Impact of Britney Spears' Song

Britney Spears’ Song Surges 15,000% in Streaming

It’s not unusual for Britney Spears to have a viral hit, but what’s surprising is the success of her 13-year-old track, “Selfish,” currently gaining massive attention. The surge in popularity comes after Justin Timberlake, her ex-boyfriend, released a song with the same title. Fans rallied to support Spears and subtly troll Timberlake by boosting her decade-old track.

Following Timberlake’s release, streams of Spears’ “Selfish” skyrocketed by nearly 15,000% from the previous tracking week. Between January 29 and 31, the song garnered 397,000 streams in the U.S., a remarkable increase compared to the 2,600 plays it received between January 22 and 24 on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Billboard notes that “Selfish” also experienced a sales boom, reaching No. 1 on the iTunes chart momentarily. During January 29 and 31, the song sold 10,000 digital copies in the U.S. The sales surge secured the song’s place on the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales ranking, returning to the list at a new high of No. 9.

While Spears’ streaming figures showcase her enduring fan base, they pale in comparison to Timberlake’s “Selfish,” which earned 4.8 million streams between January 29 and 31—more than 12 times the plays of Spears’ earlier release.

Next week, both versions of “Selfish” could make waves on the Billboard charts. Timberlake’s take is expected to dominate, but Spears’ commendable performance, given the circumstances, may propel her track to new heights on dance and electronic charts.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Forbes}