Circus by Britney Spears

Album: Circus (2008)

Charted: 13 3

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

In a video interview posted on her website, Britney Spears explained this song. She said: "It's about me as an entertainer - what I do, and what I bring to a show, is basically like a circus. I bring costumes and fun theatrical things that make people in awe."
This song was written and produced by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. Dr. Luke was also responsible for co-writing and producing both "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold" for Katy Perry. Benny Blanco provided additional production on both songs.
Spears explained that the album's title has a double-edged meaning. It refers to both her life being a metaphorical circus, and also her fondness for the actual big-top show. She said: "I like the fact that you're always on the edge of your seat when you're at a circus... You're never bored. You're just really engulfed in what's going on around you. And you want to know what's going to happen next."
This went straight in at #3 in the Hot 100, making it the highest debuting single of Spears' career. Her previous best had been her first chart entry "…Baby One More Time," which opened at #17 in 1998.

"Circus'" high new entry was bested by "3" and "Hold It Against Me," which both debuted at #1.
The song was not only the title track of Spears' sixth album but also inspired the supporting tour. Co-writer Claude Kelly told AOL, "It's like a songwriter's dream in a lot of ways because for a songwriter everything starts with an idea for [the artist's] life and what I had known." He continued: "I didn't know her personally when I wrote it, but I read about her and saw that her life was like a circus. It was an idea I had on a plane. And to watch that idea turn into a song is a pleasure in itself. Then getting to see that song played to a big audience is a bonus. Then to watch the snowball affect, you can never really expect that. But when it does, it really shows you how far one idea can go. And that's what's inspired me in so many ways in my career that a small idea I thought of on a plane that was I wasn't sure about can blow up to this. It's an honor."

Comments: 2

Moosehead from Scsecond favorite, of 2, britney songs i like. hope she gets well
Zuko from Rancho , UtCruwd, I gotta admit: this song is actually good. I think Britney herself is a skank and a bitch and hate all of her songs except for this one. I enjoy the beat and it motivates me to go fast during my sport events. The video was pretty good. The only parts that I hated were the parts in which she wore skin colored tights, its was too relvealing. I wish she would quit showing off nudity. still, good song.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Le FreakChic

The guys from Chic wrote "Le Freak" as a message to a doorman who wouldn't let them into a club. Originally, it was "F--- Off."

Stuck In The Middle With YouStealers Wheel

"Stuck In The Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel was the unlikely choice for a scene in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 movie Reservoir Dogs where somebody loses an ear.

Something In The AirThunderclap Newman

Pete Townshend never had a #1 UK hit with The Who or as a solo artist, but he did produce and play on a song that hit the top spot there: "Something In The Air" by Thunderclap Newman, a group he assembled.

Kiss From A RoseSeal

In "Kiss From A Rose," seal sings "kiss from a rose on a gray," not "grave," but he won't explain the lyric, feeling listeners should adapt the song to their own experience.

Friends In Low PlacesGarth Brooks

"Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks was written by two Nashville songwriters after a meal in a local restaurant. One of them forgot his money, but said not to worry, "I have friends in low places. I know the cook."

Walkin' On The SunSmash Mouth

You wouldn't know it from the upbeat melody, but "Walkin' On The Sun" by Smash Mouth is about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.