Although Madonna
has occasionally collaborated with other
singers, nearly all of those duets have
remained album cuts (most notably, her
Prince duet "Love Song" and
pairing with Ricky Martin on "Be
Careful"). "Me Against the
Music" became Madonna's first duet
to chart on the Hot 100, and also marked
her 50th charting single. Although hopes
were high that this superstar pairing
would result in a massive hit, in
reality, neither Madonna nor Britney
Spears were being particularly well
received at radio before this song's
release. Britney had only managed one
significant radio hit from her last album
-- "I'm A Slave 4 U," which
peaked at #27 on the Hot 100 -- while
that album's other three singles all
flopped on the charts. Madonna was coming
off the poor performances of
"Hollywood" and "American
Life" and was virtually a pariah at
radio. But a well-timed publicity stunt
at the MTV Video Music Awards featuring
the now famous Madonna-Britney make-out
session sparked interest in both artists.
Britney had already
completed "Me Against the
Music" when she suggested that
Madonna sing on the track as well, and
Madonna agreed, rushing into the studio
to add her vocals. The song was met with
an instantly favorable response at radio,
but once the Madonna-Britney buzz cooled,
the song couldn't climb any higher than
#35, just barely outperforming the peak
of "American Life."
The oddly directed video
featured Madonna on a swing in a room
full of leaves while Britney danced in a
black-lit room. Scenes with both artists
together included them writhing around a
bed frame and dancing on either side of a
wall, as well as Britney chasing Madonna
through a maze. The video ended by almost
reprising the famous kiss before Madonna
disappears before Britney's eyes.
Madonna is on
record as referring to her work with
Britney as a "passing of the
baton" to the younger singer.
Madonna might want to have reconsidered
her choice of words -- Britney followed
up "Me Against the Music" with
the massive hits "Toxic" and
"Everytime" while Madonna is
still waiting for her next hit. This song
is also Madonna's only European #1 since
"Music" in 2000.
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