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{{short description|2007 studio album by Britney Spears}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox album
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| cover = Britney Spears - Blackout.png
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| alt = Image of the upper body of a brunette woman standing in front of brightly colored squares. She is wearing a pink dress and white fedora.
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| studio = *[[Sony Music Studios|Sony]]{{efn|Tracks 3 and 7}} (New York City)
*Silent Sound{{efn|Track 8}} (Atlanta)
*South Beach{{efn|Track 12}} (Miami)
*[[Studio at the Palms]]{{efn|Track 4}} (Las Vegas)
*Chalice{{efn|Tracks 2, 5, 6, 9 and 11}}
*[[Conway Recording Studios|Conway]]{{efn|Tracks 1 and 10}}
*[[Record Plant]]{{efn|Tracks 10 and 12}} (Los Angeles)
*[[Bloodshy & Avant]]{{efn|Tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8}} (Stockholm)<!-- All sourced in the "Recording and production" section and the liner notes -->
| genre = {{hlist|[[Dance-pop]]|[[electropop]]|[[techno]]|[[avant-disco]]}}<!-- All sourced in the "Music and lyrics" section -->
| length = {{duration|m=43|s=37}}
| label = [[Jive Records|Jive]]
| producer =
* [[Bloodshy & Avant]]
* [[The Clutch]]
* [[Danja (record producer)|Danja]]
* [[Kara DioGuardi]]
* [[Freescha]]
* [[Fredwreck]]
* [[The Neptunes]]
* [[J.R. Rotem]]
| prev_title = [[B in the Mix: The Remixes]]
| prev_year = 2005
| next_title = [[Circus (Britney Spears album)|Circus]]
| next_year = 2008
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Blackout
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Gimme More]]
| single1date = August 31, 2007
| single2 = [[Piece of Me]]
| single2date = November 27, 2007
| single3 = [[Break the Ice (song)|Break the Ice]]
| single3date = March 3, 2008
}}
}}
'''''Blackout''''' is the fifth [[studio album]] by American singer [[Britney Spears]]. It was released on October 25, 2007, by [[Jive Records]]. Its production and release occurred as Spears' personal struggles were highly publicized and overshadowed her professional projects. She executive-produced the album, working with producers [[Danja (record producer)|Danja]], [[Bloodshy & Avant]], [[Sean Garrett]], and [[the Neptunes]], among others; it is the only album on which Spears is credited as the executive producer. The final result was primarily a [[dance-pop]] and [[electropop]] record with [[R&B]], [[Euro disco]] and [[dubstep]] influences, with lyrical themes revolving around love, fame, media scrutiny, sex, and clubbing.
''Blackout'' was originally slated for November 13, 2007, but was rush-released after [[Internet leak|leaking online]]. Initial reviews were polarized: some critics described it as Spears' most progressive and consistent album to date, while others dismissed it due to her controversial public image. The album charted at number one in Canada and Ireland while reaching the top five in the Australia, Brazil, France, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Scotland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ''Blackout'' later received platinum certifications from Australia, Canada, Ireland, Poland, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It won [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Album|Best Album]] at the [[2008 MTV Europe Music Awards]]. By the end of 2008, it had sold 3.1 million copies worldwide.
''Blackout'' produced three singles. "[[Gimme More]]" peaked at number three on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], becoming her highest-peaking single on the chart since "[[...Baby One More Time]]" (1998), and reached the top ten in additional 16 countries. "[[Piece of Me]]" peaked at number 18 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, but replicated the international commercial success of its predecessor. Its accompanying music video won Spears her first [[MTV Video Music Award]], winning [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]], [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]] and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video|Best Pop Video]] in [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards|2008]]. "[[Break the Ice (song)|Break the Ice]]" did not fare as well as its predecessors, peaking at number 43 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Originally intended as the fourth single, "[[Radar (song)|Radar]]" was later included on Spears' following studio album ''[[Circus (Britney Spears album)|Circus]]'' and was released as its fourth and final single in June 2009.
Unlike her previous albums, Spears did not heavily promote ''Blackout''; her only televised appearance for the album was a [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards#Britney Spears' performance|universally panned performance]] of "Gimme More" at the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]]. However, a number of its songs were performed on her subsequent tour [[the Circus Starring Britney Spears]] (2009) and later on her concert residency [[Britney: Piece of Me]] (2013–2017). In retrospect, the album has been deemed a career highlight for Spears and has been praised for its significant impact on the ensuing [[2010s in music|2010s decade of pop music]], being credited for bringing the electropop and [[avant-disco]] genres to mainstream prominence. ''Blackout'' has been listed among the best albums of all time by multiple publications, being labeled a "pop bible" for its impact.
== Background and development ==
[[File:You Want a Piece of Me? (3526044353).jpg|200px|left|thumb|Spears performing "[[Piece of Me]]" during [[the Circus Starring Britney Spears]] on May 2, 2009|alt=Image of a blond female performer inside a giant golden cage. She is being chased by three men dressed in black S&M outfits.]]
In November 2003, while promoting her fourth studio album ''[[In the Zone]]'', Spears told ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' that she was already writing songs for her fifth studio album and was also hoping to start her own record label in 2004.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Britney Spears: Nobody's Angel|date=November 2003|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|issn=1049-0434}}</ref> [[Henrik Jonback]] later confirmed that he had written songs with her during the European leg of [[the Onyx Hotel Tour]] (2004), "in the bus and in her hotel room between the concerts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.recipeformen.com/sv/0000105.asp|title=November: Henrik Jonback, musician and songwriter|publisher=Recipe For Men|date=November 30, 2007|access-date=July 6, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715163114/http://www.recipeformen.com/sv/0000105.asp|archive-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> Following her marriage with [[Kevin Federline]] in October 2004, Spears announced through a letter on her official website that she was going to "take some time off to enjoy life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1492692/britney-spears-announces-shes-taking-a-break-from-her-career/|title=Britney Spears Announces She's Taking A Break From Her Career|website=[[MTV]]|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=October 16, 2004|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=April 27, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220427050619/http://www.mtv.com/news/1492692/britney-spears-announces-shes-taking-a-break-from-her-career/|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, on December 30, she made a surprise appearance at the Los Angeles radio station [[KIIS-FM]] to premiere a rough mix of a new [[midtempo]] track "Mona Lisa". Spears had recorded the song live with her band while on tour, and dedicated it to all the "legends and icons out there". The lyrics lament the fall of [[Mona Lisa]], calling her "unforgettable" and "unpredictable", and cautions listeners not to have a "breakdown". She also revealed she wanted the song to be the lead single from her upcoming album, tentatively titled ''The Original Doll'', and hoped to release it "probably before summertime [2005], or maybe a little sooner than that."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1495275/so-much-for-taking-time-off-britney-previews-new-song-on-la-radio-station/|title=So Much For 'Taking Time Off': Britney Previews New Song On L.A. Radio Station|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=January 3, 2005|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629192403/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1495275/britney-previews-new-song-on-la-radio.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In January, Spears posted another letter on her website, saying:<ref name=break />
<blockquote>
I think I should rephrase myself from my previous letters when I was talking about taking a 'break'. What I meant was I am taking a break from being told what to do. ... It's cool when you look at someone and don't know whether they are at work or play since it's all the same to them. The things I've been doing for work lately have been so much fun, because it's not like work to me anymore. I've been even more 'hands on' in my management and the business side of things, and I feel more in control than ever.<ref name=break>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1495295/britney-clarifies-im-taking-a-break-from-being-told-what-to-do/|title=Britney Clarifies: I'm Taking A Break From Being Told What To Do|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=January 4, 2005|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629122634/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1495295/britney-clarifies-what-meant-by-break.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
</blockquote>
A representative for [[Jive Records]] stated that although Spears was working in the studio, "no album is scheduled at the moment" and "there are no plans to service 'Mona Lisa' to radio."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/spears-gives-l-radio-station-mona-lisa-wbna6800623|title=Spears gives L.A. radio station 'Mona Lisa'|work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|last=Newman|first=Melina|date=January 7, 2005|access-date=July 10, 2011|archive-date=March 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313212816/https://www.today.com/popculture/spears-gives-l-radio-station-mona-lisa-wbna6800623|url-status=live}}</ref> "Mona Lisa" was released on [[Britney & Kevin: Chaotic (EP)|the bonus CD]] included with the DVD of ''[[Britney and Kevin: Chaotic]]'' (2005), in a re-recorded version with altered lyrics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rcalabelgroup.co.uk/artist_spotlight/britney_spears/1145/15/|title=Britney Spears. Chaotic – DVD out October 31st|date=October 18, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051025120601/http://uk.britney.com/|archive-date=October 25, 2005|access-date=January 4, 2010|publisher=[[RCA/Jive Label Group]]|url-status=dead|df=mdy}}</ref> Spears gave birth to her first son Sean Preston on September 14.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1509603/britney-spears-gives-birth-to-a-baby-boy/|title=Britney Spears Gives Birth To A Baby Boy|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=September 15, 2005|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807061454/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1509603/britney-spears-gives-birth-baby-boy.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' in February 2006, Spears explained that she was anxious to resume her career, commenting she missed "traveling [...] the road, seeing different places and being with the dancers and having fun. That feeling of being on the stage, knowing it's your best – I love that. I needed a break. I needed to be hungry again."<ref name=boring>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1524509/britney-spears-working-on-new-album-to-boost-boring-pop-scene/|title=Britney Spears Working On New Album To Boost 'Boring' Pop Scene|publisher=MTV News|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=February 17, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805080348/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1524509/britney-records-new-album-misses-touring.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> When asked about her next album, she said she had been [[Experimental music|experimenting]] in her home studio with live musicians, [[Acoustic music|stripping down]] her sound and playing the [[piano]]. Spears wanted the album to represent her [[Louisiana]] roots, explaining that she grew up listening to [[blues]]. "When I was little, I would listen to myself [...] But the record label signs you, and you're just thankful to get a hit song. You can't really show off your voice and where you came from. I would like to try to have more influences of that sound. Not that I'm going to be like frickin' [[Tina Turner]]. But you never know", she stated.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Britney Speaks Her Mind|date=August 2011|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|issn=0093-7673}}</ref> She also said that she hoped the album would reinvigorate the current [[pop music|pop]] scene, adding that "It's been boring. Nothing's been wow to me."<ref name=boring />
On May 9, Spears announced she was pregnant with her second child.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1531439/britney-pregnant-again/|title=Britney Pregnant Again|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=May 9, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=December 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219232710/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1531439/britney-spears-pregnant-again.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> A few days later, producers such as [[J. R. Rotem]] and [[Sean Garrett]] told [[MTV News]] they were working with Spears.<ref name=rotem>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1531703/britney-working-on-crazy-ass-new-music-and-even-rapping/|title=Britney Working On 'Crazy-Ass' New Music And Even Rapping|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=November 7, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805080433/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1531703/britney-working-on-crazyass-new-music.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 12, Spears gave birth to her second son Jayden James.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1540706/britneys-baby-its-a-boy/|title=Britney's Baby: It's A Boy!|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=September 12, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107220600/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540706/britneys-baby-its-boy.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> She filed for divorce from Federline on November 7, citing [[irreconcilable differences]];<ref name=divorce>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1545162/britney-spears-files-for-divorce-its-official/|title=Britney Spears Files For Divorce – It's Official|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=November 7, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717074449/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1545162/britney-spears-files-divorce-8212-its-official.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> the divorce was finalized in July 2007, when the two reached a global settlement and agreed to share joint custody of their sons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/55767/britney-kevin-back-to-being-single|title=Britney, Kevin Back to Being Single|date=July 30, 2007|access-date=February 5, 2023|last=Hall|first=Sarah|publisher=[[E!]]|archive-date=October 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026054031/http://www.eonline.com/news/55767/britney-kevin-back-to-being-single|url-status=live}}</ref> During the divorce, her partying and public behavior drew attention from the worldwide media. Spears' maternal aunt Sandra Bridges Covington, with whom she had been very close, died of [[ovarian cancer]] in January.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/celebrity/lynne-spears-visits-sisters-grave-amid-crisis/|title=Lynne Spears Visits Sister's Grave Amid Crisis|date=January 5, 2008|access-date=February 5, 2023|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|archive-date=October 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014093443/https://people.com/celebrity/lynne-spears-visits-sisters-grave-amid-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February, Spears suffered from a [[nervous breakdown]] and shaved her head, which caused intense media scrutiny.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/shock-new-details-about-britneys-infamous-2007-breakdown/news-story/d1de891bc6ff1d380263efe354cd3917?amp|title=Shock new details about Britney's infamous 2007 breakdown|date=November 4, 2019|publisher=[[Fox News]]|accessdate=February 5, 2023|via=[[News.com.au]]}}</ref> Consequently, she ended with two separate stints at [[Promises Treatment Centers]] in [[Malibu, California]]. Her manager [[Larry Rudolph]] released a statement on March 20, saying that she "successfully complet[ed] their program."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1555178/britney-spears-leaves-rehab/|title=Britney Spears Leaves Rehab|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=November 7, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=July 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724043541/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1555178/britney-spears-leaves-rehab.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May, she produced a series of promotional concerts at [[House of Blues]] venues across the United States, titled [[The M+M's Tour]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1558527/britneys-back-spears-returns-to-the-stage-with-five-song-dirty-dance-party/ |title=Britney's Back! Spears Returns to the Stage With Five-Song Dirty Dance Party |date=May 2, 2007 |access-date=February 5, 2023 |last=van Horn |first=Teri |publisher=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106232727/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1558527/20070502/spears_britney.jhtml |archive-date=January 6, 2010 }}</ref>
== Recording and production ==
{{Quote box
| width = 30%
| align = right
| quote = "It's definitely Britney, but the next level. With songs like '[[Toxic (song)|Toxic]]', she was very innovative, and we're trying to top it. Push it to the next thing. The album wouldn't come out in a while anyhow, since it's at the very beginning. When it comes time to promote the album, she'll be in a different headspace where that's going to be the main thing. But right now, she's happy juggling music and motherhood."
