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"Perfume" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears. It served as the second single from her eighth full length studio album, Britney Jean. It was released on November 4, 2013, by RCA Records.

Background[]

In July 2013, Britney acknowledged through Twitter that she "wrote such a special song" with Sia Furler [citation needed] (which was later revealed to be her favorite track on "Britney Jean") the ballad "Perfume".

In October, it was announced that the song would serve as the second single for the album.

RCA Records' CEO Peter Edge said he felt "fairly strong" that the song would be the second single after hearing it and that it could be "a big career song."

He continued to praise her vocals, commenting that "she sings it beautifully and it has a real sincerity to it. And it's outstanding -- I think people are not only gonna be surprised but also see another side of Britney."

Britney's manager Larry Rudolph described "Perfume" as being "a breakup song that's about wanting the next girl to smell your perfume on the guy afterwards. The lyric is really unique and she sings the shit out of it."

On November 1, 2013, Britney tweeted that she would reveal previews of "Perfume" through her Snapchat account.

Along with the lyrics: "So I wait for you to call and I try to act natural / Have you been thinking 'bout her or me / And while I put on my perfume / Yeah I want it all over you," she also shared the artwork for the single.

The song was originally scheduled for release on November 5, 2013, along with the pre-order of "Britney Jean," however, Britney made the song available for streaming via Facebook on November 3, 2013, and made it available for purchase at midnight on November 4, 2013 (one day prior to the scheduled date).

Following the release of "Perfume", she tweeted:

"Thank u all SO much for the kind words!! I'm so happy u guys are loving the song as much as I do! #PerfumePremiere."

Record producer Dr. Luke revealed that the single release of the song is a "radio-friendly" edit while the "rawer" and "less produced" original version will be included as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of "Britney Jean."

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
Do I imagine it, or do I see your stare
Is there still longing there?
Oh, I hate myself and I feel crazy
Such a classic tale
Current girlfriend, ex-girlfriend
I'm trying to be cool
I'm being paranoid, am I seeing things?
Am I just insecure?

[Pre-Chorus]
I want to believe
It's just you and me
Sometimes it feels like there's three
Of us in here, baby

[Chorus]
So, I wait for you to call
And I try to act natural
Have you been thinking 'bout her or about me?
And while I wait, I put on my perfume
Yeah, I want it all over you
I gotta mark my territory

[Post-Chorus]
I'll never tell, tell on myself
But I hope she smells my perfume
I'll never tell, tell on myself
But I hope she smells my perfume
I hide it well, hope you can't tell
But I hope she smells my perfume
I hide it well, hope you can't tell
But I hope she smells my perfume

[Verse 2]
I wanna fill the room, when she's in it with you
Please don't forget me
Do I imagine it, or catch these moments?
I know you got history
But I'm your girlfriend, now, I'm your girlfriend trying to be cool
I hope I'm paranoid, that I'm just seeing things
That I'm just insecure

[Pre-Chorus]
I want to believe
It's just you and me
Sometimes it feels like there's three
Of us in here, baby

[Chorus]
So, I wait for you to call
And I try to act natural
Have you been thinking 'bout her or about me?
And while I wait, I put on my perfume
Yeah, I want it all over you
I gotta mark my territory

[Post-Chorus]
I'll never tell, tell on myself
But I hope she smells my perfume
I'll never tell, tell on myself
But I hope she smells my perfume
I hide it well, hope you can't tell
But I hope she smells my perfume
I hide it well, hope you can't tell
But I hope she smells my perfume

Critical Reception[]

Upon release, "Perfume" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who noted the musical departure from its EDM-influenced predecessor, "Work Bitch" and praised Britney's vocal performance.

Marc Hogan of Spin gave a generally positive review of "Perfume," complimenting Britney for conveying "the type of emotional vulnerability" that is not evident on most of her hit singles.

Melinda Newman of HitFix lauded the song, stating Britney's vocal ability "is as strong as it has ever been" on the song and also stated it was her "best song in years."

Robbie Daw of Idolator praised the song's lyrical content, however stated it "wouldn't exactly reshape Top 40 radio."

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard thought the song allowed Spears to momentarily discard the confident exterior of ‘Work Bitch’ and express vulnerability over "paranoid’ feelings about her romantic interest" while Katie Atkinson of Entertainment Weekly deemed the song "in the vein" of Britney's early ballads "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" and "Everytime."

Joe Wilde of Contactmusic felt "Perfume" was similar to "Lucky" and deemed it "a much more delicate release" when compared to "Work Bitch."

Los Angeles Times journalist Mikael Wood noted that "Spears goes unexpectedly soft" on the song, adding that "she's pleading, not commanding. And that returns the star to the appealingly complicated zone of such tough/not-tough classics as 'Everytime' and 'Piece of Me'."

Tarun Mazumdar of International Business Times said "Perfume" is like "like breathing fresh air" for not including "annoying electro beats and overly done dubstep."

Mazudmar also wrote the song would be "memorable" as she hasn't released a ballad as a single in a long time.

A reviewer for Popjustice rated "Perfume" an 8 out of 10 and explained why he gave the song such rate:

"1. The melody - it's a cracker. 2. The tempo - it's mid, but it's not boring. 3. The lyrics - they are quite touching if you've had a drink or two. And also well done Britney for: 4. The singing, which is very much on the right side of competent."

Bill Lamb of About.com rated the song 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising the "drama in the lyrics" and "pulsating, intense production," however, he criticized her "weak vocals form."

Despite writing that the song "stands out from current pop hits both in being a ballad and in conveying dramatic feelings in a more complex, thoughtful manner than usual," Lamb thought that Britney "sounds like she is so careful in sculpting her performance that she doesn't really feel the song."

New York Daily News contributor Jim Farber gave the song a mixed review, commenting that the song's production is "careful" and describing Spears as "pale" as she "overly ambitious [emotes]."

Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine cited the lyrics "I put on my perfume/Yeah, I want it all over you/I'm gonna mark my territory" and commented that Britney "equates lingering fragrances to territorial pissings and [the song] effectively reveals Brit to be a water sports enthusiast."

The Dreaming Mix[]

"Perfume (The Dreaming Mix)" is the original version of the song, that is featured as the fourth and final bonus track on Spears' eighth full length studio album, Britney Jean.

Background[]

The first few demo's of the song used the same instrumental as the dreaming mix including Sia's demo pitch. It was later replaced by the more synth pop influenced production.

Trivia[]

  • The song is rumored to have been written on a guitar.
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