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{{Short description|2001 single by Britney Spears}}
{{Infobox single
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
| Name = I'm a Slave 4 U
{{Infobox song
| Cover = I'm a Slave 4 U.png
| Border = yes
| name = I'm a Slave 4 U
| Artist = [[Britney Spears]]
| cover = I'm a Slave 4 U.png
| border = yes
| Album = [[Britney (album)|Britney]]
| A-side = "[[Overprotected]]"
| type = single
| B-side = "Intimidated"
| artist = [[Britney Spears]]
| Released = {{Start date|2001|09|24}}
| album = [[Britney (album)|Britney]]
| Format = {{flat list|
| B-side = Intimidated
| released = {{Start date|2001|09|25}}
* [[Cassette single]]
| recorded = July 2001
* [[CD single]]
| studio =
* [[12-inch single|12"]]
* MSR (New York City)
}}
| Recorded = July 2001; MSR Studios (formerly known as Right Track Studios) ([[New York City]]), Master Sound Studios ([[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]])
* Master Sound ([[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]])
| genre = <!-- All sourced in the "Background and composition" section. -->
| Genre = {{flat list|
* [[Dance-pop]]
* [[Dance-pop]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=24}}
}}
| Length = {{duration|m=3|s=24}}
| label = [[Jive Records|Jive]]
| Label = [[Jive Records|Jive]]
| writer =
| Writer = {{flat list|
* [[Chad Hugo]]
* [[Chad Hugo]]
* [[Pharrell Williams]]
* [[Pharrell Williams]]
| producer = [[The Neptunes]]
| prev_title = [[Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know]]
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = [[Overprotected]]
| next_year = 2001
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Mzybwwf2HoQ|"I'm a Slave 4 U"}}}}
}}
}}
"'''I'm a Slave 4 U'''" is a song recorded by American singer [[Britney Spears]] for her third studio album, ''[[Britney (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.<ref name="radio"/> 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 contemporary|urban pop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] influences. The lyrics describes the plea of a young woman to be liberated and feel independent.
| Producer = [[The Neptunes]]
| Last single = "[[Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know]]"<br />(2001)
| This single = "'''I'm a Slave 4 U'''"<br />(2001)
| Next single = "[[Overprotected]]"<br />(2001)
| Misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Mzybwwf2HoQ|"I'm a Slave 4 U"}}}}}}

"'''I'm a Slave 4 U'''" is a song recorded by American singer [[Britney Spears]] for her third and eponymous studio album, ''[[Britney (album)|Britney]]'' (2001). It was released on September 24, 2001 through [[Jive Records]] as the [[lead single]] off the record. The track was written and produced by [[Chad Hugo]] and [[Pharrell Williams]] of [[The Neptunes]].


"I'm a Slave 4 U" garnered mixed reception from [[music critics]]. Some critics argued it was the singer's most mature sound at the time compared to her previous singles, while other noticed the song's attempt to leave behind Spears' [[girl next door]] image and said her vocals were unnatural. "I'm a Slave 4 U" achieved commercial success, peaking inside the top-ten in almost every country that it charted on. However, the song peaked at number 27 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and at number 85 in ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]], both being the lowest chart positions of the single worldwide.
Heralding a new, provocative image for Spears, "I'm a Slave 4 U" garnered a mixed reception from [[music critics]] at the time of its release. Some argued it was the singer's most mature sound at the time, compared to her previous singles, while others noticed the video and the song's attempt to leave behind Spears' [[girl next door]] image to a more sexier image emulated then by many pop idols like [[Christina Aguilera]]. The song achieved commercial success worldwide, peaking within the top ten in almost every country that it charted in. The song peaked at number 27 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number 85 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]], both being the lowest chart positions of the single worldwide.


Since its release, "I'm a Slave 4 U" has become one of Spears' signature hits, as well as having been considered one of the defining songs of the early 2000s, the new millennium, and of the pop genre. The original dance [[choreography]], from the music video and live performances, has also been widely praised and imitated, with Spears doing little to alter it for many years after the song’s release. Her [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards]] performance of the song is considered amongst the greatest live performances in pop music history, as well as a career highlight for Spears, on-par with iconic past performances of artists such as Madonna and Janet and Michael Jackson. [[MTV]] summarized Spears' performance at the ceremony, saying, "draping herself in a python and slithering around a steamy garden setting – surrounded by dancers in zebra and tiger outfits – Spears created one of the most striking visuals in the 27-year history of [[MTV Video Music Awards|the show]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669706/briefly-spears-mtv-vma-history.jhtml|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|title=Britney Spears' Iconic VMA History: Snakes, Stripteases And Smooches|date=August 25, 2011|access-date=March 6, 2012|publisher=MTV}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2021, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' ranked "I'm a Slave 4 U" at number three in its list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/best-songs-2001-top-100-9550936/amp/|author=Billboard Staff|title=The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001: Staff Picks|date=May 4, 2021|publisher=Billboard}}</ref>
A music video for the single, which was directed by [[Francis Lawrence]], was released along with the single released. It features Spears dancing in a [[sauna]]. Spears' performance of the song at the [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards]] in New York City was highly criticized by [[animal rights]] group [[PETA]] for the inclusion of [[introduced species|exotic animal]]s. Spears performed the song on every tour since its release, including the promotional [[The M+M's Tour]]. The song was also featured on the 2002 compilation album ''[[Now That's What I Call Music! 9 (U.S. series)|Now That's What I Call Music! 9]]''.


==Background and composition==
==Background and composition==
{{listen
{{listen
| filename = ImASlave4USample.ogg
| filename = ImASlave4USample.ogg
| pos = left
| title = "I'm a Slave 4 U"
| description = A sample of the song's chorus backed with breathy and moaning vocals.
| title = "I'm a Slave 4 U"
| pos = left
| description = A sample of the song's chorus backed with breathy and moaning vocals.
}}
}}


"I'm a Slave 4 U" was written and produced by [[Pharrell Williams]] and [[Chad Hugo]] of [[The Neptunes]], who also collaborated with Spears on another track from ''Britney'', "[[Boys (Britney Spears song)|Boys]]" (2002).<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=Britney |titlelink=Britney (album)|others=[[Britney Spears]] |year=2001 |type=Liner notes |publisher=[[Jive Records|Jive]] (Barcode: 9222522) |location=[[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]]}}</ref> Both recordings were originally intended for American singer [[Janet Jackson]]'s seventh studio album, ''[[All for You (Janet Jackson album)|All for You]]'' (2001), with her recording an unreleased [[demo (music)|demo]] version of the latter before handing the track to Spears.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1550426/20-hit-songs-meant-for-other-singers|title=20 Hit Songs Meant For Other Singers|publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''|date=February 28, 2013|accessdate=July 13, 2013|author=Lipshutz, Jason}}</ref><ref name=neptunes>{{cite web|url=http://startrakmusic.com/web/neptunes_all.aspx |title=All Projects |publisher=Startrak |year=2002 |accessdate=May 14, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020806184614/http://startrakmusic.com/web/neptunes_all.aspx |archivedate=August 6, 2002 }}</ref> "I'm a Slave 4 U" was recorded by Andrew Cleman at Master Sound Studios in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]] and by Brian Garten at Right Track Studios in New York City, being later mixed by Serban Ghenea in [[New York City]]. [[Audio engineering]] was done by Ryan Smith and Tim Roberts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445195/20010716/spears_britney.jhtml|title=Britney Loves Rock And Roll, But Club Beats Also Pop Up On New LP|work=[[MTV News]]|date=July 16, 2001|accessdate=February 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445906/20010801/nerd.jhtml|title=Neptunes Working With Britney, Kelis, But Dreaming Of Michael Jackson|work=[[MTV News]]|date=August 1, 2001|accessdate=February 24, 2012}}</ref> After reading the lyrics for the first time, Spears stated it talks "about me just wanting to go out and forget who I am and dance and have a good time. That's kinda where I am now right now. I love working, but at the same time, I love having a good time."<ref>Dingwall, John. "OTR.. Off the Record: Your Time Is Up, Jacko; Britney Wants Album Top Slot". ''Daily Record''. Scotland, United Kingdom. 19 p.</ref>
"I'm a Slave 4 U" was written and produced by [[Pharrell Williams]] and [[Chad Hugo]] of [[the Neptunes]], who also collaborated with Spears on "[[Boys (Britney Spears song)|Boys]]", another track from ''[[Britney (album)|Britney]]''.<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=Britney |title-link=Britney (album)|others=[[Britney Spears]] |year=2001 |type=Liner notes |publisher=[[Jive Records|Jive]] (Barcode: 9222522) |location=[[New York City|New York]], [[New York (state)|New York]]}}</ref> Both recordings were originally intended for [[Janet Jackson]]'s seventh studio album ''[[All for You (Janet Jackson album)|All for You]]'' (2001) Jackson's recording was an unreleased [[demo (music)|demo]] before the track was handed to Spears.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1550426/20-hit-songs-meant-for-other-singers|title=20 Hit Songs Meant For Other Singers|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 28, 2013|access-date=July 13, 2013|author=Lipshutz, Jason}}</ref><ref name=neptunes>{{cite web|url=http://startrakmusic.com/web/neptunes_all.aspx |title=All Projects |publisher=Startrak |year=2002 |access-date=May 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020806184614/http://startrakmusic.com/web/neptunes_all.aspx |archive-date=August 6, 2002 }}</ref> "I'm a Slave 4 U" was recorded by Andrew Cleman (Master Sound Studios, [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]], [[Virginia]]) and Brian Garten ([[Right Track Studios]], [[New York City]]), and was [[Mixing (music production)|mixed]] by [[Serban Ghenea]]. [[Audio engineering]] on the track was done by Ryan Smith and Tim Roberts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445195/20010716/spears_britney.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010801180509/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445195/20010716/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 1, 2001|title=Britney Loves Rock And Roll, But Club Beats Also Pop Up On New LP|work=[[MTV News]]|date=July 16, 2001|access-date=February 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445906/20010801/nerd.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804130620/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445906/20010801/nerd.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 4, 2002|title=Neptunes Working With Britney, Kelis, But Dreaming Of Michael Jackson|work=[[MTV News]]|date=August 1, 2001|access-date=February 24, 2012}}</ref> After reading the lyrics for the first time, Spears stated it talks "...about me just wanting to go out and forget who I am and dance and have a good time. That's kinda where I am right now. I love working, but at the same time I love having a good time."<ref>Dingwall, John. "OTR.. Off the Record: Your Time Is Up, Jacko; Britney Wants Album Top Slot". ''Daily Record''. Scotland, United Kingdom. 19 p.</ref>


