Swimming in the Stars

"Swimming in the Stars" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her ninth studio album, Glory (2016). It was written by Matthew Koma, Dan Book, and Alexei Misoul in 2015, and was not released during the initial release of the album; the track only appears on its 2020 deluxe reissue. The song was met with positive reception due to its optimistic and catchy lyrics backed up by synthes and big drum pop groove. Its release, however, was met with criticism by critics and fans since Spears is currently on a work hiatus and in a legal battle against her father over her conservatorship.

"Swimming in the Stars"
Single by Britney Spears
from the album Glory (2020 deluxe reissue)
Written2015
ReleasedDecember 2, 2020 (2020-12-02)
Recorded2016
Genre
Length3:21
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Koma
  • Book
Britney Spears singles chronology
"Mood Ring"
(2020)
"Swimming in the Stars"
(2020)
"Matches"
(2020)

"Swimming in the Stars" became available for pre-order as part of the Urban Outfitters's "11/11 Singles Day" promotion as an exclusive 12-inch vinyl single on November 11, 2020; however, orders will not ship until January 15, 2021. It was released to digital music providers on December 2, 2020 as the fourth single from Glory, coinciding with Spears's 39th birthday. "Swimming in the Stars" peaked at number three in Malaysia and within the top 20 in Hungary.

Background and composition

Matthew Koma co-wrote and co-produced "Swimming in the Stars", adding that working with Spears was a "surreal" experience for him.

"Swimming in the Stars" was written by Matthew Koma, Dan Book, and Alexei Misoul in 2015 when Koma revealed he had been working with Spears though his tracks never made it on to the initial release of the album.[1] During an interview with PopCrush, Koma said that Spears is "extremely talented" and is "super surreal to sit there and hear [her] sing one of your songs".[1] The song was recorded in 2016.[2][3]

"Swimming in the Stars" is a pop[4][5] and electropop ballad[6] containing a synth-laden groove.[7][8] The song contains optimistic[9] and catchy[4][10] lyrics with dreamy escapism spread throughout its chorus.[11] According to Jenzia Burgos of StyleCaster, the song is reminiscent of Spears's interest in astrology, with giving an example of the song's bridge, where she is singing about her sister zodiac sign: "What if we could float here forever? / In these Gemini dreams together".[11]

Release

Following the #JusticeForGlory campaign that was launched by Spears's fans on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, the singer unveiled a new cover art for Glory on May 8, 2020, nearly four years after its release.[12] Three weeks later, Spears announced that "Mood Ring" would be released worldwide on all streaming and download platforms the next day, on May 29, 2020.[13][14] Later that year, "Swimming in the Stars" was unveiled since it became available for pre-order as part of the Urban Outfitters's "11/11 Singles Day" promotion as an exclusive 12-inch vinyl single on November 11, 2020; however, orders would not ship until January 15, 2021.[10] The release took critics by surprise, having been released amidst the #FreeBritney movement and Spears's work hiatus.[15][16][17][18] After the announcement of the song's vinyl release, a 12-seconds long snippet of it leaked online.[6][19]

"Swimming in the Stars" was released to digital download and streaming media on December 2, 2020 as the fourth single from Glory, coinciding with Spears's 39th birthday.[20] Two days later, the track was included on the 2020 deluxe physical reissue of Glory with "Mood Ring" and "Matches".[9][21] Additionally, "Swimming in the Stars" was released to Dutch contemporary hit radio stations on December 4, 2020.[22] On the single cover, Spears crouches on one knee in the sand next to broken chains, wearing gold crop top and high-low sarong skirt, which were made of the same material as her bracelets and shoes. She is set to be on desert oasis.[23] On the day of release, a visualiser to the song was published on Spears's YouTube channel, featuring the single cover with animated soft waves and glistering stars behind the singer.[18][20] Brea Cubit from PopSugar called the visualizer "mesmorizing".[7]

Critical reception

Lake Schatz of Consequence of Sound described "Swimming in the Stars"'s lyrics as "positive", since they are talking about "briefly forgetting our worries and holding onto joy".[9] Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone wrote that the song "boasts a big drum pop groove, which anchors a wash of atmospheric synths and Spears' unmistakable vocals as she croons".[24] Writing for Vulture.com, Rebecca Alter said that "Swimming in the Stars" has "big liquid-stardust, shimmery, synth-y sound perfect for stargazing when it gets dark at like 2PM".[25] Gary Dinges from USA Today stated that the song is "classic Britney" and contains "catchy lyrics".[10] Mike Wass from Idolator called the song an "absolute gem" and described its chorus as "sweeping".[6] In The Musical Hype, "Swimming in the Stars" was named a "well-produced record with a relatable theme", where Matthew Koma's production was described as "lush, sleek, and smooth".[26]

Idolator ranked the song at number 15 on their list of 100 best pop songs of 2020.[27]

