"Mood Ring" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Britney Spears | ||||
from the album Glory (2020 reissue) | ||||
Written | February 2015 | |||
Released | July 10, 2020 | |||
Recorded | June 2015 | |||
Genre | Electro-R&B | |||
Length | 3:48 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Composer(s) |
| |||
Lyricist(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | DJ Mustard | |||
Britney Spears singles chronology | ||||
|
"Mood Ring" (also known as "Mood Ring (By Demand)" upon its 2020 international release) is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her ninth studio album, Glory (2016). It was written by Dijon McFarlane, Nicholas Audino, Te Whiti Warbrick, Lewis Hughes, Jon Asher, and Melanie Fontana. The "electro-tinged" R&B song was produced by DJ Mustard and co-produced by Twice as Nice, with vocal production provided by Asher.
Originally appearing as a bonus track for the Japanese edition upon its parental album release on September 14, 2016, "Mood Ring" was later included on the reissue of Glory's standard edition as the thirteenth track on May 29, 2020, following a sudden resurgence in popularity of the album earlier that month. [1] [2] The track sold 13,300 copies during its first week of availability in the United States. [3] It received a remix extended play treatment on June 26, 2020. Later, Sony Music issued the song to radio airplay in Italy as the third single from Glory on July 10, 2020, almost four years after the album's release.
"Mood Ring" was written in February 2015 by American songwriters Jon Asher and Melanie Fontana, two self-proclaimed fans of Spears. After composing the song on a piano under the name "Mood Swings", the duo rewrote it to an instrumental track that was later used for "Waterbed", a song featured on the Chainsmokers' first EP, Bouquet (2015). While it was originally intended to be a potential collaboration between the singer and the Chainsmokers, the group turned it down, calling it "too girly". [4] They, however, asked both Asher and Fontana to write them a "more masculine" version of the song, which eventually led to them writing "Setting Fires", a song that was featured on the group's second EP, Collage (2016). [4] Over the course of the next three months, the two songwriters sent an a cappella version of the song to several different record producers. It eventually got to DJ Mustard via one of Asher's mutual friends, who created a scratch demo in two days. [5]
Following the rework of the song by DJ Mustard, Asher and Fontana were informed in early April 2015 that Spears "has put [their] demo on a hold" with Omar Grant and the Roc Nation team. Spears eventually recorded "Mood Ring" in June 2015; it was also one of the first songs that was recorded for the singer's then-upcoming ninth studio album. Fontana, who was in Finland when she found out that the singer would be recording the song, wanted to fly to Los Angeles to be in the studio with her, but was unable to due to the fact she had already finished recording the song. According to Fontana, it only took Spears an hour to record her vocals, which to her meant that she "knew the song inside and out and really vibed with it". [4] She later revealed that both she and Asher have composed at least ten other tracks for the album, of which "Mood Ring" was the only one to get cut. [6] [7] DJ Mustard later confirmed in July 2015 during the Wireless Festival that he was working with Spears, citing the work to be "harder than hard." [8]
According to Asher, both him and Fontana wanted to write a song for Spears that "encapsulated [her] entire essence". During the writing process, the duo had "full-on Britney brain" and imagined the singer performing the song on stage and in a music video. In addition, they frequently asked themselves: "What would 'I'm a Slave 4 U' Britney do in 2016?". Fontana, who provided the vocals on the demo version of "Mood Ring", also sang the song in a way that she envisioned Spears would. [4] Musically, the song has been described as an "electro-tinged" and "slinky" R&B song, being one of Spears' "sultry slow jam(s)" and "most R&B-heavy tunes of [her] latest era." [9] It runs for a duration of three minutes and forty-eight seconds. The song follows the traditional verse–chorus song structure over a "slow-burning" production by DJ Mustard, who had worked on several projects such as Anti by Rihanna and Late Nights by Jeremih. Its lyrics focuses on Spears "deciding between two versions of herself" to present to a possible suitor, demonstrating through the first lines "Look in the mirror, who do I see?/Who do I wanna be today?" The singer sings most of the song in her lower register, mostly presented through the chorus "My love is a mood ring, up and down emotions, all these mood swings," as she sings. [9] According to both A&R executive Karen Kwak and Spears herself, "Mood Ring" is one of her favorite songs on Glory. The singer further described the song as being "so vibey and sexy". [4]
“You folks wanted a new album cover ….. ta da there you go [emojis]!!! What was requested next is out now….. I hope you turn #MoodRing up sooooooo loud!!!!”
