Radar (song)
"Radar" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Britney Spears | ||||
from the album Circus | ||||
Released | June 22, 2009 | |||
Recorded | November 8, 2006 | |||
Studio | Sony (New York City) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:49 | |||
Label | Jive | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | ||||
Britney Spears singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Radar" on YouTube |
"Radar" is a song by American singer Britney Spears from her fifth studio album, Blackout (2007). It was written and produced by Bloodshy & Avant and the Clutch, with additional writing from Henrik Jonback. The recording sessions took place the day after Spears filed for divorce from Kevin Federline, and members of the Clutch claimed to be surprised by her work ethic. "Radar" was originally planned to be released as the third single from Blackout, but "Break the Ice" was chosen instead. The song was then planned as the fourth single, but the release was cancelled as Spears began recording her sixth studio album, Circus (2008). "Radar" was later included as a bonus track on Circus, and released as the fourth and final single from the album on June 22, 2009, by Jive Records.
Musically, "Radar" runs through a midtempo
The single's accompanying music video was directed by
Background
The main instrumentation was recorded by
Music and lyrics
"Radar" runs through a midtempo
Critical reception
Nekesa Mumbi Moody of USA Today called it "a sexy techno groove that you can't help but bounce to."[22] Theon Weber of The Village Voice said that "Spears's writers present her with the goofiest, most vivacious productions she's ever had, filling 'Radar' with pinging noises and polishing Madonna's dance-floor trash bright."[23] Nick Levine of Digital Spy called it "a rave-tinged electro blipathon on which Spears is vocodered to the point of sounding extra-terrestrial."[8] Alexis Petridis from The Guardian said that the song "seems to be bending over backwards to annoy the listener. Perhaps it's a last desperate tactic to win back some privacy: she's trying to get people to leave her alone by making as irritating a noise as possible."[12] A reviewer from the Ottawa Citizen said that "some tracks [of the album] just don't work, such as Radar, in which Britney's voice is tuned up so high she sounds like she's 14."[24]
Laura Herbert of
Commercial performance
On November 17, 2007, due to digital downloads for the Blackout release, "Radar" peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard
After being confirmed as the fourth single from Circus, "Radar" re-entered the charts in several countries. On August 29, 2009, the song peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard
Music video
Development
"She kind of filled [Madonna's] shoes. [But] everything is done in a Britney way. She's not Madonna, and Madonna is not Britney. It seems like Madonna made the same choices that were right for her at the time, to class her up when she had just done a sexpot video. She was riding that image train too. She was leading that image train, and I think that Britney has done that as well."
—Dave Meyers, explaining the tribute to the music video of Madonna's "Take a Bow".[40]
In June 2008, a video for "Radar" was planned that would have Spears and her friends chasing a man in different clubs.
Synopsis
The video begins with Spears arriving at a polo mansion.[43] She comes out from the car wearing a vest, jeans and showing her midriff. She starts singing while her boyfriend welcomes her. They walk past a barn, where a polo player is sitting. They look at each other briefly and she starts to sing in a balcony, watching the second man with a pair of binoculars.[43] At the end of the first chorus, her boyfriend comes and puts a studded necklace around her neck, as a surprise gift. Until the end of the second chorus, we see scenes of Spears singing and watching the polo player as he gets ready. When the bridge begins, Spears arrives at a match wearing a white dress and a large hat. She looks at the polo player over her shoulder and sings the lines "I got my eye on you / And I can’t let you get away". When the match ends, she leaves and the second man follows her.[43] They flirt inside a hallway and leave. Her boyfriend notices her absence, walks into the hallway and sees her necklace on the floor. The video ends with Spears and the second man walking into the sunset.
Release and reception
The music video leaked online on July 1, 2009.[43] Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone said the music video was her weakest since "Gimme More" and highlighted the comparisons with "Take a Bow", saying, "while Madonna dressed the role of a distressed aristocratic senorita in the stands, Spears’ wardrobe and giant hat mirror the elite at the Kentucky Derby". He also said the idea was unoriginal and compared it to Spears' fragances commercials.[44] Peter Gicas of E! commented that the video was a nice departure from her recent more choreographed videos, such as "Womanizer" and "If U Seek Amy". He commended it for its "more straightforward approach in telling a so-called story", but felt it was "a bit too much like one of those overly dramatic fragrance commercials".[45] OK! said the video was "posh" and also noted the difference from her recent videos.[46]
Live performances and cover
Spears performed the song during
Usage in media
The song appears on the 2023 TV series Wilderness' third episode, titled "Repent at Leisure", while the character Liv, portrayed by Jenna Coleman, runs through the forest.
Track listings
|
|
Credits and personnel
- Lead vocals – Britney Spears
- Writers, drums – Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback, Balewa Muhammad, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel "Zeke" Lewis, Patrick "J.Que" Smith
- Producers, drums – Bloodshy & Avant, the Clutch
- Mixing – Niklas Flyckt
- Assistant engineer– Jim Carauna
- Guitars– Henrik Jonback
- bass – Bloodshy & Avant
- Candice Nelson, Michaela Breen
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (2007–2009) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[51] | 46 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[52] | 13 |
Brazil ( Brasil Hot 100 Airplay)[53]
|
89 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[54] | 65 |
Canada | 27 |
CIS (TopHit)[56] | 137 |
France Download ( SNEP)[57]
|
44 |
Billboard)[58]
|
27 |
Ireland (IRMA)[59] | 32 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[60] | 32 |
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[61] | 90 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[62] | 8 |
46 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[64] | 88 |
US | 30 |
Venezuela Pop Rock (Record Report)[66] | 1 |
Year-end charts
Chart (2008) | Position |
---|---|
Lebanon (NRJ)[67] | 58 |
Chart (2009) | Position |
---|---|
Brazil (Crowley)[68] | 56 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[69] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | June 22, 2009 | Contemporary hit radio | Jive | |
Portugal | July 27, 2009 | Digital download (EP) | Sony Music | |
Sweden | ||||
Canada | July 28, 2009 | |||
Germany | November 23, 2009 | Digital download (Digital 45) |
References
- ^ a b c Blackout liner notes.
