Britney Spears’ 2011 hit song “Criminal” is seeing a spike in popularity, an example of life mimicking pop music, after her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
After reportedly driving erratically, Timberlake was taken into custody by police on Tuesday, June 18, in Sag Harbor, New York. As soon as word of the arrest spread, Britney’s devoted fan following, known as the #BritneyArmy, saw an opening. As a lighthearted jab at Timberlake, followers took to social media to urge one another to purchase and listen to “Criminal,” a song from Spears’ Femme Fatale album.
With its upbeat dance beat and lyrics about an attractive woman who “likes the danger,” the song shot to the top of the charts quite quickly. “Criminal” had jumped significantly from its prior place on the iTunes Pop Chart, peaking at No. 68 at the time of publication. Only a few months have passed since a comparable incident with another Timberlake song. Fans of Spears’ 2009 song of the same name came together in support of Timberlake’s January 2024 release of his single “Selfish,” temporarily elevating the song’s profile.
This pattern emphasizes the public’s continued interest in the relationship and its consequences between the ex-couple. Between 1999 and 2002, when they were both extremely popular, Timberlake and Spears were together. A media frenzy ensued after their high-profile breakup, and Timberlake released the track “Cry Me a River” in 2002, which is commonly assumed to be about the relationship. The idea that Timberlake was the one who was victimized was strengthened by the appearance of a Spears clone in the “Cry Me a River” music video.
The storyline surrounding the partnership, though, has changed recently. Spears’ 2023 autobiography, “The Woman in Me,” provided insight into the extreme scrutiny she endured in her youth, particularly how the breakup was reported in the media. The memoir presented a picture of a young lady who was under tremendous pressure while Timberlake was successful in his career, which many fans felt provided fresh perspective on the situation.
Timberlake’s arrest has sparked a response that appears to mirror this change in public opinion. The arrest itself was the main topic of discussion, even though several news outlets included “Cry Me a River” in their reports. Still, the #BritneyArmy campaign took center stage on social media, with supporters supporting Spears and expressing their enjoyment with the lyrics from “Criminal” and the hashtag.
It’s unclear if “Criminal” will hold onto its newly discovered chart spot. The song’s revival does, however, serve as a reminder of Britney Spears’s lasting influence and her fans’ steadfast devotion. It also emphasizes how the story of her relationship with Justin Timberlake has changed over the years and how the public is still interested in it twenty years later.
