Britney Spears

Lyrics

[Intro]
Oh, baby, baby
Oh, baby, baby

[Verse 1]
Oh, baby, baby
How was I supposed to know
That something wasn't right here?
Oh, baby, baby
I shouldn't have let you go
And now you're out of sight, yeah

[Pre-Chorus]
Show me how you want it to be
Tell me, baby, 'cause I need to know now
Oh, because

[Chorus]
My loneliness is killing me (And I)
I must confess, I still believe (Still believe)
When I'm not with you, I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time

[Verse 2]
Oh, baby, baby
The reason I breathe is you (Oh, yeah)
Boy, you got me blinded
Oh, pretty, baby
There's nothing that I wouldn't do
It's not the way I planned it
[Pre-Chorus]
Show me how you want it to be
Tell me, baby, 'cause I need to know now
Oh, because

[Chorus]
My loneliness is killing me (And I)
I must confess, I still believe (Still believe)
When I'm not with you, I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time

[Post-Chorus]
Oh, baby, baby (Oh)
Oh, baby, baby (Yeah)

[Bridge]
Oh, baby, baby
How was I supposed to know?
Oh, pretty, baby
I shouldn't have let you go
I must confess that my loneliness is killing me now
Don't you know I still believe
That you will be here and give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time
[Chorus]
My loneliness is killing me (And I)
I must confess, I still believe (Still believe)
When I'm not with you, I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time

[Outro]
I must confess (My loneliness)
That my loneliness (Is killing me)
Is killing me now (I must confess, I still believe)
Don't you know I still believe (When I'm not with you)
That you will be here (I lose my mind)
And give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time

When you think about pop music in the late 90s and early 2000s, one name undoubtedly comes to mind – Britney Spears. Born in McComb, Mississippi in 1981, Britney began her career in entertainment as a child on the Disney Channel's The Mickey Mouse Club. But it wasn't until she released her debut single in 1998 that she truly became a household name. “...Baby One More Time” was a massive commercial success, earning Britney a place in the pop music pantheon and cementing her status as a superstar.

About ...Baby One More Time

“..Baby One More Time” was written by Max Martin, a legendary Swedish songwriter and producer who has worked with everyone from Taylor Swift to Katy Perry. Martin initially offered the song to R&B group TLC, but they turned it down. Britney then recorded the song for her debut album, which shares the same title.

What makes this song so enduringly popular? For starters, there's the iconic music video, which features Britney in a Catholic schoolgirl outfit singing and dancing in a high school gym. The video was parodied countless times and brought Britney international attention. But of course, the song's popularity goes far beyond the visuals. At its core, “...Baby One More Time” is a catchy, upbeat pop tune with a sing-along chorus and radio-friendly production.

The song's opening piano riff is iconic and instantly recognizable, but it's Martin's slick pop production that makes the track truly memorable. The opening verse is sparse, with Britney's vocals accompanied only by a pulsing electronic bass line. But when the chorus hits, the song explodes with layers of synths, drums, and backing vocals.

Lyrically, “...Baby One More Time” is a classic pop love song, with Britney pleading with a former lover to give her another chance. The lyrics are simple but effective, with Britney's vocals conveying both vulnerability and strength as she sings lines like "My loneliness is killing me" and "I must confess, I still believe."

For many fans, “...Baby One More Time” was more than just a catchy pop song – it was a cultural touchstone that defined an entire era. It's hard to overstate just how big this song was in 1998 – it went to number one in virtually every country where it charted, and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 18 million copies sold worldwide. The song's massive success paved the way for Britney to become one of the biggest pop stars of the 2000s, and it remains a beloved classic to this day.

So if you're feeling nostalgic for the days of late 90s pop or just want to belt out one of the catchiest choruses of all time, put on “...Baby One More Time” and sing your heart out. After all, as Britney herself would say, "Hit me, baby, one more time!"

• Release Date: October 23, 1998
• Artist: Britney Spears