Someday (I Will Understand)
Encyclopedia
"Someday" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears
, from the bonus CD of Britney & Kevin: Chaotic
. It was released in Europe as a single on August 21, 2005, by Jive Records
. In July 2004, Spears announced her engagement to American dancer Kevin Federline
, later revealing she would be taking another career break to start a family. Spears wrote the song two weeks before knowing she was pregnant with her first child, Sean Preston Federline. A pop ballad, "Someday (I Will Understand)" lyrics refer to a feeling of empowerment as a pregnant woman. A remixed version of the song was included on the 2005 remix compilation, B in the Mix: The Remixes
.
"Someday (I Will Understand)" has received mixed to negative reviews from music critics, who considered it a horrible ballad and a "flop single". The song reached the top ten in Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland and also charted in a number of European countries. An accompanying music video, directed by Michael Haussman
, premiered on the finale of Britney & Kevin: Chaotic. Entirely shot in black-and-white
, the music video features Spears as a pregnant woman and portrays a transformation of her character. Contemporary critics noted the video as a depature from Spears' previous music videos, while comparing the imagery of it to American entertainer Madonna
's Kabbalah
makeover.
, whom she had met three months before. The romance received intense attention from the media, since Federline had recently broken up with actress Shar Jackson
, who was still pregnant with their second child at the time. The initial stages of their relationship were chronicled in Spears's first reality show Britney & Kevin: Chaotic
. They held a wedding ceremony on September 18, 2004, but were not legally married until three weeks later on October 6 due to a delay finalizing the couple's prenuptial agreement. In October 2004, the singer announced she would be taking another career break to start a family. Spears gave birth to her first child, Sean Preston Federline, on September 14, 2005.
"Someday (I Will Understand)" was composed by Spears on the piano at her house, two weeks before she learned of her pregnancy with Sean Preston. She explained the song came "like a prophecy... when you're pregnant, you're empowered". It was produced by Guy Sigsworth
, who previously worked with the singer on "Everytime
" (2003). Spears recorded her vocals for the song at Conway Studios in Los Angeles, California
, and at Frou Frou Central in London
. The piano
was played by Spears herself, while all other instruments and mixing
were done by Sigsworth. Background vocals for the song were provided by Kate Havnevik
. Musically, "Someday (I Will Understand) is a pop
ballad
. "Someday (I Will Understand)" was released as the first and only single from Britney & Kevin: Chaotic on August 21, 2005. The Hi Bias Signature Radio Remix was included on her 2005 remix compilation, B in the Mix: The Remixes
.
, Mike McGuirk of Rhapsody noted, "Britney now sings about either the husband or the kid. (Sorry, people. It's a sad day for the middle-aged American male sicko.) For everyone else, these bonus tracks further Spears' upward path of totally bangin' production and almost uncanny Prince-channeling." On the review of B in the Mix: The Remixes
, Kurt Kirton of About.com said "And Then We Kiss
" and other remixes of songs like "Toxic
" and "Someday (I Will Understand)" "hold their own," while IGN
writer Spence D. noted the Hi-Bias Signature Radio Remix "reverberates with all the clichés that often stifle the music that rustles through the late night/early morning club scenes around the world." Rolling Stone
s Barry Walters gave the song's remix a negative review, saying that "nothing can rescue Spears' freakishly sappy flop single "Someday (I Will Understand)"." Gil Kaufman of MTV
considered the song a "horrible Britney ballad with the black-and-white video that began her descent into madness", while Bradley Stern also of MTV praised the Leama & Moor Remix, saying it "transforms the tearjerker of a ballad into a full-on trance anthem. Big beats, stuttering vocals -- it's heartbreak on the dance floor."
. It peaked at number ten the following week. In Switzerland, the song debuted at number eight on the week of September 4, 2005. On September 9, 2005, the song debuted in the Danish Singles Chart
at number eleven. The following week, it peaked at the eight position. "Someday (I Will Understand)" also reached the top twenty in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Finland and Norway and charted in Austria and the Netherlands. "Someday (I Will Understand)" has sold 60,000 paid digital downloads in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan
.