| source = —[[J. R. Rotem]] talks about working with Spears in May 2006.<ref name=rotem />
}}
Spears was the [[executive producer]] of ''Blackout'', and the album remains her sole album to be executive produced by her.<ref name="SpearsExecutiveProducer">{{Cite web|last=Hicks|first=Gregory|title=Blackout: 8 Facts You Didn't Know About Britney Spears' Greatest Album|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2250461/britney-spears-blackout-mysteries/|date=October 25, 2015|access-date=December 9, 2020|website=MTV News|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203235506/http://www.mtv.com/news/2250461/britney-spears-blackout-mysteries/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Earnest recording of the album began in 2006, according to a Spears representative.<ref name=rotem /> Spears first met [[J.R. Rotem]] in Las Vegas in March, and enlisted him to work on the album after listening to [[Rihanna]]'s "[[SOS (Rihanna song)|SOS]]". They wrote and recorded four songs together, including "[[Everybody (Britney Spears song)|Everybody]]", which was originally offered to Rihanna and [[The Cheetah Girls (group)|the Cheetah Girls]].<ref name=rotemsample>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601013851/http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-et-rotem17may17%2C0%2C6852290.story?coll=cl-music|archive-date=June 1, 2006|title=The No. 1 choice of pop-music divas|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|last=Lee|first=Chris|date=May 17, 2006|url=http://www.calendarlive.com/music/cl-et-rotem17may17,0,6852290.story?coll=cl-music|url-status=dead|df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG29-rSslZk|title="Everybody" - The Cheetah Girls (TCG Album: Unreleased Track of 2010)|website=[[YouTube]] |date=October 2, 2010 |access-date=February 14, 2017|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215123026/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG29-rSslZk|url-status=live}}</ref> In July, she started working with [[Danja (record producer)|Danja]], who contacted songwriters such as [[Keri Hilson]], [[Jim Beanz]] and Corté Ellis to work with him.<ref name=danjaone>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1559253/britney-spears-collaborator-says-her-lp-is-about-feeling-good-celebrating-womanhood/|title=Britney Spears Collaborator Says Her LP Is 'About Feeling Good, Celebrating Womanhood'|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=May 10, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214044216/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1559253/20070510/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team wrote seven tracks for Spears – "[[Gimme More]]", "[[Break the Ice (song)|Break the Ice]]", "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)", "Hot as Ice", "Perfect Lover", "Outta This World" and "Get Back".<ref name=danjaone /><ref name=keri>{{cite magazine|url=https://okmagazine.com/news/keri-hilson-gimme-more-my-song/|title=Keri Hilson: 'Gimme More' is My Song!|date=October 2, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|magazine=[[OK!]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715003643/http://www.okmagazine.com/2007/10/keri-hilson-gimme-more-is-my-song-1723/|archive-date=July 15, 2009}}</ref> Danja explained that the creative process was not difficult at first since he was "left to do pretty much whatever I wanted to", and "if she felt it, she was gonna ride with it. If she didn't, you'd see it in her face."<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104030219/http://blog.rhapsody.com/2008/02/exclusive-danja.html|archive-date=November 4, 2008|title=Q&A: Danja|publisher=[[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]]|last=Kondo|first=Toshitaka|date=February 13, 2008|url=http://blog.rhapsody.com/2008/02/exclusive-danja.html|url-status=dead|df=mdy}}</ref> Hilson wrote "Gimme More" with Spears in mind after Danja played her the [[instrumental]], saying: "I just started singing, 'Give me, Give me' and added a little more in and just having fun and messing around really." Spears began recording with them at the [[Palms Casino Resort|Studio at the Palms]] in Las Vegas in August, while she was eight months pregnant with Jayden James. Recording continued at Spears' house in Los Angeles, three weeks after she gave birth. Hilson commented that "She gave 150 percent. [...] I don't know any other mother that would do that."<ref name=keri /> Danja added that despite all the problems in her personal life, "As far as her work ethic, I haven't seen ''anybody'' come in like that and do what you go to do." Regarding the sound of the album, he deemed it as bigger, more mature and "a new Britney", explaining: "I come from [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]], so it's underlined with [it], but I throw it down."<ref name=danjaone />
{{multiple image
| align = left
| image1 = Britney OOB London.jpg
| width1 = 200
| alt1 = Britney Spears wearing a nude dress with crystals and is holding her arms at the height of her own head.
| image2 = Helsinki Britney 210 Wikipedia.JPG
| width2 = 200
| alt2 = Britney Spears surrounded by a group of dancers. They are all wearing black outfits made of lace and leather.
| footer = Spears performing "Ooh Ooh Baby" (''left'') and "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)" (''right'') during [[the Circus Starring Britney Spears]] in 2009
}}
[[Kara DioGuardi]], who also worked on "Heaven on Earth", co-produced and co-wrote "Ooh Ooh Baby" with a pregnant Spears. DioGuardi said that Spears "worked really hard" and called her "unstoppable".<ref name=extra>{{cite web|url=http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2007/10/brits_producer_says_she_was_un.php|title=Producer Says Brit Was 'Unstoppable' While Recording 'Blackout'|work=[[Extra (American TV program)|Extra]]|date=October 31, 2007|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=April 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406164113/http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2007/10/brits_producer_says_she_was_un.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September, Rotem told MTV News that he and Spears were trying to innovate the current sound of radio at the time, exemplifying [[Nelly Furtado]]'s "[[Promiscuous (song)|Promiscuous]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1541093/britneys-new-music-is-the-next-level-producer-says/|title=Britney's New Music Is 'The Next Level,' Producer Says|publisher=MTV News|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=September 18, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805080452/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1541093/britneys-new-music-next-level-producer.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 8, the day after she filed for divorce from Federline, Spears recorded "[[Radar (song)|Radar]]" with [[Ezekiel Lewis]] and [[Patrick "J. Que" Smith|Patrick M. Smith]] of [[the Clutch]] at the [[Sony Music Studios]] in New York City.<ref name=allhiphop /><ref name="10years">{{cite web|author1=Lhooq, Michelle|author2=Myers, Owen|author3=Tanzer, Myles|date=September 27, 2017|title=10 years of Blackout: Britney Spears, her favorite collaborators, and fans, celebrate the best pop album ever|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/09/27/britney-spears-blackout-interview-10-year-anniversary-2007|magazine=[[The Fader]]|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927190322/http://www.thefader.com/2017/09/27/britney-spears-blackout-interview-10-year-anniversary-2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="linernotes">{{cite AV media|last=Spears|first=Britney|year=2007|title=Blackout|type=CD|publisher=[[Jive Records]]}}</ref> Lewis had wanted to work with her for a long time and was motivated to produce something for her that was going to "help her project become a great project to come back with". Smith stated that the team tried to create a record "for the Britney Spears that we know and love" and that it did not "touch on anything that was really dealing with all the stuff that she was dealing with." Both commented that although Spears arrived late to the recording sessions, she caught them off guard with her efficiency and professionalism, with Lewis adding: "It was absolutely nuts, and she took directions very well. [...] I don't know what I was expecting because we went in to cut that record the day after she filed divorce from Kevin [Federline]."<ref name=allhiphop>{{cite web|title=The Clutch Talks How To Write a Hit Song |url=https://allhiphop.com/alternatives/the-clutch-talks-how-to-write-a-hit-song/|publisher=AllHipHop|date=April 22, 2008 |access-date=April 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922183642/http://allhiphop.com/stories/alternatives/archive/2008/04/22/19690410.aspx |archive-date=September 22, 2008}}</ref>
"Heaven on Earth" was written by [[Nicole Morier]], Nick Huntington and Michael McGroarty, the latter two known as [[Freescha]]. Although Morier had been writing songs with [[Greg Kurstin]] and other artists, she felt she "hadn't really found [her] niche" until she wrote "Heaven on Earth", which she described as "a very honest song". After she played the song to her publisher, they met with Spears and her [[A&R]] executive [[Teresa LaBarbera Whites]] who also worked with Beyonce,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Mitchell |date=June 18, 2023 |title=The history of a Britney Spears masterpiece |url=https://thespectator.com/book-and-art/history-britney-spears-masterpiece-blackout/ |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=The Spectator World}}</ref> both loved it. Morier described "Heaven on Earth" as the song that transformed her career.<ref name=hitquarters>{{cite web|url=https://www.songquarters.com/2010/August23_5_15_2.html|title=Interview with Nicole Morier, songwriter for Britney Spears, Wynter Gordon, Pixie Lott, Sky Ferreira – Aug 23, 2010|publisher=SongQuarters|last=Bouwman|first=Kimbel|date=August 23, 2010|access-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314062509/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_Nicole_Morier_Interview.html|archive-date=March 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[T-Pain]], who co-wrote "Hot as Ice", was in the studio with Spears in February 2007, and stated that one of the three songs they recorded was finished in only an hour.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1568538/t-pain-talks-about-recording-with-britney-spears-she-was-about-her-business/|title=T-Pain Talks About Recording With Britney Spears: 'She Was About Her Business'|publisher=MTV News|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=August 30, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=December 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227101417/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1568538/20070829/t_pain.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> He said that he "thought she was going to be sitting on the couch eating [[Doritos]] or [[nachos]] or something [...] but she came in, shook my hand, gave me a hug and went right in the booth. She got in there and put it down."<ref name=trackbytrack>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1571813/britney-spears-new-album-blackout-a-track-by-track-report/|title=Britney Spears' New Album, Blackout: A Track-By-Track Report|publisher=MTV News|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=October 12, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=September 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921111552/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571813/20071012/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Christian Karlsson (DJ)|Christian Karlsson]] and Pontus Winnberg, known as [[Bloodshy & Avant]], co-wrote and co-produced "Radar", "Freakshow" and "Toy Soldier" in late 2006. When the album was considered to be finished, they were persuaded by LaBarbera Whites to work on a new track. Winnberg commented that it had always been "an [[unwritten rule]]" to not write songs about Spears' personal life, since "[[Sweet Dreams My LA Ex]]", an answer song to [[Justin Timberlake]]'s "[[Cry Me a River (Justin Timberlake song)|Cry Me a River]]", was rejected by Jive Records. However, the duo wrote "[[Piece of Me]]" with [[Klas Åhlund]] anyway, as an answer to Spears' critics, and sent it to Spears, who "loved it". Winnberg stated: "We knew that the song broke all the rules we had, [...] When she came to the studio, she was extremely psyched, had learned the lyrics by heart in the car, and recorded the song on half an hour."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cafe.se/bloodshy-avant/|title=Bloodshy & Avant|date=July 16, 2008|access-date=December 29, 2010|last=Gradvall|first=Jan|language=sv|work=[[Café Magazine]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias]]|archive-date=October 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005152916/http://cafe.se/bloodshy-avant/|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the album's release, LaBarbera Whites told MTV News that the album "shows a lot of growth as a performer. [...] She was very involved in the songs and how they turned out. It's her magic that turns these songs into what they are."<ref name=trackbytrack /> Among the producers who worked on ''Blackout'' but didn't make the album were [[Scott Storch]], [[Dr. Luke]] and [[Ne-Yo]].<ref name=danjaone />
== Music and lyrics ==
{{Quote box
| width = 230px
| align = left
| quote = "''[[Circus (Britney Spears album)|Circus]]'' is a little bit lighter than ''Blackout''. I think a lot of the songs I did at that time, I was going through a really dark phase in my life, so a lot of the songs reflect that. [...] But they're two totally different vibes. ''Blackout'' is a little bit more darker and edgier, and a little bit more [[Urban music|urban]]."
