Circus (Britney Spears album)
{{Infobox Album
| Name = Circus
| Cover = Circus- Album.png
| Type = Studio album
| Artist = Britney Spears
| Released = November 28, 2008
| Recorded = 2008
| Length = 46:15 (Standard 13-track Edition)
53:05 (U.S. Deluxe Edition)[1]
| Genre =Pop, electropop,[2] dance[2]
| Label = Jive
| Producer = Teresa LaBarbera Whites and Larry Rudolph (executive), Bloodshy & Avant, Benny Blanco, The Clutch, Nate "Danja" Hills, Dr. Luke, Fernando Garibay, Greg Kurstin, Guy Sigsworth, Let's Go To War, Max Martin, The Outsyders, Harvey Mason, Jr., Rob Knox
| UPC = 886974069829
|Reviews =
- Allmusic link
- Boston Herald (C+) link
- Entertainment Weekly (B) link
- Jam! link
- The Guardian link
- The Independent link
- NME (5/10) link
- Rolling Stone link
- The Sunday Times link
- USA Today link
| Last album = Blackout
(2007)
| This album = Circus
(2008)
| Next album = Destiny
(2010)
| Misc =
Singles from Circus
- "Womanizer"
Released: September 26, 2008 - "Circus"
Released: December 2, 2008 - "If U Seek Amy"
Released: March 10, 2009 - "Radar"
Released: June 23, 2009
Circus is the sixth studio album by American pop singer Britney Spears released by Jive Records on November 28, 2008. Having sold over 505,000 copies in the United States in its first week, Circus debuted on the Billboard 200 at number one, making it Spears the first female ever to have five No. 1 album debuts.[3] The feat made Spears the only act in Nielsen SoundScan history to have four albums debut with 500,000 or more copies sold.[4] The album had sold over 4.2 million copies since its release[3], more than its predecessor Blackout, due to the fact that Circus received promotion from Britney and Jive Records.
The album's first single, "Womanizer", became Spears's first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 since her debut "...Baby One More Time", almost 10 years prior. Womanizer became Spears' most successful US single selling over 3 million downloads alone.[5] It also debuted number one in Canada, Switzerland, and Japan and in many other countries, and the top ten in an additional seven countries.[6]
The second single, "Circus", debuted at number three on the Hot 100 chart.[7] The third single, "If U Seek Amy", reached number nineteen on the Hot 100, becoming her twelfth top 20 hit and her 16 top 40 hit.[8] On May 7, 2009, "Radar" was announced as the fourth single.[9] It is Spears' first album, since ...Baby One More Time, to chart three top 20 hits.
Background
It was confirmed in May 2008 that Spears was "in the experimental stages of a new album."[10] Spears's manager, Larry Rudolph, announced in a July 2008 press release that Spears would be "spending her summer in the studio, working on a brand new album [...] with a team of top-notch producers and songwriters, and we're very excited about what she's accomplished so far."[11] In an August 2008 interview with OK! magazine, Spears said that the album is "more urban. I'm working with producers who are just amazing [...] There is this fresh new energy."[12] "I'm writing every day, right here at the piano in this living room... This is my best work ever."[13] Spears described Circus as "a little bit lighter than Blackout," which she described as "dark and edgier and urban."[14] She continued, "I think a lot of the songs I did at that time, I was going through a really dark phase in my life, so a lot of the songs reflect that."[14]
Rolling Stone magazine's fall music preview stated that Spears "has recorded some 30 tracks for her sixth studio album." Spears continued, "I came into the studio because I had some free time, but once I started working, I was like, 'This is cool!' It just happened."[15] Shannon Holtzapffel, a dancer in the leaked video of Spears dancing to "Mannequin", told The Daily Telegraph, "When we were finished rehearsing, they'd take the CD and put it in a safe. I've never experienced anything like it before."[16]
In the United Kingdom, the album was in direct competition with the new Take That album, titled The Circus, released on the same day.[17] Take That's manager claimed the album's title choice was a coincidence, and that the band had worked "months in advance " and would not be changing the title.[18]
Production
Spears said of the album, "The process was cool, because I got to write a lot of the songs, and in the beginning, I really took part in that. ... I experimented with a lot of the pop producers that I worked with on my earliest albums."[14] For example, Max Martin, who produced Britney's first hit single "...Baby One More Time", produced "If U Seek Amy" for the album. Guy Sigsworth, who previously produced the singles "Everytime" and "Someday (I Will Understand)", spent time in the studio with Spears in June 2008.[19] "Out from Under" and "My Baby" were both produced by Sigsworth. Danja and Bloodshy & Avant, who produced several tracks from Blackout, both announced independently that they were recording with Spears again.[20] Vocal producer Jim Beanz told Us Weekly that he had also been in the studio with Spears.[21] He said of Spears: "Everyone has personal stuff, but a true professional doesn’t bring it into the studio."[22] Nicole Morier, who co-wrote Blackout's "Heaven on Earth", wrote several songs with Britney in spring 2008, including "Mmm Papi" and "Rock Me In".