The [[urban contemporary|urban]] song is backed with breathy and moaning vocals and [[scratching]]. The soundscape of the song has been noted to be similar to [[Vanity 6]]'s 1982's song "[[Nasty Girl (Vanity 6 song)|Nasty Girl]]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Britney, J. Lo, 'NSYNC Turn To Jungle, Ja Rule, Jacko For VMA Performances|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448715/britney-nsync-call-backup-on-vma-stage.jhtml|accessdate=January 17, 2014|work=[[MTV News]]|date=September 6, 2001}}</ref>
The [[dance-pop]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=DeLuca|first=Dan|date=October 28, 2007|title=Britney hits one more time|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20071028_Britney_hits_one_more_time.html|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=H Green|first=Thomas|date=December 1, 2013|title=Britney Spears (1998-Now): The Video Special|url=https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/britney-spears-1998-now-video-special|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=The Arts Desk|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017083150/https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/britney-spears-1998-now-video-special|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Stern|first=Bradley|date=December 2, 2013|title=Britney Spears' 'Circus' Turns Five: Stan & Deliver|url=https://www.idolator.com/7495977/britney-spears-circus-stan-and-deliver?chrome=1|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|quote=...I'm A Slave 4 U's R&B gone wonky groove...}}</ref> song is backed with [[Breathy voice|breathy]] and moaning vocals and [[scratching]]. The soundscape of the song has been noted to be similar to [[Vanity 6]]'s 1982 song "[[Nasty Girl (Vanity 6 song)|Nasty Girl]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Britney, J. Lo, 'NSYNC Turn To Jungle, Ja Rule, Jacko For VMA Performances|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448715/britney-nsync-call-backup-on-vma-stage.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324075014/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1448715/britney-nsync-call-backup-on-vma-stage.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2011|access-date=January 17, 2014|work=[[MTV News]]|date=September 6, 2001}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
[[File:BritneyPOM7.jpg|thumb|Britney performing "I'm a Slave 4 U" on the [[Britney: Piece of Me]] show in 2014.]]
[[File:BritneyPOM7.jpg|thumb|Spears performing "I'm a Slave 4 U" on the [[Britney: Piece of Me]] show in 2014]]
The song was met with mixed reviews by critics. A review from ''[[NME]]'' magazine stated that "the song is funk the way God intended&nbsp;—hypnotic, insistent, mysterious, suggestive— and if [[Prince (singer)|Prince]] was a nineteen-year-old former [[Disney Club]] host and virgin, he'd be proud to create such a record".<ref>{{cite web | author=Kessler, Ted | title=Britney Spears: I'm A Slave 4 U | publisher=NME magazine | date=September 25, 2001 | url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/britney-spears/5658 | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> Another review from and [[Allmusic]]<ref>{{cite web | author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas | title="Britney" review | publisher=Allmusic | year=2001 | url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r556064|pure_url=yes}} | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> agreed that "I'm a Slave 4 U" was a step towards a more mature sound. Bill Lamb from [[About.com]] listed at number nine, on her Top 10 Songs, saying: "By the time of this single off her third album, it was obvious Britney Spears was becoming an adult. This song is a radical shift from the "not quite innocent" 16-year-old schoolgirl of Britney's first album. Slinky and sexy have crept into the Britney Spears style".<ref>[http://top40.about.com/od/britneyspears/tp/topbritneyspearssongs.htm Top 10 Britney Spears Songs] About.com Retrieved January 13, 2011</ref>
Ted Kessler from ''[[NME]]'' magazine stated that "...the song is [[funk]] the way [[God]] intended—hypnotic, insistent, mysterious, suggestive—and if [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] was a nineteen-year-old former [[Disney Club]] host and virgin, he'd be proud to create such a record."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kessler|first=Ted|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/track/reviews-nme-5658|title=Britney Spears: I'm A Slave 4 U|work=[[NME]]|date=September 25, 2001|access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] agreed that "I'm a Slave 4 U" was a step towards a more mature sound.<ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/britney-mw0000006300|title=Britney - Britney Spears|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> According to ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s Barry Walters, "...although they're not the album's most melodious cuts, the Neptunes' 'I'm a Slave 4 U' and 'Boys' could be Britney's most important."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Walters|first=Barry|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/britney-252189/|title=Britney|date=October 30, 2001|access-date=February 8, 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Bill Lamb from [[About.com]] listed the track at number nine on her Top 10 Songs, saying: "By the time of this single off her third album, it was obvious Britney Spears was becoming an adult. This song is a radical shift from the "not quite innocent" 16-year-old schoolgirl of [[...Baby One More Time (album)|Britney's first album]]. Slinky and sexy have crept into the Britney Spears style".<ref>[http://top40.about.com/od/britneyspears/tp/topbritneyspearssongs.htm Top 10 Britney Spears Songs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327075935/http://top40.about.com/od/britneyspears/tp/topbritneyspearssongs.htm |date=March 27, 2014 }} About.com Retrieved January 13, 2011</ref>


"I'm a Slave 4 U" received several comparisons to [[Janet Jackson]], with one critic noting "Spears’ main musical and visual influence has not been Madonna but Janet Jackson". "But Jackson’s not the only influence to appear on “Slave: the Neptunes’ minimal, electronic production and Spears’ breathy, cooing delivery create a track that smacks of Prince." "Spears, on the other hand, became more and more interesting&nbsp;– and enjoyable&nbsp;– as she continued to explore elements of Janet Jackson and Prince throughout her career."<ref name="Vertigo Shtick">{{cite web|url=http://www.vertigoshtick.com/2011/03/britney-spears-im-slave-4-u-why-its.html|title=Britney Spears&nbsp;– "I'm A Slave 4 U" (Why It's Brilliant and How It Changed Everything)|publisher=Vertigo Shtick|date=December 11, 2011|accessdate=July 13, 2013}}</ref> Lyndsey Parker of [[Yahoo! Music]] wrote "'Slave,' written and produced by the Neptunes and originally intended for OG pop bombshell Janet Jackson, evoked the old-school sexcapades of Prince and his protégés Vanity 6—and in many ways, it was a real artistic leap."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/britney-spears-30-most-memorable-moments-220024168.html|title=20 Hit Songs Meant For Other Singers|publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]]|date=December 11, 2011|accessdate=July 13, 2013}}</ref>
"I'm a Slave 4 U" received several comparisons to [[Janet Jackson]]'s songs, with one critic noting, "Spears' main musical and visual influence has not been [[Madonna]] but Janet Jackson." "But Jackson's not the only influence to appear on 'Slave': ...The Neptunes' minimal, [[Electronic music|electronic]] [[Production (music)|production]] and Spears' breathy, cooing delivery create a track that smacks of Prince." "Spears, on the other hand, became more and more interesting&nbsp;– and enjoyable&nbsp;– as she continued to explore elements of Janet Jackson and Prince throughout her career."<ref name="Vertigo Shtick">{{cite web|url=http://www.vertigoshtick.com/2011/03/britney-spears-im-slave-4-u-why-its.html|title=Britney Spears&nbsp;– "I'm A Slave 4 U" (Why It's Brilliant and How It Changed Everything)|publisher=Vertigo Shtick|date=December 11, 2011|access-date=July 13, 2013}}</ref> [[Lyndsey Parker]] of [[Yahoo! Music]] wrote, "'Slave', written and produced by the Neptunes and originally intended for OG pop bombshell Janet Jackson, evoked the old-school sexcapades of Prince and his protégés Vanity 6—and in many ways, it was a real artistic leap."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/britney-spears-30-most-memorable-moments-220024168.html|title=20 Hit Songs Meant For Other Singers|publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]]|date=December 11, 2011|access-date=July 13, 2013}}</ref>