| source = — Spears comparing ''Blackout'' with ''Circus''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1599860/britney-spears-explains-why-circus-is-lighter-and-less-edgy-than-blackout/|title=Britney Spears Explains Why Circus Is 'Lighter' And Less Edgy Than Blackout|work=MTV News|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=November 20, 2008|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630193235/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599860/britney-spears-posts-video-describing-circus.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
Danja stated that Spears' objective was to make ''Blackout'' a fun, danceable album with [[uptempo]], [[Hi-NRG|high-energy]] music, saying: "She wanted to stay away from being personal. It's fun, it's basic and there's nothing wrong with that. It's about feeling good, celebrating womanhood."<ref name="danjaone" /> The result was a primarily [[dance-pop]], [[electropop]], [[techno]] and [[avant-disco]] album with [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] elements.<ref name="allmusic" /><ref name="blender" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Spanos |first1=Brittany |title=The Biggest Influences on Pop in the 2010s |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/biggest-pop-influences-on-2010s-927808/britney-spears-blackout-927823/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 23, 2019 |access-date=January 2, 2020 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230203652/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/biggest-pop-influences-on-2010s-927808/britney-spears-blackout-927823/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Sheffield |first1=Rob |title=Britney Spears' 'Blackout': A Salute to Her Misunderstood Punk Masterpiece |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-blackout-a-salute-to-her-misunderstood-punk-masterpiece-121525/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=February 26, 2020 |date=October 30, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203233431/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-blackout-a-salute-to-her-misunderstood-punk-masterpiece-121525/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="All Time" /> The album opens with the lead single "[[Gimme More]]", a dance-pop and electropop song.<ref name="blender" /><ref name="nyt" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nied |first1=Mike |title=Britney Spears' Seminal 'Blackout' Turns 10: Backtracking |url=https://www.idolator.com/7670154/britney-spears-blackout-10-year-anniversary-backtracking |website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |access-date=March 22, 2020 |date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223100114/https://www.idolator.com/7670154/britney-spears-blackout-10-year-anniversary-backtracking |url-status=dead }}</ref> The song opens with a spoken [[introduction (music)|intro]] in which Spears says the line "It's Britney, bitch".<ref name="courant">{{cite news|url=http://blogs.courant.com/eric_danton_sound_check/2007/10/cd-review-blackout-by-britney.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707213536/http://blogs.courant.com/eric_danton_sound_check/2007/10/cd-review-blackout-by-britney.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2012|title=CD Review: 'Blackout' by Britney Spears|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=February 15, 2010|last=Danton|first=Eric R.|work=[[The Hartford Courant]]}}</ref> While the lyrics appear to be about dance and sex, they are actually about the media's fascination with her private life, as noted in the lines "Cameras are flashin' while we're dirty dancin' / They keep watchin', keep watchin'".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/single-reviews/a77865/britney-spears-gimme-more/|title=Britney Spears: 'Gimme More'|date=October 22, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Levine|first=Nick|work=[[Digital Spy]]|archive-date=June 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612061952/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a77865/britney-spears-gimme-more.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The next track and second single "[[Piece of Me]]" runs through a [[Downtempo|down-tempo]] [[dance music|dance]] [[beat (music)|beat]] and consists of over-the-top vocal [[Distortion (music)|distortions]], causing a split [[sound effect]] and making it difficult to discern which voice is Spears'.<ref name="about">{{cite news|url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/pieceofme.htm|title=Britney Spears – Piece of Me|year=2007|access-date=February 8, 2010|last=Lamb|first=Bill|work=[[About.com]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305142534/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/pieceofme.htm|archive-date=March 5, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It talks about [[celebrity|fame]] and is written as a biography retelling her mishaps, while she sings in a nearly spoken manner.<ref name="about" /><ref name="pitchfork" /> The third track "[[Radar (song)|Radar]]" is an electropop and [[Eurodisco]] song which features distorted [[synthesizer]]s emulating [[sonar]] pulses, that received comparisons to those of [[Soft Cell]]'s "[[Tainted Love]]" (1981).<ref name="trackbytrack" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Decent early reviews of new Britney tracks|publisher=[[Today.com]]|date=September 12, 2007|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/decent-early-reviews-new-britney-tracks-wbna20746646|access-date=April 27, 2022|df=mdy|archive-date=October 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001022026/https://www.today.com/popculture/decent-early-reviews-new-britney-tracks-wbna20746646|url-status=live}}</ref> In its lyrics, Spears lets the subject know he is on her radar, while she lists the qualities the man has.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chou, Kimberly|title=Britney? Back|work=[[The Michigan Daily]]|date=September 19, 2007|url=https://www.michigandaily.com/uncategorized/britney-back/|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714085240/http://www.michigandaily.com/content/britney-back|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{listen|filename=Britney Spears - Freakshow.ogg|title="Freakshow"|description=A sample of the bridge of "Freakshow". The track is built around the "wobbler" effect of [[dubstep]], and her vocals are pitched down low, making her sound masculine.<ref name=pitchfork /><ref name=guardian />|format=[[Ogg]]}}
The fourth track and third single "[[Break the Ice (song)|Break the Ice]]" opens with Spears singing the lines "It's been a while / I know I shouldn't have kept you waiting / But I'm here now".<ref name=trackbytrack /> The song features a [[choir]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/sneak-preview-britney-spearss-new-album-details/|title=Sneak Preview: Britney Spears's New Album Details|date=September 11, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Arnold|first=Chuck|work=People|archive-date=October 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013212643/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20056001,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=jam>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Spears_Britney/AlbumReviews/2007/10/26/4608071-sun.html|title=Britney's back with a thud|date=October 26, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2011|last=Sterdan|first=Darryl|work=[[Jam!]]|archive-date=July 10, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710033658/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Spears_Britney/AlbumReviews/2007/10/26/4608071-sun.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> with [[Keri Hilson]] providing [[backing vocals]], causing the song to sound almost like a [[duet]]. Hilson explained the song is about "two people, a girl and a guy, [...] and the girl is saying, 'You're a little cold. Let me warm things up and [[wikt: break the ice|break the ice]].'"<ref name=trackbytrack /> After the chorus, the [[Bridge (music)|bridge]] begins with Spears saying "I like this part", mimicking [[Janet Jackson]] on "[[Nasty (Janet Jackson song)|Nasty]]" (1986).<ref name=trackbytrack /> The album's fifth track "Heaven on Earth" is a Eurodisco love song with [[New wave music|new wave]] influences.<ref name=nyt /><ref name=rsrw /> It was inspired by [[Donna Summer]]'s "[[I Feel Love]]" (1977), with three vocal lines taking place over the beat.<ref name=trackbytrack /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/29/AR2007102901960.html|title='Blackout': Britney Is Back, Not That You'd Notice|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=du Lac|first=J. Freedom|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-date=November 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113062845/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/29/AR2007102901960.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nicole Morier]] commented that the song was written from a very dark place, saying: "I was thinking of someone and thinking they were so perfect and that I have all these imperfections. [...] I think what's touching about it is that it's from the perspective of someone who feels like they really need this person just to feel safe and feel good."<ref name=hitquarters /> At the time of its release, Spears named the song her favorite from ''Blackout''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://okmagazine.com/uncategorized/britney-talks/|title=Britney Talks!|date=October 31, 2007|access-date=February 13, 2010|work=OK!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108095318/http://www.okmagazine.com/2007/10/britney-talks-2371/|archive-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref> "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)" is an uptempo track about sex.<ref name=trackbytrack /><ref name=pitchfork /><ref name=rsrw /> It is a duet between Spears and Danja, who sings the [[Refrain|chorus]] with his voice distorted to sound like a decaying moan. Spears contributes a series of gasps, sighs and [[chant]]s and her voice is also distorted.<ref name=pitchfork /> "Freakshow" is built around the "wobbler" effect of [[dubstep]].<ref name=pitchfork /> Spears sings about dancing and being in the spotlight in lyrics such as "Make them other chicks so mad / I'm 'bout to shake my ass / Snatch that boy so fast".<ref name=ewrw /> During the bridge, her vocals are pitched down low, making her sound masculine.<ref name=pitchfork /><ref name=guardian /> Nearly a decade after the release of ''Blackout'', Spears stated "Freakshow" was one of her favorite non-single tracks, describing it as "sassy".<ref name="10years" />
The eighth track "Toy Soldier" is an upbeat dance-pop song reminiscent of [[Destiny's Child]]'s song "[[Lose My Breath]]" (2004), showcasing a [[Snare drum|military drumroll]] and features Spears singing about needing a new lover.<ref name=ewrw /> On "Hot as Ice", she sings in a higher register: "I'm just a girl with the ability to drive a man crazy / Make him call me 'mama', make him my new baby."<ref name=trackbytrack /><ref name=canadacom>{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=5c1b742b-7d58-4ce8-852c-d37141ba5caa|title=Britney's latest album: Two views on Blackout|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=February 14, 2010|work=[[Ottawa Citizen]]|via=Canada.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110155603/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=5c1b742b-7d58-4ce8-852c-d37141ba5caa|archive-date=November 10, 2012}}</ref> "Ooh Ooh Baby" contains a [[flamenco guitar]] and blends the beat from [[Gary Glitter]]'s "[[Rock and Roll (Gary Glitter song)|Rock and Roll]]" (1972) and the melody of [[the Turtles]]' "[[Happy Together (song)|Happy Together]]" (1967).<ref name=jam /> In its lyrics, she sings to a lover: "Touch me and I come alive / I can feel you on my lips / I can feel you deep inside". Kara DioGuardi said she was inspired by the relationship between Spears and her first son in the studio, saying: "I would look at the two of them, the way they looked at each other and the way she would hold the baby. It kind of struck me as interesting. At times it'd be about a kid at times about a lover."<ref name=extra /> "Perfect Lover" has a propulsive, clattery [[belly-dance]] beat, against which Spears sings lyrics such as "Tick-tock / Tick-tock / Come and get me while I'm hot".<ref name=guardian /><ref name=jam /> Standard edition of ''Blackout'' closes with "Why Should I Be Sad", a midtempo song directed to her ex-husband Kevin Federline.<ref name=nyt /><ref name=jam /><ref name=ewrw /> "Everybody" samples [[Eurythmics]]' "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]" (1983) and features Spears singing about the dancefloor in a [[Breathy voice|breathy]] lower register.<ref name=rotemsample /> "Get Back" is an uptempo dance track with a dark musical tone described as "spooky-sassy".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9qdp/|title=Britney Spears Blackout Review|publisher=BBC News|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=December 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224051650/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9qdp/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Title and packaging ==
In June 2007, Spears posted a message on her official website asking for assistance with a title for her fifth studio album. Among the options were ''OMG Is Like [[Lindsay Lohan]] Like Okay Like'', ''What If the Joke Is on You'', ''Down Boy'', ''Integrity'' and ''Dignity''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1562469/hilary-duff-stuffs-backpacks-plus-lindsay-lohan-fabolous-foxy-brown-paris-hilton-britney-spears-more-in-for-the-record/|title=Hilary Duff Stuffs Backpacks; Plus Lindsay Lohan, Fabolous, Foxy Brown, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears & More, In For The Record|publisher=MTV News|date=May 10, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718184617/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1562469/hilary-duff-stuffs-backpacks-at-los-angeles-school.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On October 6, [[Jive Records]] announced through a press release that the album would be titled ''Blackout'', referring to "blocking out negativity and embracing life fully."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spears-idUSN0328342220071006|title=Britney Spears names new album "Blackout"|work=Reuters|date=October 6, 2007|access-date=August 5, 2011|archive-date=July 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704214900/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/10/06/us-spears-idUSN0328342220071006|url-status=live}}</ref> Its album cover and booklet images were photographed by [[Ellen von Unwerth]].<ref name=catholic /> Jive revealed the cover alongside the album's track listing on October 12. It features Spears sporting black hair and wearing a pink dress, and a white fedora;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/britney-spearss-cover-art-revealed/|title=Britney Spears's Cover Art Revealed|date=October 12, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|work=People|archive-date=May 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521024910/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20152145,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the rear cover of the physical CD pressings shows the dress in blue.<ref name="linernotes"/> The cover received negative critical response.<ref name=canadacom /><ref name="pm"/> The album's booklet contains photographs of empty chairs with ripped [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] pages and still images from the music video for "Gimme More". It does not include a thank-you list, unlike her previous albums' booklets.<ref name=nyt />
The [[centerfold]] photographs for ''Blackout'' feature Spears and a priest posing suggestively inside a [[confessional]]. The first image shows Spears, who wears a cross and [[fishnet]] stockings, sitting on the priest's lap, while in the second one she leans suggestively against the confessional with the priest sitting on the other side of the partition. After the album was released, the [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]]'s director of communications Kiera McCaffrey stated that the group considered the photos a "cheap publicity stunt" to promote the album and condemned Spears for "mocking a [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|Catholic sacrament]]". McCaffrey added: "All we see is how troubled this girl is now, especially with her family, losing her kids, with her career on a downward slide. And now she's put out this album and this is her tactic to promote it?" Gil Kaufman of [[MTV]] said that the images were reminiscent of [[Madonna]]'s music video for "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]" (1989).<ref name=catholic>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1573060/britney-spears-slammed-by-catholic-league-for-blackouts-religious-themed-photos/|title=Britney Spears Slammed By Catholic League For Blackout's Religious-Themed Photos|work=MTV News|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210122241/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573060/20071030/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Release and promotion ==
[[File:Britney GM Detroit FFT.jpg|left|thumb|Spears performing "[[Gimme More]]" during the [[Femme Fatale Tour]] in 2011|alt=Image of a blond female performer surrounded by a group of dancers. She is sitting on a purple coach and wearing a golden outfit. The dancers are wearing short black hooded sweatshirts.]]