–Spears announcing the re-issue release of Glory on her Instagram, introducing a new album artwork for the standard edition and the addition of "Mood Ring."
"Mood Ring" was originally teased via DJ Mustard's Twitter account on August 10, 2016. [10] While the song was not featured on the standard nor the deluxe edition of Glory, it was released as a bonus track for the Japanese edition on September 14, 2016. [11] Following the #JusticeForGlory campaign that was launched by Spears' fans on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, the singer unveiled a new cover art for Glory on May 8, 2020, nearly four years after its release. [12] Three weeks later, Spears announced that "Mood Ring" would be released worldwide on all streaming and download platforms the next day, subtitled "By Demand" to credit her fans for their support of the album. The song was then released along with its parental album reissue on May 29, 2020, listed as the thirteenth track on the standard edition. [13] [14] On June 26, 2020, two remixes of "Mood Ring" were released to streaming services, making it the fourth promotional single from the album. [15] In the following month, the original version of the song was released to Italian radio airplay on July 10, becoming Glory's third single almost four years after the album's release. [16]
Critical reception of the song was positive. Lewis Corner from Digital Spy welcomed it as "a very nice addition indeed", calling it "a sultry slow jam that hears Britney at her most seductive." [17] Tim Chan of Rolling Stone agreed, labelling it as "slinky, slow-burning track", while also noting that "the song is a hazy, alluring slow jam more in line with “Make Me…” the first single from Glory, than the dance-pop tracks Spears is otherwise known for." [9] Writing for Soundazed, Matt Torres called it a "bop" noting "the hypnotic melody and trap-inspired electropop create a lush soundscape for Spears as she sings about her chameleonic love. We know she’s faced relationship woes in the past, but she’s focused on the intoxicating feeling of new love; and the feeling of being with someone that accepts her various sides while still igniting a tantalizing and passionate flame." [18]
"Mood Ring" mostly charted on component charts; however, it debuted within the top-ten in two countries. In the United States, "Mood Ring" debuted at number 23 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, and number two on the Digital Song Sales chart with first week sales of 13,300 digital copies sold. [19] In the United Kingdom, the song entered the OCC's UK Download component chart at number 18, [20] In Canada, the song entered the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart at number 32.
In Hungary, "Mood Ring" debuted and peaked at number three on the Single Top 40 chart, making it her highest performance on the chart since her 2016 single "Make Me", which peaked at number six. [21] In Scotland, the song debuted at number ten, making it her first top-ten on the chart since "Work Bitch" (2013), which peaked at number seven. [22] In Germany, the song debuted at number 60 on the Digital Songs Sales chart.
|
|
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [23] | 32 |
France Singles Sales (SNEP) [24] | 16 |
Germany Digital Song Sales (Official German Charts) [25] | 60 |
Hungary (Single Top 40) [26] | 3 |
Scotland (OCC) [27] | 10 |
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [28] | 18 |
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [29] | 23 |
US Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [30] | 2 |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | June 26, 2020 [a] | Remixes | RCA | [15] | |
Italy | July 10, 2020 | Radio airplay | Original | Sony | [16] |
Britney Jean Spears is an American singer and dancer. Often referred to as the "Princess of Pop", she is credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Spears has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling music artists. She has earned numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award, 15 Guinness World Records, six MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, the inaugural Radio Disney Icon Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her heavily choreographed music videos earned her the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
Britney is the third studio album by American singer Britney Spears. It was released on October 31, 2001, by Jive Records.
"I'm a Slave 4 U" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her third studio album, Britney (2001). Written and produced by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, it was released on September 25, 2001, by Jive Records as the lead single from the album. Marking a transition for Spears from the teen pop sounds of her previous singles, "I'm a Slave 4 U" is a dance-pop track with urban pop and R&B influences. The lyrics describes the plea of a young woman to be liberated and feel independent.
