After a six-year break, Britney Spears returned to music on Friday with the release of her duet with Elton John, “Hold Me Closer.” It is Spears’ first new release since her legal victory in November, which allowed her to be released from the 13-year conservatorship that had been in control of her professional and personal lives. The song is an EDM remake of John’s 1971 hit “Tiny Dancer.”
Spears acknowledged last year that she stopped playing music and performing because the conservatory “killed my dreams.” “Glory,” her last album, was released in 2016
According to John, his husband David Furnish gave him the idea to collaborate with Spears, and he also thinks their duet will give her the much-needed confidence boost she needs following such a trying time.
Spears recorded her parts for the song in July in the home studio of producer Andrew Watt, showing up prepared and with a laser-like intensity.
Watt sheds light on Spears’ work ethic and recording technique, which took around two hours to finish for “Hold Me Closer.”
The pop icon held herself to her own high standards, re-recording lines and introducing fresh concepts without Watts’ input. Watts watched from a distance as she did this. Spears even added her own suggestions for the voice mixing after the recording was finished.