==Chart performance==
==Chart performance==
"I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number 27 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for the issue date of December 1, 2001,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Billboard Hot 100|url=http://www.billboard.com/billboard/charts/hot100.jsp|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=July 7, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011124185654/http://www.billboard.com/billboard/charts/hot100.jsp|archivedate=November 24, 2001|date=December 1, 2001}}</ref><ref name="billboard">{{cite web | author=Allmusic | title=Billboard Charts | publisher=allmusic.com | year=2001 | url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p320976/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} | accessdate=2}}</ref> becoming Spears' first lead single from an album not to crack the U.S. top ten. The track also became a top 30 hit on the [[Hot 100 Airplay]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Billboard magazine |title=Hot 100 Airplay |publisher=billboard.com |date=December 1, 2001 |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2001-12-01/radio-songs |accessdate=July 20, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621151350/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2001-12-01/radio-songs |archivedate=June 21, 2014 }}</ref> but just barely made into the [[Hot 100 Singles Sales]] peaking at number 73.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=is_bmdb_track_id:6171886&f%5B1%5D=itm_field_chart_id:353&refine=1|title=Billboard.com – Britney Spears – I'm A Slave 4 U|date=|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] ''[[Hot Singles Sales]]''|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-09-09}}</ref> The low sales points are due mostly because of the song's [[12-inch single]] release instead of a competitive regular [[CD single]]. Despite the little sales, "I'm a Slave 4 U" became Spears' first dance hit, reaching number four on the [[Hot Dance Club Play]] chart.<ref name="billboard"/> It is also her first and, so far, only song to appear on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart, peaking at number 85.<ref name="billboard"/> In Europe "I'm a Slave 4 U" was more successful, becoming a top ten hit in nearly every country that it charted in, including big markets such as Germany and France, where it was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Silver]] by the [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] for selling over 125,000 copies.<ref name=francecert>{{cite web|title=French single certifications – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2001&type=6|archivedate=14 December 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214125951/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2001&type=6|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|accessdate=January 17, 2014|language=French}}</ref> The track spent two weeks at number-five on the [[European Hot 100 Singles]] chart provided by magazine ''Music and Media'' at the time.<ref name="europe"/> "I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number-four on the official [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/BRITNEY%20SPEARS/ |title=Britney Spears &#124; Artist |publisher=Official Charts |date= |accessdate=February 24, 2012}}</ref> and spent a total of 14 weeks within the top 75 and sold over 150,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|author=Polyhex |title=UK Singles Chart |date=October 27, 2001 |url=http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php |accessdate=January 5, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5nDp3ey6y?url=http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php |archivedate=February 1, 2010 |df= }}</ref> In the Pacific, the track was somewhat successful, debuting at number seven on the [[ARIA Charts|Australian Singles Chart]]. Despite spending a very short period on the chart, eight weeks,<ref>{{cite web | author=Australian-Charts | title=Australian Singles Chart | date=October 28, 2001 | url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=4912&cat=s | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> it was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Gold]] by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] for shipments of over 35,000 units.<ref name=australiacert>{{cite web|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2001.htm |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |accessdate=January 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205035939/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2001.htm |archivedate=February 5, 2014 |df= }}</ref> In New Zealand, "I'm a Slave 4 U" debuted at number 46 on November 4, 2001 and missed the top ten, peaking at number 13 in its third week. The song spent just six weeks on the chart.<ref>{{cite web | author=New Zealand Charts | title=New Zealand Singles Chart | date=November 4, 2001 | url=http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?key=4912&cat=s | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref>
"I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number 27 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for the issue date of December 1, 2001,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Billboard Hot 100|url=http://www.billboard.com/billboard/charts/hot100.jsp|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011124185654/http://www.billboard.com/billboard/charts/hot100.jsp|archive-date=November 24, 2001|date=December 1, 2001}}</ref><ref name="billboard">{{cite web | title=Billboard Charts | publisher=allmusic.com | year=2001 | url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p320976/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> becoming Spears' first lead single from an album not to crack the U.S. top ten. The track also became a top 30 hit on the [[Hot 100 Airplay]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Hot 100 Airplay |publisher=billboard.com |date=December 1, 2001 |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2001-12-01/radio-songs |access-date=July 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621151350/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2001-12-01/radio-songs |archive-date=June 21, 2014 }}</ref> but just barely made into the [[Hot 100 Singles Sales]], peaking at number 73.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=is_bmdb_track_id:6171886&f%5B1%5D=itm_field_chart_id:353&refine=1|title=Billboard.com – Britney Spears – I'm A Slave 4 U|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Hot Singles Sales]]|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> The low sales points were mostly due to the song's [[12-inch single]] release instead of a competitive regular [[CD single]]. Despite the low sales, "I'm a Slave 4 U" became Spears' first dance hit, reaching number four on the [[Hot Dance Club Play]] chart.<ref name="billboard"/> It is also her first and, so far, only song to appear on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart, peaking at number 85.<ref name="billboard"/> In Europe, "I'm a Slave 4 U" was more successful, becoming a top ten hit in nearly every country that it charted in – in big markets such as Germany and France, it was certified [[Music recording sales certification|silver]] by the [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] for selling over 125,000 copies.<ref name=francecert>{{cite web|title=French single certifications – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2001&type=6|archive-date=December 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214125951/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2001&type=6|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|access-date=January 17, 2014|language=fr}}</ref> The track spent two weeks at number five on the [[European Hot 100 Singles]] chart provided by magazine ''Music and Media'' at the time.<ref name="europe"/> In the United Kingdom, "I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number four on the [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/BRITNEY%20SPEARS/ |title=Britney Spears &#124; Artist |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=February 24, 2012}}</ref> and spent a total of 14 weeks within the top 100 and sold over 150,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|author=Polyhex |title=UK Singles Chart |date=October 27, 2001 |url=http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php |access-date=January 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310020924/http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php |archive-date=March 10, 2010 }}</ref> In the Pacific, the track was somewhat successful, debuting at number seven on the [[ARIA Charts|Australian Singles Chart]]. Despite spending only eight weeks on the chart,<ref>{{cite web | author=Australian-Charts | title=Australian Singles Chart | date=October 28, 2001 | url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?key=4912&cat=s | access-date=January 5, 2009}}</ref> it was certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] for shipments of over 35,000 units.<ref name=australiacert>{{cite web|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2001.htm |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |access-date=January 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205035939/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2001.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2014 }}</ref> In New Zealand, "I'm a Slave 4 U" debuted at number 46 on November 4, 2001, and missed the top ten, peaking at number 13 in its third week. The song spent only six weeks on the chart.<ref>{{cite web | author=New Zealand Charts | title=New Zealand Singles Chart | date=November 4, 2001 | url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?key=4912&cat=s | access-date=January 5, 2009}}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
[[File:Britneyslave.jpg|thumb|200px|A still from the music video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" featuring Britney dancing in a [[sauna]].]]
[[File:Britneyslave.jpg|thumb|230px|A still from the music video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" featuring Spears dancing in a [[sauna]]]]
The accompanying music video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" was filmed on a soundstage in [[Universal City, California|Universal City]], [[California]], over [[Labor Day]] weekend on September 1–2, 2001, under the direction of [[Francis Lawrence]].<ref name="video">{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|title=Britney Works Double-Time On Music Videos|date=September 20, 2001|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449019/20010920/spears_britney.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011006152244/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449019/20010920/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 6, 2001|publisher=MTV News|access-date=January 3, 2009}}</ref> It made its world premiere on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Making the Video]]'' on September 24 at 5 p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]],<ref name="video"/> the same day the song officially beat the US radio stations.<ref name="radio">{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|title=Britney Spears Track list, Tour Dates Announced|date=September 21, 2001|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449040/20010921/spears_britney.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106183550/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449040/20010921/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2008|work=[[MTV News]]|access-date=January 3, 2009}}</ref> Spears told MTV that the theme of the song and the video really matched who she was at the time. Director Lawrence wanted the video to move far beyond the "sleek" dance clubs of [[Los Angeles]] or [[New York City|New York]]. He wanted it to go global: "I came up with this concept of having this club be in this abandoned Asian [[bath house]] and having it be filled with young world travelers, the kind of people who would go to these far exotic places to go to a place like this".<ref name="mtv.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1675236/britney-spears-video-tournament-slave-4-u/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229150127/http://www.mtv.com/news/1675236/britney-spears-video-tournament-slave-4-u/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 29, 2015|title=Britney Spears' 'Slave 4 U': The Story Behind The Video|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|website=MTV News}}</ref>


In the video, Spears and her backup dancers employ the same choreography and sing while looking over a balcony at cars down in the distance. Spears is portrayed as a [[slave]] to the music, dancing all day until she and the backup dancers are sweaty and near [[dehydration]], forcing them to search for water — Spears is then seen standing by a mirror at the sink. Two alternative versions of the video clip can be found on the ''[[Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (DVD)|Greatest Hits: My Prerogative]]'' [[DVD]] released on November 9, 2004.<ref>{{cite web | author=Amazon | title=TGreatest Hits: My Prerogative | website=Amazon | date=November 9, 2004 | url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00064AM62 | access-date=January 5, 2009}}</ref> The music video was nominated in three categories at the [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards]] for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video|Best Dance Video]], and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]].
The music video was shot on a soundstage in [[Universal City, California]], over [[Labor Day]] weekend (Sep. 1–2), under the direction of [[Francis Lawrence]], and is one of Britney's most risqué videos ever.<ref name="video">{{cite web | author=D'Angelo, Joe | title=Britney Works Double-Time On Music Videos | date=September 20, 2001 | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449019/20010920/spears_britney.jhtml | publisher=MTV News | accessdate=January 3, 2009}}</ref> It made its world premiere on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Making the Video]]'' on September 24 at 5 p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]],<ref name="video"/> the same day the song officially hit the American radio stations,<ref name="radio">{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|title=Britney Spears Track list, Tour Dates Announced|date=September 21, 2001|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1449040/20010921/spears_britney.jhtml|work=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=January 3, 2009}}</ref> and debuted at number one on ''[[Total Request Live]]'' two days later.<ref>{{cite web | author=MTV | title=Total Request Live | date=September 26, 2001 | url=http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=recap&y=2001&m=09 | publisher=ATRL | accessdate=January 3, 2009}}</ref> The video also made its world premiere on [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]]'s ''[[106 & Park]]'' on October 16, 2001, making Spears the only white artist to get rotation on an [[African-American]] show. It was choreographed by [[Wade Robson]] and [[Crystal Chewning]], though some of the dancing was choreographed by Puerto-Rican dancer and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s ex-wife [[Mayte Garcia]], who taught Spears [[bellydancing]] for the video.


In the video, Spears and fifteen dancers employ the same choreography seen in her with Spears looking over a balcony whilst singing with cars down in the distance. Spears is portrayed as a [[slave]] to the music who dances all day until she and the other dancers are [[sweaty]] and near [[dehydration]], forcing them to search for water, Spears is standing by a mirror at the sink. Two alternative versions of the video clip can be found on the ''[[Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (DVD)|Greatest Hits: My Prerogative]]'' [[DVD]] released on November 9, 2004.<ref>{{cite web | author=Amazon | title=TGreatest Hits: My Prerogative | date=November 9, 2004 | url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00064AM62 | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> The music video was nominated in three categories at the [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards]] for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video|Best Dance Video]], and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]. The video clip for "I'm a Slave 4 U" was noted for its influence from [[Janet Jackson]], with one review saying "Spears’ main musical and visual influence has not been Madonna but Janet Jackson, particularly in her visual element. The Jackson influence can be seen in the video for 'I’m A Slave 4 U', and it continues through '[[Me Against the Music]],' '[[Boys (Britney Spears song)|Boys]],' and '[[My Prerogative]],' as well as her live performances in general."<ref name="Vertigo Shtick"/> The video ranked #1 in the list of the "50 Sexiest Music Videos of All-Time" published by Canadian music channel [[MuchMusic]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | author=MuchMusic | title=50 Sexiest Videos | year=2007 | url=http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/50sexiest/ | accessdate=January 5, 2009|archivedate=21 March 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321143234/http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/50sexiest/}}</ref> An official remix video used the "''Miguel Migs Petalpusher Vocal Mix''" was also released. There are another 2 unreleased remix videos using the ''Thunderpuss Club Mix'' and the ''Thunderpuss Dark Mix''. Nearly 10 years later in 2011, the video would be compared to her "[[Till The World Ends]]" music video. Several references from the "I'm a Slave 4 U" video were made in the video for "Till The World Ends", such as the dancers crowding around her and the sweaty dancers scene.
The video clip for "I'm a Slave 4 U" was noted for drawing inspiration from Janet Jackson, with one review saying "Spears' main musical and visual influence has not been Madonna but Janet Jackson, particularly in her visual element. The Jackson influence can be seen in the video for 'I'm a Slave 4 U', and it continues through '[[Me Against the Music]],' 'Boys,' and '[[My Prerogative (Britney Spears song)|My Prerogative]],' as well as her live performances in general."<ref name="Vertigo Shtick"/> In Canada, the video ranked number one in the list of the "50 Sexiest Music Videos of All-Time" published by music video channel [[MuchMusic]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | author=MuchMusic | title=50 Sexiest Videos | year=2007 | url=http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/50sexiest/ | access-date=January 5, 2009|archive-date=March 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321143234/http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/50sexiest/}}</ref> Ten years later, the video would be compared to her "[[Till the World Ends]]" music video. Several references from the "I'm a Slave 4 U" video were made in the video for "Till the World Ends", such as the dancers crowding around her and the sweaty dancers scene.


