Happy Birthday, Britney Spears! A Countdown of all Her Biggest Hits

By Zara

Happy 29th birthday, Britney Spears!

Sure, she’s has had her share of issues, but her birthday is the perfect time to state the obvious: Britney Spears is one of the greatest entertainers of our time. Maybe even of all time.

Her personal life notwithstanding, Britney can do almost no wrong (“almost” is the operative word….her “Gimme More” comeback performance was one of her few professional missteps). I’ve always loved Britney because she epitomizes popular culture; instead of trying to please everyone, Brit understands that the best way to remain relevant is to be polarizing.

In honor of Britney’s big day, I’m going to chronicle her (absolutely amazing) career through her music. What’s your favorite Britney song? Personally I find it impossible to choose one. There aren’t many people who can change it up the way our girl Brit can – and please don’t try to tell me that Lady Gaga has an edge over her. Where Gaga can do three things – crazy, crazier, and absolutely insane – Britney can rock every look and attitude. We’ve seen Britney play the sweet and innocent card, the heartbreaker, and the unapologetically sexy diva with a snake wrapped around her neck.

So let’s look back at some of her best moments in music:

[Editor's Note: Due to Britney's legal team, some of the following videos will redirect you to YouTube. Enjoy!]

10.…Baby One More Time
Who could forget about the song that started it all? Britney established herself in the entertainment world by making herself relatable to girls everywhere. Instead of going for a high-glamour concept for her first video, she played the part of her average (albeit really, really hot) high school to perfection. I mean, who hasn’t spent class time drooling over the one that got away?

9. Oops! I Did It Again
This is where Britney truly came out of her shell. The red cat suit, the straightened hair, the little scene in the middle of the music video – it was pure fabulosity. And I have to give her props for not taking the concept too far – yeah, she was doing the whole maneater thing, but she still had a hint of the bubblegum pop sweetness we all fell in love with in the first place.

8. Lucky
Maybe if we had listened to these lyrics more closely, we would have been able to anticipate the impending mental breakdown…

7. I’m A Slave 4 U
I can’t think of a better way for a popstar to shed her girl-next-door image. Or her clothes.

6. Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman
Okay, so it’s a little corny, but I think this song says a lot about how hard this period of transition is…whether or not you’re a superstar.

5. I Got That Boom Boom
I don’t really know what “that boom boom” is, but I do know that Brit’s got it.

4. Toxic
It may or may not have been my ringtone for two years. Just sayin’.

3. Piece Of Me
The most scathing paparazzi attack. Ever.

2. Circus
“I’m a put-on-a-show kind of girl.” It’s basically my mantra.

1. If You Seek Amy
I don’t know what’s more impressive about this one: that someone was clever enough to come up with it, that Brit was confident enough to sing it, or that she somehow got FCC-conscious radio stations to play it all. the. time.