. Spears commented that he "[did] a great job capturing the song, the essence and the emotion" and added that the video had "a different feeling" from any of her previous videos. It was shot entirely in black-and-white
. Spears asserted that her life had "come full circle" and implied that in the process she underwent changes in her soul and body, as shown in the video. It premiered on June 14, 2005 during the fifth and last episode of Spears's reality show Britney & Kevin: Chaotic, titled "Veil of Secrecy". The music video features a pregnant Spears laying in bed and walking around a house while singing to her unborn child. She also gazes through the window at the Roman sculpture
s in the garden.
Dana Alice Heller noted that her provocative costuming and dancing are replaced in the video with a solitary, fabric-draped Spears that evokes an ethereal calmness. Heller compared the imagery to Madonna
's Kabbalah
makeover, but added that while Madonna was "in her thirties after a tabloid head-lining first marriage and a few other misguided relationships", Spears was only twenty-two, making her transformation seem forced. Hayley Butler of Jam!
said "the video is a far cry from the snake handling, sweating and skimpy Britney videos of the past. Dressed in a classy silk dress, she runs through gardens, lies in bed and walks through the grass, all with a burgeoning belly."
Source:
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
, from the bonus CD of Britney & Kevin: Chaotic
Britney & Kevin: Chaotic
Britney & Kevin: Chaotic is an American reality television series, which aired on UPN from May 17, 2005 to June 14, 2005, starring American recording artist Britney Spears and her then husband, Kevin Federline. It was created by Anthony E. Zuiker, while Spears and Federline served as the executive...
. It was released in Europe as a single on August 21, 2005, by Jive Records
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
. In July 2004, Spears announced her engagement to American dancer Kevin Federline
Kevin Federline
Kevin Earl Federline is an American dancer, rapper, fashion model, and actor. Previously engaged to actress Shar Jackson, Federline is best known for his two-year marriage to pop singer Britney Spears...
, later revealing she would be taking another career break to start a family. Spears wrote the song two weeks before knowing she was pregnant with her first child, Sean Preston Federline. A pop ballad, "Someday (I Will Understand)" lyrics refer to a feeling of empowerment as a pregnant woman. A remixed version of the song was included on the 2005 remix compilation, B in the Mix: The Remixes
B in the Mix: The Remixes
B in the Mix: The Remixes is the first remix album by American recording artist Britney Spears, released on November 22, 2005, by Jive Records. The album contains remixes of tracks from her first four studio albums—...Baby One More Time , Oops!.....
.
"Someday (I Will Understand)" has received mixed to negative reviews from music critics, who considered it a horrible ballad and a "flop single". The song reached the top ten in Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland and also charted in a number of European countries. An accompanying music video, directed by Michael Haussman
Michael Haussman
Michael Haussman is an American music video, motion picture and television advertisement director, writer and producer.Michael Haussman is a director, writer and artist, whose internationally acclaimed commercials have won numerous awards and are featured in advertising books and trade journals...
, premiered on the finale of Britney & Kevin: Chaotic. Entirely shot in black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
, the music video features Spears as a pregnant woman and portrays a transformation of her character. Contemporary critics noted the video as a depature from Spears' previous music videos, while comparing the imagery of it to American entertainer Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
makeover.
Background
In July 2004, Spears announced her engagement to American dancer Kevin FederlineKevin Federline
Kevin Earl Federline is an American dancer, rapper, fashion model, and actor. Previously engaged to actress Shar Jackson, Federline is best known for his two-year marriage to pop singer Britney Spears...
, whom she had met three months before. The romance received intense attention from the media, since Federline had recently broken up with actress Shar Jackson
Shar Jackson
Sharisse "Shar" Jackson is an American television and film actress, reality television personality and rapper/singer best known for her portrayal of Niecy Jackson on the UPN show Moesha.-Early life and career:...
, who was still pregnant with their second child at the time. The initial stages of their relationship were chronicled in Spears's first reality show Britney & Kevin: Chaotic
Britney & Kevin: Chaotic
Britney & Kevin: Chaotic is an American reality television series, which aired on UPN from May 17, 2005 to June 14, 2005, starring American recording artist Britney Spears and her then husband, Kevin Federline. It was created by Anthony E. Zuiker, while Spears and Federline served as the executive...
. They held a wedding ceremony on September 18, 2004, but were not legally married until three weeks later on October 6 due to a delay finalizing the couple's prenuptial agreement. In October 2004, the singer announced she would be taking another career break to start a family. Spears gave birth to her first child, Sean Preston Federline, on September 14, 2005.
