Swimming in the Stars
{{short description|2020 single by Britney Spears}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Swimming in the Stars
| type = single
| cover = Swimming-in-the-Stars.jpg
| artist = Britney Spears
| written = 2015
| recorded = 2016
| released = {{start date|2020|12|2}}
| studio =
- Studio at the Palms (Las Vegas, NV){{cite AV media notes |title=Glory |others=Britney Spears |year=2016 |publisher=RCA Records}}
- Dry Snack Sound (Los Angeles, CA){{cite AV media notes |title=Glory |others=Britney Spears |year=2016 |publisher=RCA Records}}
| album = Glory
| genre = Electropop
| length = 3:21
| label = RCA
| writer = {{hlist|Matthew Koma|Dan Book|Alexei Misoul}}
| producer = {{hlist|Koma|Book}}
| prev_title = Mood Ring
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Matches
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{External music video|header=Visualizer video|{{YouTube|NxUFF6EY2tA|"Swimming in the Stars"}}}}
}}
"Swimming in the Stars" is a song by American singer Britney Spears from the 2020 deluxe edition of her ninth studio album, Glory (2016). It was released as the second single from the album's 2020 reissues, and overall fourth single from the album, on December 2, 2020, coinciding with the singer's 39th birthday. The song was conceived during the initial recording of Glory, with the track being written in 2015 by the producers Matthew Koma and Dan Book, with an additional writing provided by Alexei Misoul. It is an electropop ballad that focuses on optimism and escapism over a synth groove.
"Swimming in the Stars" was announced through becoming available for pre-order as a part of the Urban Outfitters's "11/11 Singles Day" promotion as an exclusive 12-inch vinyl single on November 11, 2020. The song received positive reviews from music critics, whom praised its production and positive message. The single was successful in Malaysia and Hungary, respectively charting at numbers three and thirteen.
Background and composition
File:Matthew_Koma.jpg who co-wrote and co-produced "Swimming in the Stars" said 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.{{Cite web|url=https://popcrush.com/matthew-koma-interview-britney-spears-shania-twain-so-romantic/|title=Matthew Koma Never Sleeps: Working With Britney Spears and Shania Twain, Touring The World And Oatmeal Ambitions|work=Popcrush|last=Stern|first=Bradley|date=August 13, 2015}} 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". The song was recorded in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.eska.pl/hotplota/news/britney-spears-nowa-piosenka-aa-y43d-ngkQ-eGro.html|title=Britney Spears wydała nową piosenkę! Wróciła do studia? Prawda jest inna|work=Eska|language=pl|date=December 3, 2020|accessdate=January 6, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/12/11/britney-spears-backstreet-boys-collab-matches-song-glory-deluxe-album/|title=Britney Spears & Backstreet Boys MakeFans' '90s Dreams Come True With EpicCollab: 'Matches'|work=Hollywood Life|first=Jade|last=Boren|date=December 11, 2020|accessdate=January 6, 2021}}
"Swimming in the Stars" is an electropop{{cite web|url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/a34857760/britney-spears-song-swimming-conservatorship-row/|title=Britney Spears Releases New Song 'Swimming In The Stars' Amid Conservatorship Row|work=Elle|first=Ata|last=Victor|date=December 3, 2020|accessdate=January 6, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/britney-spears-surprise-releases-new-single-swimming-in-the-stars/|title=Britney Spears surprise releases new single Swimming In The Stars|work=Gay Times|first=Sam|last=Damshenas|date=December 4, 2020|accessdate=January 6, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7916318/britney-spears-drops-swimming-in-the-stars-announces-glory-reissue?adblock=1&chrome=1|title=Britney Spears Drops "Swimming In The Stars," Announces 'Glory' Reissue|work=Idolator|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=December 31, 2020}} ballad containing a synth-laden groove.{{cite web|url=https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars-song-48024782|title=Britney Spears Drops New Song "Swimming in the Stars" to Celebrate 39 Trips Around the Sun|work=PopSugar|first=Brea|last=Cubit|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=January 6, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/51302/1/listen-to-britney-spears-newly-unearthed-track-swimming-in-the-stars|title=Listen to Britney Spears' newly unearthed track 'Swimming in the Stars'|work=Dazed Digital|first=Gunseli|last=Yalcinkaya|date=December 3, 2020|accessdate=December 31, 2020}} The song contains optimistic and catchy lyrics with dreamy escapism spread throughout its chorus.{{cite web|url=https://stylecaster.com/britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars-lyrics-meaning/|title=Britney Spears Released a New Song Amid Her Conservatorship Drama & the Lyrics Are Beautiful|work=StyleCaster|first=Jenzia|last=Burgos|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=January 6, 2021}} 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".