In her interview with OK! magazine, Spears revealed that she "wanted to experiment with producers I haven't worked with much before, like the Underdogs, who have a Timbaland kind of sound."[15] Dr. Luke produced songs for the album, including the title track,[23] with up-and-comer Benny Blanco.[24] Another notable collaborator is The Outsyders, an Atlanta-based production team, who produced the album's first single.[23] Fernando Garibay revealed on his official website that he was working on two songs for Spears, "Amnesia" and "Quicksand",[25] which both became bonus tracks.
Lil Jon,[26] Rodney Jerkins,[27] Sean Garrett,[28] and Taio Cruz,[29] among others all announced they were working with Spears, but none of their tracks appear on the album or as bonus tracks.
Reception
Critical
Initial critical response to Circus was generally favorable. According to Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received a score of 64, based on 22 reviews.[30]
The Sun newspaper in the U.K. had an exclusive preview of the album and were the first ones to post the world's first reviews of Circus.[31] Of the track, "If U Seek Amy", "It’s a great track. A stomping robo pop number with clattering kettle drums and Brit being quite frank about the opinion she holds of herself". "Kill the Lights" was described as "a brilliant disco banger". The reviewer expressed the opinion that the album had similarities to Madonna's Hard Candy.[32] According to Nick Levine of Digital Spy, it has many similarities to her last studio album, although she sounds more confident and there is less reliance on the vocoder. "Out From Under" was described as "a teary eyed ballad...that's really quite lovely". [33] Billboard Magazine gave a positive review of "Circus." It states "From the synthy open of "Womanizer" to the regretful ache spurring "Blur," "Circus" gives Brit pop a whole new meaning" and goes on to say "she is in a class of her own."[34] Rolling Stone's Caryn Ganz says he was blown away with Britney's new work and that Toxic producers Bloodshy & Avant hit pay dirt again with the melodic, glowing "Unusual You." The Max Martin-produced "If U Seek Amy" is a saucy, swinging standout, and the photographer-taunting stomper "Kill the Lights" recalls the synth crush of 2007's Blackout and then he went on to credit songs "Blur", "My Baby" and "Mmm Papi" and called "Out From Under" Spears' best ballad since "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" from Britney in 2001.[35]
However, The Hartford Courant did not feel that it was her best performance, writing "It's too bad the best songs here don't really match up with her best performances, but that's nothing new for Spears."[36] Slant Magazine gave an unfavorable review as well, writing that Circus "doesn't quite feel like a comeback",[37] while The Guardian felt that the album was "substantially less edgy and exciting than its predecessor."[38] Allmusic was in a similar agreement with The Guardian, writing that the album "never feels as sleek or addictive as its predecessor."[39]
Commercial
Circus debuted at number-one on the US Billboard 200, moving over 505,000 units in its first week after moving 219,000 units in its first day of release, making it the sixth fastest-selling album of 2008.[40][41] In addition to that impressive total, the album sold 486,000 worth of digital track downloads, with 11 tracks on the top 200.[42] In the first three months of US release, the album had sold over 1.5 million copies.[43][44][45][46] The album has spent nine weeks in the top 10, making it Spears' longest-running top 10 album since Oops!... I Did It Again, which spent twenty-three weeks in the top 10 in 2000.[47][48] Circus was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 29, 2009.[49] According to Nielsen SoundScan, as of July 2009, the album has sold over 1,575,000 copies in the United States.[50]
With over 51,000 units sold, the album opened at number-one in the Canadian Albums Chart, her best sales effort since Oops!... I Did It Again, which racked up 95,000 copies in May, 2000.[51] In less than a month, Circus became the ninth best-selling album of 2008, with 143,000 copies, and one of the top ten selling digital albums of the same year with over 10,100 downloads.[52] In March 2009, Circus was certified 3× platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association, denoting 240,000 shipped copies to retailers.[53] In Mexico, the album debuted at the top of the international chart and at No. 3 in the overall chart, selling over 46,000 copies and going gold in its first week.[54]
Circus first appeared on the European Top 100 Albums chart, where the album had its earliest release. The album debuted at number one on the chart.[55]. In France the album sold 18,319 copies in its first two days of release, debuting at number five on the French Weekly Album Charts.[56] The following week the album moved up two places to a new position at number three. In Ireland, it debuted at number two. The album debuted at number four on the UK Albums Chart, moving over 76,000 copies in its first week. It has since sold over 300,000 copies, and was certified Platinum by the BPI.[57]
In Oceania, the album has been a top ten hit. It debuted at number three in Australia and was certified Platinum after three weeks, selling over 70,000 copies.[58] In New Zealand, the album debuted at number eight and was certified Gold after three weeks selling over 7,500 copies.[59] In the albums fifth week, it reached a new peak at number six becoming her highest charting album since Oops!... I Did It Again. The album spent eighteen weeks on the chart.[60]
