Album: Singles Collection (2009)
Charted: 7 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a new song included on Britney's Singles Collection, which was released to celebrate her ten years in the music business.
  • Britney recorded the song with Swedish producer Max Martin, the brains behind her breakthrough pop tune, "…Baby One More Time," whilst she was in Sweden on her Circus tour.
  • The song premiered on September 29, 2009 on New York radio station Z-100.
  • The song's racy lyrics are about participating in a ménage à trois. It was co-written by Swedish songwriter Shellback, who also penned with Max Martin Spears' similarly provocative track, "If U Seek Amy."
  • The chorus mentions "Peter, Paul and Mary." This left field reference to the '60s folk act was badly timed due to the death of Mary Travers on September 19, 2009, just prior to the song's release.
  • This is the first song to top the Hot 100 with a single digit title. The only previous one-digit song to reach the Top 10 was Prince's "7," which hit #3 in 1993.
  • The song was the first one since Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud?" over three years previously, to debut at #1 on the Hot 100.
  • "3" was, fittingly, Spears' third #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Comments: 8

  • Dan from NyPoor Little Mike. She was never a slut. Songs about sex have existed since the dawn of time - some even less nuanced than this one. No need to clutch the pearls, you'll live.
  • Christina from DelawareThis is the censored version! The original verse, was, “living in sin, is the new thing”, but conservative’s complained about it, so she had to take that out. (But just to be a smart ass, I bought the original version, on I tunes, and I gladly blast it)
  • Kurt from Birmingham, Alno no no! it's about a Twister Game! "Twister on the floor" - really! uh huh! Totally Innocent! (smirk - Sarcasm)
  • Emma from Brooklyn, Nylmao joshua i think mike was being sarcastic.
  • Joshua from Fairfield, OhUmm, Ive been told she made this song about her having 3-way sex. Like in lyrics "and im caught in between" and "You&me or 3 or 4, on the floor" it kinda refers to that. So to Mike, this is a very slutty song.
  • Maria. from Montclair, Cayou & me.

    or three.

    or four.

    on the floor.

    i like the beat but her voice is fake.
    its still a good song tho.
  • Lauryn from Lewisville, TxThis song is amazing. Britney really changed her ways.Her life is becoming more better for her.
  • Mike from Matawan, NjI'm really glad to see this young lady's starting to change her image as a slut and a fembot into something positive for young women to look up to and emulate.

    This chick is one step away from doing a 'Hustler' spread.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.