==Live performances and covers versions==
== Live performances and usage in media ==
[[File:BritneyVma 2001.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Performing "I'm a Slave 4 U" at the [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards]] wearing an albino Burmese python on her shoulders]]
[[File:BritneyVma 2001.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Spears performing "I'm a Slave 4 U" at the [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards]] wearing an [[Albinism|albino]] [[Burmese python]] on her shoulders]]
Spears first performed "I'm a Slave 4 U" at the [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards]] at the [[Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)|Metropolitan Opera House]] in New York City on September 6, 2001.<ref>{{cite web | author=MTV | title=2001 MTV Video Music Awards | date=August 2008 | url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/ | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> The performance featured a number of [[exotic animal]]s, including a [[white tiger]] and a live albino [[Burmese Python]] on her shoulders.<ref>http://www.mtv.com/news/1448715/britney-j-lo-nsync-turn-to-jungle-ja-rule-jacko-for-vma-performances/</ref> The inclusion of the animals in the performance brought a great deal of criticism from [[animal rights]] organization [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (PETA).<ref>{{cite web | author=Access Hollywood | title=PETA slams Britney over animals in video | date=December 9, 2008 | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28142908/ | publisher=MSNBC | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> In August 2008, [[MTV]] named the performance the most memorable moment in [[MTV Video Music Awards|VMA history]].<ref>{{cite web|author=McGregor, Marsha |title=50 Sexiest Videos |date=August 2008 |url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20053852_20083019,00.html |publisher=InStyle magazine |accessdate=January 5, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203071400/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0%2C%2C20053852_20083019%2C00.html |archivedate=February 3, 2009 |df= }}</ref> Other performances include several television appearances to promote her third album, ''[[Britney (album)|Britney]]''. She performed on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' on October 11, ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'' on November 5 and the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' on November 6.<ref name="radio"/> A special named ''Total Britney'' was made by MTV on November 3, where the singer performed the song with "[[Stronger (Britney Spears song)|Stronger]]" and "[[I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman]]". A month later, Spears opened the [[Billboard Music Award|2001 Billboard Music Awards]] in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] on December 4 with a performance of the track on a stage inside the [[fountain]]s of the [[Bellagio Hotel]].<ref>{{cite web | author=Vineyard, Jennifer | title=Destiny's Child, R. Kelly Win Big, Britney Gets Soaked At Billboard Awards | date=December 5, 2001 | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451323/20011205/destinys_child.jhtml | publisher=MTV News | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> 15 years later, at the [[2016 Billboard Music Awards]], the song was once again performed at the award show as part of a medley, on May 22, 2016. The song was also included in Spears's setlist for the [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]] on September 24, 2016. She also performed the song as part of her [[Apple Music Festival]] performance in London on September 27, 2016.
Spears first performed "I'm a Slave 4 U" at the [[2001 MTV Video Music Awards]] at the [[Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)|Metropolitan Opera House]] in New York City on September 6, 2001. The performance is widely considered amongst the greatest moments in the award show's history as well as in [[Popular culture|pop culture]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2001 MTV Video Music Awards, which has become an iconic staple in pop culture. |date=August 2008|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041551/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2001/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=January 5, 2009}}</ref> The performance featured a [[white tiger]] (wrangled by [[Bhagavan Antle]]) and a live [[Albinism|amelanistic]] [[Burmese python]] on her shoulders.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1448715/britney-j-lo-nsync-turn-to-jungle-ja-rule-jacko-for-vma-performances/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914013616/http://www.mtv.com/news/1448715/britney-j-lo-nsync-turn-to-jungle-ja-rule-jacko-for-vma-performances/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 14, 2014|title=Britney, J. Lo, 'NSYNC Turn To Jungle, Ja Rule, Jacko For VMA Performances|date=September 6, 2001|access-date=February 8, 2019|publisher=MTV News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/tiger-king-britney-spears-vma-performance-1203548816/amp/|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|title='Tiger King's' Doc Antle and Britney Spears Shared Stage for 'I'm a Slave 4 U' VMAs Performance|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=March 31, 2020|publisher=Variety}}</ref> Other performances include several television appearances to promote her third album, ''Britney''. She performed on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' on October 11,<ref name="radio"/> and a special named ''Total Britney Live'' was aired by MTV on November 3, where Spears performed "I'm a Slave 4 U", "[[Stronger (Britney Spears song)|Stronger]]", and "[[I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman]]".<ref>''Total Britney Live'', November 3, 2001</ref> Two days later, on November 5, Spears performed "I'm a Slave 4 U" on ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'', and on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' the day after.<ref name="radio"/> A month later, she opened the [[2001 Billboard Music Awards|2001 ''Billboard'' Music Awards]] in [[Las Vegas]] on December 4, 2001, with a performance of the track on a stage inside the fountains of the [[Bellagio Hotel]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|title=Destiny's Child, R. Kelly Win Big, Britney Gets Soaked At Billboard Awards|date=December 5, 2001|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451323/20011205/destinys_child.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020805191937/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451323/20011205/destinys_child.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2002|publisher=MTV News|access-date=January 5, 2009}}</ref>


Spears performed the song on the 2001–02 [[Dream Within a Dream Tour]], in a setting resembling the performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1450487/britney-goes-bald-plays-tiny-dancer-gets-caught-in-the-rain-at-tour-kickoff/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119081945/http://www.mtv.com/news/1450487/britney-goes-bald-plays-tiny-dancer-gets-caught-in-the-rain-at-tour-kickoff/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 19, 2014|title=Britney Goes Bald, Plays Tiny Dancer, Gets Caught In The Rain At Tour Kickoff|author=<!--Not stated-->|website=MTV News}}</ref> According to Jim Farber from ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'', "But for all the bumping and grinding that went on, parents had no reason to cover their daughters' eyes".<ref name=dn>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2001/11/09/2001-11-09_britney_-_the_night_of_the_l.html |title=BRITNEY&nbsp;– THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DOLL |last=Farber |first=Jim |date=November 9, 2001 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |access-date=January 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629054819/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2001/11/09/2001-11-09_britney_-_the_night_of_the_l.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> To promote her fourth studio album ''[[In the Zone]]'', she performed the track at the [[National Football League Kickoff game|2003 NFL Kickoff Live]] on September 4, 2003, at the [[National Mall]]. Other songs performed included "Me Against the Music" and "[[...Baby One More Time]]".<ref name=post>{{cite web|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/access/400909571.html?dids=400909571:400909571&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+06%2C+2003&author=MARY+HUHN&pub=New+York+Post&desc=BRITNEY+FUMBLES+THE+BALL%3B+REUTERS&pqatl=google|title=Britney fumbles the ball|last=Huhn|first=Mary|date=September 6, 2003|work=New York Post|access-date=October 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629040137/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nypost/access/400909571.html?dids=400909571:400909571&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+06%2C+2003&author=MARY+HUHN&pub=New+York+Post&desc=BRITNEY+FUMBLES+THE+BALL%3B+REUTERS&pqatl=google|archive-date=June 29, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 14, Spears played a surprise concert at [[Rain Nightclub]] in the [[Palms Casino Resort]], and performed the aforementioned songs along with a new song titled "Breathe on Me".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1478233/20030915/spears_britney.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030919035840/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1478233/20030915/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2003|title=Britney Romps On Bed, Loses Her Shirt At Surprise Vegas Show – Music, Celebrity, Artist News &#124; MTV|date=September 15, 2003|access-date=October 26, 2010|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|publisher=MTV. MTV Networks}}</ref> On November 17, a concert special titled ''[[Britney Spears: In the Zone]]'' aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], and included a mash-up of "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Boys".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001BXYUG|title=In the Zone (+ Bonus CD) (2003)|work=[[Amazon.com]]|publisher=Amazon, Inc|access-date=February 11, 2011}}</ref> On [[The Onyx Hotel Tour]] in 2004, the track was included on the setlist and had a "''[[The Flintstones|Flintstones]]''-meets-''[[Survivor (franchise)|Survivor]]''" set.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/music/article/It-s-a-totally-sexy-new-show-for-Spears-1139309.php|title=It's a totally sexy new show for Spears|first1=Gene|last1=Stout|date=March 12, 2004|website=seattlepi.com}}</ref>
Notably, the song was performed at the [[National Mall]] in Washington, D.C., to kick off the [[2003 NFL season|2003 National Football League season]].<ref>{{cite web | author=Pop Dirt | title=Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige to Rock NFL Kick-Off | date=July 29, 2003 | url=http://popdirt.com/britney-spears-mary-j-blige-to-rock-nfl-kick-off/18259/ | accessdate=January 5, 2009}}</ref> Spears performed the track on her latest five tours, [[Dream Within a Dream Tour|Dream Within a Dream]] (2001-2002), [[The Onyx Hotel Tour|The Onyx Hotel]] (2004), [[The M+M's Tour]] (2007), [[The Circus Starring Britney Spears]] (2009), [[The Femme Fatale Tour]] (2011), and on her residency concert [[Britney: Piece of Me]] (2013-2017).