"Someday (I Will Understand)" was composed by Spears on the piano at her house, two weeks before she learned of her pregnancy with Sean Preston. She explained the song came "like a prophecy... when you're pregnant, you're empowered". It was produced by Guy Sigsworth
Guy Sigsworth
Guy Sigsworth is a U.K. based composer, producer and songwriter. In his career to date he has worked with many famous artists, including Seal, Björk, Goldie, Madonna, Britney Spears, Kate Havnevik, Bebel Gilberto, Mozez, David Sylvian and Alanis Morissette...
, who previously worked with the singer on "Everytime
Everytime
"Everytime" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears from her fourth album, In the Zone. It was released on May 17, 2004, by Jive Records as the third single from the album. After Spears ended her relationship with pop singer Justin Timberlake, she made friends with her backing...
" (2003). Spears recorded her vocals for the song at Conway Studios in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, and at Frou Frou Central in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
was played by Spears herself, while all other instruments and mixing
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
were done by Sigsworth. Background vocals for the song were provided by Kate Havnevik
Kate Havnevik
Kate Havnevik is a singer and songwriter from Oslo, Norway. Her debut album, the critically acclaimed electronica infused Melankton, was released in March 2006 on iTunes and April 2006 in Norway only, before being licensed internationally later...
. Musically, "Someday (I Will Understand) is a pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
. "Someday (I Will Understand)" was released as the first and only single from Britney & Kevin: Chaotic on August 21, 2005. The Hi Bias Signature Radio Remix was included on her 2005 remix compilation, B in the Mix: The Remixes
B in the Mix: The Remixes
B in the Mix: The Remixes is the first remix album by American recording artist Britney Spears, released on November 22, 2005, by Jive Records. The album contains remixes of tracks from her first four studio albums—...Baby One More Time , Oops!.....
.
Reception
Critical response
"Someday (I Will Understand)" received mixed to negative reviews from music critics. While reviewing Britney & Kevin: ChaoticBritney & Kevin: Chaotic
Britney & Kevin: Chaotic is an American reality television series, which aired on UPN from May 17, 2005 to June 14, 2005, starring American recording artist Britney Spears and her then husband, Kevin Federline. It was created by Anthony E. Zuiker, while Spears and Federline served as the executive...
, Mike McGuirk of Rhapsody noted, "Britney now sings about either the husband or the kid. (Sorry, people. It's a sad day for the middle-aged American male sicko.) For everyone else, these bonus tracks further Spears' upward path of totally bangin' production and almost uncanny Prince-channeling." On the review of B in the Mix: The Remixes
B in the Mix: The Remixes
B in the Mix: The Remixes is the first remix album by American recording artist Britney Spears, released on November 22, 2005, by Jive Records. The album contains remixes of tracks from her first four studio albums—...Baby One More Time , Oops!.....
, Kurt Kirton of About.com said "And Then We Kiss
And Then We Kiss
"And Then We Kiss" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears. The song was written by Spears, Mark Taylor and Paul Barry, while produced by Taylor for In the Zone. This version featured an electronica vibe and prominent vocals by Spears. The song was remixed by Junkie XL for the remix...
" and other remixes of songs like "Toxic
Toxic (song)
"Toxic" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, co-written and produced by Bloodshy & Avant, from her fourth album, In the Zone. It was released on January 12, 2004, by Jive Records as the second single from the album. After trying to choose between " Boom Boom" and "Outrageous" to...
" and "Someday (I Will Understand)" "hold their own," while IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
writer Spence D. noted the Hi-Bias Signature Radio Remix "reverberates with all the clichés that often stifle the music that rustles through the late night/early morning club scenes around the world." Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
s Barry Walters gave the song's remix a negative review, saying that "nothing can rescue Spears' freakishly sappy flop single "Someday (I Will Understand)"." Gil Kaufman of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
considered the song a "horrible Britney ballad with the black-and-white video that began her descent into madness", while Bradley Stern also of MTV praised the Leama & Moor Remix, saying it "transforms the tearjerker of a ballad into a full-on trance anthem. Big beats, stuttering vocals -- it's heartbreak on the dance floor."
Chart performance
On September 1, 2005, "Someday (I Will Understand)" debuted at number forty-six on the Swedish Singles ChartSverigetopplistan
Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association ....