"Do Somethin'" is a song by American singer Britney Spears from her first greatest hits album, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (2004). It was written and produced by Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg, with additional writing by Henrik Jonback and Angela Hunte. The song was never intended to be released as a single; Spears, however, wanted to shoot a music video for it, and had to convince her record company. It was then released on February 14, 2005, by Jive Records as the second single from the album outside North America. The dance-rock song features usage of electric guitars, and its lyrics allude to having a good time and not caring about other people's judgement.
American singer Britney Spears has released nine studio albums, eight compilation albums, nine box sets, three extended plays (EPs), 50 singles, 11 promotional singles, two charity singles, and has made three guest appearances. In 1997, Spears signed a recording contract with American record label Jive Records in order to launch her career.
Blackout is the fifth studio album by American singer Britney Spears. It was released on October 25, 2007, by Jive Records. Its production and release occurred as Spears' personal struggles were highly publicized and overshadowed her professional projects. She executive-produced the album, working with producers Danja, Bloodshy & Avant, Sean Garrett, and the Neptunes, among others; it is the only album on which Spears is credited as the executive producer. The final result was primarily a dance-pop and electropop record with Euro disco and dubstep influences, with lyrical themes revolving around love, fame, media scrutiny, sex, and clubbing.
"My Only Wish (This Year)" is a teen pop Christmas song by American singer Britney Spears. It was written and produced by Brian Kierulf and Josh Schwartz. It was included on the Christmas compilation album Platinum Christmas (2000). In the song, Spears asks Santa Claus to find her a lover during the holidays.
"Radar" is a song by American singer Britney Spears from her fifth studio album, Blackout (2007). It was written and produced by Bloodshy & Avant and the Clutch, with additional writing from Henrik Jonback. The recording sessions took place the day after Spears filed for divorce from Kevin Federline, and members of the Clutch claimed to be surprised by her work ethic. "Radar" was originally planned to be released as the third single from Blackout, but "Break the Ice" was chosen instead. The song was then planned as the fourth single, but the release was cancelled as Spears began recording her sixth studio album, Circus (2008). "Radar" was later included as a bonus track on Circus, and released as the fourth and final single from the album on June 22, 2009, by Jive Records.
Circus is the sixth studio album by American singer Britney Spears. It was released to coincide with her 27th birthday on December 2, 2008, in the United States, by Jive Records. Transitioning from the "darker and more urban" themes of her fifth studio album Blackout (2007), Spears wanted to make her next project "a little bit lighter". She recorded much of the album between March and September 2008, after being involuntarily placed under a conservatorship earlier that year, following her highly publicized personal struggles in 2007. As executive producers, Larry Rudolph and Teresa LaBarbera Whites enlisted Spears' previous collaborators such as Max Martin, Bloodshy & Avant, Guy Sigsworth and Danja, as well as new ones, including Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco and Claude Kelly. Their efforts resulted in a primarily pop and dance record, whose lyrical themes addressed fame, infidelity, and infatuation.
"Circus" is a song by American singer Britney Spears. It was released on December 2, 2008, through Jive Records as the second single from her sixth studio album of the same name. Written by Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and Benny Blanco, "Circus" is a metaphor for the public's perception of Spears' life. After she listened to the track for the first time, she felt inspired to create an album and a tour with a circus theme. "Circus" is an uptempo electropop and dance-pop song with elements of pop rock and "half-rapped" vocals. The song's lyrics talk about being an entertainer and putting on shows.
Femme Fatale is the seventh studio album by American singer Britney Spears. It was released on March 25, 2011, by Jive Records, and was her last album with the label before they shut down later in October of the same year as she was moved to RCA Records. Musically, Spears wanted to make a "fresh-sounding" and "fierce dance album", thus incorporating dance-pop, electropop, EDM and synth-pop styles with elements of dubstep, techno and electro in its sound. Spears began working on the album during the second leg of her tour The Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009), while also contributing to her second greatest hits album The Singles Collection (2009). Spears collaborated with various producers including Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Fraser T Smith, Rodney Jerkins, Bloodshy, will.i.am, Stargate, and Travis Barker.