"I'm a Slave 4 U" was performed as a shortened version on the 2007 [[The M+M's Tour]].<ref name=mtv>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1558527/britneys-back-onstage-with-dirty-dance-party.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629122700/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1558527/britneys-back-onstage-with-dirty-dance-party.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2011|title=Britney's Back! Spears Returns To The Stage With Five-Song Dirty Dance Party|publisher=MTV News|last=VanHorn|first=Teri|date=May 2, 2007|access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> On [[The Circus Starring Britney Spears]] in 2009, Spears performed the song in a setting "complete with flames and a fierce dance routine", which managed to "rise above all the [[ephemera]]" according to [[MTV News]]' James Montgomery.<ref name="mtv.com"/> For the [[Femme Fatale Tour]] in 2011, "I'm a Slave 4 U" was performed as [[Sexual fetishism|fetishistic]] shots of naked, bound men were displayed on the backdrops.<ref name=spin>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/06/haters-go-home-britney-dominates-la-show/|title=Haters Go Home: Britney Dominates L.A. Show|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|last=McDonnell|first=Evelyn|date=June 20, 2011|access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> On her residency concert in Las Vegas, [[Britney: Piece of Me]] (2013–17), Spears initially started the performance sat on a throne surrounded by her female dancers who are playing in a fountain.<ref>{{cite news|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Britney Spears' Hits-Filled 'Piece of Me' Show Opens In Las Vegas: Live Review|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5855045/britney-spears-hits-filled-piece-of-me-show-opens-in-las-vegas|access-date=December 28, 2013|magazine=Billboard|date=December 28, 2013}}</ref> Later on, the throne was removed in favor of a pole. At the [[2016 Billboard Music Awards|2016 ''Billboard'' Music Awards]], the song was once again on a [[stripper pole]] as part of a greatest hits [[Medley (music)|medley]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/3176203/britney-spears-slams-slave-4-u-performance-as-she-makes-big-comeback/|title=Britney Spears Slams 'Slave 4 U' Performance As She Makes Big Comeback|website=www.inquisitr.com|date=June 6, 2016 }}</ref> While promoting her ninth studio album ''[[Glory (Britney Spears album)|Glory]]'' in 2016, Spears performed the song at several music festivals worldwide, including the [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Atkinson|first1=Katie|title=Britney Spears Brings Out G-Eazy to Close iHeartRadio Music Festival Set|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/music-festivals/7518907/britney-spears-g-eazy-iheartradio-music-festival|access-date=November 29, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=September 24, 2016}}</ref> [[Apple Music Festival]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harp|first1=Justin|title=Not even a botched backflip could ruin Britney Spears' historic Apple Music Festival set|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a809334/britney-spears-historic-apple-music-festival-setlist/|access-date=November 29, 2016|website=Digital Spy|date=September 28, 2016}}</ref> [[KIIS-FM Jingle Ball]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/britney-spears-celebrates-birthday-at-kiis-fm-jingle-ball-2016-w453675|title=Britney Spears Celebrates Her 35th Birthday With Ryan Seacrest and Tinashe at KIIS FM Jingle Ball 2016|last=Hautman|first=Nicholas|date=December 3, 2016|work=[[US Magazine]]|access-date=December 3, 2016}}</ref> and the 99.7's Triple Ho Show.<ref>{{cite news|title=Britney Spears Performs at Triple Ho Show: See the Photos|url=http://popcrush.com/britney-spears-triple-ho-show-san-jose-photos/|access-date=December 4, 2016|publisher=PopCrush|date=December 4, 2016}}</ref> "I'm a Slave 4 U" was performed on the 2017 [[Britney: Live in Concert]] Asian tour,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/concert-review-britney-spears-brings-more-than-a-touch-of-vegas-to-singapore|title=Concert review: Britney Spears brings more than a touch of Vegas to Singapore|date=June 30, 2017|website=The Straits Times}}</ref> as well as on the [[Piece of Me Tour]] in 2018, which covered North America and Europe.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/07/britney-spears-piece-of-me-tour-vegas-residency-atlantic-city-comeback|title=Britney Spears May Not Be Back in Control, but She's Getting There|magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref>
"I'm a Slave 4 U" was covered by the musical television show ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' in the episode "[[Britney/Brittany]]" sung by [[Heather Morris]] in her singing debut. In a dream sequence, Morris's character [[Brittany S. Pierce]] sings the number, while recreating several iconic looks from Spears's videos: the red catsuit from "[[Oops!... I Did It Again (song)|Oops!... I Did It Again]]", the outfit with a snake from Spears's "I'm a Slave 4 U" performance at the VMA's, and the white diamond bodysuit from "[[Toxic]]". Morris also performed the song during the live 2011 Glee Tour.

According to rehearsal videos published at Spears's social media accounts in late 2018, "I'm a Slave 4 U" was set to be performed at her planned residency Britney: Domination prior to its cancellation.

==Influence and legacy==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2022}}
"I'm a Slave 4 U" was widely seen as being a departure from Spears' [[girl next door]] image and signature [[bubblegum pop]] sound from her previous two albums ''[[...Baby One More Time (album)|...Baby One More Time]]'' and ''[[Oops!... I Did It Again (album)|Oops!... I Did It Again]]'' – the sound of the single leans more towards "[[Urban contemporary|urban pop]]" and R&B, and the accompanying video and live performances are more overtly sexual. Upon its release, the song and video - as well as Spears' performance at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards - were heavily criticized for their overt sexual nature as well as for Spears only being 19 years old at the time. Many critics at the time compared the song and its video to that of Prince and Janet Jackson. Some critics also noted similarities in Spears' slight transition from bubblegum pop and more confident overt sexuality to that of Madonna in the early [[1990s in music|1990s]], during which she was transitioning from her [[Pop music|pop]] sound of the [[1980s in music|1980s]] to a more mature sound and more explicit sexuality on her single and music video for "[[Justify My Love]]" and on her ''[[Erotica (Madonna album)|Erotica]]'' album.

Miley Cyrus has also cited "I'm a Slave 4 U" for influencing the song and video for her 2013 hit "[[We Can't Stop]]". Likewise, Selena Gomez cited the song for influencing her 2013 single "[[Come & Get It (Selena Gomez song)|Come & Get it]]". In a 2010 interview with ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'', [[Lindsay Lohan]] said the song and video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" were the main influence for her 2004 hit "[[Rumors (Lindsay Lohan song)|Rumors]]", with Lohan even using the same director Spears had previously used on her video "My Prerogative". At the [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards]], [[Nicki Minaj]] had planned on paying homage to Spears' 2001 performance for her performance of her song "[[Anaconda (song)|Anaconda]]" by using several albino snakes, however, MTV banned Minaj's use of live snakes after a backup dancer was [[Snakebite|bitten]]; Minaj's team was also presented with an order from the promotions and management team of R&B singer [[Beyoncé]] prohibiting Minaj to pay tribute to Spears since the [[Video Vanguard Award]] was supposed to honor Beyoncé throughout the evening. In 2016, [[Mexican Americans|Mexican-American]] singer [[Becky G]] paid homage to Spears' 2001 VMA performance by dancing with a yellow snake at [[Univision]]'s annual awards show ''[[Premios Juventud]]''.

In 2021, ''Billboard'' named it the third best song of 2001, by noting its impact – "it also blazed a new path for pop stars of the future, letting the world know that how an artist chooses to express themselves is entirely up to them, whether or not you 'like that'."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9550936/best-songs-2001-top-100|title=The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001: Staff Picks|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

===Controversy===
"I'm a Slave 4 U" was seen as so controversial upon its release that Spears received immense backlash from The Parents Association of America (PAA), as well as several other [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] outlets. The PAA also urged people to boycott Spears and criticized her for "being an irresponsible and bad role model to young girls all over the country", with even the wife of governor [[Bob Ehrlich]] proclaiming at a live press conference, "If I had a chance, I would shoot Britney Spears." Spears responded to the backlash in a December 2001 ''Rolling Stone'' article, "I don't see the big deal and I don't see the need for an apology. I'm a 19-year-old girl about to be 20, I'm growing up and there's nothing wrong with that. Besides no matter what, I can never win, when I did '...Baby One More Time' they were saying I was too controversial, so you can never win."
{{quote box|width=25em|align=right|quote="One of her historic power moves: belly dancing with a python at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards to the blingiest Neptunes beat. 'I'm a Slave 4 U' is the ultimate Britney song of dancing as liberation versus dancing as addiction. 'All you people look at me like I'm a little girl,' she sings, perhaps slightly misjudging her relationship with the American public. But she lets out her kitty-kitty yowls with a bad case of cat-scratch fever. And the Prince-style spelling makes sense, since the sugar-walls strut of 'I'm a Slave 4 U' splits the difference musically between Vanity 6's 'Nasty Girl' and Apollonia 6's 'Sex Shooter.'|source=-[[Rob Sheffield]] from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' on the legacy of "I'm a Slave 4 U".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/every-britney-spears-song-ranked-1294685/|title=Every Britney Spears Song Ranked|date=March 1, 2022|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|publisher=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> }}
While then seen as controversial, in subsequent years "I'm a Slave 4 U" has since gone down in [[pop culture]] history with ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' regarding the video and song itself as "groundbreaking, daring and artistically creative" in 2013. Many music critics have credited the ''Britney'' album as a whole and its lead single "I'm a Slave 4 U" for inspiring other female artists of her own generation and the generation following her. In 2017, writing for ''Rolling Stone'', [[Peter Travers]] noted, "In the early [[2000s in music|2000s]] there was no one bigger in music than Britney Spears and with her third studio album ''Britney'' and its lead single 'I'm a Slave 4 U', Britney Spears started a new trend. The now clichéd trend of a young girl transitioning from the [[Disney Channel]] to a squeaky clean pop image than into overtly sexual '[[femme fatale]]'. From girls of her own era, such as [[Christina Aguilera]] and [[Jessica Simpson]], to girls of the next generation, such as [[Miley Cyrus]] and [[Selena Gomez]], Spears blazed the trail of how to grow and sustain from [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] kid to pop sensation to pop culture powerhouse."


==Track listings==
==Track listings==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
*;European CD single
*'''European CD single'''
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Main Version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (main version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "Intimidated"&nbsp; 3:17
# "Intimidated"&nbsp; 3:17

*;European and Australian CD maxi single
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Main Version)&nbsp;— 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Instrumental)&nbsp;— 3:23
# "Intimidated"&nbsp;— 3:17
# "Britney... Interview"&nbsp;— 4:16


*;Japanese CD maxi single
*'''European and Australian CD maxi single'''
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Main Version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (main version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Instrumental)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (instrumental)&nbsp; 3:23
# "Intimidated"&nbsp; 3:17
# "Intimidated"&nbsp; 3:17
# "Britney... Interview"&nbsp;– 4:16


*'''Japanese CD maxi single'''
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (main version)&nbsp;– 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (instrumental)&nbsp;– 3:23
# "Intimidated"&nbsp;– 3:17
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
*;UK CD maxi single / Cassette single
*'''UK CD maxi and cassette single'''
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Main Version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (main version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "Intimidated"&nbsp; 3:17
# "Intimidated"&nbsp; 3:17
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Instrumental)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (instrumental)&nbsp; 3:23


*;12" vinyl
*'''12-inch vinyl'''
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Main Version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (main version)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Instrumental)&nbsp; 3:23
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (instrumental)&nbsp; 3:23