Circus was ranked as the 15th best-selling album of 2008, according to IFPI.[61] As of January 2009, sales of Circus stand at 3 million copies worldwide.[62]
Accolades
For the second year in a row Britney Spears was awarded the Billboard Readers' Choice Album of the Year. According to Billboard magazine, more than 16,000 votes were cast in the poll. This marks Spears as the first artist to have an album named Album of the Year two years in a row.[63]
Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | # |
---|---|---|---|---|
Billboard | United States | Billboard Readers' Choice Album of the Year[64] | 2008 | 1 |
TV Azteca | Mexico | 44 Greatest Albums of 2008[65] | 2008 | 1 |
Univision | Latin America | The 50 Best Albums of the Year[66] | 2008 | 1 |
Promotion
In order to promote the album Jive Records set up a hotline where fans could leave a message for Spears, with some of the callers receiving a return phone call from Spears.[67] Some tracks off the album were previewed via the website of the New York radio station WKTU and Amazon.com.[68]
MTV aired a 90-minute documentary titled Britney: For the Record November 30, 2008. The show was about her return to the pop music spotlight.[69] Spears's official website released a series of posters to promote Circus.[70]
A pre-taped holiday greeting from Spears was shown during the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on December 3, 2008.[71]
In May, 2009, Jive's official website held a Britney Spears Global Fan-Fiction Contest, in which requires a fan to submit a 200 word story based on one of the songs from Circus.[72] Other people would vote for their favorite and the winner would get their story turned into a short animated music video. The winner was announced shortly after. The winning story was based on "Kill the Lights." The video premiered on July 27, 2009. The video can be viewed here.
Live performances
Spears' live comeback began on November 6, 2008 with a cameo appearance at the Dodger Stadium show of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour.[73] Midway through "Human Nature", Spears joined Madonna on stage.[74]
The week before the release of the album saw a string of performances in several different countries with the Circus Promo Tour. On November 27, 2008 Spears performed "Womanizer" live at the Bambi Awards in Offenburg, Germany, where she received an award for "Best Pop International Artist".[75] The following day, Spears again performed the song live on French show Star Academy.[76] In addition, she performed "Womanizer" on The X Factor, in the United Kingdom, on November 29, finishing the European pre-release promotional tour.[77] Her performance on The X Factor was watched by over 13 million UK citizens, which is the most viewed episode in the show's history, due to Spears' performance.[78]
Spears premiered her second single "Circus" on the Big Apple Circus at the "Good Morning America" in New York, and also performed "Womanizer" on December 2, 2008 which coincides with her 27th birthday and the release of Circus album, most fans often considered it as her official comeback. [79][80][81] Although mixed reviews were given by her performance, Spears was heavily criticized by the critics that she was lack of confidence, her dance moves was gone, and her unoriginal choice of wardrobe.[82][83]
On December 15, 2008, Britney visited the popular musical variety show in Japan, "Hey! Hey! Hey!" and performed "Womanizer" there.[84][85] The following day after that, she peformed on NTV Japan's-3000 "Best Artist of 2008"[86]
Tour
Shortly after the New York radio station Z100 played her new song, "Womanizer", Spears made a surprise appearance on the show and announced she would be going on a worldwide tour in spring of 2009 to support the album, and that rehearsals would begin in January for a March start.[87][88] Spears signed a deal with live entertainment company AEG Live to produce the tour.[89][90] Jamie King served as tour director and Simon Ellis was musical director.[91] Spears announced on Good Morning America that her concert tour would begin in New Orleans on March 3, 2009.[92]
Singles
- "Womanizer": On September 15, Jive released a statement announcing the title of her sixth studio album, Circus as well as the first single. The single was released to radio stations on September 26, and the release date for the album is December 2, Spears's 27th birthday.[93] On October 15, the song made a record-breaking jump to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking the record set the week before by T.I.'s "Live Your Life". However, this record was broken later on by Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You", which made a 97-1 leap on the same chart. Womanizer also garnered first-week download sales of 286,000, the biggest opening-week tally by a female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking digital downloads in 2003. It marked Spears's first number one single on the Hot 100 since her debut, "...Baby One More Time".[94]The song's music video earned Spears two 2009 MTV Video Music Awards nominations for "Video Of The Year" and "Best Pop Video".[95]