After days of media speculation, it was confirmed on September 6, 2007, that Spears would open the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]] at the [[Palms Hotel and Casino]]'s Pearl Theatre in Las Vegas on September 9. It was also announced that she was going to perform "Gimme More", with a magic act from illusionist [[Criss Angel]] in some parts of the performance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1568994/britney-spears-to-open-2007-mtv-video-music-awards-its-official/|title=Britney Spears To Open 2007 MTV Video Music Awards: It's Official!|date=September 6, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Harris|first=Chris|publisher=MTV News|archive-date=March 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304102333/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1568994/20070906/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the bit is thought to have been rejected by the show's organizers at the last minute.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/oops-britney-spears-forgets-the-words-in-catastrophic-return-to-stage-d9hbs92mwq3|title=Oops! Britney Spears forgets the words in catastrophic return to stage|date=September 10, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|newspaper=[[The Times]]|archive-date=May 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517052817/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2422810.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The performance began with Spears singing the first lines of [[Elvis Presley]]'s 1958 song "[[Trouble (Elvis Presley song)|Trouble]]". "Gimme More" began, and the camera panned out to reveal Spears wearing a black, jewel-encrusted bikini and black boots. She was accompanied by male and female dancers dressed in black outfits. Several [[pole dance]]rs danced in smaller stages around the audience.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1569254/britney-spears-kicks-off-show-but-vma-night-belongs-to-rihanna-and-justin-timberlake/|title=Britney Spears Kicks Off Show, But VMA Night Belongs To Rihanna And Justin Timberlake|date=September 10, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|work=MTV News|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021074410/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569254/vma-night-belongs-rihanna-justin-timberlake.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The performance was universally panned by critics. Jeff Leeds of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that "no one was prepared for Sunday night's fiasco, in which a listless Ms. Spears teetered through her dance steps and mouthed only occasional words in a wan attempt to [[Lip sync|lip-synch]] her new single".<ref name=nyt /> Vinay Menon of the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' commented Spears "looked hopelessly dazed. She was wearing the expression of somebody who had been deposited at the Palms Casino Resort by a tornado, one that promptly twisted away, taking her clothing and sense of purpose. [...] [She was] lumbering, in slow motion, as if somebody had poured cement into her streetwalker boots".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/2007/09/11/get_out_of_the_spotlight_britney.html|title=Get out of the spotlight, Britney|date=September 11, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Menon|first=Vinay|work=[[Toronto Star]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606064828/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Television/article/255058|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> David Willis of [[BBC]] stated her performance would "go down in the history books as being one of the worst to grace the [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Awards]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6986539.stm|title=Britney's MTV comeback falls flat|date=September 10, 2007|access-date=February 24, 2010|last=Willis|first=David|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016112110/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6986539.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Blackout'' was set to be released on November 13. However, [[Jive Records]] announced on October 10 that the release date would be moved up two weeks, to October 30, due to [[Music leak|unauthorized leaks]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1571557/britney-spears-plans-an-early-blackout-plus-diddy-black-eyed-peas-bobby-brown-justin-timberlake-more-in-for-the-record/|title=Britney Spears Plans An Early Blackout; Plus Diddy, Black Eyed Peas, Bobby Brown, Justin Timberlake & More, In For The Record|work=MTV News|date=October 10, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326071532/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571557/20071010/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following day, [[Zomba Label Group]] filed a lawsuit against [[Perez Hilton]], claiming he illegally obtained and posted on his gossip blog at least ten songs and unfinished [[Demo (music)|demos]] of the album. Zomba representatives alleged the posts had taken place over the course of the previous three months, and requested real and [[punitive damages]] as well as [[legal costs]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1571682/amy-winehouse-to-perform-at-woodie-awards-plus-snoop-dogg-busta-rhymes-linkin-park-perez-hilton-britney-spears-more-in-for-the-record/|title=Amy Winehouse To Perform At Woodie Awards; Plus Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Linkin Park, Perez Hilton, Britney Spears & More, In For The Record|work=MTV News|date=October 11, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=December 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220004241/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571682/20071011/winehouse_amy.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 30, 2009, the parties submitted a stipulation to dismiss the case, pursuant to an undisclosed [[Settlement (litigation)|settlement]] agreement. The following month, The [[United States district court|District Court]] judge dismissed the case with [[Prejudice (legal procedure)|prejudice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/zomba-recording-llc-v-lavandeira|title=Zomba Recording, LLC v. Lavandeira|publisher=Citizen Media Law Project|date=October 24, 2007|access-date=September 7, 2011|archive-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330120529/http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/zomba-recording-llc-v-lavandeira|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike Spears' previous studio albums, ''Blackout'' was not heavily promoted through magazine interviews, talk show appearances or televised performances besides the performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, and was not accompanied by a tour either.<ref name=nyt /> Spears gave her only interview to promote the album to [[Ryan Seacrest]] on his radio show on [[KIIS-FM]]. During the seven-minute interview, Seacrest focused on asking questions about Spears' personal struggles than on the album itself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/it-s-sad-how-cruel-our-world-can-be-brit-wbna21564006|title='It's sad ... how cruel our world can be,' Brit says|date=October 31, 2007|access-date=November 12, 2024|publisher=[[The Associated Press]]}}</ref> On November 27, 2007, [[MTV]] launched the contest "Britney Spears Wants a Piece of You", in which fans could direct a separate video for "Piece of Me", using footage of interviews and performances from Spears. Using the MTV Video Remixer, fans could mix and create a [[video mashup|mashup]] of the footage. The winning video premiered on ''[[Total Request Live]]'' on December 20, and MTV, Jive Records, and Spears herself picked the winner. The winner also received a [[Haier]] Ibiza Rhapsody device along with a one-year subscription to [[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]], as well as [[Britney Spears discography|Spears' entire discography]] released in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1575400/britney-spears-launches-fan-made-video-contest-winning-clip-to-air-on-trl/|title=Britney Spears Launches Fan-Made-Video Contest – Winning Clip To Air On 'TRL'|date=November 29, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|work=MTV News|archive-date=August 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811064632/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575400/20071129/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Singles ==
{{listen
|filename=Piece of Me audio sample by Britney Spears.ogg
|title="Piece of Me"
|description="Piece of Me" runs through a [[down-tempo]] [[dance music|dance]] [[beat (music)|beat]] and consists of over-the-top vocal [[distortion]]s, causing a split [[sound effect]]. It talks about [[celebrity|fame]] and is written like a biography retelling Spears' mishaps, while she sings in a nearly spoken manner.<ref name=about /><ref name=pitchfork />
}}
"[[Gimme More]]" was released as the lead single from ''Blackout'' on August 31, 2007, to critical acclaim. It peaked at number three on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], becoming her fifth top-ten entry and also her second highest-peaking single at the time, after her number-one debut single "[[...Baby One More Time]]" (1998).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/more-scores-for-britney-on-digital-hot-100-charts-1048629/|title='More' Scores For Britney On Digital, Hot 100 Charts|date=October 13, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=May 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523094917/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048629/more-scores-for-britney-on-digital-hot-100-charts|url-status=live}}</ref> It also peaked atop the [[Canadian Hot 100]] and within the top five in Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://acharts.us/canada_singles_top_100/2007/38|title=Canada Singles Top 100|date=September 22, 2007|access-date=February 23, 2010|magazine=Billboard|via=acharts.us|archive-date=September 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922122757/http://acharts.us/canada_singles_top_100/2007/38|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/5789f/Britney-Spears-Gimme-More|title=Britney Spears – Gimme More (song)|year=2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|publisher=Ultratop 50|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013130721/https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/5789f/Britney-Spears-Gimme-More|url-status=live}}</ref> Its Jake Sarfaty-directed accompanying music video premiered on October 5.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/new-britney-video-set-to-air/|title=New Britney Video Set to Air|date=October 4, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|last=Parsley|first=Aaron|work=People|archive-date=April 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420125354/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20143046,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It displayed Spears as a [[stripper]] and introduced a departure from Spears' previous highly-choreographed music videos.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/arts/music/13brit.html/|title=Spears's Awards Fiasco Stirs Speculation About Her Future|date=September 13, 2007|access-date=February 23, 2010|last=Leeds|first=Jeff|work=The New York Times|archive-date=June 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603124522/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/arts/music/13brit.html/?_r=1|url-status=live}}</ref> The video received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who panned Spears' pole dancing as well as the lack of storyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/5942261/britney-spears-gimme-more-video-new-cut|title=Watch Britney Spears' "Gimme More" Video – Now With Additional Footage|date=July 18, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2011|last=Bain|first=Becky|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161318/https://www.idolator.com/5942261/britney-spears-gimme-more-video-new-cut|url-status=dead}}</ref>
"[[Piece of Me]]" was released as the second single from ''Blackout'' on November 27, 2007. Critics gave the song positive reviews, praising its production and defiant lyrics, while citing it as one of the highlights from the album.<ref name=blender /><ref name=observer /> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked the song at number 15 on their list of the 100 best songs of 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 100 Best Songs of 2007|year=2007|magazine=Rolling Stone|issn=0035-791X}}</ref> It peaked at number one in Ireland and within the top ten in Australia, Austria, Canada, the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, New Zealand, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/5a654/Britney-Spears-Piece-of-Me|title=Britney Spears – Piece of Me(song)|year=2008|access-date=February 10, 2010|publisher=Ultratop 50|archive-date=December 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226082537/https://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Piece+Of+Me&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> In the United States, it became Spears' fourth [[Dance Club Songs]] number-one single, and peaked at number 18 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/song/britney-spears/piece-of-me/10668319|title=Piece of Me charts|access-date=February 10, 2010|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=May 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519045346/http://www.billboard.com/song/britney-spears/piece-of-me/10668319|url-status=live}}</ref> Its accompanying music video, directed by [[Wayne Isham]], portrayed Spears' life at the time and showed her with her friends disguising themselves in order to confuse the [[paparazzi]]. Isham's concept was to have Spears confidently parodying her situation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1626910/britney-spears-took-aim-at-the-media-in-piece-of-me-video/|title=Britney Spears Took Aim At The Media In 'Piece Of Me' Video|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=April 27, 2022|last1=Vena|first1=Jocelyn|last2=Elias|first2=Matt|work=MTV News|archive-date=February 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209234623/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626910/20091123/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> It received mixed reviews from critics, most of whom argued her body was digitally altered.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/watch-britney-spears-new-video-for-piece-of-me/story-e6frewyr-1111115132825|title=Watch Britney Spears' new video for Piece of Me|date=December 17, 2007|access-date=February 10, 2010|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|archive-date=September 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902050027/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/watch-britney-spears-new-video-for-piece-of-me/story-e6frewyr-1111115132825|url-status=live}}</ref> The video was nominated in three categories at the [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards]] and won all of them–[[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]], [[Best Female Video]] and [[Best Pop Video]]–marking Spears' first MTV Video Music Award wins ever.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/|title=2008 Video Music Awards|date=September 7, 2008|access-date=February 10, 2010|work=MTV|archive-date=December 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214094318/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2008/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
"[[Break the Ice (song)|Break the Ice]]" was released as the third and final single from ''Blackout'' on March 3, 2008. It received acclaim from critics, some of whom called it an album highlight.<ref name=courant/> The song reached the top ten in Canada, Finland and Ireland, peaking within the top 40 in most other countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/5c03a/Britney-Spears-Break-the-Ice|title=Britney Spears – Break the Ice (song)|year=2008|access-date=February 6, 2010|publisher=Ultratop 50|archive-date=June 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620071733/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Break+The+Ice&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref> In the US, the song peaked at number 43 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, but became Spears' third consecutive Dance Club Songs number-one single.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/song/britney-spears/break-the-ice/10668321|title=Break the Ice charts|access-date=February 6, 2010|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=May 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519003249/http://www.billboard.com/song/britney-spears/break-the-ice/10668321|url-status=live}}</ref> An accompanying music video, directed by [[Robert Hales (director)|Robert Hales]], was released on March 12. The [[anime]] video was based on the [[superheroine]] character of Spears' 2004 music video for "[[Toxic (song)|Toxic]]", and portrays her destroying a highly secured laboratory with several [[Cloning|clones]], including one of herself.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-break-the-ice-video-to-premiere-today-fandemonium-ensues-107740/|title=Britney Spears' "Break The Ice" Video To Premiere Today, Fandemonium Ensues|date=March 12, 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|issn=0035-791X}}</ref>
"[[Radar (song)|Radar]]" was originally planned to be released as the third single from ''Blackout'', but according to Ezekiel Lewis of [[the Clutch]].<ref name=allhiphop /> "Break the Ice" was chosen instead. However, the full single release was initially cancelled when Spears began recording new material for her sixth studio album ''[[Circus (Britney Spears album)|Circus]]'' (2008).<ref>{{cite web|title=Britney Spears – Radar review|work=Digital Spy|date=June 27, 2009|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/single-reviews/a167626/britney-spears-radar-167626/|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=September 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921043033/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a167626/britney-spears-radar.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "Radar" was later included on ''Circus'' and officially released as the fourth and final single from the album on June 22, 2009,<ref>{{cite web|title=Breaking News: Radar is Britney's fourth single|publisher=BritneySpears.com|date=May 7, 2007|url=http://www.britneyspears.com/2009/05/breaking-news-radar-is-britneys-4th-single.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511074332/http://www.britneyspears.com/2009/05/breaking-news-radar-is-britneys-4th-single.php|archive-date=May 11, 2009|access-date=November 24, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy}}</ref> peaking at number 88 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/britney-spears/chart-history/hsi/|title=Britney Spears Chart History (Hot 100)|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=February 6, 2023|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200627233104/https://www.billboard.com/music/britney-spears/chart-history/HSI|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Critical reception ==
{{Music ratings
| MC = 61/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/blackout|title=Britney Spears – Blackout|access-date=August 8, 2011|work=[[Metacritic]]|archive-date=October 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020154203/http://www.metacritic.com/music/blackout|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=allmusic />
| rev2 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]''
| rev2score = B+<ref>{{cite web |last1=Battaglia |first1=Andy |title=Britney Spears: Blackout |url=https://www.avclub.com/britney-spears-blackout-1798203364 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |accessdate=26 February 2023 |date=13 November 2007 |archive-date=April 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405110640/http://www.avclub.com/articles/britney-spears-blackout,7417/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3score = B+<ref name=ewrw />
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=guardian />
| rev5 = ''[[MSN Music]]'' ([[Robert Christgau#Consumer Guide|Consumer Guide]])
| rev5score = B+<ref name=robert />
| rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev6score = 4/10<ref name=nme />
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev7score = 8.1/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/britney-spears-blackout/|title=Britney Spears: ''Blackout'' Album Review {{!}} Pitchfork|last=Garvey|first=Meaghan|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=August 4, 2024|access-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=rsrw />
| rev9 = ''[[Slant Magazine]]''
| rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=slant />
| rev10 = ''Sputnikmusic''
| rev10score = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sylvia |first1=Dave de |title=Britney Spears - Blackout |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/14047/Britney-Spears-Blackout/ |website=Sputnikmusic |accessdate=26 February 2023 |date=30 October 2007 |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411205739/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/14047/Britney-Spears-Blackout/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
