Alien

Album: Britney Jean (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Spears opens Britney Jean with this song recalling a time she felt lost in her world. During the record's listening party, the singer revealed this is her favorite track on the album, explaining, "We have moments when we feel alienated, shy or nervous. That's what the song is about."
  • The mid-tempo track features warped burbles of synth courtesy of William Orbit. The English producer is best known for his work with Madonna, particularly her Ray Of Light album.
  • Britney Jean wasn't Spears' first quasi-self-titled album – her third LP was called Britney. She revealed the background to the record's name on London's Capital FM. "It's a personal album, and all my family, they always call me Britney Jean," she said. "It's like a term of endearment, and I just wanted to share that with my fans."
  • Spears explained the song's meaning during a Britney Jean Listening Party on Twitter. She explained that it, "deals with loneliness and how you can be surrounded at all times by friends, family and adoring fans who you love and still feel alone. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I'm not alone."
  • A demo version of the song was leaked with unedited vocals. However, fans criticized Britney Jean executive producer will.i.am when the final album version featured Auto-Tune effects and a slight jump in the track. William Orbit wasn't impressed either, telling Facebook followers: "Should I let this whole Britney demo thing lie? Yes. But will I? Hmmm, hard to when you care as much as I do. Will I ever clear my name of heinous autotune crimes? Time will tell."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.