- "Circus": On October 31, 2008, it was announced on Spears' official website that "Circus" would be released as the album's second single. With the release of the album and strong digital sales, 'Circus' debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was Spears' highest debuting single on the Billboard Hot 100 to date.[4]Its accompanying music video was nominated five times for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards: "Best Art Direction", "Best Choreography", "Best Cinematography", "Best Direction" and "Best Editing".[96]
- "If U Seek Amy": On January 7, 2009, Spears's official website announced that "If U Seek Amy" would be released as the album's third single.[97] After the album's release and before it was released as a single, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 86.[98] It re-entered the chart at number ninety-four,[99] and peaked at number nineteen.[100] "If U Seek Amy" caused controversy in the United States due to its double entendre in the chorus.[101][102][103]
- "Radar": "Radar" was confirmed to be released as the fourth single from the album by Spears' official website on May 7, 2009.[104] With the release of Circus and strong digital sales, "Radar" re-charted on the Billboard Pop 100 at number ninety-one [105], after having charted at number sixty-eight in 2007.[106] It was stated by Billboard on June 10, 2009 that the Billboard Pop 100 chart was discontinued.[107] On its last official issue dated June 27, 2009, "Radar" re-charted on the Pop 100 at number ninety.[108]
Other songs
With the release of the album and strong digital sales many song off Circus made appearance on different Billboard component charts.
- "Shattered Glass" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy[109] and on the Billboard Pop 100 at number fifty-seven [110]. The track also charted at number seventy-five on the Canadian Hot 100[111].
- "Kill the Lights" debuted on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at number eleven[112] and on the Billboard Pop 100 at number sixty-nine.[113] Although the song hasn't been released as a single, Britney.com held a "Fan Fiction Contest" where fans could share their storyline for a video in 2009. The video premiered on Britney.com on July 27th, 2009.[114] The video was criticized by fans for being too rushed, short, and boring.[114] Although having mixed reviews, fans consider this to be a continuation of "Break the Ice", as the "Break the Ice" music video ends stating "To Be Continued..."
- "Out From Under" debuted at number nineteen on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[115] This song was released instead of "Radar" in Sweden, due the 2008's release, it also charted at #40 on the official Sweden singles chart. [116]
- "Unusual You", "Lace and Leather" and "Mmm Papi" debuted, respectively, at number eighty,[117] eighty-four,[118] and ninety-four[119] on the Billboard Pop 100.
Track listing
# | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Womanizer" | Nikesha Briscoe, Rafael Akinyemi | K.Briscoe, The Outsyders | 3:43 |
2. | "Circus" | Lukasz Gottwald, Claude Kelly, Benjamin Levin | Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco | 3:12 |
3. | "Out from Under" | Shelly Peiken, Arnthor Birgisson, Wayne Hector | Guy Sigsworth | 3:54 |
4. | "Kill the Lights" | Nathaniel Hills, James Washington, Luke Boyd, Marcella Araica | Danja | 3:59 |
5. | "Shattered Glass" | Gottwald, Kelly, Levin | Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco | 2:53 |
6. | "If U Seek Amy" | Max Martin, Shellback, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund | Max Martin | 3:37 |
7. | "Unusual You" | Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback, Kasia Livingston, L.A. Zaldaña | Bloodshy & Avant | 4:23 |
8. | "Blur" | Hills, Stacy Barthe, Araica | Danja | 3:09 |
9. | "Mmm Papi" | Britney Spears, Henry Walter, Adrien Gough, Peter-John Kerr, Nicole Morier | Let's Go To War | 3:22 |
10. | "Mannequin" | Spears, Harvey Mason, Jr., Rob Knox, James Fauntleroy II | Harvey Mason, Jr., Rob Knox | 4:06 |
11. | "Lace and Leather" | Gottwald, Levin, Frankie Storm, Ronnie Jackson | Dr. Luke | 2:48 |
12. | "My Baby" | Spears, Sigsworth | Guy Sigsworth | 3:20 |
Bonus tracks
# | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
13. | "Radar" (Standard on all editions of "Circus") | Christian Karlsson, Winnberg, Jonback, Balewa Muhammad, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel "Zeke" Lewis & Patrick "J.Que" Smith | Bloodshy & Avant, The Clutch | 3:49 |
14. | "Rock Me In" (Deluxe Edition bonus track) | Spears, Greg Kurstin, Morier | Greg Kurstin | 3:17 |
15. | "Phonography" (Deluxe Edition & Britney.com bonus track) | Karlsson, Winnberg, Jonback, Muhammad, Nelson, Lewis, Smith, L.A. Zaldaña | Bloodshy & Avant, The Clutch | 3:35 |
16. | "Trouble" (iTunes Pre-order bonus track) | |||
17. | "Amnesia" (UK Deluxe Edition, Japanese & Britney.com bonus track) | Fernando Garibay, Kasia Livingston | Fernando Garibay | 3:56 |
18. | "Quicksand" (European iTunes bonus track) (Excluding the United Kingdom) | Stefani Germanotta, Garibay | 4:05 | |
19. | "Rock Boy" (bonus track on several digital stores) | Tina Parol[120] | Danja[120] | 3:23 |
20. | "Womanizer" (Kaskade Radio Edit #2)[121] (Britney.com MP3 Premium Edition bonus track) | Briscoe, Akinyemi | Kaskade | 3:12 |
21. | "Womanizer" (Junior Vasquez Superstar Mix)[121] (Britney.com MP3 Premium Edition bonus track) | Junior Vasquez | 7:29 |
Deluxe Edition
