Britney is back, bitch.
Britney Spears‘ first new material in SIX years – and her first release since been released from her conservatorship – his here.
It’s a reworking of Elton John’s legendary ‘Tiny Dancer’ and features both queer icons on the song.
Here’s the track.
Speaking about the pairing, Sir Elton said he hopes the release will help to boost Britney’s confidence as an artist again:
“It’s hard when you’re young. Britney was broken. I was broken when I got sober. I was in a terrible place,” he told The Guardian.
“I’ve been through that broken feeling and it’s horrible, and, luckily enough, I’ve been sober for 32 years and it’s the happiest I’ve ever been.
“Now, I’ve got the experience to be able to advise people and help them because I don’t want to see any artists in a dark place.
“A lot of artists, you’d think they’d have a lot of self-esteem, but they don’t, and that’s why we go on stage and we get the applause, and then we come off stage and we’re back to square one.”
Here’s some of what the internet is saying:
got me fucking high ❤️#WelcomeBackBritney #HoldMeCloser #BritneySpears pic.twitter.com/vv1NCQzMvm
— Qcho (@eeym1996) August 26, 2022
finally can officially say it… NEW BRITNEY SPEARS MUSIC. #HoldMeCloser pic.twitter.com/MPcajWidj8
— Sam Stryker (@sbstryker) August 26, 2022
Elton John and Britney Spears pic.twitter.com/i92FCf4uxU
— SHANE REACTION (@imshanereaction) August 25, 2022
I JUST HEARD IT FOR THE FIRST TIME #HoldMeCloser SHE SOUNDS SO FUCKING GOOD AND OMG THAT PIANO FINALE pic.twitter.com/uIwWftJls6
— Onyx #HoldMeCloser🌹🚀 (@Onyxhotelprince) August 26, 2022
BRITNEY FUCKING SPEARS IS BACK. That's the tweet. #HoldMeCloser pic.twitter.com/1vczkp25xr
— Σαν να ταν Φλεβάρης Πόντε (@yiannm22) August 25, 2022
NUMBER 1 ON THE US ITUNES CHARTS SO SO DESERVED #HoldMeCloser pic.twitter.com/5eynMVDCid
— natalie 🌹🚀 (@cynicalbritney) August 26, 2022
I am equal parts shaking my ass & crying to Hold Me Closer. What a beautiful thing Elton is doing, and what a gift to have Britney back on such a joyous, nostalgic record. One of 2022’s great pop music moments.
— nic kelly (@nicwkelly) August 26, 2022
BRITNEY SPEARS IS BACK AFTER 6 YEARS, IT'S BRITNEY BITCH!!! pic.twitter.com/5HQii2LXrk
— Junior (@jcif23) August 26, 2022
We will be supporting Britney we will get this song to #1 we will show her how much she has been missed we will love on our pop princess! pic.twitter.com/ygRJ6dRuhs
— ✨ (@heyjaeee) August 26, 2022
"She’s unbelievable at layering her voice and doubling, which is one of the hardest things to do. She really pushed herself, vocally. She’s so good at knowing when she got the right take. She took complete control.” — Andrew Watt on Britney Spears. #HoldMeCloser pic.twitter.com/WpdrCmhdc3
— Fan Account 🌹🚀 (@breatheonmiley) August 25, 2022
Britney Spears: pic.twitter.com/bSmwBfNZUi
— ✨ (@heyjaeee) August 26, 2022
🌹 🚀 It’s perfect, @britneyspears #HoldMeCloser
pic.twitter.com/GE7zlgf5qa— Hunter Schwarz (@hunterschwarz) August 26, 2022
Me for the foreseeable future .. #HoldMeCloser pic.twitter.com/8kllwtlaBO
— The Blackout Starbucks Napkin 💥💭🖤 (@Kimme_more13) August 26, 2022
BRITNEY SPEARS HAS THE #1 SONG IN AMERICA ON ITUNES #HoldMeCloser pic.twitter.com/lVEPLR1e8b
— Britney Stan 💕 (HMC 8/26) (@BritneyTheStan) August 26, 2022
britney spears & elton john – hold me closer pic.twitter.com/5sONr8Nd9i
— britney img (@britneyimg) August 17, 2022
I just heard #HoldMeCloser for the first time. Britney you sound so beautiful and I am so proud of you, your fans will be with you 💯 and ALWAYS! pic.twitter.com/FPeEc9kzrJ
— Britney Stan 💕 (HMC 8/26) (@BritneyTheStan) August 26, 2022
This quote from Elton about Britney has just made me well up – everyone stream #HoldMeCloser rn x pic.twitter.com/2EuNd79sSM
— holly (@hollyshortall) August 26, 2022
HOLD ME CLOSER TINY DANCER pic.twitter.com/l2FnKthhJp
— Grindr 🌹🚀 (@Grindr) August 18, 2022
IF HOLD ME CLOSER IS ALREADY OUT IN YOUR COUNTRY, YOU BETTER BE STREAMING AND BUYING pic.twitter.com/OmMINcrNJy
— Fan Account 🌹🚀 (@TheSpearsRoom) August 25, 2022
I just heard Hold me Closer and it’s AMAZING!! Im listening on repeat! @britneyspears You sound incredible!! You are still an ICON! You sound amazing!!! Better than ever! You are still the legendary Ms Britney Spears!!
— Ashley Erin (@Ashleyness1985) August 26, 2022
Hold Me Closer represents Britney joining Elton John at a moment when she’s with no confidence, but he took her hand and showed that she is actually ready to take her place back. 🌹🚀 #HoldMeCloser @britneyspears @eltonofficial pic.twitter.com/nwESx2L2Yc
— Rafael de Almeida (@rafaeldealmeida) August 26, 2022
Hearing @britneyspears voice in 2022 finally as a free woman is incredible. She sounds so clear & strong- and can we talk about those iconic Britney ad-libs & runs?! @eltonofficial has helped create something truly special for the fans and artist alike with #HoldMeCloser pic.twitter.com/xrc7Db8gN3
— Johnny Kenneally (@JohnnyKenneally) August 26, 2022