*;12" vinyl (The Remixes)
*'''12-inch vinyl (The Remixes)'''
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" ([[Thunderpuss]] Club Mix)&nbsp; 8:45
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" ([[Thunderpuss]] club mix)&nbsp; 8:45
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Thunderpuss Radio Mix)&nbsp; 3:18
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" (Thunderpuss radio mix)&nbsp; 3:18
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" ([[Miguel Migs]] Petalpusher Vocal)&nbsp; 5:30
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" ([[Miguel Migs]] Petalpusher vocal)&nbsp; 5:30
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" ([[Proper Filthy Naughty|The Light]] Remix)&nbsp; 8:25
# "I'm a Slave 4 U" ([[Proper Filthy Naughty|The Light]] remix)&nbsp; 8:25
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Charts and certifications==
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2001–2002)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Australia|7|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
!align="left"|Chart (2001–02)
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Australia|7|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Austria|6|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Austria|6|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Flanders|6|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Flanders|6|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Wallonia|4|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada ([[Canadian Singles Chart|Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/britney-spears/chart-history/cns/|title=Britney Spears Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=June 22, 2019}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Wallonia|4|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 8
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Brazil ([[Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos|ABPD]])<ref name="Brazil">{{cite web |url = http://asdfg-menezes.org/bookBR.pdf |title = Brazil |work = ABPD |date = November 17, 2001 |accessdate = March 31, 2017 }}</ref>
!scope="row"|Canada CHR ([[Nielsen BDS]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2001.pdf|title=Canadian Top 20 in 2001|website=Cross Canada Countdown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407223203/http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2001.pdf|archive-date=7 April 2005|access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|align="center"|11
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Croatia ([[Croatian Radiotelevision|HRT]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2001|title=Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija|publisher=[[Croatian Radiotelevision]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011109044809/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html|access-date=March 30, 2019}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Billboardcanadianhot100|8|artist=Britney Spears|artistid={{BillboardID|Britney Spears}}|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 7
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Denmark|8|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Denmark|8|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[European Hot 100 Singles]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="europe">{{cite web |title=Britney Spears – Chart history|publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?page=326&f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3Abritney%20spears&f[1]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=britney%20spears|accessdate=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
!scope="row"|[[European Hot 100 Singles]] (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref name="europe">{{cite magazine |title=Britney Spears – Chart history|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?page=326&f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3Abritney%20spears&f[1]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=britney%20spears|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
| 5
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
|-
!scope="row"|[[European Hot 100 Singles|European Radio Top 50]] (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-12-01.pdf |title=European Radio Top 50 |magazine=[[Music & Media]] |volume=19|issue=49|date=December 1, 2001|page=20|oclc=29800226 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Finland|4|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 12
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|France|8|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Finland|4|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Germany|3|artist=Spears, Britney|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|France|8|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Ireland|6|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|year=2001|week=42|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Germany|3|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|songid=4912|access-date=October 12, 2018}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Greece ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-11-24.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=19|issue=48|page=9|date=November 24, 2001|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Italy|4|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 6
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Ireland2|6|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=January 20, 2020}}
!scope="row"| Japan ([[Oricon]])<ref name="japanoricon">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/145326/ranking/cd_single/|title=Oricon Style – Artist – Britney Spears|publisher=[[Oricon]]|language=Japanese|accessdate=October 4, 2011|archivedate=November 4, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104105249/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/145326/ranking/cd_single/}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 33
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Dutch100|9|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Italy|4|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Italy Airplay (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-10-20.pdf |title=Top National Sellers |magazine=Music & Media|page=23 |oclc=29800226 |access-date=October 24, 2018 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|New Zealand|13|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 12
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japan ([[Oricon]])<ref name="japanoricon">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/145326/ranking/cd_single/|title=Oricon Style – Artist – Britney Spears|publisher=[[Oricon]]|language=ja|access-date=October 4, 2011|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104105249/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/145326/ranking/cd_single/}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Norway|3|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 33
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Portugal|2|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Dutch40|6|year=2001|week=44|access-date=May 4, 2018}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Dutch100|9|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
!scope="row"|Romania ([[Romanian Top 100]])<ref name="Romania">{{cite news|url=http://www.rt100.ro/2001.html|publisher=[[Romanian Top 100]]|accessdate=December 7, 2016|title=Top of the Year 2001|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021209050311/http://www.rt100.ro/2001.html|archivedate=December 9, 2002|language=Romanian}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Scotland|4|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|date=2001-10-21|accessdate=22 June 2015}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|New Zealand|13|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Spain|6|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=April 2, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Norway|3|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Portugal ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-11-03.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=19|issue=45|page=15|date=November 3, 2001|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Sweden|7|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 2
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Romania ([[Romanian Top 100]])<ref name="Romania">{{cite news|url=http://www.rt100.ro/2001.html|publisher=[[Romanian Top 100]]|access-date=December 7, 2016|title=Top of the Year 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021209050311/http://www.rt100.ro/2001.html|archive-date=December 9, 2002|language=ro}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Switzerland|7|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 10
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Russia Airplay (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-12-15.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay – Russia|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=23|date=December 15, 2001|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|UK|4|date=2001-10-27|accessdate=February 11, 2011}}
| 15
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Scandinavia Airplay (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-12-15.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay – Scandinavia|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|page=23|date=December 15, 2001|access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|27|artist=Britney Spears|artistid={{BillboardID|Britney Spears}}|accessdate=April 2, 2011}}
| 4
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Scotland|4|date=20011021|access-date=June 22, 2015}}
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Billboarddanceclubplay|4|artist=Britney Spears|artistid={{BillboardID|Britney Spears}}|accessdate=April 2, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Billboardrandbhiphop|85|artist=Britney Spears|artistid={{BillboardID|Britney Spears}}|accessdate=April 2, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Spain|6|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=April 2, 2011}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"{{singlechart|Billboardpopsongs|15|artist=Britney Spears|artistid={{BillboardID|Britney Spears}}|accessdate=April 2, 2011}}
!scope="row"{{single chart|Sweden|7|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Switzerland|7|artist=Britney Spears|song=I'm a Slave 4 U|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|UK|4|date=20011027|access-date=February 11, 2011}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|UKindie|1|date=20011027|access-date=May 26, 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardhot100|27|artist=Britney Spears|access-date=April 2, 2011}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|4|artist=Britney Spears|access-date=April 2, 2011|note=Remixes}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|8|artist=Britney Spears|access-date=October 8, 2021|note=Remixes}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|85|artist=Britney Spears|access-date=April 2, 2011}}
|-
!scope="row"{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|15|artist=Britney Spears|access-date=April 2, 2011}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2001)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2001/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001|publisher=ARIA|access-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref>
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart
| 99
! style="text-align:center;"|Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[ARIA]])<ref name="ARIA Annual">{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2001.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2001 |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |accessdate=January 9, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808072947/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2001.htm |archivedate=August 8, 2015 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2001 |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |publisher=[[Ultratop|Ultratop 50]] |language=nl |access-date=February 24, 2012}}</ref>
| 52
| style="text-align:center;"|99
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium ([[Ultratop|Ultratop 50 Flanders]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2001 |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |publisher=[[Ultratop|Ultratop 50]]|accessdate=February 24, 2012}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2001 |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |publisher=[[Ultratop|Ultratop 50]] |language=fr |access-date=April 9, 2014}}</ref>
| 50
| style="text-align:center;"|52
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium ([[Ultratop|Ultratop 50 Wallonia]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2001 |title=Ultratop Belgian Charts |language=French|publisher=[[Ultratop|Ultratop 50]]|accessdate=April 9, 2014}}</ref>
!scope="row"| Brazil ([[Crowley Broadcast Analysis]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maistocadas.mus.br/2001/|title=Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2001|date=April 3, 2018|publisher=[[Crowley Broadcast Analysis]]|accessdate=January 30, 2022}}</ref>
| 24
| style="text-align:center;"|50
|-
|-
!scope="row"|France ([[SNEP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2001 |title=Classement Singles – année 2001 |publisher=Disque en France |accessdate=February 24, 2012|archivedate=17 January 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117031807/http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2001}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles2.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001|publisher=[[Jam!]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020726120310/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles2.html|archive-date=July 26, 2002|access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref>
| 124
| style="text-align:center;"|64
|-
|-
!scope="row"|European Hot 100 Singles (''Music & Media'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohiMstory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-12-22.pdf|title=Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=18|issue=52|page=14|date=December 22, 2001|access-date=February 10, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
!scope="row"|Netherlands ([[Single Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2001&cat=s |title=Dutch charts portal |publisher=[[Single Top 100]]|accessdate=February 24, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208122346/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2001&cat=s |archivedate=February 8, 2015 |df= }}</ref>
| 59
| style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
|-
!scope="row"|France (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=2001|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 2001|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]]|language=fr|access-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Romania ([[Romanian Top 100]])<ref name="Romania"/>
| 64
| style="text-align:center;"|93
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden ([[Sverigetopplistan]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |title=Sverigetopplistan Sveriges Officiella Topplista |publisher=[[Sverigetopplistan|Singles Top 100]]|accessdate=February 24, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226000000/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |archivedate=December 26, 2015}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Ireland (IRMA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allcharts.org/music/years/ireland-singles-2001.htm |title=Ireland-Top Singles for 2001 |publisher=C&R |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505011812/http://allcharts.org/music/years/ireland-singles-2001.htm |archive-date=5 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 70
| style="text-align:center;"|58
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2001|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2001|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Switzerland ([[Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=2001 |title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001 |publisher=[[Swiss Hitparade|Swiss Singles Chart]]|accessdate=February 24, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110025734/http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=2001 |archivedate=November 10, 2012 }}</ref>
| 81
| style="text-align:center;"|68
|-
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2001.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2001|publisher=UK Charts Plus|work=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2001&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten Single 2001|publisher=[[MegaCharts]]|language=nl|access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref>
| 78
| style="text-align:center;"|83
|-
!scope="row"|Romania (Romanian Top 100)<ref name="Romania"/>
| 93
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2001&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 2001|publisher=[[Sverigetopplistan]]|language=sv|access-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref>
| 58
|-
!scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2001|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 2001|language=de|access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref>
| 68
|-
! scope="row"| Taiwan ([[Hit FM (Taiwan)|Hito Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitoradio.com/newweb/chart_2.php?ch_year=2001&pageNum_rsList=1|title=年度百首單曲: 2001|publisher=[[Hit FM (Taiwan)|Hit FM]]. Voice of Taipei Broadcasting|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009192547/http://www.hitoradio.com/newweb/chart_2.php?ch_year=2001&pageNum_rsList=1|language=zh|access-date=March 17, 2023|archive-date=October 9, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 54
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2001.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2001|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
| 83
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


===Certifications===
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|autocat=yes|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|award=Gold|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|award=Gold|access-date=January 17, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Belgium |type=single |award=Gold |artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|autocat=yes}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Belgium |type=single |award=Gold |artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|relyear=2001|certyear=2001}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|autocat=yes|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|award=Silver|salesamount= 197,000|salesref=<ref name=melfra>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/S_Certif_Argent.php?debut=550 |title=InfoDisc: Les Singles en Argent |publisher=InfoDisc |language=French |accessdate=March 3, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502201527/http://www.infodisc.fr/S_Certif_Argent.php?debut=550 |archivedate=May 2, 2014 |df= }}</ref>|accessdate=January 17, 2014|archivedate=January 10, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110221808/http://www.infodisc.fr/S_Certif_Argent.php?debut=550}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|award=Silver}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2001|certyear=2024|access-date=December 14, 2024|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|autocat=yes|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|award=Gold|accessdate=January 17, 2014|certref=<ref name=norwaycert>{{cite web|title=Norwegian single certifications – Britney Spears – I'm a Slave 4 U|url=http://www.ifpi.no/sok/lst_trofeer_sok.asp?type=artist|publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]] Norway|accessdate=January 17, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105012246/http://www.ifpi.no/sok/lst_trofeer_sok.asp?type=artist|archivedate=November 5, 2012}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|autocat=yes|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|award=Gold|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Beyoncé|title=Work It Out|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2002|relmonth=7|certyear=2002|access-date=February 25, 2011}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|autocat=yes|relyear=2001|certyear=2014|award=Silver|accessdate=January 17, 2010}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|award=Gold|access-date=January 17, 2014}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|award=Gold|certyear=2023|relyear=2001|id=13027-1064-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=1|artist=Britney Spears|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|relyear=2001|certyear=2023|access-date=October 24, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
{{col-end}}