First confirmed by Amazon and the promo packet released by Jive Records, a two-disc Deluxe Edition of Circus was released on December 2, 2008.[122][123] The Deluxe Edition contains two additional tracks, "Rock Me In" and "Phonography",[124] and a bonus DVD. It was released on November 28, 2008 in most of the European Union,[125] November 29, 2008 in Australia and Philippines,[126] and December 1, 2008 in the United Kingdom.[127][128] The Deluxe Edition also includes a special collector's two sided poster.[129]
Deluxe Edition DVD contents:[1]
# | Title | Time |
---|---|---|
1. | The Making of The Album | 9:33 |
2. | Womanizer (Director's Cut Music Video) | 3:45 |
3. | Photo Gallery | 2:00 |
4. | Making of "Circus" Music Video (Japanese bonus video) | 3:20 |
5. | Circus (Music Video) (Japanese bonus video) | 3:34 |
Charts and certifications
End of year charts
Year | Country | Chart | Rank |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Mexico | AMPROFON | #20[184] |
Greece | IFPI | #23[185] | |
Australia | ARIA | #25[186] | |
New Zealand | RIANZ | #36[187] | |
United Kingdom | BPI/OCC | #61[188] |
Chart procession and succession
Awards
In 2009, Britney received 7 nominations at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. "Womanizer" with 2 nominations and "Circus" with 5 nominations. Receiving the 2nd highest nominations of the evening, after Beyonce and Lady Gaga with 9 nominations each. The winners will be revealed on September 13, 2009.
Year | Awards ceremony | Award | Results |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Virgin Media Music Awards[189] | Best Album | Nominated |
Best Track | Nominated | ||
Best International Act | Nominated | ||
Legend Of The Year | Nominated | ||
Best Comeback | Nominated | ||
2009 | NRJ Music Awards | Best International Female Arist[190] | Won |
Music Video of the Year[191] | Won | ||
Rockbjörnen 2008 | Foreign Artist of the Year[192] | Nominated | |
Teen Choice Awards | Ultimate Choice Award | Won | |
Bravo A List Awards | A-List Album[193] | Won |
Release history
Country | Date |
---|---|
European Union[194] | November 28, 2008 |
Indonesia | |
South Africa | |
Australia | |
United Kingdom | December 1, 2008 |
New Zealand | |
Hong Kong[195] | |
United States | December 2, 2008 |
Mexico[196] | |
Canada | |
Malaysia | |
Philippines | |
Dubai | |
Brazil | |
Israel | |
Taiwan | December 3, 2008 |
Germany | |
Argentina | December 4, 2008 |
Latin America | |
Chile | December 15, 2008 |
Turkey[197] | December 25, 2008 |
Thailand | December 26, 2008 |
References
This article has an unclear citation style. |
- ^ a b "Britney Spears - Releases - Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH". Sonybmg.de. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ a b "Lighter, brighter Circus". Canoe. December 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
- ^ a b "Britney Spears' 'Circus' Is the #1 Most Played Song in the Country". Reuters.com. February 27, 2009.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ a b "Britney's 'Circus' Debuts Atop Album Chart". Billboard.com. 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "It's Official!!!". Britney.com. 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Poland Cancellation Details". BritneySpears.com. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
- ^ "Britney Spears' 'Circus': Cover art revealed! | Showbiz News and Scoop | Studio and Network Dish | EW.com". Hollywoodinsider.ew.com. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "If U Seek Amy" Hot 100 Peak Position". Billboard.com. 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2009-06-7.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ http://www.britneyspears.com/2009/05/breaking-news-radar-is-britneys-4th-single php
- ^ Marisa Laudadio (2008-05-21). "Producer: Britney is 'really shaping up'". People.com. Time Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ Natasha Stoynoff and Bryan Alexander (2008-07-16). "Britney Spears working and 'having fun' on new album". People. Time Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
- ^ Gil Kaufman (2008-08-13). "Britney Spears says new album is her 'best work ever,' describes shock of Jamie Lynn's pregnancy". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ "World exclusive: Britney reveals all!". OK!. Northern and Shell. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (2008-11-20). "Britney Spears Explains Why Circus Is 'Lighter' And Less Edgy Than Blackout". MTV. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ a b "The Killers, AC/DC, Britney Spears, 50 Cent, Bob Dylan: 50 of the Season's Biggest Records". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
- ^ Jonathon Moran (2008-09-14). "How he danced with Britney Spears". The Daily Telegraph. News Corporation. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ "Take That set to spar with Spears". BBC. 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Lyons, Beverley (2008-10-14). "Exclusive: Take That hit back at Britney Spears in album row". Daily Record. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Richard Cromelin (2008-06-05). "Korn's Davis ready to sretch with Britney's old producer?". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ Jonathan Cohen (2008-07-16). "Britney Spears spending summer in studio". Billboard.com. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ "Britney Spears recording new album". Us Weekly. Wenner Media. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ "Britney Spears prepping 'Blackout' follow up". Access Hollywood. NBC Universal. