Background

Back in 1999, critics described “Sometimes” by Britney Spears as pleasant and safe. But history has taught us that it’s better referred to as heaven on earth.

“Sometimes” is the second single from Britney’s debut album …Baby One More Time. It was released in 1999 and written by Jorgen Elofsson. David Kreuger, Per Magnusson, and Elofsson produced the track.

I Don’t Wanna Be so Shy, Uh-Oh

The lyrics of “Sometimes” are neither complicated nor poetic. They are the entries inside the diary of a teenager. They are honest, raw, and vulnerable. They are also the complete opposite of what I’ve projected for the entirety of my life. My deepest desires would reveal these longings, but I’ve learned to fear rejection. Hence, I would be caught dead first before admitting any of my buried and tucked away feelings.

Now that I’m old enough, and significant time has passed, I can admit to it all. Sometimes I run. Sometimes I hide. When it comes to romance, I don’t want to be so shy, but I am. All I want is to hold my partner tight (and be held back in the same manner).

The words are not Shakespeare’s. But those of “Sometimes” are the ones that ring true for me.

But If You Really Want Me, Move Slow

Britney Spears was THE girl next door. There were mixed signals with “…Baby One More Time”. But “Sometimes” confirmed that her innocence was intact, and that we were all visitors to her teenage dream.

The production choices made sure we remembered that. It emphasised purity and simplicity.

The instrumentation included a very bright acoustic guitar that feels warm and fluffy. The drums were very soft to the extent that they’re barely noticeable. The sound shunned away the loud and messy.

The many layers of Britney’s voice on top of each other sounded like a group of angels singing the same note. She exuded soul without going overboard. Even at the song’s climax, she was pleading and the track maintains its soft and sweet tone.

Baby, All I Need is Time

Britney Spears has famously expressed her dislike for “Sometimes.” During her 2004 Onyx Hotel Tour, she was caught on a mic saying, “I never liked it anyway” as she walked off stage after performing the track. She may consider it “childish”. She may associate it with a major knee injury she experienced while filming the music video. But many fans, including myself, consider it an integral song in her discography.

I grew up listening to her music. I was once a child. I went through the motions of the romantic reservations she sings about. The sound brings nostalgia of simpler times. The heart shape over the chests of the dancers was iconic. The white clothes on the wooden pier against the blue ocean is the imagery of a bright summer we all aspire to have.

But Britney doesn’t feel the same way. She has yet to come around. But maybe all she needs is time. Madonna once said she never wants to hear “Like a Virgin”. (Spoiler: She has performed it multiple times since). Hopefully, Britney follows suit one day, if she ever decides to go on stage again.

Conclusion

Ultimately, “Sometimes” is more than a pop song. It is a mirror for the insecure part of myself I sometimes refuse to see. While Britney may still be running from the song, it remains a sanctuary for those of us who grew up alongside her.