Elton John & Britney Spears Team Up On 'Hold Me Closer'

The pop princess is back! Marking this as her first recorded song since her Glory era, Britney Spears teams up with Elton John on a new collaboration titled, ‘Hold Me Closer,’ which is a spin on Elton’s 1971 classic, ‘Tiny Dancer.’

 

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Produced by Andrew Watt, John first announced the collaboration on August 8th.  He then followed up with the single’s cover art, which featured a split image of Britney and himself as children.

Britney responded to John with her own Instagram post, “You can bet your bottom dollar that THIS collaboration will heighten my year by joining your brilliant hands of play.  Thank you for your generosity and just thinking of me to join you on such a brilliant song! How cool is it to be a background voice ON YOUR song! Sir Elton I did it thanks to your genius, creative, and legendary mind!” she wrote.

 

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It turns out that Elton had been a Britney fan since day one, “She just put out incredibly brilliant records.  She sang and danced so beautifully,” he shared.  Elton and Britney first met in 2013 at his Aids foundation Oscars viewing party.  They also had Las Vegas residencies at the same time – Britney at Planet Hollywood and Elton at Caesars Palace.  Although they often stayed in the same area, John says, “We didn’t really see each other.”

Ahead of the release of her new single, in a series of tweets Britney confirmed that she’s feeling ‘kinda overwhelmed,’ considering this marks her first new music in six years, “Okie dokie … my first song in 6 years.  It’s pretty damn cool that I’m singing with one of the most classic men of our time … Elton John! I’m kinda overwhelmed … it’s a big deal to me!!! I’m meditating more and learning my space is valuable and precious!” she tweeted.

“I’m learning everyday is a clean slate to try and be a better person and do what makes me happy … yes I choose happiness today.  I tell myself every day to let go of the hurt bitterness and try to forgive myself and others to what may have been hurtful.  I want to be fearless like when I was younger and not be so scared and fearful.  I pray there actually is truth to the Holy Spirt and I hope that spirit is with my children as well! Yes … I choose happiness and joy today,” she continued.

https://twitter.com/britneyspears/status/1562603307968778240?s=20&t=xDsbJLD0oebyOTEgrFmQpA

https://twitter.com/britneyspears/status/1562603310409867265?s=20&t=xDsbJLD0oebyOTEgrFmQpA

‘Hold Me Closer’ is Britney’s first record since she was freed from her 13-year conservatorship last November, and her first release since the deluxe edition her 2016 LP ‘Glory’ in 2020.