Upon its release, ''Blackout'' received mixed to positive reviews from [[music critics]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2008 |title=Spears itching for world tour with new album |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/spears-itching-for-world-tour-with-new-album-1.750597 |access-date=April 29, 2025 |publisher=[[CBC.ca]]}}</ref> On music review aggregator [[Metacritic]], the album holds a score of 61 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on 24 reviews.<ref name="metacritic"/> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]], senior editor of [[AllMusic]], described the album as "[[state-of-the-art]] dance-pop, a testament to skills of the producers and perhaps even Britney being somehow cognizant enough to realize she should hire the best, even if she's not at her best."<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/blackout-mw0000487827|title=Blackout – Britney Spears|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|access-date=December 18, 2016|work=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=November 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113132329/http://www.allmusic.com/album/blackout-mw0000487827|url-status=live}}</ref> Dennis Lim of ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' deemed it "her most consistent [album], a seamlessly entertaining collection of bright, brash electropop."<ref name=blender>{{cite journal|last=Lim|first=Dennis|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4852|title=Britney Spears : Blackout|journal=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]|date=November 2007|issn=1534-0554|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112165702/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4852|archive-date=November 12, 2007|access-date=December 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Margeaux Watson of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' commented that while the album was not poetry, "there is something delightfully [[Escapism|escapist]] about ''Blackout'', a perfectly serviceable dance album abundant in the kind of bouncy electro elements that buttressed her hottest hits."<ref name=ewrw>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/10/26/blackout-2/|title=Blackout Review|last=Watson|first=Margeaux|date=October 26, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=August 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815223057/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20153719,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A reviewer for ''[[NME]]'' said that the heavily-processed vocals made Spears sound robotic, adding that "it could really do with a few more human touches."<ref name=nme>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-britney-spears-9226-337561|title=Britney Spears: Blackout |date=November 9, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|work=[[NME]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217071530/http://www.nme.com/reviews/9226|archive-date=February 17, 2008|df=mdy}}</ref> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'''s Tom Ewing called "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)" the centerpiece of ''Blackout'', and branded the album "superb modern pop, which could probably only have been released by this star at this moment. Britney as walking catastrophe makes for great car-crash copy and her record can fit into that if you want it to."<ref name=pitchfork-2>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/poptimist/6734-poptimist-10/|title=Britney in the Black Lodge (Damn Fine Album)|last=Ewing|first=Tom|date=November 20, 2007|access-date=August 8, 2011|publisher=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|archive-date=August 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831080956/http://pitchfork.com/features/poptimist/6734-poptimist-10/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ewing also compared the relationship between Spears and the album with American television series ''[[Twin Peaks]]'', saying that what made the show "so great wasn't the central good-girl-gone-bad story, it was the strangeness that story liberated. And Britney's off-disc life is both distraction from and enabler for this extraordinary album".<ref name=pitchfork-2/>
Mike Schiller of ''[[PopMatters]]'' was more critical, saying: "Right down to its utterly garish cover, ''Blackout'' is utterly disposable and ultimately forgettable."<ref name="pm">{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/britney-spears-blackout-2496203492.html|title=Britney Spears: Blackout|last=Schiller|first=Mike|date=October 29, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|publisher=[[PopMatters]]|archive-date=September 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906005327/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/britney-spears-blackout|url-status=live}}</ref> Melissa Maerz from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' explained that the album "is the first time in her career that she's voiced any real thoughts about her life" and that "she's gonna crank the best pop booty jams until a social worker cuts off her supply of hits."<ref name=rsrw>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/blackout-187979/|title=Blackout|last=Maerz|first=Melissa|date=November 15, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=May 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528110752/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/blackout-20071115|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' writer Sal Cinquemani unfavorably compared the album to ''In the Zone'', saying that although ''Blackout'' "scores well, and its hotness quotient is remarkably high, [it] isn't much of a step forward for Britney following 2003's surprisingly strong ''In the Zone'', for which she received a writing credit on a majority of the songs (as opposed to a scant three here)."<ref name=slant>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/britney-spears-blackout/|title=Britney Spears: Blackout|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|date=October 23, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808132459/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/britney-spears-blackout/1206|url-status=live}}</ref> Andy Battaglia of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' said the album "counts both as a significant event and as a disquieting aberration that couldn't be more mysteriously manufactured or bizarrely ill-timed" in which "every song counts as markedly [[Progressive music|progressive]] and strange."<ref name=avclub>{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/britney-spears-blackout-1798203364|title=Britney Spears: Blackout|last=Battaglia|first=Andy|date=November 13, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|work=[[The A.V. Club]]. [[The Onion]]|archive-date=April 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405110640/http://www.avclub.com/articles/britney-spears-blackout,7417/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alexis Petridis]] from ''[[The Guardian]]'' called it "a bold, exciting album: the question is whether anyone will be able to hear its contents over the deafening roar of tittle-tattle."<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/26/popandrock.shopping|title=Britney Spears, Blackout|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=October 26, 2007|access-date=August 8, 2011|work=[[The Guardian]]|archive-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108145757/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/26/popandrock.shopping|url-status=live}}</ref> He elaborated that when faced with a public image in freefall, an artist has two options: making music "that harks back to your golden, pre-tailspin days" to "underlin[e] your complete normality" or "to throw caution to the wind: given your waning fortunes, what's the harm in taking a few musical risks?" Petridis commented that Spears opted for the latter and the results were "largely fantastic."<ref name=guardian/>
[[Kelefa Sanneh]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said: "The [[Electronic music|electronic]] beats and [[Bassline|bass lines]] are as thick as Ms. Spears's voice is thin, and as the album title suggests, the general mood is bracingly unapologetic." Sanneh added that Spears had a spectral presence on the album, explaining that when compared to her previous records, "[she] cuts a startlingly low profile on ''Blackout'' [...] Even when she was being marketed as a clean-cut ex-[[Mouseketeer]], and even when she was touring the country with a microphone that functioned largely as a prop, something about her was intense."<ref name=nyt>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/arts/music/29spea.html|title='Miss Bad Media Karma' Sings, Too|last=Sanneh|first=Kelefa|date=October 29, 2007|access-date=August 8, 2011|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402184334/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/arts/music/29spea.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Robinson (journalist)|Peter Robinson]] of ''[[The Observer]]'' stated that Spears "delivered the best album of her career, raising the bar for modern pop music with an incendiary mix of [[Timbaland]]'s [[Shock Value (Timbaland album)|''Shock Value'']] and her own back catalogue."<ref name=observer>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/nov/11/shopping.popandrock1|title=Britney Spears, Blackout and Kylie Minogue, X|last=Robinson|first=Peter|date=November 11, 2007|access-date=August 8, 2011|work=[[The Observer]]|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144611/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/nov/11/shopping.popandrock1|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]]''{{'}}s Ellee Dean said the album "may be more a tribute to the skills of the A-list producers who guided her through the disc than to any of her own talents. But at least she was smart enough to accept that guidance."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thephoenix.com/Boston/Music/50588-BRITNEY-SPEARS-BLACKOUT/|title=Britney Spears: Blackout|last=Dean|first=Ellee|date=November 6, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|work=[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]]|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701180745/http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/50588-britney-spears-blackout/|url-status=live}}</ref> In his consumer guide for ''[[MSN Music]]'', critic [[Robert Christgau]] gave the album a B+ and said that "From 'Gimme More'{{'}}s 'It's Britney bitch' hiya to 'Piece of Me'{{'}}s single-of-the-year sonics, from 'Ooh Ooh Baby'{{'}}s 'feel you deep inside' to 'Perfect Lover'{{'}}s 'touch me there', this album is pure, juicy, plastic get-naked."<ref name=robert>{{cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2007-12.php|title=Britney Spears|last=Christgau|first=Robert|date=October 2007|access-date=August 8, 2011|work=[[MSN Music]]|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805232051/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2007-12.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
Retrospective critical reviews, however, have praised ''Blackout'' and noted its strong influence on the music of the late 2000s and early 2010s. [[Rob Sheffield]] of ''Rolling Stone'' described it as "one of the most influential albums in modern pop".<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|title=Britney Spears 'Britney Jean' Review|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/britney-jean-124015/|access-date=April 27, 2022|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 26, 2013|archive-date=December 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205035904/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/britney-jean-20131126|url-status=live}}</ref> In a retrospective review published in 2017, Alim Kheraj of ''[[Dazed]]'' called the album "one of the most inventive pop records in recent history", the record that "forevermore proved that [Spears'] career was way more than just an 'inept pantomime'[.]" Kheraj also said that the album "was the result of a hazardous moment in [[pop culture]] history that saw a serendipitous and symbiotic relationship between an artist eroding her past and producers forging their future that payed [sic] off."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/37874/1/britney-spears-blackout-10th-anniversary-retrospective|title=Britney's Blackout ten years on – a mutant pop classic|work=Dazed|author=Kheraj, Alim|date=October 26, 2017|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726224500/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/37874/1/britney-spears-blackout-10th-anniversary-retrospective|url-status=live}}</ref> Publications such as ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', ''[[The Fader]]'', ''[[Nylon (magazine)|Nylon]]'' and ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' have regarded ''Blackout'' as Spears' best effort to date.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/britney-spears-blackout-anniversary-8014074/|title=Britney Spears' 'Blackout' Turns 10: How Her Worst Year Gave Us Her Best Album|magazine=Billboard|first=Jennifer Keishin|last=Armstrong|date=October 25, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207142832/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/britney-spears-blackout-anniversary-8014074/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="10years"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nylon.com/articles/britney-spears-blackout-10-year-anniversary/|title='Blackout' Is Britney Spears' Best Album To Date–Deal With It|work=[[Nylon (magazine)|Nylon]]|first=Hayden|last=Manders|date=October 25, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207142834/https://www.nylon.com/articles/britney-spears-blackout-10-year-anniversary|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/britney-spears-blackout-ten-year-anniversary/|title=Ten Years On, 'Blackout' Is Britney Spears' Greatest Album to Date|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|author1=Garland, Emma|author2=Haidari, Niloufar|author3=Kheraj, Alim|author4=Medford, Grace|author5=O'Neill, Lauren|author6=Tamanna, Yusuf|date=October 25, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207142830/https://www.vice.com/en/article/a37vz5/britney-spears-blackout-ten-year-anniversary|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Elise Soutar of ''PopMatters'' noted the album "feels fresher than ever 15 years on".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/britney-spears-blackout-atr15|title=How Britney Spears' 'Blackout' Documented Her Harrowing Present While Predicting Pop's Future|work=[[PopMatters]]|first=Elise|last=Soutar|date=October 28, 2022|access-date=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207142831/https://www.popmatters.com/britney-spears-blackout-atr15|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Accolades ==
{{For|the complete list of awards won by Britney Spears and the singles from ''Blackout''|List of awards and nominations received by Britney Spears}}
===Awards and nominations===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="border:none; margin:0;"
|+Awards and nominations for ''Blackout''
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Organization
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="6"| 2008
| Alfa Music Awards
| Best Album
| {{Won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://princesbritneyspears.blog.cz/0912/vyhry |title=AOL Awards |date=October 21, 2011 |website=[[4Music]] |publisher=[[The Box Plus Network]] |access-date=June 1, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128094306/http://princesbritneyspears.blog.cz/0912/vyhry |archive-date=November 28, 2019 |quote=AOL Awards }}</ref>
|-
| [[NME Awards|''NME'' Awards]]
| Worst Album
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-awards-99-1322170 |title=Shockwaves NME Awards 2008: Britney Spears wins Worst Album—'Blackout' deemed most rubbish record of the year |website=[[NME]] |date=February 28, 2008 |publisher=[[BandLab Technologies]] (BBC) |access-date=June 25, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127235352/https://www.nme.com/news/music/nme-awards-99-1322170 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 }}</ref>
|-
| [[NRJ Music Award]]
| International Album of the Year
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a88040/spears-wins-album-award-at-nrj-ceremony.html|title=Spears wins album award at NRJ ceremony|last=Dadds|first=Kimberly|date=January 28, 2008|access-date=August 16, 2011|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025033212/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a88040/spears-wins-album-award-at-nrj-ceremony.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[MTV Europe Music Award]]
| [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Album|Best Album]]
| {{won}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1598808/americans-katy-perry-britney-spears-kanye-west-30-seconds-to-mars-dominate-2008-mtv-emas/|title=Americans Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kanye West, 30 Seconds To Mars Dominate 2008 MTV EMAs|work=MTV|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=November 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104093607/http://www.mtv.com/news/1598808/americans-katy-perry-britney-spears-kanye-west-30-seconds-to-mars-dominate-2008-mtv-emas/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Virgin Media]] Music Awards
| Disaster of the Year
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virginmedia.com/music/awards2007/winners.php?ssid=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604102146/http://www.virginmedia.com/music/awards2007/winners.php?ssid=8 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 4, 2008 |title=Virgin Media Music Awards 2007: Disaster of the Year |work=Virgin Media Music Awards |access-date=February 5, 2020 }}</ref>
|-
| Best Album
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virginmedia.com/music/awards2007/winners.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603155142/http://www.virginmedia.com/music/awards2007/winners.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 3, 2008 |title=Virgin Media Music Awards 2007: Best Album |work=Virgin Media Music Awards |access-date=February 5, 2020 }}</ref>
|}
===Listings===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Listings for ''Blackout''
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Publication
! scope="col"| Listicle
! scope="col" | Position
! scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! rowspan="6" scope="row" | 2007
| ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''
| Readers' Choice – Top Ten Albums of 2007
| 1st
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2007/readers/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109002705/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2007/readers/index.html|archive-date=January 9, 2008|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Billboard 2007 Year In Music|date=December 1, 2007|access-date=August 30, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]''
| Critics' Best Albums of 2007
| 33rd
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://pop.idolator.com/318995/idolator-pop-07-albums|title=Idolator Pop 07: Albums|work=Idolator|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=January 15, 2008|access-date=December 3, 2017|df=mdy}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[The Guardian]]''
| 2007's Best Albums
| 17th
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/dec/07/4|title=2007's best albums|work=The Guardian|access-date=December 3, 2017|archive-date=December 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203224657/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/dec/07/4|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[The Observer]]''
| 2007: The Best 50 Albums
| 50th
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,2222461,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223102315/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,2222572,00.html|archive-date=December 23, 2007|title=2007: The best 50 albums|work=The Observer|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=December 9, 2007|access-date=December 3, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| Top 50 Albums of 2007
| 50th
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/31-rolling-stones-top-50-albums-of-2007/|title=Top 50 Albums of 2007|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=December 1, 2007|access-date=December 3, 2017|df=mdy|archive-date=May 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520094200/http://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/31-rolling-stones-top-50-albums-of-2007/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Slant Magazine]]''
| Top Albums of 2007
| Placed
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/2007-year-in-music/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107023036/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/features/2007yearinmusic.asp|archive-date=January 7, 2008|title=The Best Albums & Singles of 2007|work=Slant|date=December 1, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|df=mdy}}</ref>}}
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | 2009
| [[Rock's Backpages]]
| Best Albums, 2000–2009
| 5th
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/very-noughtie-rbps-best-albums-2000-2009|title=Best Albums, 2000-2009|work=Rock's Backpages|access-date=December 3, 2017|archive-date=December 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153827/https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/very-noughtie-rbps-best-albums-2000-2009|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''Rolling Stone''
| The Decade-End Readers' Poll
| 7th
| {{center|<ref name="Staff">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-decade-end-readers-poll-250167/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105213510/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/31234753/the_decadeend_readers_poll/2|archive-date=January 5, 2010|title=The Decade-End Readers' Poll|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=December 8, 2009|access-date=April 27, 2022|df=mdy}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[The Times]]''
| Best Pop Albums of the Decade
| 5th
| {{center|<ref name="News Corporation">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/the-100-best-pop-albums-of-the-noughties-s7bmg6sr90g|title=The 100 best pop albums of the Noughties|date=November 21, 2009|journal=The Times|publisher=News Corporation|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row" | 2013
| rowspan="2" | ''The Guardian''
| Writers' 500 Favorite Albums Ever
| Placed
| {{center|<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/oct/24/best-favourite-albums-nme-difference|title=Guardian writers' favourite albums ever|work=The Guardian|access-date=March 7, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818084007/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/oct/24/best-favourite-albums-nme-difference|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row" | 2019
| The 100 Best Albums of the 21st Century
| 39th
| {{center|<ref name="guard2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/13/100-best-albums-of-the-21st-century|title=The 100 best albums of the 21st century|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=September 13, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2020|work=The Guardian|archive-date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913091456/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/13/100-best-albums-of-the-21st-century|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row" | 2020
| ''Rolling Stone''
| [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]
| 441st
| {{center|<ref name="All Time">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/|title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 22, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923210922/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|}
== Commercial performance ==
[[File:Britney SpearsMontreal3.jpg|right|thumb|Spears performing "Freakshow" during [[the Circus Starring Britney Spears]] in 2009|alt=Image of a blond female performer. She has a headset around her hand and is wearing sparkly silver and black lingerie, fishnet stockings and knee-high black boots. She stands in front of a black and golden couch.]]
