(Timberlake, Robson)
Album: Britney
It’s a wonder this wasn’t billed as a duet, as co-writer (and then Spears beau) Justin Timberlake’s backing vocals are quite prominent on the final track. He wrote the song with Wade Robson, Spears’s choreographer and frequent collaborator who looms large in the legend of Britney. Getting right to the point: the song is straight fire. It’s explosive and spews attitude. There is a lot going on production-wise: guitar, percussion, synth, and even a beat box portion (which JT had quite an affinity for at the time). Vocally, Spears deftly navigates the minefield of drums and guitar wails, sounding entirely in control and never at risk for being lost amongst the busyness. Considering the trajectory of their personal relationship, it may have been a timing issue as to why “What It’s Like to Be Me” was never released as a single, or perhaps it was never intended as one. It must have at least been discussed considering the publicity this collaboration would have generated. It did make for a killer dance routine during her groundbreaking Dream Within a Dream Tour so we can at least be thankful for that.
Comments