Britney Spears' debut single, written by
Max Martin, and the one that catapulted her into the upper
echelons of
worldwide fame at the age of just seventeen. The cynical-minded might try to claim that the song's popularity was more down to the
promo video that got heavy rotation on
MTV, featuring young Britney in a
schoolgirl uniform singing and dancing throughout school corridors rather than the song itself. And cynical-minded could be right.
The Scottish rock band Travis have recorded a more credible, accoustic version of the song - recorded live at Robin Hood's Bay with backing vocals by Mark and Lard - and released it as one of the b-sides with their single Turn. It's also quite a popular target for ska punk bands to have a go at (having seen two such bands live this year that have performed the song) and surprisingly manages to lend itself to other genres with consumate ease. Perhaps Cannibal Corpse could have a pop at it...
Lyrically, it's really not a bad song but - oh! - Britney throws in way too much cream and sugar.