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.{{cite web|first=Marcus|last=Jones |url=https://yahoo.com/entertainment/britney-spears-surprises-fans-glory-214447578.html |title=Britney Spears surprises fans with new Glory album cover almost four years after its release |publisher=Yahoo |date=May 8, 2020 |accessdate=January 6, 2021}} 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.{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Murphy |url=https://vulture.com/2020/05/britney-spears-releases-mood-ring-by-demand-new-music.html |title=Britney Spears Releases Mood Ring (By Demand) New Music |publisher=Vulture|date=May 28, 2020 |accessdate=January 6, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Britney Spears Rereleases Rare Song You Probably Haven't Heard: Listen!|url=https://www.etonline.com/britney-spears-rereleases-rare-song-you-probably-havent-heard-listen-147380|last=Calvario|first=Liz|date=May 29, 2020|publisher=ET Online|accessdate=January 6, 2021}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/12/02/swimming-stars-single-drops-britney-spears-39th-birthday/3795674001/|title=Surprise! Previously unheard Britney Spears song 'Swimming In the Stars' drops on singer's 39th birthday|work=USA Today|first=Gary|last=Dinges|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}} The release took critics by surprise, having been released amidst the #FreeBritney movement and Spears's work hiatus.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/11/11/britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars-single-urban-outfitters-conservatorship-jamie/|title=New Britney Spears single released just hours after court gives her father control over her life and career|work=PinkNews|first=Patrick|last=Kelleher|date=November 11, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/previously-unreleased-britney-spears-song-145822643.html|title=Previously Unreleased Britney Spears Song 'Swimming in the Stars' Drops amid Conservatorship Battle|work=Yahoo|first=Nicholas|last=Rice|date=November 13, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}}{{cite web|title=Britney Spears surprises fans with previously unreleased track on her birthday|website=TODAY.com|date=December 2, 2020|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/britney-spears-surprises-fans-previously-unreleased-track-swimming-stars-t202439|accessdate=January 6, 2021}}{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Will|title=Britney Spears announces new single amid ongoing legal battle with father|website=NME|date=December 2, 2020|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/britney-spears-announces-new-single-amid-ongoing-legal-battle-with-father-2816916|accessdate=January 6, 2021}} After the announcement of the song's vinyl release, a 12-seconds long snippet was released by Urban Outfitters via Instagram.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7915962/britney-spears-released-vinyl-single-swimming-in-the-stars?adblock=1&chrome=1|title=Britney Spears Released Vinyl Single "Swimming In The Stars"|work=Idolator|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=November 11, 2020|accessdate=December 31, 2020}}
"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.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9482126/britney-spears-previously-unreleased-song-swimming-in-the-stars|title=Listen to Britney Spears' Previously-Unreleased Song 'Swimming In The Stars'|magazine=Billboard|first=Heran|last=Mamo|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}} Two days later, the track was included on the 2020 deluxe physical reissue of Glory with "Mood Ring" and "Matches".{{Cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/12/stream-britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars-birthday/|title=Britney Spears Celebrates Birthday by Sharing Unreleased Song "Swimming in the Stars": Stream|work=Consequence of Sound|first=Lake|last=Schatz|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/listen-britney-spears-backstreet-boys-new-track-matches.html|title=Britney Spears Collabs With Backstreet Boys on Matches,' Drops Deluxe Edition of Glory|work=Vulture.com|first=Chris|last=Murphy|date=December 11, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars-1234844306/|title=Britney Spears Drops Previously Unreleased Song, 'Swimming in the Stars,' for Her Birthday|work=Variety|first=Natalie|last=Oganesyan|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}} 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. Brea Cubit from PopSugar called the visualizer "mesmorizing".
Critical reception
Upon release, "Swimming in the Stars" received critical acclaim. Lake Schatz of Consequence of Sound described the lyrics of "Swimming in the Stars" as "positive", since they are talking about "briefly forgetting our worries and holding onto joy". 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".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-previously-unreleased-track-swimming-in-the-stars-1097763/|title=Hear Britney Spears' Previously Unreleased Track 'Swimming in the Stars'|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Jon|last=Blistein|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}} 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".{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars.html|title=Benevolent Queen Britney Spears Gives Us an Unreleased Single on Her Birthday|work=Vulture.com|first=Rebecca|last=Alter|date=December 2, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2020}} Gary Dinges from USA Today stated that the song is "classic Britney" and contains "catchy lyrics". Mike Wass from Idolator called the song an "absolute gem" and described its chorus as "sweeping". 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".{{Cite web|url=https://www.themusicalhype.com/britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars-track-review/|title=Britney Spears, Swimming in the Stars {{!}} Track Review|work=The Musical Hype|date=December 7, 2020|accessdate=January 6, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207140139/https://www.themusicalhype.com/britney-spears-swimming-in-the-stars-track-review/|url-status=dead}} Idolator ranked the song at number 15 on their list of 100 best pop songs of 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7917021/the-100-best-pop-songs-of-2020?view-all|title=The 100 Best Pop Songs Of 2020|work=Idolator|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=December 26, 2020|accessdate=December 31, 2020}}
Commercial performance
"Swimming in the Stars" mostly entered component charts. It peaked at number 25 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales, 28 on Germany Digital Song Sales, 36 on UK Download Chart and 18 on the US Digital Song Sales chart. However, the song managed to peak at number three on Malaysia's RIM chart and number 13 on the Hungary Singles Sales chart. Additionally, the song also charted at number 96 on the Croatian Airplay chart.
Credits and personnel
Personnel
- Britney Spears – lead vocals
- Klara Elias – background vocals
- Matthew Koma – songwriting, production, record engineering
- Dan Book – songwriting
- Alexei Misoul – songwriting
- Emily Wright – vocal production
- Rachael Findlen – assistant engineer
- Adam Hawkins – mixing
- Dave Kutch – mastering
Design
- Gavin Taylor – art direction, design
- David LaChapelle – photography
Charts
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release formats and dates for "Swimming in the Stars" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| December 2, 2020 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="2"| RCA | style="text-align:center;"| {{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/br/album/swimming-in-the-stars/1541357258?i=1541357261&ls|title=Swimming in the Stars de Britney Spears no Apple Music|date=December 2, 2020|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=music.apple.com|language=pt}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| United States
| January 15, 2021 | 12-inch |