==Release history==
==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "I'm a Slave 4 U"
! Country
! Date
! Format
! Label
|-
|-
! scope="row"| United States<ref name="radio" />
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
| September 24, 2001
! scope="col"| Format(s)
| [[Contemporary hit radio]]
! scope="col"| Label(s)
! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| September 25, 2001
| {{hlist|[[Contemporary hit radio]]|[[rhythmic contemporary radio]]}}
| [[Jive Records|Jive]]
| [[Jive Records|Jive]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web |title=R&R / CHR/Pop / Going for Adds |url=https://americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/01/RR-2001-09-21-OCR-Page-0048.pdf |website=American Radio History |publisher=Radio and Records |access-date=September 11, 2001 |page=46 |date=September 21, 2001}}</ref>}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
! scope="row"| Germany<ref name="amazonger">{{cite web|title=I'M a Slave 4 U [Single]|url=https://www.amazon.de/IM-Slave-4-Spears-Britney/dp/B00005Q3N3|publisher=Amazon.de|accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>
| rowspan="2"| October 15, 2001
| rowspan="3"| October 15, 2001
| rowspan="2"| [[CD single]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Maxi single|Maxi CD]]
| [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue607.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue607.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2002|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th October 2001|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|page=24|date=October 15, 2001|access-date=April 24, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Germany
! scope="row"| United Kingdom<ref name="amazonuk">{{cite web|title=I'm A Slave 4 U [Single, Maxi]|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00005QJFU|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>
| {{center|<ref name="amazonger">{{cite web|title=I'M a Slave 4 U [Single]|url=https://www.amazon.de/IM-Slave-4-Spears-Britney/dp/B00005Q3N3|publisher=Amazon.de|access-date=August 29, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021160442/http://www.amazon.de/IM-Slave-4-Britney-Spears/dp/B00005Q3N3|archivedate=October 21, 2013}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| United Kingdom
| {{hlist|[[Cassette tape|Cassette]]|maxi CD}}
| [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2001/Music-Week-2001-10-13.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting October 15, 2001: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=29|date=October 13, 2001|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| United States
! scope="row"| Japan
| October 30, 2001
| October 17, 2001
| Maxi CD
| [[12-inch single|12"]] (The Remixes)<ref name="amazonusvin">{{cite web|title=I'm a Slave 4 U [Vinyl] [Single]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RETI|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>
| [[Avex Trax]]
| Jive
| {{center|<ref name="japanoricon"/>}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand
! scope="row"| Japan<ref name="amazonjap">{{cite web|title=I'm a Slave 4 U|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00005Q3N3|publisher=Amazon.co.jp|accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>
| November 6, 2001
| October 22, 2001
| CD single
| CD
| BMG
| BMG
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://netcd.co.nz/NewReleases.html|title=New Releases|website=netcd.co.nz|date=October 22, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011029130452/http://netcd.co.nz/NewReleases.html|archive-date=October 29, 2001|access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref>}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| France
| October 23, 2001
| {{hlist|CD|maxi CD}}
| [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fnac.com/a1239753/Britney-Spears-I-m-a-slave-4-u-CD-single|title=I'm a slave 4 u &ndash; Britney Spears &ndash; CD single|publisher=[[Fnac]]|location=France|language=fr|date=October 23, 2001|accessdate=December 17, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fnac.com/a1239754/Britney-Spears-I-m-a-slave-4-u-CD-maxi-single|title=I'm a slave 4 u &ndash; Britney Spears &ndash; CD maxi single|publisher=[[Fnac]]|location=France|language=fr|date=October 23, 2001|accessdate=December 17, 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| October 30, 2001
| [[Twelve-inch single|12-inch vinyl]]
| Jive
| {{center|<ref name="amazonusvin">{{cite web|title=I'm a Slave 4 U [Vinyl] [Single]|website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005RETI|access-date=August 29, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029042548/http://www.amazon.com/Im-Slave-4-U-Vinyl/dp/B00005RETI|archivedate=October 29, 2013}}</ref>}}
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzybwwf2HoQ&ob=av3e The official music video on "VEVO", in "YouTube"]&nbsp;— [[Vevo]], [[YouTube]]
* {{MetroLyrics song|britney-spears|im-a-slave-4-u}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Britney Spears singles}}
{{Britney Spears singles}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2001 songs]]
[[Category:2001 singles]]
[[Category:2001 singles]]
[[Category:Britney Spears songs]]
[[Category:Britney Spears songs]]
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[[Category:Music videos directed by Francis Lawrence]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Francis Lawrence]]
[[Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by The Neptunes]]
[[Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by the Neptunes]]
[[Category:Songs written by Pharrell Williams]]
[[Category:Songs written by Pharrell Williams]]
[[Category:Songs written by Chad Hugo]]
[[Category:Songs written by Chad Hugo]]
[[Category:Songs about dancing]]
[[Category:American contemporary R&B songs]]
[[Category:American contemporary R&B songs]]
[[Category:Music videos shot in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 11:01, 17 December 2024

"I'm a Slave 4 U"
Single by Britney Spears
from the album Britney
B-side"Intimidated"
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2001 (2001-09-25)
RecordedJuly 2001
Studio
Genre
Length3:24
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Neptunes
Britney Spears singles chronology
"Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know"
(2001)
"I'm a Slave 4 U"
(2001)
"Overprotected"
(2001)
Music video
"I'm a Slave 4 U" on YouTube

"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.[1] 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.

Heralding a new, provocative image for Spears, "I'm a Slave 4 U" garnered a mixed reception from music critics at the time of its release. Some argued it was the singer's most mature sound at the time, compared to her previous singles, while others noticed the video and the song's attempt to leave behind Spears' girl next door image to a more sexier image emulated then by many pop idols like Christina Aguilera. The song achieved commercial success worldwide, peaking within the top ten in almost every country that it charted in. The song peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 85 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, both being the lowest chart positions of the single worldwide.

Since its release, "I'm a Slave 4 U" has become one of Spears' signature hits, as well as having been considered one of the defining songs of the early 2000s, the new millennium, and of the pop genre. The original dance choreography, from the music video and live performances, has also been widely praised and imitated, with Spears doing little to alter it for many years after the song’s release. Her 2001 MTV Video Music Awards performance of the song is considered amongst the greatest live performances in pop music history, as well as a career highlight for Spears, on-par with iconic past performances of artists such as Madonna and Janet and Michael Jackson. MTV summarized Spears' performance at the ceremony, saying, "draping herself in a python and slithering around a steamy garden setting – surrounded by dancers in zebra and tiger outfits – Spears created one of the most striking visuals in the 27-year history of the show."[2] In 2021, Billboard ranked "I'm a Slave 4 U" at number three in its list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001".[3]

Background and composition

[edit]

"I'm a Slave 4 U" was written and produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, who also collaborated with Spears on "Boys", another track from Britney.[4] Both recordings were originally intended for Janet Jackson's seventh studio album All for You (2001) – Jackson's recording was an unreleased demo before the track was handed to Spears.[5][6] "I'm a Slave 4 U" was recorded by Andrew Cleman (Master Sound Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia) and Brian Garten (Right Track Studios, New York City), and was mixed by Serban Ghenea. Audio engineering on the track was done by Ryan Smith and Tim Roberts.[7][8] After reading the lyrics for the first time, Spears stated it talks "...about me just wanting to go out and forget who I am and dance and have a good time. That's kinda where I am right now. I love working, but at the same time I love having a good time."[9]

The dance-pop[10] and R&B[11][12] song is backed with breathy and moaning vocals and scratching. The soundscape of the song has been noted to be similar to Vanity 6's 1982 song "Nasty Girl".[13]

Critical reception

[edit]
Spears performing "I'm a Slave 4 U" on the Britney: Piece of Me show in 2014

Ted Kessler from NME magazine stated that "...the song is funk the way God intended—hypnotic, insistent, mysterious, suggestive—and if Prince was a nineteen-year-old former Disney Club host and virgin, he'd be proud to create such a record."[14] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic agreed that "I'm a Slave 4 U" was a step towards a more mature sound.[15] According to Rolling Stone's Barry Walters, "...although they're not the album's most melodious cuts, the Neptunes' 'I'm a Slave 4 U' and 'Boys' could be Britney's most important."[16] Bill Lamb from About.com listed the track at number nine on her Top 10 Songs, saying: "By the time of this single off her third album, it was obvious Britney Spears was becoming an adult. This song is a radical shift from the "not quite innocent" 16-year-old schoolgirl of Britney's first album. Slinky and sexy have crept into the Britney Spears style".[17]

"I'm a Slave 4 U" received several comparisons to Janet Jackson's songs, with one critic noting, "Spears' main musical and visual influence has not been Madonna but Janet Jackson." "But Jackson's not the only influence to appear on 'Slave': ...The Neptunes' minimal, electronic production and Spears' breathy, cooing delivery create a track that smacks of Prince." "Spears, on the other hand, became more and more interesting – and enjoyable – as she continued to explore elements of Janet Jackson and Prince throughout her career."[18] Lyndsey Parker of Yahoo! Music wrote, "'Slave', written and produced by the Neptunes and originally intended for OG pop bombshell Janet Jackson, evoked the old-school sexcapades of Prince and his protégés Vanity 6—and in many ways, it was a real artistic leap."[19]

Chart performance

[edit]