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ a b Jennifer Vineyard (2008-09-15). "Britney Spears's new album slated for December 2". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ "Britney Spears' 'Circus' in stores December 2nd". Yahoo! Biz. Yahoo!. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ "Works". FernandoGaribay.com. F2 Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ Jennifer Vineyard (2008-09-11). "Britney Spears' collaborators talk about new album". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ "Spears wants child-friendly home". BBC News. BBC. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ^ Shirley Halperin (2008-07-16). "Confirmed: Britney Spears working on new album". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ Kim Dawson (2008-07-03). "Cruz pens Brit songs". Daily Star. Northern and Shell. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
- ^ "Britney Spears:Circus (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- ^ "The Sun gets world's first review of Circus". BritneySpears.com. 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
- ^ "Britney releases her most shocking work ever". BritneySpears.com. 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
- ^ Levine, Nick (2008-11-10). "E Notes on the new Britney album". Digitalspy. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "Circus". Billboard. 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "Circus Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ Danton, Eric (2008-12-02). "'Circus' by Britney Spears". Courant. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Henderson, Eric (2008-11-25). "Britney Spears: Circus". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (2008-11-28). "CD Review: Britney Spears: Circus". Guardian. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review". All Music. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (2008-12-03). "Britney's 'Circus' On Track To Top Album Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Montgomery, James (2008-12-10). "Britney Spears' Circus Debuts At #1 - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Ken Barnes (December 10, 2008). "Britney's 'Circus' Grabs The Gold Ring(Ling)". USA Today News.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Montgomery, James (2008-12-10). "Britney Spears' Circus Debuts At #1 - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Hasty, Katie (2008-12-17). "BTaylor Swift Reclaims Billboard 200 Throne". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Trumps Big Debuts To Stay No. 1". Billboard.com. 2008-12-24. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Reigns Again On Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Week Ending Jan. 25, 2009: Setting A Hot 100 Record - Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. 2009-01-28. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Week Ending Feb. 1, 2009: That's Why They Call Him The Boss - Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ a b "Gold & Platinum - March 22, 2009". RIAA. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Ask Billboard: Seeking Spears' Sales". Billboard.com. 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ John Williams (2008-12-10). "Britney returns to No. 1". Canoe Jam!. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
- ^ "The Nielsen Company 2008 Canadian Music Industry Report". Reuters. 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
- ^ Canadian Recording Industry Association (March, 2009). "Canadian Certification". Retrieved 2009-06-20.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Template:Sp icon "A Britney Spears ¡Mexicanos le dan Oro!". Tabasco Hoy. 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
- ^ a b European Top 100 Albums
- ^ "Tops : Britney déçoit, Quentin surprend". Charts in France. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf
- ^ "Australian Record Industry Assocation". Ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "RIANZ". RIANZ. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Britney Spears - Circus". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2008.pdf
- ^ Warren, N.J. (2008-01-29). "Virgin Mobile USA to Present Highly Anticipated Circus Tour Starring Britney Spears". Virgin Mobile. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
- ^ "Readers' Poll: 10 Best Albums - Billboard Year In Music 2008". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "2008: The Year in Music - Readers' Choice". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ "2008: TV Azteca The Year in Music". 44 Greatest albums of 08. TV Azteca. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ "Best in Music Univisiom". The 50 Best albums of 08. Univision. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ [1][dead link ]
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2008-12-13). "Britney Spears Gives Fans A Taste Of Circus With Online Preview". MTV. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2008-10-09). "Britney Spears Documentary To Air November 30 - Check Out A Preview! - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "The 'Circus' Promotional Poster". BritneySpears.com. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "Britney Tapes Message For Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony". BritneySpears.com. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "Britney.com Global Fan Fiction Contest". Britney.com.
