Britney Spears Drops Long-Lost Collaboration With Justin Timberlake

Britney Spears has released a song co-written by Justin Timberlake during their relationship.

The pop star has unveiled She’ll Never Be Me, a track originally recorded for her 2001 album Britney. The song credits the *NSYNC star as both a co-writer and co-lyricist, alongside Riprock ’n’ Alex G, the songwriting and production duo Bradley Daymond and Alex Greggs, who have worked with the boyband for years.

The track was initially intended for Spears’ third studio album but remained unfinished and was ultimately left off the final release.

Now, She’ll Never Be Me has finally seen the light of day as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations for Britney.

The anniversary edition also includes four other previously unreleased tracks: Am I a Sinner, When I Say So, My Big Secret and the complete version of Right Now (Taste the Victory), which featured in Spears’ 2002 Pepsi commercial.

Timberlake not only co-wrote the song but also contributed backing vocals to the track recorded by his then-girlfriend.

Greggs previously discussed the song during a 2022 appearance on The Original Doll podcast, explaining: "The song didn't go on the album not because the label didn't like it. There was just way better stuff to go with.

"Sometimes people don't hear Justin's voice [in She'll Never Be Me] until I tell them. I said: 'You don't hear that Justin's in the back?'

"They blend in there very well together. It's kind of a shame that they never really got to do more. It would have been cool to have that kind of sweetheart duet."

Spears and Timberlake ended their relationship in 2002, a year after Britney was released. Greggs believes the former couple might have eventually recorded a duet together had they stayed together.

He said: "It wasn't the right time. But if they continued to be together, I'm sure it would have happened and it would have been a really cool thing."

Spears’ self titled album produced several major hits, including I’m a Slave 4 U, Overprotected and I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman. The record also featured What It’s Like to Be Me, another track co-written by Timberlake.