Britney Spears releases unheard Timberlake co-write ahead of Britney reissue
Britney Spears has released a previously unreleased song co-written with Justin Timberlake.
"She'll Never Be Me" arrived on Oct. 9, ahead of a 25-song expanded 25th anniversary edition of her 2001 self-titled third album Britney, due out on Nov. 6, according to Billboard. The track was originally recorded for that album but did not make the final tracklist.
Spears wrote the song with Timberlake, Bradley Daymond and Alex Greggs. It was co-produced by Riprock 'n' Alex G, the production partnership of Daymond and Greggs.
The release revives a writing partnership from that period. Timberlake also co-wrote and co-produced "What It's Like to Be Me," which closed the original Britney album. Spears and Timberlake began dating in 1999 and broke up in March 2002.
The anniversary edition adds rarities and unheard material around the original album. It includes "Intimidated," the B-side to the single "I'm a Slave 4 U" — the extra song released alongside the single — and "Right Now (Taste the Victory)," recorded for Spears' 2002 Pepsi commercial.
It also includes three other previously unreleased songs: "Am I a Sinner," "When I Say So" and "My Big Secret."
For fans, this means early access through the reissue campaign. Listeners can hear "She'll Never Be Me" by presaving Britney (25th Anniversary Edition), according to Britney Spears via Facebook.
The project follows a long gap in new releases and live work. Spears has not released an album of new material since 2016's Glory. Her most recent live performance was on Oct. 21, 2018 in Austin, Texas.