. It peaked at number ten the following week. In Switzerland, the song debuted at number eight on the week of September 4, 2005. On September 9, 2005, the song debuted in the Danish Singles Chart
Tracklisten
Tracklisten is a Danish top 40 record chart that is presented every Thursday midnight at .The weekly Danish Singles Chart also known as Track Top-40 combines the 40 best selling tracks from legal music downloads and the sales of music singles on either CD or vinyl...
at number eleven. The following week, it peaked at the eight position. "Someday (I Will Understand)" also reached the top twenty in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Finland and Norway and charted in Austria and the Netherlands. "Someday (I Will Understand)" has sold 60,000 paid digital downloads in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
.
Music video
The music video for "Someday (I Will Understand)" was directed by Michael HaussmanMichael Haussman
Michael Haussman is an American music video, motion picture and television advertisement director, writer and producer.Michael Haussman is a director, writer and artist, whose internationally acclaimed commercials have won numerous awards and are featured in advertising books and trade journals...
. Spears commented that he "[did] a great job capturing the song, the essence and the emotion" and added that the video had "a different feeling" from any of her previous videos. It was shot entirely in black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
. Spears asserted that her life had "come full circle" and implied that in the process she underwent changes in her soul and body, as shown in the video. It premiered on June 14, 2005 during the fifth and last episode of Spears's reality show Britney & Kevin: Chaotic, titled "Veil of Secrecy". The music video features a pregnant Spears laying in bed and walking around a house while singing to her unborn child. She also gazes through the window at the Roman sculpture
Roman sculpture
The study of ancient Roman sculpture is complicated by its relation to Greek sculpture. Many examples of even the most famous Greek sculptures, such as the Apollo Belvedere and Barberini Faun, are known only from Roman Imperial or Hellenistic "copies." At one time, this imitation was taken by art...
s in the garden.
Dana Alice Heller noted that her provocative costuming and dancing are replaced in the video with a solitary, fabric-draped Spears that evokes an ethereal calmness. Heller compared the imagery to Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
makeover, but added that while Madonna was "in her thirties after a tabloid head-lining first marriage and a few other misguided relationships", Spears was only twenty-two, making her transformation seem forced. Hayley Butler of Jam!
Jam!
Jam! is a Canadian website, which covers entertainment news. It is part of the CANOE online portal, owned and operated by Quebecor through its Sun Media division....
said "the video is a far cry from the snake handling, sweating and skimpy Britney videos of the past. Dressed in a classy silk dress, she runs through gardens, lies in bed and walks through the grass, all with a burgeoning belly."
Track listings
- Europe CD Single
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" — 3:37
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" (Hi Bias Signature Radio Remix) — 3:46
- Europe CD Maxi-Single
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" — 3:37
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" (Instrumental) — 3:37
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" (Hi Bias Signature Radio Remix) — 3:46
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" (Leama & Moor Remix) — 9:18
- Japan EP
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" — 3:37
- "Chaotic" — 3:33
- "Mona Lisa" — 3:25
- "Over to You Now" — 3:42
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" (Hi Bias Signature Radio Remix) — 3:46
- Digital download / The Singles Collection Boxset Single
- "Someday (I Will Understand)" — 3:38
- "Mona Lisa" — 3:26
Credits and personnel
- Britney Spears – lead vocals, songwriting, piano
- Guy SigsworthGuy SigsworthGuy Sigsworth is a U.K. based composer, producer and songwriter. In his career to date he has worked with many famous artists, including Seal, Björk, Goldie, Madonna, Britney Spears, Kate Havnevik, Bebel Gilberto, Mozez, David Sylvian and Alanis Morissette...
- production - Sean McGhee – mixing, engineering, programming
- Chris HawkesChris HawkesChris Hawkes is a songwriter, singer, guitarist, recording engineer and producer.He attended the University of North Texas in Denton Texas studying Art before deciding to pursue music and sound recording full time.-Music Performance:...
– mixing, engineering, programming - Tom Coyne – mastering
- Kate HavnevikKate HavnevikKate Havnevik is a singer and songwriter from Oslo, Norway. Her debut album, the critically acclaimed electronica infused Melankton, was released in March 2006 on iTunes and April 2006 in Norway only, before being licensed internationally later...
– background vocals
Source:
Charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Hungary (Mahasz Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... ) |
6 |