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During the 2000s, Britney Spears was often dismissed as a disposable pop star whose songs would be forgotten. Years later, it’s clear that the “…Baby One More Time” singer produced some of the best dance tunes ever. Here’s a look at her best work.

5. ‘(You Drive Me) Crazy’

The original version of “(You Drive Me) Crazy” can be found on Spears’ debut album, … Baby One More Time, and it’s perfectly fine. However, it needed a little extra kick to become a hit. A redux called “The Stop Remix!” has heavier instrumentation and an irresistible part where the beat stops as Spears yells out “Stop!” 

“(You Drive Me) Crazy” has a level of pure bubblegum bliss that the world hadn’t heard since The Monkees first broke up in 1970. The track’s music video has some of Spears’ best dancing and a bright color palette that is quintessentially late 1990s. The cameo from Melissa Joan Hart is the icing on the cake.

4. ‘I Wanna Go’

Spears is no “Weird Al” Yankovic, but she is known to work humor into her music from time to time. “I Wanna Go” is a prime example of that. This high-energy dance number has some of Spears’ cheekiest lyrics coupled with one of the best blasts of synthesizers ever.

Spears’ singing on some of her mid-period songs feels forced. Here, she’s in on the joke, joyously poking fun at people who are obsessed with her sex life. Poking fun at your public image is fun, but Spears managed to do it with style.

3. ‘Till the World Ends’

“Till the World Ends” starts with the lines “This kitten got your tongue-tied in knots, I see / Spit it out, ’cause I’m dying for company / I notice that you got it, you notice that I want it / You know that I can take it to the next level, baby.” These are some of the best lyrics of Spears’ career.

In 2011, the end of the world was in the air, as many people believed in the alleged 2012 Mayan apocalypse. Spears did a masterful job cashing in on that trend, with a tune that makes you want to dance until the world ends.

2. ‘Toxic’

“Toxic” is the rare song by Spears that everyone seems to respect, from average pop fans to rockist critics. Part of that is because it’s arguably the most experimental hit of Spears’ career. Another reason is that it’s one of the most experimental pop singles ever.

Combining Bollywood music, pop, and techno could turn out disastrous. However, “Toxic” manages to do it. Spears has inspired countless pop stars who came after her, but nobody has produced a single that sounds quite like “Toxic.”

1. ‘Lucky’

Spears’ songs are great for dancing. She has rarely produced tunes that evoke any sentimental emotion. “Lucky” is the rare exception to the rule. The ballad is about a young woman who has reached the top of the entertainment industry only to feel empty and lonely.

“Lucky” is about Spears, but it’s also about Marilyn Monroe, Diana, Princess of Wales, and anyone else who has been lonely at the top. In that way, the track is timeless. While “Lucky” was dismissed in the early 2000s, only reaching No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, it now feels like one of Spears’ most personal and revealing tunes.

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