"I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the issue date of December 1, 2001,[20][21] becoming Spears' first lead single from an album not to crack the U.S. top ten. The track also became a top 30 hit on the Hot 100 Airplay,[22] but just barely made into the Hot 100 Singles Sales, peaking at number 73.[23] The low sales points were mostly due to the song's 12-inch single release instead of a competitive regular CD single. Despite the low sales, "I'm a Slave 4 U" became Spears' first dance hit, reaching number four on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.[21] It is also her first and, so far, only song to appear on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 85.[21] In Europe, "I'm a Slave 4 U" was more successful, becoming a top ten hit in nearly every country that it charted in – in big markets such as Germany and France, it was certified silver by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique for selling over 125,000 copies.[24] The track spent two weeks at number five on the European Hot 100 Singles chart provided by magazine Music and Media at the time.[25] In the United Kingdom, "I'm a Slave 4 U" peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart[26] and spent a total of 14 weeks within the top 100 and sold over 150,000 copies.[27] In the Pacific, the track was somewhat successful, debuting at number seven on the Australian Singles Chart. Despite spending only eight weeks on the chart,[28] it was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for shipments of over 35,000 units.[29] In New Zealand, "I'm a Slave 4 U" debuted at number 46 on November 4, 2001, and missed the top ten, peaking at number 13 in its third week. The song spent only six weeks on the chart.[30]

Music video

[edit]
A still from the music video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" featuring Spears dancing in a sauna

The accompanying music video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" was filmed on a soundstage in Universal City, California, over Labor Day weekend on September 1–2, 2001, under the direction of Francis Lawrence.[31] It made its world premiere on MTV's Making the Video on September 24 at 5 p.m. EST,[31] the same day the song officially beat the US radio stations.[1] Spears told MTV that the theme of the song and the video really matched who she was at the time. Director Lawrence wanted the video to move far beyond the "sleek" dance clubs of Los Angeles or New York. He wanted it to go global: "I came up with this concept of having this club be in this abandoned Asian bath house and having it be filled with young world travelers, the kind of people who would go to these far exotic places to go to a place like this".[32]

In the video, Spears and her backup dancers employ the same choreography and sing while looking over a balcony at cars down in the distance. Spears is portrayed as a slave to the music, dancing all day until she and the backup dancers are sweaty and near dehydration, forcing them to search for water — Spears is then seen standing by a mirror at the sink. Two alternative versions of the video clip can be found on the Greatest Hits: My Prerogative DVD released on November 9, 2004.[33] The music video was nominated in three categories at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video, Best Dance Video, and Best Choreography.

The video clip for "I'm a Slave 4 U" was noted for drawing inspiration from Janet Jackson, with one review saying "Spears' main musical and visual influence has not been Madonna but Janet Jackson, particularly in her visual element. The Jackson influence can be seen in the video for 'I'm a Slave 4 U', and it continues through 'Me Against the Music,' 'Boys,' and 'My Prerogative,' as well as her live performances in general."[18] In Canada, the video ranked number one in the list of the "50 Sexiest Music Videos of All-Time" published by music video channel MuchMusic in 2007.[34] Ten years later, the video would be compared to her "Till the World Ends" music video. Several references from the "I'm a Slave 4 U" video were made in the video for "Till the World Ends", such as the dancers crowding around her and the sweaty dancers scene.

Live performances and usage in media

[edit]
Spears performing "I'm a Slave 4 U" at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards wearing an albino Burmese python on her shoulders

Spears first performed "I'm a Slave 4 U" at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City on September 6, 2001. The performance is widely considered amongst the greatest moments in the award show's history as well as in pop culture.[35] The performance featured a white tiger (wrangled by Bhagavan Antle) and a live amelanistic Burmese python on her shoulders.[36][37] Other performances include several television appearances to promote her third album, Britney. She performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on October 11,[1] and a special named Total Britney Live was aired by MTV on November 3, where Spears performed "I'm a Slave 4 U", "Stronger", and "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman".[38] Two days later, on November 5, Spears performed "I'm a Slave 4 U" on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and on the Late Show with David Letterman the day after.[1] A month later, she opened the 2001 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on December 4, 2001, with a performance of the track on a stage inside the fountains of the Bellagio Hotel.[39]

Spears performed the song on the 2001–02 Dream Within a Dream Tour, in a setting resembling the performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.[40] According to Jim Farber from New York Daily News, "But for all the bumping and grinding that went on, parents had no reason to cover their daughters' eyes".[41] To promote her fourth studio album In the Zone, she performed the track at the 2003 NFL Kickoff Live on September 4, 2003, at the National Mall. Other songs performed included "Me Against the Music" and "...Baby One More Time".[42] On September 14, Spears played a surprise concert at Rain Nightclub in the Palms Casino Resort, and performed the aforementioned songs along with a new song titled "Breathe on Me".[43] On November 17, a concert special titled Britney Spears: In the Zone aired on ABC, and included a mash-up of "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Boys".[44] On The Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004, the track was included on the setlist and had a "Flintstones-meets-Survivor" set.[45]

"I'm a Slave 4 U" was performed as a shortened version on the 2007 The M+M's Tour.[46] On The Circus Starring Britney Spears in 2009, Spears performed the song in a setting "complete with flames and a fierce dance routine", which managed to "rise above all the ephemera" according to MTV News' James Montgomery.[32] For the Femme Fatale Tour in 2011, "I'm a Slave 4 U" was performed as fetishistic shots of naked, bound men were displayed on the backdrops.[47] On her residency concert in Las Vegas, Britney: Piece of Me (2013–17), Spears initially started the performance sat on a throne surrounded by her female dancers who are playing in a fountain.[48] Later on, the throne was removed in favor of a pole. At the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, the song was once again on a stripper pole as part of a greatest hits medley.[49] While promoting her ninth studio album Glory in 2016, Spears performed the song at several music festivals worldwide, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival,[50] Apple Music Festival,[51] KIIS-FM Jingle Ball,[52] and the 99.7's Triple Ho Show.[53] "I'm a Slave 4 U" was performed on the 2017 Britney: Live in Concert Asian tour,[54] as well as on the Piece of Me Tour in 2018, which covered North America and Europe.[55]

According to rehearsal videos published at Spears's social media accounts in late 2018, "I'm a Slave 4 U" was set to be performed at her planned residency Britney: Domination prior to its cancellation.

Influence and legacy

[edit]

"I'm a Slave 4 U" was widely seen as being a departure from Spears' girl next door image and signature bubblegum pop sound from her previous two albums ...Baby One More Time and Oops!... I Did It Again – the sound of the single leans more towards "urban pop" and R&B, and the accompanying video and live performances are more overtly sexual. Upon its release, the song and video - as well as Spears' performance at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards - were heavily criticized for their overt sexual nature as well as for Spears only being 19 years old at the time. Many critics at the time compared the song and its video to that of Prince and Janet Jackson. Some critics also noted similarities in Spears' slight transition from bubblegum pop and more confident overt sexuality to that of Madonna in the early 1990s, during which she was transitioning from her pop sound of the 1980s to a more mature sound and more explicit sexuality on her single and music video for "Justify My Love" and on her Erotica album.

Miley Cyrus has also cited "I'm a Slave 4 U" for influencing the song and video for her 2013 hit "We Can't Stop". Likewise, Selena Gomez cited the song for influencing her 2013 single "Come & Get it". In a 2010 interview with Vanity Fair, Lindsay Lohan said the song and video for "I'm a Slave 4 U" were the main influence for her 2004 hit "Rumors", with Lohan even using the same director Spears had previously used on her video "My Prerogative". At the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, Nicki Minaj had planned on paying homage to Spears' 2001 performance for her performance of her song "Anaconda" by using several albino snakes, however, MTV banned Minaj's use of live snakes after a backup dancer was bitten; Minaj's team was also presented with an order from the promotions and management team of R&B singer Beyoncé prohibiting Minaj to pay tribute to Spears since the Video Vanguard Award was supposed to honor Beyoncé throughout the evening. In 2016, Mexican-American singer Becky G paid homage to Spears' 2001 VMA performance by dancing with a yellow snake at Univision's annual awards show Premios Juventud.

In 2021, Billboard named it the third best song of 2001, by noting its impact – "it also blazed a new path for pop stars of the future, letting the world know that how an artist chooses to express themselves is entirely up to them, whether or not you 'like that'."[56]

Controversy

[edit]

"I'm a Slave 4 U" was seen as so controversial upon its release that Spears received immense backlash from The Parents Association of America (PAA), as well as several other conservative outlets. The PAA also urged people to boycott Spears and criticized her for "being an irresponsible and bad role model to young girls all over the country", with even the wife of governor Bob Ehrlich proclaiming at a live press conference, "If I had a chance, I would shoot Britney Spears." Spears responded to the backlash in a December 2001 Rolling Stone article, "I don't see the big deal and I don't see the need for an apology. I'm a 19-year-old girl about to be 20, I'm growing up and there's nothing wrong with that. Besides no matter what, I can never win, when I did '...Baby One More Time' they were saying I was too controversial, so you can never win."

"One of her historic power moves: belly dancing with a python at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards to the blingiest Neptunes beat. 'I'm a Slave 4 U' is the ultimate Britney song of dancing as liberation versus dancing as addiction. 'All you people look at me like I'm a little girl,' she sings, perhaps slightly misjudging her relationship with the American public. But she lets out her kitty-kitty yowls with a bad case of cat-scratch fever. And the Prince-style spelling makes sense, since the sugar-walls strut of 'I'm a Slave 4 U' splits the difference musically between Vanity 6's 'Nasty Girl' and Apollonia 6's 'Sex Shooter.'

-Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone on the legacy of "I'm a Slave 4 U".[57]

While then seen as controversial, in subsequent years "I'm a Slave 4 U" has since gone down in pop culture history with Billboard regarding the video and song itself as "groundbreaking, daring and artistically creative" in 2013. Many music critics have credited the Britney album as a whole and its lead single "I'm a Slave 4 U" for inspiring other female artists of her own generation and the generation following her. In 2017, writing for Rolling Stone, Peter Travers noted, "In the early 2000s there was no one bigger in music than Britney Spears and with her third studio album Britney and its lead single 'I'm a Slave 4 U', Britney Spears started a new trend. The now clichéd trend of a young girl transitioning from the Disney Channel to a squeaky clean pop image than into overtly sexual 'femme fatale'. From girls of her own era, such as Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson, to girls of the next generation, such as Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, Spears blazed the trail of how to grow and sustain from Disney kid to pop sensation to pop culture powerhouse."

Track listings

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[108] Gold 35,000^
Belgium (BEA)[109] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[110] Silver 125,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[111] Gold 15,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[112] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[113] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[114] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[115] Platinum 1,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "I'm a Slave 4 U"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 25, 2001 Jive
Australia October 15, 2001 Maxi CD BMG
Germany
United Kingdom
RCA
Japan October 17, 2001 Maxi CD Avex Trax
New Zealand October 22, 2001 CD BMG
France October 23, 2001
  • CD
  • maxi CD
Virgin
United States October 30, 2001 12-inch vinyl Jive

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[edit]
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