfirmed. Leaked in 2011.
  • Reminded - Confirmed by Joshua Schultz in 2021.
  • Stay - Confirmed in the June 2003 issue of “Music Week”, described as “Massive Attack meets Coldplay meets Britney".
  • Untouchable - Produced by Darkchild. Written by Britney Spears, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels & Kenneth Pratt.
  • Weakness - Britney only performed the song live on tour in 2002.
  • Wonderland - According to songwriter Jimmy Harry, it has an electronic sound.
  • Watch What Ya Shakin' - It was rumored to be confirmed by the Ying Yang Twins in a 2004 radio interview. It's rumored to sound similar to the Ying Yang Twin's hit with Lil' Jon titled "Get Low."
  • You Were My Home - The song is written about her relationship with Justin Timberlake. It was only performed once on tour in 2002.

Commercials[]

Artwork/Booklets[]

Physical Versions[]

Designs[]

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