In the United States, ''Blackout'' sold 124,000 copies during its first day of availability according to [[Nielsen SoundScan]]. Jessica Letkemann of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' compared the sales favorably to those of the previous week's number-one album ''[[Carnival Ride]]'' by [[Carrie Underwood]], which sold 49,000 copies, estimating that ''Blackout'' would possibly debut atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1573290/britney-spears-blackout-projected-to-light-up-the-charts-for-fifth-1-debut/|title=Britney Spears' Blackout Projected To Light Up The Charts For Fifth No. 1 Debut|work=MTV News|last=Harris|first=Chris|date=November 1, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210125316/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573290/20071101/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> On November 6, 2007, ''Billboard'' announced that even though the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]]'s first-week sales of ''[[Long Road Out of Eden]]'' had handily surpassed Spears, they would not debut atop the chart because of rules forbidding albums exclusively sold at one retail outlet–[[Walmart]] in this case–from entering the ''Billboard'' 200. During the afternoon of the same day, Walmart issued a press release announcing that ''Long Road Out of Eden'' had sold 711,000 copies. At night, it was announced through an article on Billboard.biz that after an agreement with Nielsen SoundScan, ''Billboard'' would allow exclusive albums only available through one retailer to appear on the charts, effective that same week. Hence, ''Long Road Out of Eden'' topped the ''Billboard'' 200, while ''Blackout'' debuted at number two, with first-week sales of 290,000 copies.<ref name=eagles>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1573657/britney-spears-blackout-denied-1-debut-on-billboard-chart-after-last-minute-rule-change/|title=Britney Spears' Blackout Denied No. 1 Debut On Billboard Chart After Last-Minute Rule Change|work=MTV News|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=November 7, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507054600/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573657/britney-spears-blackout-denied-1-debut.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> It became Spears' first studio album not to debut at number one.<ref name=recorddigital>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/britney-spears-debuts-1-on-european-albums-chart-and-debuts-1-on-us-digital-albums-chart-58819832.html|title=Britney Spears Debuts #1 on European Albums Chart and Debuts #1 on U.S. Digital Albums Chart|date=November 8, 2007|access-date=August 19, 2011|publisher=[[PR Newswire]]|archive-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620194537/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/britney-spears-debuts-1-on-european-albums-chart-and-debuts-1-on-us-digital-albums-chart-58819832.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The album, however, set the record for the highest first-week digital sales for a female artist at the time.<ref name=recorddigital /> Following the release of ''Circus'' in December 2008, ''Blackout'' re-entered the chart at number 198, with sales of 4,600 copies;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1601037/britney-spears-is-back-on-top-as-circus-sells-more-than-500000-copies/|title=Britney Spears Is Back On Top As Circus Sells More Than 500,000 Copies|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=December 10, 2008|work=MTV News|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211235520/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601037/20081210/spears_britney.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> it has spent a total of 34 weeks on the chart.<ref name="bb200"/> As of March 2015, the album has sold one million copies in the country, and was certified [[RIAA certification|double platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) in October 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/ask-billboard-britney-spearss-career-sales/|title=Ask Billboard: Britney Spears's Career Sales|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620124718/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6509510/ask-billboard-britney-spearss-career-sales|url-status=live}}</ref>
In Canada, ''Blackout'' debuted atop the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] with sales of 29,000 units, becoming her first number-one album there since ''[[Britney (album)|Britney]]'' (2001).<ref name=canadaII>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Spears_Britney/2007/11/07/4638086-ca.html|title=Britney's No. 1 again|last=Williams|first=Johns|date=November 7, 2007|work=Jam!|access-date=August 19, 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709084515/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/S/Spears_Britney/2007/11/07/4638086-ca.html|archive-date=July 9, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was certified platinum by the [[Canadian Recording Industry Association]] (CRIA) for shipments of 100,000 copies.<ref name=Canada>{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/gold/1107_g.php|title=Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum – November 2007|date=November 2007|access-date=August 19, 2011|publisher=[[Canadian Recording Industry Association]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019175345/http://cria.ca/gold/1107_g.php|archive-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref> In Mexico, the album debuted at number 18, peaking at number two in its third week.<ref name="mexico"/> In Australia and New Zealand, the album debuted at numbers three and eight, respectively.<ref name="ultratop" /> It was certified platinum by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) and gold by the [[Recorded Music NZ|Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] (RIANZ).<ref name=ariacertification/><ref name="rianz"/> In Japan, the album peaked at number four on the [[Oricon Albums Chart]],<ref name="oricon"/> being certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] (RIAJ).<ref name="riaj"/> In the United Kingdom, ''Blackout'' debuted at number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]] with sales of 42,000 units, behind ''Long Road Out of Eden'',<ref name="bbeurope" /> and stayed on the chart for 28 weeks.<ref name="uk" /> It was certified platinum by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) for shipments of 300,000 copies.<ref name="bpi" /> The album debuted at the summit in Ireland and on the [[European Top 100 Albums]].<ref name="ire"/><ref name="bbeurope"/> Across Europe, it reached the top ten in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland.<ref name="bbeurope" /> According to the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] (IFPI), the album was the world's 32nd best-selling album of 2007.<ref name="ifpi2007" /> By the end of 2008, ''Blackout'' had sold 3.1 million copies worldwide.<ref name="wwsales">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/28/britney-spears-circus|title=Britney Spears: Circus|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=November 28, 2008|access-date=April 27, 2022|work=The Guardian|archive-date=July 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722221443/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/28/britney-spears-circus|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Legacy ==
{{quote box
| align = right
| width = 30em|A [[Punk subculture|punk]] masterpiece, [''Blackout''] is an [[avant-disco]] [[concept album]] about getting famous, not giving a fuck, getting divorced, not giving a fuck, getting publicly mocked and despised and humiliated. It's an album about dancing on tables in a cloud of glitter and [[Cheetos|Cheeto]] dust. But mostly it's an album about not giving a fuck, which is why it sounds perfect for grim times like these. Especially since America in 2017 is less sane or stable than Britney was in 2007. If our girl could emerge from the wreckage with an album like ''Blackout'', there's hope for us all
| source = — [[Rob Sheffield]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-blackout-a-salute-to-her-misunderstood-punk-masterpiece-121525/|title=Britney Spears' 'Blackout': A Salute to Her Misunderstood Punk Masterpiece|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2019-01-15|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228090029/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/britney-spears-blackout-a-salute-to-her-misunderstood-punk-masterpiece-121525/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
When ''Blackout'' was released, Spears' behavior in public began to clash with her image.<ref name="nyt" /><ref name="allmusic" /> Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that Spears was an artist that always relied on her "carefully sculpted sexpot-next-door persona", but for ''Blackout'' "those images [we]re replaced by images of Britney beating cars up with umbrellas, wiping her greasy fingers on designer dresses, and nodding off on-stage, each new disaster stripping away any residual sexiness in her public image." Erlewine added that the album served as a [[soundtrack album|soundtrack]] "for Britney's hazy, drunken days, reflecting the excess that's splashed all over the tabloids", while noting that the album had a coherence that the public Spears lacked.<ref name="allmusic" /> "When she dropped ''Blackout'' in 2007, the music industry scoffed, but then proceeded to spend the next few years imitating it to death, to the point where everything on pop radio sounded like ''Blackout''," said Rob Sheffield of ''Rolling Stone''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Sheffield|date=2016-08-26|title=Review: Britney Spears' 'Glory' Is Another Fantastic Comeback|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-britney-spears-glory-is-another-fantastic-comeback-249161/|access-date=2021-01-05|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729142742/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-britney-spears-glory-is-another-fantastic-comeback-249161/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Blackout'' has been referred by music critics and fans as the "[[Bible]] of Pop" for its impact on the music industry, and is considered one of the most influential albums of all time.<ref name="SpearsExecutiveProducer" /> English singer and songwriter [[Sam Smith]] wrote on their [[Instagram]] page, "One of the greatest fucking albums of all time. No arguments".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-09|title=Sam Smith Calls Britney's 'Blackout' One Of The Greatest Albums Of All Time|url=https://www.breatheheavy.com/sam-smith-calls-britneys-blackout-one-of-the-greatest-albums-of-all-time/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Breathe Heavy|archive-date=July 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710011923/https://www.breatheheavy.com/sam-smith-calls-britneys-blackout-one-of-the-greatest-albums-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tom Ewing of ''Pitchfork'' noted that after "Freakshow" leaked online, a dubstep forum thread on the song hit seven pages in twenty-four hours, generating mixed reactions and exemplifying that "it still seems [that] when the mainstream borrows [[underground music]], [it] brings it into the wider pop vocabulary." He also attributed the quality of every track of ''Blackout'' to economic reasons, since one of the main causes album sales began to suffer during the [[digital era]] is due to the "[[unbundling]]" of albums in online stores – making it easier for consumers to buy some tracks rather than the entire album. Ewing explained that "The ''[[Revolver (Beatles album)|Revolver]]'' blueprint for pop albums – every track good, every track a potential hit – makes more sense than ever. Especially if a star can keep sonically up-to-date in a fast-moving market."<ref name="pitchfork" />
Reviewers noted the use of [[Auto-Tune]] in Spears' voice.<ref name="pitchfork" /><ref name="telephone" /> Ewing said that ''Blackout'' serves as a reminder of how instantly recognizable Spears' vocals are, saying that "treated or untreated: her thin [[Southern United States|Southern]] huskiness is one of the defining sounds of 00s pop." He noted that the album "is a masterclass in autotune and vocal treatment as a studio instrument, disrupting and jamming the songs as much as it helps them."<ref name="pitchfork" /> While reviewing Spears' demo of "[[Telephone (song)|Telephone]]", Rob Sheffield of ''Rolling Stone'' compared it to "Piece of Me", "proving yet again how much impact Britney has had on the sonics of current pop. People love to make fun of Britney, and why not, but if 'Telephone' proves anything, it's that ''Blackout'' may be the most influential pop album of the past five years."<ref name="telephone">{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/why-britney-s-telephone-beats-gaga-mile-wbna37020094|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005004124/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37020094/ns/today-entertainment/t/why-britneys-telephone-beats-gaga-mile/|archive-date=October 5, 2012|title=Why Britney's 'Telephone' beats Gaga by a mile|publisher=Today|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Sheffield|date=May 11, 2010|access-date=August 30, 2011}}</ref> In June 2012, ''Blackout'' was added to the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]'s musical library and archive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catalog.rockhall.com/catalog/173650295|title=Blackout [sound recording] / Britney Spears|access-date=September 2, 2014|publisher=[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201111620/http://catalog.rockhall.com/catalog/173650295|archive-date=February 1, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Calling it a "mutant pop classic", ''[[Dazed]]'' named ''Blackout'' as one of the most influential albums of the last decade for the way it suffused hip hop, pop, R&B and [[Electronic dance music|EDM]], and further said "Spears once lamented that [[I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman|she wasn't a girl but not yet a woman]]... ''Blackout'' was the signal that this transition had reached its climax. Yet rather than emerging as a [[The Stepford Wives|Stepford]] pop princess, the Britney that appeared was disruptive and peddling demented pop music."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/37874/1/britney-spears-blackout-10th-anniversary-retrospective|title=Britney's Blackout ten years on – a mutant pop classic|website=Dazed|date=October 26, 2017|access-date=2019-01-15|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726224500/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/37874/1/britney-spears-blackout-10th-anniversary-retrospective|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' ranked ''Blackout'' number three on their list of the 20 most underrated albums ever, with Roisin O'Connor crediting the "icy beats and [[Glitch (music)|glitchy]] synths" of "Piece of Me" for inspiring "generations of future-leaning pop stars in the decades to come."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Beaumont |first1=Mark |author-link1=Mark Beaumont (journalist) |last2=O'Connor |first2=Roisin |date=2024-10-19 |title=The 20 most underrated albums ever |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/underrated-albums-britney-spears-charli-xcx-b2631613.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Track listing ==
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = ''Blackout''{{nobold| – Standard edition}}
| title1 = [[Gimme More]]
| writer1 = {{Flat list|
*[[Danja (record producer)|Nate Hills]]
*[[Jim Beanz|James Washington]]
*[[Keri Hilson]]
*[[Marcella Araica]]
}}
| extra1 = {{Flat list|
*[[Danja (record producer)|Danja]]
*[[Jim Beanz]]{{ref|a|[a]}}
*Hilson{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length1 = 4:11
| title2 = [[Piece of Me]]
| writer2 = {{Flat list|
*[[Bloodshy & Avant|Christian Karlsson]]
*[[Bloodshy & Avant|Pontus Winnberg]]
*[[Klas Åhlund]]
}}
| extra2 = [[Bloodshy & Avant]]
| length2 = 3:32
| title3 = [[Radar (song)|Radar]]
| writer3 = {{Flat list|
*Karlsson
*Winnberg
*[[Henrik Jonback]]
*[[The Clutch|Balewa Muhammad]]
*[[The Clutch|Candice Nelson]]
*[[The Clutch|Ezekiel Lewis]]
*[[Patrick "J. Que" Smith|J. Que]]
}}
| extra3 = {{Flat list|
*Bloodshy & Avant
*[[The Clutch]]{{ref|b|[b]}}
}}
| length3 = 3:49
| title4 = [[Break the Ice (song)|Break the Ice]]
| writer4 = {{Flat list|
*Hills
*Washington
*Hilson
*Araica
}}
| extra4 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length4 = 3:16
| title5 = Heaven on Earth
| writer5 = {{Flat list|
*[[Freescha|Michael McGroarty]]
*[[Freescha|Nick Huntington]]
*[[Nicole Morier]]
}}
| extra5 = {{Flat list|
*[[Freescha]]
*[[Kara DioGuardi]]
}}
| length5 = 4:52
| title6 = Get Naked (I Got a Plan)
| writer6 = {{Flat list|
*Corté Ellis
*Washington
*Hills
*Araica
*Nigel Talley
}}
| extra6 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length6 = 4:45
| title7 = Freakshow
| writer7 = {{Flat list|
*[[Britney Spears]]
*Karlsson
*Winnberg
*Jonback
*Lewis
*J. Que
}}
| extra7 = {{Flat list|
*Bloodshy & Avant
*The Clutch{{ref|b|[b]}}
}}
| length7 = 2:55
| title8 = Toy Soldier
| writer8 = {{Flat list|
*Karlsson
*Winnberg
*Magnus Wallbert
*[[Sean Garrett|Sean "The Pen" Garrett]]
}}
| extra8 = {{Flat list|
*Bloodshy & Avant
*Garrett{{ref|b|[b]}}
}}
| length8 = 3:21
| title9 = Hot as Ice
| writer9 = {{Flat list|
*[[T-Pain|Faheem "T-Pain" Najm]]
*Hills
*Araica
}}
| extra9 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length9 = 3:16
| title10 = Ooh Ooh Baby
| writer10 = {{Flat list|
*Spears
*DioGuardi
*[[Fredwreck|Farid "Fredwreck" Nassar]]
*Erick Coomes
}}
| extra10 = {{Flat list|
*Nassar
*DioGuardi
}}
| length10 = 3:28
| title11 = Perfect Lover
| writer11 = {{Flat list|
*Hills
*Washington
*Hilson
*Araica
}}
| extra11 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length11 = 3:02
| title12 = Why Should I Be Sad
| writer12 = [[Pharrell Williams]]
| extra12 = [[The Neptunes]]
| length12 = 3:10
| total_length = 43:37
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = ''Blackout''{{nobold| – US [[Target Corporation|Target]] edition (bonus track)}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Blackout|type=Target edition liner notes|last=Spears|first=Britney|date=2007|publisher=Jive Records|id=PID 88697 19127 2}}</ref>