- ^ Keith Caulfield (2008-11-07). "Britney, Justin join Madonna in Los Angeles". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
- ^ "Britney joins Madonna on US stage". BBC. 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
- ^ "Britney Spears to perform live at Bambi Awards, Germany". The Daily Paragraph. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "Britney to Perform on Star Academy". BritneySpears.com. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Tetteh, Sarah (2008-10-22). "Britney Spears exclusive pictures: Singer prepares raunchy routine for X Factor". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Britney's X Factor record". Teletext. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ rollingstone.com (December 2, 2008). "Britney Spears on "Good Morning America": Tales From the Circus' Front Row". Rolling Stone.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Joe Piazza (December 2, 2008). "Britney Spears Makes TV Comeback On 'Good Morning America'". Daily News (New York).
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Jocelyn Vena (December 2, 2008). "Britney Spears Wows Fans, Family With 'Good Morning America' Birthday Performance". MTV News.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Stephanie Lysaght (December 2, 2008). "Britney Spears on 'Good Morning America': Voices from around the Web". Los Angeles Times.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ heraldsun.com.au (December 3, 2008). "Hugh Jackman sings Happy Bithday to Britney Spears on Good Morning America". Herald Sun.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Traci (December 15, 2008). "Britney Performs on 'Hey! Hey! Hey!". britneyspears.com.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Alissa R. (December 16, 2008). "Britney Spears Visits Buddhist Temple". Us Magazine.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ heraldsun.com.au (December 17, 2008). "Britney Spears Wows Japan TV fans With Womanizer Show". Herald Sun.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Britney Planning World Tour For 2009". SF Gate. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "Britney Spears Tour Dates". MTV. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Malkin, Marc (2008-10-13). "Britney Spears Ready to Hit the Road". E! Online. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Waddell, Ray (2008-10-14). "Britney Spears To Tour Next Spring". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ [2][dead link ]
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (2008-12-02). "Britney Spears Celebrates 27th Birthday Under the Big Top". People Magazine. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Britney Spears Announces New Album 'Circus' for Worldwide Release December 2, Yahoo! Finance, September 15, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
- ^ [3][dead link ]
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/
- ^ "Britney Spears Announces Controversial Third Single | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos". Access Hollywood. 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Top Music Charts - Hot 100 - Billboard 200 - Music Genre Sales". Billboard.com. 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=379&cfgn=Singles&cfn=The+Billboard+Hot+100&ci=3106565&cdi=10145782&cid=03%2F07%2F2009
- ^ "Top Music Charts - Hot 100 - Hot 200 - Music Genre Sales". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
- ^ Eggerton, John (2009-01-21). "PTC Cautions Media About Britney Spears Song". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/28/britney-spears-circus
- ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10552846
- ^ http://www.britneyspears.com/2009/05/breaking-news-radar-is-britneys-4th-single.php
- ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/search/detailed_chart_display.jsp?g=s&cd=Dec-20-2008&f=Pop%20100&model.chartId=3104757
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=396&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Pop+100&ci=3087941&cdi=9491676&cid=11%2F17%2F2007
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart-beat-bonus/chart-beat-pink-black-eyed-peas-shinedown-1003982023.story
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=396&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Pop+100&ci=3109289&cdi=10228666&cid=06%2F27%2F2009
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=379&cfgn=Singles&cfn=The+Billboard+Hot+100&ci=3104735&cdi=10090503&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=396&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Pop+100&ci=3104757&cdi=10091184&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=793&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Canadian+Hot+100&ci=3104718&cdi=10089834&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=344&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Bubbling+Under+Hot+100+Singles&ci=3104731&cdi=10090214&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=396&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Pop+100&ci=3104757&cdi=10091197&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ a b [4]
- ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/search/detailed_chart_display.jsp?g=s&cd=Dec-20-2008&f=Bubbling%20Under%20Hot%20100%20Singles&model.chartId=3104731
- ^ http://www.hitlistan.se/
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=396&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Pop+100&ci=3104757&cdi=10091209&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=396&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Pop+100&ci=3104757&cdi=10091214&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=396&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Pop+100&ci=3104757&cdi=10091225&cid=12%2F20%2F2008
- ^ a b "Britney Spears: Circus". Retrieved 2008-12-15.
