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Swimming in the Stars

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"Swimming in the Stars"
Single by Britney Spears
from the album Glory (2020 deluxe reissue)
Written2015
ReleasedDecember 2, 2020 (2020-12-02)
Recorded2016
GenreElectropop
Length3:21
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Koma
  • Book
Britney Spears singles chronology
"Mood Ring"
(2020) 		"Swimming in the Stars"
(2020) 		"Matches"
(2020)
Visualizer video
"Swimming in the Stars" on YouTube

"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.

"Swimming in the Stars" was announced through becoming available for pre-order as a part of the Urban Outfitters's "11/11 Singles Day" promotion as an exclusive 12-inch vinyl single on November 11, 2020. The song was met with positive reception of music critics, whom praised its production and positive message. The single did not generate commercial success, charting on digital component charts in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, however it managed to peak at number three in Malaysia, and within the top 20 in Hungary.

Background and composition

[edit]
Matthew Koma who co-wrote and co-produced "Swimming in the Stars" said that working with Spears was a "surreal" experience for him.

"Swimming in the Stars" was written by Matthew Koma, Dan Book, and Alexei Misoul in 2015 when Koma revealed he had been working with Spears though his tracks never made it on to the initial release of the album.[1] During an interview with PopCrush, Koma said that Spears is "extremely talented" and is "super surreal to sit there and hear [her] sing one of your songs".[1] The song was recorded in 2016.[2][3]

"Swimming in the Stars" is an electropop[4][5][6] ballad containing a synth-laden groove.[7][8] The song contains optimistic[9] and catchy[4][10] lyrics with dreamy escapism spread throughout its chorus.[11] According to Jenzia Burgos of StyleCaster, the song is reminiscent of Spears's interest in astrology, with giving an example of the song's bridge, where she is singing about her sister zodiac sign: "What if we could float here forever? / In these Gemini dreams together".[11]

Release

[edit]

Following the #JusticeForGlory campaign that was launched by Spears's 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, on May 29, 2020.[13][14] Later that year, "Swimming in the Stars" was unveiled since it became available for pre-order as part of the Urban Outfitters's "11/11 Singles Day" promotion as an exclusive 12-inch vinyl single on November 11, 2020; however, orders would not ship until January 15, 2021.[10] The release took critics by surprise, having been released amidst the #FreeBritney movement and Spears's work hiatus.[15][16][17][18] After the announcement of the song's vinyl release, a 12-seconds long snippet was released by Urban Outfitters via Instagram.[6][19]

"Swimming in the Stars" was released to digital download and streaming media on December 2, 2020 as the fourth single from Glory, coinciding with Spears's 39th birthday.[20] Two days later, the track was included on the 2020 deluxe physical reissue of Glory with "Mood Ring" and "Matches".[9][21] On the single cover, Spears crouches on one knee in the sand next to broken chains, wearing gold crop top and high-low sarong skirt, which were made of the same material as her bracelets and shoes. She is set to be on desert oasis.[22] On the day of release, a visualiser to the song was published on Spears's YouTube channel, featuring the single cover with animated soft waves and glistering stars behind the singer.[18][20] Brea Cubit from PopSugar called the visualizer "mesmorizing".[7]

Critical reception

[edit]

Upon release, "Swimming in the Stars" received critical acclaim. Lake Schatz of Consequence of Sound described the lyrics of "Swimming in the Stars" as "positive", since they are talking about "briefly forgetting our worries and holding onto joy".[9] Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone wrote that the song "boasts a big drum pop groove, which anchors a wash of atmospheric synths and Spears' unmistakable vocals as she croons".[23] Writing for Vulture.com, Rebecca Alter said that "Swimming in the Stars" has "big liquid-stardust, shimmery, synth-y sound perfect for stargazing when it gets dark at like 2PM".[24] Gary Dinges from USA Today stated that the song is "classic Britney" and contains "catchy lyrics".[10] Mike Wass from Idolator called the song an "absolute gem" and described its chorus as "sweeping".[6] In The Musical Hype, "Swimming in the Stars" was named a "well-produced record with a relatable theme", where Matthew Koma's production was described as "lush, sleek, and smooth".[25]

Idolator ranked the song at number 15 on their list of 100 best pop songs of 2020.[26]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Due to not receiving any substantial promotion, "Swimming in the Stars" did not spawn huge commercial success, charting mostly on component charts. It peaked at number 25 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales, 28 on Germany Digital Song Sales, 36 on UK Download Chart and 18 on the US Digital Song Sales chart.[27][28] However, the song managed to peak at number three on Malaysia's RIM chart and number 13 on the Hungary Singles Sales chart.[29] Additionally, the song also charted at number 96 on the Croatian Airplay chart.[30]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Personnel