Commercial performance

Due to not receiving any substantial promotion, "Swimming in the Stars" did not spawn huge commercial success, charting mostly at component charts. It peaked at number 25 on Canadian Digital Song Sales, 28 on Germany Digital Song Sales, 36 on UK Download Chart and 18 on the US Digital Song Sales chart.[28][29] However, the song managed to peak at number three on Malaysia's RIM chart and number 13 on the Hungary Singles Sales chart.[30] Additionally, the song also charted at number 96 on the Croatian Airplay chart.[31]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[32]

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[28] 25
Croatia (HRT)[31] 96
Germany Digital Song Sales (Official German Charts)[29] 28
Hungary (Single Top 40)[33] 13
Malaysia (RIM)[30] 3
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[34] 37
UK Download (OCC)[35] 36
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[36] 18

Release history

Release formats and dates for "Swimming in the Stars"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various December 2, 2020 RCA [37]
Netherlands December 4, 2020 Contemporary hit radio [22]
United States January 15, 2021 12-inch [38]

References

  1. Stern, Bradley (August 13, 2015). "Matthew Koma Never Sleeps: Working With Britney Spears and Shania Twain, Touring The World And Oatmeal Ambitions". Popcrush.
  2. "Britney Spears wydała nową piosenkę! Wróciła do studia? Prawda jest inna". Eska (in Polish). December 3, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  3. Boren, Jade (December 11, 2020). "Britney Spears & Backstreet Boys MakeFans' '90s Dreams Come True With EpicCollab: 'Matches'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  4. Victor, Ata (December 3, 2020). "Britney Spears Releases New Song 'Swimming In The Stars' Amid Conservatorship Row". Elle. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  5. Damshenas, Sam (December 4, 2020). "Britney Spears surprise releases new single Swimming In The Stars". Gay Times. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  6. Wass, Mike (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Drops "Swimming In The Stars," Announces 'Glory' Reissue". Idolator. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  7. Cubit, Brea (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Drops New Song "Swimming in the Stars" to Celebrate 39 Trips Around the Sun". PopSugar. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  8. Yalcinkaya, Gunseli (December 3, 2020). "Listen to Britney Spears' newly unearthed track 'Swimming in the Stars'". Dazed Digital. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  9. Schatz, Lake (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Celebrates Birthday by Sharing Unreleased Song "Swimming in the Stars": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  10. Dinges, Gary (December 2, 2020). "Surprise! Previously unheard Britney Spears song 'Swimming In the Stars' drops on singer's 39th birthday". USA Today. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  11. Burgos, Jenzia (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Released a New Song Amid Her Conservatorship Drama & the Lyrics Are Beautiful". StyleCaster. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  12. Jones, Marcus (May 8, 2020). "Britney Spears surprises fans with new Glory album cover almost four years after its release". Yahoo. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  13. Murphy, Chris (May 28, 2020). "Britney Spears Releases Mood Ring (By Demand) New Music". Vulture. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  14. Calvario, Liz (May 29, 2020). "Britney Spears Rereleases Rare Song You Probably Haven't Heard: Listen!". ET Online. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  15. Kelleher, Patrick (November 11, 2020). "New Britney Spears single released just hours after court gives her father control over her life and career". PinkNews. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  16. Rice, Nicholas (November 13, 2020). "Previously Unreleased Britney Spears Song 'Swimming in the Stars' Drops amid Conservatorship Battle". Yahoo. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  17. "Britney Spears surprises fans with previously unreleased track on her birthday". TODAY.com. December 2, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  18. Richards, Will (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears announces new single amid ongoing legal battle with father". NME. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  19. Wass, Mike (November 11, 2020). "Britney Spears Released Vinyl Single "Swimming In The Stars"". Idolator. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  20. Mamo, Heran (December 2, 2020). "Listen to Britney Spears' Previously-Unreleased Song 'Swimming In The Stars'". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  21. Murphy, Chris (December 11, 2020). "Britney Spears Collabs With Backstreet Boys on Matches,' Drops Deluxe Edition of Glory". Vulture.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  22. "Single Releases | Top 40-nieuws". top40.nl (in Dutch). December 4, 2020.
  23. Oganesyan, Natalie (December 2, 2020). "Britney Spears Drops Previously Unreleased Song, 'Swimming in the Stars,' for Her Birthday". Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  24. Blistein, Jon (December 2, 2020). "Hear Britney Spears' Previously Unreleased Track 'Swimming in the Stars'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  25. Alter, Rebecca (December 2, 2020). "Benevolent Queen Britney Spears Gives Us an Unreleased Single on Her Birthday". Vulture.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  26. "Britney Spears, Swimming in the Stars | Track Review". The Musical Hype. December 7, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  27. Wass, Mike (December 26, 2020). "The 100 Best Pop Songs Of 2020". Idolator. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  28. "Britney Spears Chart History (Canada Digital)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  29. "Offizielle Download Charts Single". Official German Charts. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  30. "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  31. "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  32. "Credits / Glory (Deluxe) / Britney Spears". Retrieved December 29, 2020 via Tidal.
  33. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  34. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 14, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  35. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  36. "Britney Spears Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  37. "Swimming in the Stars de Britney Spears no Apple Music". music.apple.com (in Portuguese). December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  38. "Britney Spears – Swimming In The Stars Limited LP". Urban Outfitters. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
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