Album: Singles Collection (2009)
Charted: 7 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a new song included on Britney's Singles Collection, which was released to celebrate her ten years in the music business.
  • Britney recorded the song with Swedish producer Max Martin, the brains behind her breakthrough pop tune, "…Baby One More Time," whilst she was in Sweden on her Circus tour.
  • The song premiered on September 29, 2009 on New York radio station Z-100.
  • The song's racy lyrics are about participating in a ménage à trois. It was co-written by Swedish songwriter Shellback, who also penned with Max Martin Spears' similarly provocative track, "If U Seek Amy."
  • The chorus mentions "Peter, Paul and Mary." This left field reference to the '60s folk act was badly timed due to the death of Mary Travers on September 19, 2009, just prior to the song's release.
  • This is the first song to top the Hot 100 with a single digit title. The only previous one-digit song to reach the Top 10 was Prince's "7," which hit #3 in 1993.
  • The song was the first one since Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud?" over three years previously, to debut at #1 on the Hot 100.
  • "3" was, fittingly, Spears' third #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Comments: 8

  • Dan from NyPoor Little Mike. She was never a slut. Songs about sex have existed since the dawn of time - some even less nuanced than this one. No need to clutch the pearls, you'll live.
  • Christina from DelawareThis is the censored version! The original verse, was, “living in sin, is the new thing”, but conservative’s complained about it, so she had to take that out. (But just to be a smart ass, I bought the original version, on I tunes, and I gladly blast it)
  • Kurt from Birmingham, Alno no no! it's about a Twister Game! "Twister on the floor" - really! uh huh! Totally Innocent! (smirk - Sarcasm)
  • Emma from Brooklyn, Nylmao joshua i think mike was being sarcastic.
  • Joshua from Fairfield, OhUmm, Ive been told she made this song about her having 3-way sex. Like in lyrics "and im caught in between" and "You&me or 3 or 4, on the floor" it kinda refers to that. So to Mike, this is a very slutty song.
  • Maria. from Montclair, Cayou & me.

    or three.

    or four.

    on the floor.

    i like the beat but her voice is fake.
    its still a good song tho.
  • Lauryn from Lewisville, TxThis song is amazing. Britney really changed her ways.Her life is becoming more better for her.
  • Mike from Matawan, NjI'm really glad to see this young lady's starting to change her image as a slut and a fembot into something positive for young women to look up to and emulate.

    This chick is one step away from doing a 'Hustler' spread.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.