#willpower is the fourth studio album by American musician will.i.am, released on April 19, 2013. The album was originally titled Black Einstein and scheduled for release at the end of 2011. It was then renamed #willpower and delayed several more times. The album's first single "This Is Love" features Eva Simons, the second single "Scream & Shout" features Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber is featured on the third single "#thatPower". There is a remix of "Scream & Shout" that features Lil Wayne, Hit-Boy, Diddy and Waka Flocka Flame. Other guest appearances on the album include Afrojack, Juicy J, Chris Brown, Miley Cyrus, Skylar Grey, Nicole Scherzinger, Korean pop group 2NE1 and will.i.am's The Black Eyed Peas bandmate apl.de.ap.
Melanie Joy Fontana is an American singer, composer and songwriter signed to Universal Music Group.
"It Should Be Easy" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her eighth studio album, Britney Jean (2013). It features the vocal collaboration of American rapper will.i.am. The song was written by Spears, will.i.am, David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Nicky Romero and Marcus van Wattum. According to EarOne, it was made available to Italian radio stations on June 13, 2014. It is the third collaboration between Spears and will.i.am, following "Big Fat Bass" from Spears' seventh studio album Femme Fatale (2011), and "Scream & Shout" from will.i.am's fourth studio album #willpower (2013).
"Make Me" is the lead single of American singer Britney Spears's ninth studio album, Glory (2016). It features the vocal collaboration of American rapper G-Eazy. The track was written by Spears, Matthew Burns, Joe Janiak and Gerald Gillum, while produced by Burns, with Mischke Butler serving as a vocal producer. It was released on July 15, 2016, after being previously delayed due to reported production difficulties. Described as a "slinky" midtempo pop and R&B-influenced ballad, the recording incorporates "raw" guitar riffs, "snare slaps", "whooshing synths" and a "dub step-esque boom-bap" in its instrumentation. Lyrically, the song talks about demanding sexual satisfaction.
Glory is the ninth studio album by American singer Britney Spears, released on August 26, 2016, through RCA Records. After renewing her contract with RCA, Spears began work on the album in 2014. Lacking a deadline for completion, she continued work into 2015 and 2016, which, according to Spears, provided her with the opportunity to create one of her favorite albums in her catalog. Primarily a pop record, it also contains elements of R&B, EDM, and hip hop music.
"Slumber Party" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her ninth studio album, Glory (2016). It was written by Mattias Larsson, Robin Fredriksson, Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter, and produced by Mattman & Robin. The duo was also responsible for vocal production alongside Mischke Butler. The song was released as the second single from the album on November 16, 2016. A remix version featuring vocals from American singer Tinashe was sent to US contemporary hit radio on November 22. A reggae-pop and R&B track, "Slumber Party" features brass, marimba, syncopated synths, percussion and a horn section in its instrumentation. Lyrically, the song was described as an ode to fornicating and making sex tapes. In it, Spears evokes one-night stands, the ritual of sleepovers with friends and the teenage game seven minutes in heaven.
"Swimming in the Stars" is a song by American singer Britney Spears from the deluxe reissue of her ninth studio album, Glory (2016). It was released as the lead single of the reissue on December 2, 2020, coinciding with the singer's 39th birthday. The song was conceived during the initial recording of Glory, with the track being written in 2015 by the producers Matthew Koma and Dan Book, with an additional writing provided by Alexei Misoul. An electropop ballad focuses on optimism and escapism over a synth groove.
"Matches" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears and American boy band Backstreet Boys for the deluxe reissue edition of Spears' ninth studio album, Glory (2016). It was written by Asia Whiteacre, Justin Tranter, and the song's producers Michael Wise and Ian Kirkpatrick. It is a dance, electropop, and glitch pop song consisting of the lyrics describing a dangerous relationship. The single met with positive reception, with critics pointing out the "90's vibe" that the song gives off.
"Selfish" is a song by American singer Britney Spears from the deluxe edition of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale (2011). It was written by Ester Dean, Traci Hale, Sandy Vee, and the production duo Stargate. The latter two also produced the song with vocal production handled by Kuk Harrell. The song received renewed interest in popularity in 2024, thirteen years after its original release, due to a campaign by fans of Spears as a response to the release of former boyfriend Justin Timberlake's identically titled single "Selfish". These efforts resulted in her song reentering the charts, charting at number five on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart and number 12 on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart.