Britney in “Pieces”: A tribute and an ode

I realize this is like, an indie art website and all, but let’s just take a moment and talk about Britney Spears.

I had the pleasure yesterday of catching Britney Spears’ new video at the gym, “Piece of Me.” No kidding, it’s a good piece of work. I believe, and have always believed, that Britney is not without talent, and her new single is an impressive addition to her oeuvre - hella catchy, well-performed (notice I did not say well-sung), and pretty provocative.

The song is scathingly autobiographical: biting lyrics like “I’m Mrs. ‘Most likely to get on the TV for slippin’ on the streets’ when gettin’ the groceries, no, for real…are you kiddin’ me? No wonder there’s panic in the industry,” and “I don’t see no harm in workin’ and being a mama.” She rips apart the industry that has ultimately been her demise, opening the song with the bitter statement: “I’m Miss American Dreams since I was seventeen.”

Yes Britney, you were “Miss American Dreams” since you were seventeen. So no wonder your life is falling apart now. Poor girl! Her career took off completely out of her control, with apparently no real caring adults looking out for her best interest. She’s the classic child-star burnout. And now, all the world can do is point a finger and gawk as she flounders.

Guys, what have we done to her???

Seriously. Why aren’t we grieving the downfall of Britney? This beautiful young thing from Louisiana who exploded onto the scene nine years ago - full of energy, fire, and despite her vapidity, undeniable passion - has fallen. Her life is in shambles; her marriage is broken, her children are estranged, her mental health has completely collapsed. Her career is over. And judging by her clear lack of a strong support network, she has a long and lonely road to recovery ahead of her. More child pop stars will rise and fall for decades to come, and Britney will still be dealing with the demons of her very public career and even more public personal meltdown.

It goes without saying that the media is behaving without compassion towards Britney in these hard times. But when my friends and acquaintances - many of them performing artists themselves - ridicule the mess that Britney’s life has become…well, that just seems unduly cruel. I defend Britney, saying things like “Well, she started out too young to know what was going on, she had no control over her career, no strong adults in her life looking out for her…what do you expect?” I hear back, time and again: “whatever, she’s a multi-millionaire.”

As if fame and fortune is any substitute for love, happiness and emotional strength.

I love Britney. I kinda feel like we grew up together. I remember when “Hit Me Baby” came tearing through the radio waves back in ‘99 - there was a real sense that something big had started. And then the anticlimactic follow-up ballad “Sometimes” was enough to hold our attention until the electrifying third single “Crazy” ripped through the charts - by then we knew this gal was here to stay. And let’s not forget that killer chair-crazy video “Stronger.” I love her and think that despite being an airhead, is a good person (aren’t most people?) and YES, is a VERY TALENTED PERFORMER. I’ve paid money to see her in concert, and have no problem admitting it. I am grieving for Britney. I wish more people were too.

Let’s show her some compassion. As indie artists, we have the freedom to control our careers that artists like Britney will never have. I doubt that she had a discussion with her lawyers about the Indie-vs.-Signed options when she got her first Mickey Mouse Club gig. Thrown into a cruel industry at such a young age with little tools to survive, it’s a tragedy and a travesty that her life has plummeted to these new lows. I am sad for the girl, about my age, who’s life is so joyless now.

Check out her bitter, sassy revenge-single “Piece of Me.” Listen to it, enjoy it, rock out to it, send it to a friend. It’s Britney’s cry for help, and she deserves our attention.