| title13 = Outta This World
| writer13 = {{Flat list|
*Hills
*Washington
*Hilson
*Araica
}}
| extra13 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length13 = 3:45
| total_length = 47:22
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = ''Blackout''{{nobold| – Japanese edition (bonus tracks)}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Blackout|type=Japan edition liner notes|last=Spears|first=Britney|date=2007|publisher=Jive Records|id=PID 88697 18255 2}}</ref>
| title13 = Outta This World
| writer13 = {{Flat list|
*Hills
*Washington
*Hilson
*Araica
}}
| extra13 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length13 = 3:45
| title14 = [[Everybody (Britney Spears song)|Everybody]]
| writer14 = {{Flat list|
*Rotem
*Bogart
*Lennox
*Stewart
}}
| extra14 = Rotem
| length14 = 3:17
| title15 = Get Back
| writer15 = {{Flat list|
*Ellis
*Hills
*Araica
}}
| extra15 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Ellis{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length15 = 3:50
| title16 = Gimme More
| note16 = [[Paul Oakenfold]] Remix
| writer16 = {{Flat list|
*Hills
*Washington
*Hilson
*Araica
}}
| extra16 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
*[[Paul Oakenfold]]{{ref|c|[c]}}
*Ian Green{{ref|d|[d]}}
}}
| length16 = 6:06
| total_length = 60:35
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = ''Blackout''{{nobold| – Digital deluxe edition (bonus tracks)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deezer.com/en/album/1441004|title=Britney Spears: Blackout|date=October 25, 2007 |publisher=[[Deezer]]|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424215928/https://www.deezer.com/en/album/1441004|url-status=live}}</ref>
| total_length = 55:42
| title13 = Get Back
| writer13 = {{Flat list|
*Ellis
*Hills
*Araica
}}
| extra13 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Ellis{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length13 = 3:50
| title14 = Gimme More
| note14 = [[Junkie XL]] Dub
| writer14 = {{Flat list|
*Hills
*Washington
*Hilson
*Araica
}}
| extra14 = {{Flat list|
*Danja
*Beanz{{ref|a|[a]}}
*Junkie XL{{ref|c|[c]}}
*Ian Green{{ref|d|[d]}}
}}
| length14 = 4:58
| title15 = Everybody
| writer15 = {{Flat list|
*[[J.R. Rotem]]
*[[E. Kidd Bogart|Evan Kidd Bogart]]
*[[Annie Lennox]]
*[[Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|Dave Stewart]]
}}
| extra15 = [[J.R. Rotem]]
| length15 = 3:17
}}
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Director(s)
| headline = ''Blackout''{{nobold| – Digital store deluxe edition (bonus video)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/blackout/521738882|title=Blackout by Britney Spears|publisher=[[iTunes]]|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213023542/https://music.apple.com/us/album/blackout/521738882|url-status=live}}</ref>
| total_length = 59:43
| title16 = Gimme More
| note16 = music video
| writer16 = {{Flat list|
*Hills
*Washington
*Hilson
*Araica
}}
| extra16 = Jake Sarfaty
| length16 = 4:01
}}
'''Notes'''
*{{sup|{{note|a|a}}}} signifies a vocal [[record producer|producer]]
*{{sup|{{note|b|b}}}} signifies a co-[[record producer|producer]]
*{{sup|{{note|c|c}}}} signifies a [[remix]]er
*{{sup|{{note|d|d}}}} signifies an additional [[record producer|producer]]
'''Sample credits'''
*"Ooh Ooh Baby" blends the beat from [[Gary Glitter]]'s "[[Rock and Roll (Gary Glitter song)|Rock and Roll]]", and the melody of [[the Turtles]]' "[[Happy Together (song)|Happy Together]]".
*"Everybody" contains a sample from "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]", as written by [[Annie Lennox]] and [[Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|Dave Stewart]].
== Personnel ==
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of ''Blackout''.<ref name="linernotes"/>
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Klas Åhlund]] – bass (track 2), songwriting (track 2)
* [[Marcella Araica|Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica]] – engineering (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11), mixing (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11), programming (tracks 1, 4 and 6), songwriting (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)
* [[Jim Beanz]] – backing vocals (tracks 1, 4, 9 and 11), songwriting (tracks 1, 4 and 11), vocal production (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)
* [[Bloodshy & Avant]] – bass (tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8), engineering (tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8), guitar (tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8), keyboards (tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8), production (tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8), programming (track 2, 3, 7 and 8), songwriting (tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8)
* Kobie "The Quarterback" Brown – clearance
* Miguel Bustamante – mixing assistance (track 9)
* Jim Carauna – engineering (tracks 3 and 7)
* [[Robyn|Robyn Carlsson]] – backing vocals (track 2)
* [[The Clutch]] – engineering (tracks 3 and 7), production (tracks 3 and 7)
* Erick Coomes – bass (track 10), guitar (track 10), songwriting (track 10)
* Tom Coyne – mastering (all tracks)
* [[Danja (record producer)|Danja]] – production (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11), songwriting (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)
* [[Kara DioGuardi]] – backing vocals (track 10), production (tracks 5 and 10), songwriting (track 10), vocal production (track 5)
* Corté "The Author" Ellis – backing vocals (track 6), songwriting (track 6)
* Damon Ellis – clearance
* David M. Erlich – production coordination (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)
* Devine Evans – digital effects (track 6), Pro Tools editing (track 6)
* Mike Evans – production coordination (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)
* Niklas Flyckt – mixing (tracks 2, 3, 7 and 8)
* [[Freescha]] – engineering (track 5), instrumentation (track 5), production (track 5), songwriting (track 5)
* [[Sean Garrett|Sean "The Pen" Garrett]] – backing vocals (track 8), production (track 8), songwriting (track 8)
* Brian Garten – engineering (track 12)
* Hart Gunther – engineering assistance (track 12)
* Mark Gray – engineering assistance (track 4)
* Jeri Heiden – art direction, design
* [[Keri Hilson]] – backing vocals (tracks 1, 4 and 11), songwriting (tracks 1, 4 and 11), vocal production (track 1)
* Mike Houge – engineering (track 10), mixing assistance (track 10)
* [[Chad Hugo]] – mixing (track 12), production (track 12)
* Richard "Segal" Huredia – engineering (track 10)
* Cara Hutchinson – Zomba production coordination
* Lisa Jachno – manicure
* [[Henrik Jonback]] – bass (track 7), guitar (tracks 2, 3 and 7), songwriting (tracks 2, 3 and 7)
* Ryan Kennedy – engineering assistance (track 12)
* Ezekiel Lewis – backing vocals (track 7), songwriting (tracks 3 and 7)
* [[Tony Maserati]] – mixing (tracks 5 and 10)
* [[Miike Snow]] – engineering assistance (tracks 9 and 11), mixing assistance (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)
* Jeff Monachino – clearance
* [[Nicole Morier]] – backing vocals (track 5), songwriting (track 5)
* Balewa Muhammad – songwriting (track 3)
* Vernon Mungo – engineering (track 8)
* Jackie Murphy – art direction, design
* Glen Nakasako – art direction, design
* [[Fredwreck|Farid "Fredwreck" Nassar]] – guitar (track 10), keyboards (track 10), production (track 10), songwriting (track 10)
* Candice Nelson – backing vocals (tracks 3 and 7), songwriting (track 3)
* Brian Paturalski – engineering (track 10), vocal engineering (track 5)
* Jenny Prince – A&R coordination
* [[J. Que]] – songwriting (tracks 3 and 7)
* Nancy Roof – A&R administration
* David Schmidt – clearance
* Rob Skipworth – engineering assistance (track 8)
* [[Britney Spears]] – executive production, songwriting (tracks 7 and 10), vocals (all tracks)
* Supa Engineer Duro – mixing (track 12)
* [[T-Pain]] – arrangement (track 9), backing vocals (track 9), songwriting (track 9)
* Ron Taylor – editing (tracks 1, 4, 6, 9 and 11)
* Francesca Tolot – make-up
* Valente – engineering assistance (track 1)
* Kristen Vallow – prop styling
* [[Ellen von Unwerth]] – photography
* Windy Wagner – backing vocals (track 9)
* Magnus "Mango" Wallbert – additional programming (track 8), songwriting (track 8)
* [[Teresa LaBarbera Whites]] – A&R
* [[Pharrell Williams]] – backing vocals (track 12), production (track 12), songwriting (track 12)
* Patti Wilson – styling
* [[DJ Swivel|Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young]] – additional engineering (track 12), mixing assistance (track 12)
{{div col end}}
== Charts ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=== Weekly charts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Blackout''
! scope="col"| Chart (2007–2008)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Argentine Albums ([[CAPIF]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-12-08.pdf|title=Hits of the world|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2023|archive-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323034105/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-12-08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 9
|-
{{album chart|Australia|3|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Dance Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue922.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20071119130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20071120-0000/issue922.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-11-19|title=ARIA Dance – Week Commencing 5th November 2007|journal=[[ARIA Charts]]|issue=922|page=17|date=November 5, 2007|access-date=December 21, 2016}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{album chart|Austria|6|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|17|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016|refname="ultratop"}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|6|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
! scope="row"| Brazilian Albums ([[Pro-Música Brasil]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-12-08.pdf|title=Hits of the world|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 18, 2015|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125002349/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-12-08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 3
|-
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Britney Spears|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
! scope="row"| Croatian Albums ([[Top of the Shops|HDU]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hdu-toplista.com/download.php?what=pdf_lista&id=76|title=Top Kombiniranih – Tjedan 2. 2008.|format=PDF|language=hr|publisher=Hrvatska diskografska udruga|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=August 20, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820164653/http://www.hdu-toplista.com/download.php?what=pdf_lista&id=76|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 48
|-
{{album chart|Czech|27|date=200745|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Denmark|6|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|14|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[European Top 100 Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="bbeurope">{{cite magazine|last=Lars|first=Brandle|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/britney-spearheads-hot-euro-chart-return-1317080/|title=Britney Spearheads Hot Euro Chart Return|magazine=Billboard|date=November 8, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=December 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224001048/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/1317080/britney-spearheads-hot-euro-chart-return|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{album chart|Finland|22|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|France|2|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany|10|id=71914|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
! scope="row"| Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-12-01.pdf|title=Hits of the world|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 18, 2015|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121021256/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-12-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 3
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|24|year=2007|week=44|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Ireland|1|year=2007|week=44|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016|refname="ire"}}
|-
{{album chart|Italy|6|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
! scope="row"| Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="oricon">{{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/145326/products/737546/1/ |script-title=ja:ブラックアウト {{!}} ブリトニー・スピアーズ |trans-title=Blackout {{!}} Britney Spears |language=ja |publisher=[[Oricon]] |access-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221222654/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/145326/products/737546/1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 4
|-
! scope="row"| Mexican Albums ([[Top 100 Mexico]])<ref name="mexico">{{cite web|url=http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a|title=Britney Spears – Blackout|publisher=Mexican Charts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426204039/http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a|archive-date=April 26, 2012|access-date=August 31, 2011}}</ref>
| 2
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|8|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|12|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Poland|24|id=423|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Portugal|10|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|3|date=2007-11-04|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Spain|11|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|11|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|4|artist=Britney Spears|album=Blackout|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016}}
|-
! scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums ([[G-Music|Five Music]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.5music.com.tw/billboard.asp|title=Western Weekly Top 20, Week 39, 2007 |language=Chinese |publisher=Five-Music |accessdate=August 5, 2024 }}</ref>
| 2
|-
{{album chart|UK|2|artist=Britney Spears|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016|refname=uk}}
|-
! scope="row"| Uruguayan Albums ([[Cámara Uruguaya de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|CUD]])<ref name="CUD">{{cite web|url=http://www.cudisco.org/ranking-nov07.html|title=Ranking de Artistas Internacionales|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310010254/http://www.cudisco.org/ranking-nov07.html|archive-date=March 10, 2009|publisher=[[Cámara Uruguaya de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]]|access-date=April 14, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 7
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Britney Spears|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2016|refname="bb200"}}
|}
{{col-2}}
=== Year-end charts ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2007 year-end chart performance for ''Blackout''
! scope="col"| Chart (2007)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2007.htm|title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2007|website=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=August 30, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628093042/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2007.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 56
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-dance-albums-2007.htm|title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Dance Albums 2007|website=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=February 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217210744/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-dance-albums-2007.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 5
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2007&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2007 – Albums|website=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=August 30, 2011|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329045940/https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2007&cat=a|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 97
|-
! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2007&type=2|title=Classement Albums – année 2007|website=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|language=fr|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925060904/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2007&type=2|archive-date=September 25, 2012}}</ref>
| 138
|-
! scope="row"| Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amprofon.com.mx/Archivos/PDF/top_anual/Top_100_Album_2007.pdf|title=Los Más Vendidos 2007|website=[[Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]]|language=es|access-date=April 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215041238/http://www.amprofon.com.mx/Archivos/PDF/top_anual/Top_100_Album_2007.pdf|archive-date=February 15, 2010}}</ref>
| 87
|-
! scope="row"| Russian Albums (2M)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2m-online.ru/charts/detail2.php?TYPE=78&SALL=72&CONTRY=4773 |script-title=ru:CD Кириллика Top 10: (2007) |language=ru |publisher=2M |date=December 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218183923/http://2m-online.ru/charts/detail2.php?TYPE=78&SALL=72&CONTRY=4773 |archive-date=December 18, 2009 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 4
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2007.pdf|title=UK Year-End Charts 2007|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|page=4|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401032248/http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2007.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 130
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums/|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=February 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228075828/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 138