- ^ ""Circus" Deluxe Edition on Amazon.com". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Circus Promo Packet". Britney Spears official site.
- ^ "Circus: Britney Spears: Music". Amazon.com. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Circus - Deluxe Version (CD+DVD)". CDON.com. 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
{{cite news}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|firsrt=
(help) - ^ Sanity.com.au Deluxe release
- ^ "Circus (Cd/Dvd) (Spears, Britney): Music". BIGWentertainment.com.au. 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "music: Circus: Includes Dvd (2008)". hmv.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Circus: Britney Spears: Music". Amazon.com. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Representando a la Industria Argentina de la Música". CAPIF. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Argentinean Certifications
- ^ ARIA Albums Chart
- ^ "Australian Record Industry Assocation". Ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ acharts
- ^ a b "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ John Williams (2008-12-10). "CANOE - JAM! Music - Artists - Spears, Britney: Britney returns to No. 1". Jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ Czech Republic Album Chart IFPI. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
- ^ [7]
- ^ Steffen Hung (2009-03-13). "Danish charts portal". danishcharts.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ [8]
- ^ a b "Britney Spears - Circus - Music Charts". aCharts. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ "Finland Albums chart".
- ^ "Tops : Patrick Sébastien devance Britney Spears !". Chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Disque en France". Disque en France. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ [9]
- ^ "Meilleures Ventes d'Albums Téléchargés en France (Top Téléchargement Albums)". Chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ [10]
- ^ http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank.html
- ^ http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/international-award-levels.pdf
- ^ a b "Ελληνικό Chart". Ifpi.gr. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/international-award-levels.pdf
- ^ "Ελληνικό Chart". Ifpi.gr. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ [11]
- ^ http://www.mahasz.hu/m/?menu=arany_es_platinalemezek&menu2=adatbazis&ev=2009
- ^ http://www.mahasz.hu/m/?menu=arany_es_platinalemezek&menu2=a_dijak_tortenete
- ^ Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Ltd. - http://www.fireballmedia.ie (1962-10-01). "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|author=
- ^ "FIMI - Archivie 24-11-08, 30-11-08" (in Italian). Retrieved 2009-01-31.
{{cite web}}
: Text "publisher:FIMI" ignored (help) - ^ http://www.britney.com/it/career-highlights
- ^ a b Editors from Oricon "Japanese charts". Oricon. Retrieved November.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Translated version of http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/200901.html". Translate.google.com.do. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|title=
- ^ "Certificaciones". Amprofon.com.mx. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ http://greaves.tv/amprofon3/Top20.pdf
- ^ New Zealand albums chart!
- ^ "RIANZ". RIANZ. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "RIANZ". RIANZ. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Portugal Albums Chart - Year 2008, Week 50
- ^ Polish albums chart!
- ^ "Związek Producentów Audio-Video :: Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry". Zpav.pl. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Russian Albums Chart
- ^ a b Russian International Certifications 2008
- ^ Spanish Albums Chart
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Britney Spears - Circus". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ a b Swiss albums chart
- ^ a b Steffen Hung. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ a b Taiwanese albums chart
- ^ UK Albums Chart
- ^ [12]
- ^ http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/international-award-levels.pdf
- ^ "Britney Spears' Circus Act Tops the Charts". E! Online. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Ask Billboard: Seeking Spears' Sales". Billboard.com. 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ "Spears deja ver en su sitio oficial un adelanto de su gira 'Circus'". Univision.com. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Ελληνικό Chart". Ifpi.gr. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2008". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "RIANZ". RIANZ. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "UK Year End Chart 2008" (PDF). ChartsPlus. The Official Charts Company / British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
- ^ "Best Album: Only By the Night by Kings Of Leon - Virgin Media Music Awards 2008: the winners - Pictures - Music". Virgin Media. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "NRJ Music Awards". NRJ Music Awards. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "NRJ Music Awards". NRJ Music Awards. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Rockbjörnen 2008
- ^ [13]
- ^ "Britney Spears "Circus" Swedish Album Release". CDON.com. 2008-10-23. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
- ^ "BRITNEY SPEARS / CIRCUS (+DVD/3 BONUS TRKS/DELUXE) - HMV Hong Kong". Hmv.com.hk. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ Britney Spears's Mexican release of "Circus" Deluxe
- ^ "Sony Bmg". Sony Bmg. Retrieved 2009-03-22.