Design

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Swimming in the Stars"
Chart (2020–2021) Peak
position
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[27] 25
Croatia (HRT)[30] 95
France Singles Sales (SNEP)[31] 20
Germany Digital Song Sales (Official German Charts)[28] 28
Hungary (Single Top 40)[32] 13
Malaysia (RIM)[29] 3
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[33] 37
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[34] 36
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[35] 18

Release history

[edit]
Release formats and dates for "Swimming in the Stars"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various December 2, 2020
RCA [36]
United States January 15, 2021 12-inch [37]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Stern, Bradley (August 13, 2015). "Matthew Koma Never Sleeps: Working With Britney Spears and Shania Twain, Touring The World And Oatmeal Ambitions". Popcrush.
  2. ^ "Britney Spears wydała nową piosenkę! Wróciła do studia? Prawda jest inna". Eska (in Polish). December 3, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  3. ^ Boren, Jade (December 11, 2020). "Britney Spears & Backstreet Boys MakeFans' '90s Dreams Come True With EpicCollab: 'Matches'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Victor, Ata (December 3, 2020). "Britney Spears Releases New Song 'Swimming In The Stars' Amid Conservatorship Row". Elle. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  5. ^ Damshenas, Sam (December 4, 2020). "Britney Spears surprise releases new single Swimming In The Stars". Gay Times. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Wass, Mike (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Drops "Swimming In The Stars," Announces 'Glory' Reissue". Idolator. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Cubit, Brea (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Drops New Song "Swimming in the Stars" to Celebrate 39 Trips Around the Sun". PopSugar. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  8. ^ Yalcinkaya, Gunseli (December 3, 2020). "Listen to Britney Spears' newly unearthed track 'Swimming in the Stars'". Dazed Digital. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Schatz, Lake (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Celebrates Birthday by Sharing Unreleased Song "Swimming in the Stars": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c Dinges, Gary (December 2, 2020). "Surprise! Previously unheard Britney Spears song 'Swimming In the Stars' drops on singer's 39th birthday". USA Today. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Burgos, Jenzia (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Released a New Song Amid Her Conservatorship Drama & the Lyrics Are Beautiful". StyleCaster. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  12. ^ Jones, Marcus (May 8, 2020). "Britney Spears surprises fans with new Glory album cover almost four years after its release". Yahoo. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  13. ^ Murphy, Chris (May 28, 2020). "Britney Spears Releases Mood Ring (By Demand) New Music". Vulture. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  14. ^ Calvario, Liz (May 29, 2020). "Britney Spears Rereleases Rare Song You Probably Haven't Heard: Listen!". ET Online. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  15. ^ Kelleher, Patrick (November 11, 2020). "New Britney Spears single released just hours after court gives her father control over her life and career". PinkNews. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  16. ^ Rice, Nicholas (November 13, 2020). "Previously Unreleased Britney Spears Song 'Swimming in the Stars' Drops amid Conservatorship Battle". Yahoo. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  17. ^ "Britney Spears surprises fans with previously unreleased track on her birthday". TODAY.com. December 2, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Richards, Will (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears announces new single amid ongoing legal battle with father". NME. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  19. ^ Wass, Mike (November 11, 2020). "Britney Spears Released Vinyl Single "Swimming In The Stars"". Idolator. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Mamo, Heran (December 2, 2020). "Listen to Britney Spears' Previously-Unreleased Song 'Swimming In The Stars'". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  21. ^ Murphy, Chris (December 11, 2020). "Britney Spears Collabs With Backstreet Boys on Matches,' Drops Deluxe Edition of Glory". Vulture.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  22. ^ Oganesyan, Natalie (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Drops Previously Unreleased Song, 'Swimming in the Stars,' for Her Birthday". Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  23. ^ Blistein, Jon (December 2, 2020). "Hear Britney Spears' Previously Unreleased Track 'Swimming in the Stars'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  24. ^ Alter, Rebecca (December 2, 2020). "Benevolent Queen Britney Spears Gives Us an Unreleased Single on Her Birthday". Vulture.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  25. ^ "Britney Spears, Swimming in the Stars | Track Review". The Musical Hype. December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  26. ^ Wass, Mike (December 26, 2020). "The 100 Best Pop Songs Of 2020". Idolator. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Britney Spears Chart History (Canada Digital)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Offizielle Download Charts Single". Official German Charts. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  29. ^ a b "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  31. ^ "SWIMMING IN THE STARS" (in French). PureMédias. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  32. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  33. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 14, 2020. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  34. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  35. ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  36. ^ "Swimming in the Stars de Britney Spears no Apple Music". music.apple.com (in Portuguese). December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  37. ^ "Britney Spears – Swimming In The Stars Limited LP". Urban Outfitters. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
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