The natural first reaction, once you discover the hidden meaning embedded in the title of Britney Spears’ third single from Circus (if you say it fast, it spells something out) is a big ol’ eye roll. Hardy har har, Brit. You’re oh-so naughty. That was definitely my reaction when the brouhaha first started up after the song appeared on the album’s tracklist. But now "If You Seek Amy" is set for radio play, and it’s actually ruffling feathers as station managers wonder if the title, which in and of itself is not profane, of course, will earn them FCC fines. And suddenly, I’m smirking at how this little gag is pushing the envelope buttons. MTV, for instance, talked to Patti Marshall, program director at Cincinnati’s Q102, who said the song’s chorus is tantamount to "a little boy in sixth grade doing arm farts." If the song (embedded after the jump) falls flat, then so does the gag (personally, I think it sounds WAY too similar to "Womanizer"). But I gotta say, arm farts in the classroom have a naughty, irreverent appeal.
What say you, PopWatchers? Take our poll and let us know what you think of Britney’s play on words.
More Britney Spears:
Britney Spears: Comeback of the year?
Britney Spears’ dad gets a raise, tribute song
Britney Spears’ ‘Circus’ sales: Damn, girl!
Britney Spears’ new music video: ‘Womanizer’
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This song is great. I’m loving post-crack Britney. Almost as much as I like pre-crack Whitney!
love the track, one of the best on a fantastic album. it’s original, yes it’s dirty… yes it’s corny, but so is “i kissed a girl” or even usher’s “confessions” it sparks controversy, which is what she’s all about… from school girl outfits to sexual titles… beat is hot… flow is hot…. and it’s fun!
I thought that the song was kind of corny at first, but after listening to it many many times, I looooove it. Go Britney!
It would be cheeky if she could have thought of a creative way to insert the “If You Seek Amy” phrase into a coherent sentence. “All of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy” is 4th grade at best.
The song was always going to be a risk to release to radio given the lyrics and what it subtly means if you listen to the song. And sound out the title. It’s a very racy song. But nothing worse than some of the songs out there in the rap world. I always found it risky for the radio world. It probably would do better in the video world. Because radio is more conservative. But then who knows. Given the true meaning of the song; it’s a fun song. Twisted really. I can see why fans like it. It’s very catchy. I don’t see it too similiar to Womanizer. It gives a different impression all together. LOVE the song.
I’m stirring the pot again — isn’t this just another Christina rip-off? First the circus theme, and now a not-as-clever ripoff of Christina’s FUSS (which was personal, specific, and better). Sorry, Brit, I’m still rooting for you, but I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em.
it’s dumb. she doesn’t even work the line in cleverly if it’s truly the gag that it’s perceived to be. i understand where stations are weary of it. it’s not hidden or creatively in there really so you’re not sure if it’s truly “provocative and edgy” or “blatant and obvious.”
not my cup of tea as a song either. too similar. not horrible or anything. decent enough i suppose. I’m not a fan of the gag though. now i prepare myself for the gaggle of britney defenders at the ready to attack me. fyi to them: I didn’t mean anything bad about her or her music in general.
I am loving this song, it sounds nothing like Womanizer! So catchy, with just a hint of naughty.
Christina didn’t invite acronyms or hidden meanings!! Geez!
I think it’s a great song. Its lyrics are silly and the “if you seek amy” line doesn’t fit into the song well, but it’s catchy as all hell. I think it’s a great choice for a single.
And by “invite” I meant “invent”. Haha, sorry. Also, I don’t think it sounds like “Womanizer” either.
are you kidding nancy? F.U.S.S is the dumbest song christina ever released. it is deffinatly 100% childish.
Britney should get use to the fact that she just can’t seem to please everyone. I think the track and concept is pretty rock & roll. It might not be 100% original, but I certainly didn’t think she’d actually be releasing it as a single. And I don’t thik it sounds like Womanizer… I mean, it’s Britney singing again, it sounds like her. ?!?!
I guess im blind because I dont get it!
I actually find the song catchy, but I agree with Dennis N. — the way the phrase is used in the song doesn’t make a lick of sense, which immediately excludes it from clever or cheeky territory.
too similar to womanizer? that’s objectively not true.
the song is catchy, but totally not the double entendre that max martin thinks it is. it simply makes no sense to say “all of the girls are begging to if you seek amy”. the song is a cheap excuse to make a bad joke. the songwriters’ english-speaking skills are simply not good enough to pull off a song like this. who is amy? what happens if i seek her? why is britney using this as an excuse to talk about people penetrating her? does she even understand?
release phonography.
OK now I am curious, what is FUSS about?
I love this song! one of my favorites in the CD. But yeah, i’m a dork and had to google the joke. really? really? there must be nothing else going on in the world of entertainment today if this is an issue.
Ok I will be the one to ask. What is it supposed to mean. I didn’t think I was stupid (masters degree) but I have read it over and over in my head and I don’t get what the big deal is. Can some one explain?
I love EW, but I can’t take the anti-Britney coverage. I mean, it’s a POP song, and it’s fun, up tempo, and already getting tons of club play. It sounds nothing even close to Womanizer, and it’s edgy in a way that good pop music should be. If beyonce sang this, or kelly clarkson, this blog would be calling it something amazing.
if you seek amy = F-U-C-* Me, to those below
and also fuss is to scott storch, kind of like a diss record, f.u.s.s. is an acronym for f***-You-Scott-Storch
“IF You Seek Amy” = “F-you-C-K ME”…
Also, if type 55378008 into a calculator and then turn it upside down it looks like “boobless”.
Such wit.
FU Scott Storch (FUSS) – Scott Storch produced on her previous album and apparently demanded a bunch of money to work on Back to Basics. iF yoU C(seeK) amy. Look at the capital letters and you’ll get the meaning. Not very clever. I know I’m driving the Britney fans crazy, but it appears that someone on Britney’s team looked at Christina’s CD (and probably other artists as well), just looking for what they could rip off.
Yeah, say it out loud a couple times, you’ll get it. As for me, I happen to think it’s one of the cleverest innuendos in a pop song, ever. This is just who Britney is–the virgin/whore, she’s been playing that role ever since she showed up. and we’re still listening, so no way we can penalize her for doing what she does best.
Was there this much fuss when Van Halen titled an album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge?
For anyone saying the lyrics are silly or don’t fit well, it’t not meant to be taken literally…the full chorus is “Love me, hate me, say what you want about me, but all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to f-@-c-k me”- the girls are not trying to actually seek out Amy…..
LOL@”boobless”!!! Oh man, right back to 4th grade.
ok, I actually had to read comments below to figure out what it meant. I was saying it fast and all I could come up with was “If You Sicka Me” I am getting old.
You people are a bunch of haters. Britney didn’t rip of Christina… she’s singing about people wanting to sleep with her and Christina is singing about telling one person to eff off. Seriously, people. Get over it, listen to the song, and start liking it!!!!!!
I’m not a Britney fan but I must admit it’s some quite original wording, specially for a pop song. I’m glad to see her back from her personal tour through Amy’s black.
On first listen, it’s an eye-roller. But then it gets stuck in your head like a pop song should. Love it!