- ^ a b c "The Clutch Talks How To Write a Hit Song". AllHipHop. April 22, 2008. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Britney Spears – Radar review". Digital Spy. June 27, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ "Britney Spears — Radar". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
- ^ "Britney Spears — Radar". Swedish Charts. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
- ^ "Breaking News: Radar is Britney's fourth single". BritneySpears.com. May 7, 2007. Archived from the original on May 11, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Vineyard, Jennifer (October 12, 2007). "Britney Spears' New Album, Blackout: A Track-By-Track Report". MTV News. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c Levine, Nick (October 29, 2007). "Britney Spears: 'Blackout'". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c Friedman, Roger (July 28, 2007). "Britney Spears' Album: First Listen to New Songs". Fox News. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (November 25, 2009). "Britney Spears Channeled 'Classy' Madonna In 'Radar' Video". MTV News. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b Arnold, Chuck (September 11, 2007). "Sneak Preview: Britney Spears's New Album Details". People. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (October 26, 2007). "Britney Spears, Blackout". The Guardian. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Chou, Kimberly (September 19, 2007). "Britney? Back". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- Today.com. September 12, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b Adams, Cameron (November 14, 2007). "Spears new offering Blackout a knockout". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on November 16, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "CD REVIEW: Britney's Blackout — From the Inside Out". OK!. October 29, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ISSN 1534-0554.
- The Hartford Courant. Archived from the originalon July 7, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
- ^ Daniel, Mike (November 6, 2007). "Britney Spears' recordings find art imitating life". Denton Record-Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (November 2007). "Blackout — Britney Spears". AllMusic. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ Rosche, Jeff (November 2, 2007). "Spears shocks and sickens with Blackout". The Maneater. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ Mumbi Moody, Nekesa (October 25, 2007). "Surprise! Britney's new CD a triumph". USA Today. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ Weber, Theon (October 30, 2007). "Britney Spears's Blackout". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- Canada.com. Archived from the originalon November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ Herbert, Laura (October 30, 2007). "Review: Britney Spears' Blackout". BBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ Abbott, Jim (November 2, 2007). "Believe it -- Britney's latest is vacuous pap". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ Wasser, Chris (November 7, 2007). "Energy crisis: Britney's 'Blackout'". Irish Independent. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
- ^ Howard, Tom (July 29, 2009). "Britney, Fukkk Offf, Mstrkrft: this week's singles". FHM. Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Britney Spears – Radar charts". Billboard. November 17, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ "Chart Search". Billboard.
- ^ "Irish Singles Chart". Irish Recorded Music Association. acharts.us. July 15, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ "Irish Singles Chart". Irish Recorded Music Association. acharts.us. August 5, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ "Britney Spears — Radar (song)". Swedish Charts. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ "Britney Spears — Radar (song)". Swedish Charts. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ Trust, Gary (August 20, 2009). "Chart Beat Thursday: Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz, Miley Cyrus". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ Trust, Gary (August 10, 2009). "Ask Billboard: Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Maxwell". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ Grein, Paul (July 30, 2010). "Chart Watch Extra: 40 Digital Song Milestones — Chart Watch". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ "Australian ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA Charts. July 20, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ "UK Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. August 2, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (July 14, 2009). "Britney Spears Shows 'Classy Side' In 'Radar' Video, Director Says". MTV News. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ISSN 0035-791X.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (June 1, 2004). "Britney's Catsuit May Come In Handy For Next Single, But Not For China". MTV News. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Vena, Jocelyn (July 1, 2009). "Britney Spears' New 'Radar' Video Leaks". MTV News. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ISSN 0035-791X.
- ^ Gicas, Peter (July 1, 2009). "Britney Spears' "Radar" Finally Gets Some Video Love". E!. Comcast. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "Britney Debuts "Radar" Video". OK!. July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "Big Easy fans thrilled by Britney's 'Circus' act". Today. Associated Press. March 4, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ Alexander, Hilary (March 2, 2009). "Britney Spears kicks off Circus world tour in New Orleans". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009. Retrieved December 11, 2009.
- ^ ""Get on Britney's Radar" Contest with Britney Spears". DanceJam.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ Christopher Dallman (November 27, 2009). "Giving thanks". Cjdmusic.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
- ^ "Britney Spears – Radar". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- Ultratip. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (in Portuguese). Brazil: BPP. January 2010. p. 81.
- ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ Britney Spears — Radar. TopHit. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. August 15, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ "Britney Spears – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Radar". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Britney Spears – Radar". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200932 into search. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- ^ "Britney Spears – Radar". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Britney Spears: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Pop Rock" (in Spanish). Record Report. September 6, 2008. Archived from the original on August 16, 2008.
- ^ "NRJ TOP 100 of 2008". NRJ Lebanon. 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2009". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "American single certifications – Britney Spears – Radar". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". January 1, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- ^ "Radar". Portugal: 7digital.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Radar". Sweden: 7digital.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Radar". Canada: 7digital.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Radar (Digital 45)" (in German). Germany: Amazon Music. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2021.