|-
! scope="row"| Worldwide Albums (IFPI)<ref name="ifpi2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2007.pdf|title=Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2007|website=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]]|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530025229/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2007.pdf|archive-date=May 30, 2009}}</ref>
| 32
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2008 year-end chart performance for ''Blackout''
! scope="col"| Chart (2008)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2008/albums-chart|title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2008|website=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121042229/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2008/albums-chart|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 83
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-dance-albums-2008.htm|title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Dance Albums 2008|website=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=March 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320111015/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-dance-albums-2008.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 10
|-
! scope="row"| Russian Albums (2M)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2m-online.ru/charts/detail2.php?TYPE=78&SALL=72&CONTRY=4773 |script-title=ru:CD Кириллика Top 10: (2008) |language=ru |publisher=2M |date=December 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218183923/http://2m-online.ru/charts/detail2.php?TYPE=78&SALL=72&CONTRY=4773 |archive-date=December 18, 2009 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf|title=UK Year-End Charts 2008|work=UKChartsPlus|page=7|access-date=August 30, 2011|archive-date=March 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327100010/http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 110
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2008|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413024419/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2008/top-billboard-200-albums|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 85
|}
{{Col-end}}
== Certifications and sales ==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Blackout''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Platinum|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|access-date=November 16, 2013|refname="ariacertification"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|certmonth=11|relmonth=10|access-date=November 16, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|access-date=November 16, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2007|certyear=2023|access-date=October 18, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|access-date=November 16, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Britney Spears|title=Blackout|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2007|certyear=2025|access-date=June 6, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|access-date=November 16, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Platinum|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|access-date=November 16, 2013}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|access-date=December 5, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|title=ブラックアウト|artist=ブリトニー・スピアーズ|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|certmonth=11|access-date=November 16, 2013|refname="riaj"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|id=2008-03-21|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|refname="rianz"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|nocert=true|salesamount=8,200|salesref=<ref name="Norway">{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.no/d2/var-tids-elvis/1-1-1126592|title=Vår tids Elvis|work=[[Dagens Næringsliv]]|language=no|date=March 14, 2008|access-date=June 3, 2023|first1=Lotta|last1=Elstad|first2=Amp|last2=Øyvind}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Britney Spears|title=Blackout|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2007|certyear=2024|access-date=April 17, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|access-date=August 19, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|type=album|nocert=true|salesamount=7,464|salesref=<ref name="miak.or.kr">{{cite web|url=http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/pop_200711.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923164357/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/pop_200711.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-09-23|title=자료제공:(사)한국음반산업협회/이 자료는당협회와 상의없이 가공,편집을금합니다. - 2007.11월 - POP 음반 판매량|publisher=Recording Industry Association Of Korea|language=ko}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Platinum|relyear=2007|certyear=2020|access-date=October 30, 2020|refname=bpi|id=941-1064-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Blackout|artist=Britney Spears|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2007|certyear=2023|access-date=October 24, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|nocert=true|region=Worldwide|salesamount=3,100,000|salesref=<ref name="wwsales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
== Release history ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for ''Blackout''
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
! scope="col"| Edition(s) <!-- editions go before formats, do not change this order -->
! scope="col"| Format(s)
! scope="col"| Label
! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! scope="row"| Spain
| October 25, 2007
| rowspan="3"| {{hlist|Standard|deluxe}}
| rowspan="3"| {{flat list|
*[[Compact disc|CD]]
*[[music download|digital download]]
}}
| rowspan="4"| [[Sony BMG]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout|url=https://www.amazon.es/dp/B000WQ9UA8|website=amazon.es|publisher=Sony Music|date=25 October 2007|access-date=September 19, 2017|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161257/https://www.amazon.es/dp/B000WQ9UA8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout|url=https://www.amazon.es/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B009B4LL5O|website=amazon.es|access-date=29 November 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013014346/https://www.amazon.es/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B009B4LL5O|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Germany
| rowspan="2"| October 26, 2007
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout|url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000WQ9UA8|website=amazon.de|publisher=Zomba (Sony Music)|access-date=29 November 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161320/https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000WQ9UA8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout – Amazon.de|website=Amazon Germany |url=https://www.amazon.de/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B001SGW120|access-date=August 30, 2017|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013426/https://www.amazon.de/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B001SGW120|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Italy
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout – Amazon Italy|url=https://www.amazon.it/dp/B000WQ9UA8|publisher=Jive|access-date=November 29, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161311/https://www.amazon.it/dp/B000WQ9UA8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout – Amazon.it|url=https://www.amazon.it/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B009ISB4Z0|website=amazon.it|access-date=November 29, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013706/https://www.amazon.it/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B009ISB4Z0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/it/album/blackout/266646449|title=Blackout|publisher=Apple Music Italy|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=November 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125214905/https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/blackout/id266646449|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
| October 27, 2007
| Standard
| CD
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/pop/blackout/215455|title=Blackout|publisher=[[JB Hi-Fi]]|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118133724/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/pop/blackout/215455/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| France
| rowspan="3"| October 29, 2007
| {{hlist|Standard|deluxe}}
| {{hlist|CD|digital download}}
| [[Jive Records|Jive]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout|work=Amazon France|url=https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B000WQ9UA8|publisher=Jive|access-date=November 29, 2016|date=October 29, 2007|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161300/https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B000WQ9UA8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout|url=https://www.amazon.fr/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B0023WR2JK|access-date=November 29, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013850/https://www.amazon.fr/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B0023WR2JK|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fr/album/blackout/id266646449|title=Blackout|publisher=Apple Music France|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013032033/https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/blackout/id266646449|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Poland
| rowspan="3"| Standard
| rowspan="2"| CD
| Sony BMG
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empik.com/blackout-spears-britney,prod230001,muzyka-p|title=Blackout|publisher=Empik|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118151050/http://www.empik.com/blackout-spears-britney,prod230001,muzyka-p|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| United Kingdom
| [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WQ9UA8|title=Blackout|date=October 29, 2007|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|via=Amazon|access-date=August 30, 2017|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161301/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WQ9UA8|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Canada
| rowspan="2"| October 30, 2007
| rowspan="2"| {{flat list|
*CD
*digital download
}}
| Sony BMG
| align="center"| <ref name="Blackout">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000WQ9UA8|title=Blackout|date=October 30, 2007|publisher=Amazon.ca|via=Amazon|access-date=September 19, 2017|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161325/https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000WQ9UA8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/blackout/266646449|title=Blackout|publisher=Apple Music Canada|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013032043/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/blackout/id266646449|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| {{hlist|Standard|deluxe}}
| Jive
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout|url=https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B00138GXYU|access-date=November 29, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202232737/https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Britney-Spears/dp/B00138GXYU|url-status=live|work=Amazon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blackout|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CIOG46U|publisher=SBME SPECIAL MKTS.|access-date=November 29, 2016|date=April 1, 2013|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161340/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CIOG46U|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/blackout/266646449|title=Blackout|publisher=Apple Music|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2022|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013032040/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/blackout/id266646449|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Denmark
| rowspan="2"| October 31, 2007
| rowspan="2"| Standard
| rowspan="4"| CD
| rowspan="2"| Sony BMG
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdon.dk/musik/spears_britney/blackout-784632|title=Blackout|website=CDON Denmark|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118145131/http://cdon.dk/musik/spears_britney/blackout-784632|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Sweden
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdon.se/musik/spears_britney/blackout-784632|title=Blackout|website=CDON Sweden|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626125700/http://cdon.se/musik/spears_britney/blackout-784632|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| November 13, 2007
| [[Target Corporation|Target]] exclusive
| Jive
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Jordan|url=http://www.breatheheavy.com/the-blackout-continues/|title=The "Blackout" Continues|website=Breathe Heavy|date=November 10, 2007|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013744/http://www.breatheheavy.com/the-blackout-continues/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Japan
| November 14, 2007
| rowspan="10"| Standard
| [[Sony Music Japan|BMG Japan]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000WE660M|title=ブラックアウト|publisher=Amazon.co.jp|via=Amazon|access-date=September 19, 2017|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429161343/https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000WE660M|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" | United States
| October 25, 2019
| Black and white-swirled [[Phonograph record|vinyl]] {{small|([[Urban Outfitters]] exclusive)}}
| rowspan="5"| [[Legacy Recordings|Legacy]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/britney-spears-blackout-limited-lp2?quantity=1|title=Britney Spears – Blackout Limited LP|publisher=[[Urban Outfitters]]|accessdate=February 7, 2023|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306133335/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/britney-spears-blackout-limited-lp2?quantity=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| April 13, 2020
| Clear vinyl {{small|(Urban Outfitters exclusive)}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Blackout – Exclusive Limited Edition Clear Colored Vinyl LP (Only 5000 Copies Pressed) [Condition-VG+NM]|accessdate=February 7, 2023|publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]|url=https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Exclusive-Limited-Colored-Condition-VG/dp/B0872KV7M8/|archive-date=February 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223100126/https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Exclusive-Limited-Colored-Condition-VG/dp/B0872KV7M8/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| August 31, 2020
| Black, yellow and red-splattered vinyl {{small|(Urban Outfitters exclusive)}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Britney Spears – Blackout Limited LP|url=https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/britney-spears-blackout-limited-lp3?quantity=1|publisher=[[Urban Outfitters]]|accessdate=February 7, 2023|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306133325/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/britney-spears-blackout-limited-lp3?quantity=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| October 16, 2020
| [[Cassette tape|Cassette]] {{small|(Urban Outfitters exclusive)}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Britney Spears – Blackout Limited Cassette Tape|publisher=[[Urban Outfitters]]|url=https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/britney-spears-blackout-limited-cassette-tape?quantity=1|accessdate=February 7, 2023|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306133312/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/britney-spears-blackout-limited-cassette-tape?quantity=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| March 31, 2023
| Black vinyl
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Britney Spears – Blackout [LP]|url=https://recordstoreday.com/UPC/196587738716|access-date=February 9, 2023|publisher=[[Record Store Day]]|archive-date=February 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209143317/https://recordstoreday.com/UPC/196587738716|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
| rowspan="4"| April 28, 2023
| rowspan="4"| Opaque orange vinyl
| rowspan="4"| [[Sony Music]]
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Blackout (Orange Vinyl)|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-spears-britney-blackout-orange-vinyl-lp-colour-may-vary|access-date=February 10, 2023|___location=Australia|publisher=[[JB Hi-Fi]]|archive-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210203840/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/vinyl-spears-britney-blackout-orange-vinyl-lp-colour-may-vary|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Germany
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Britney Spears: Blackout (Opaque Orange Vinyl) (LP)|url=https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/britney-spears-blackout-opaque-orange-vinyl/hnum/11165090|access-date=February 9, 2023|___location=Germany|publisher=[[jpc (retailer)|jpc]]|language=de|archive-date=February 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223100127/https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/britney-spears-blackout-opaque-orange-vinyl/hnum/11165090|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Poland
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.empik.com/blackout-spears-britney,p1365250774,muzyka-p|title=Blackout - Spears Britney {{!}} Muzyka Sklep EMPIK.COM|last=Spears|first=Britney|author-link=Britney Spears|date=April 28, 2023|website=[[empik]].com|language=pl|access-date=March 6, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306132513/https://www.empik.com/blackout-spears-britney,p1365250774,muzyka-p|archive-date=March 6, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| United Kingdom
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Britney Spears Blackout Vinyl LP Orange Colour Due Out 28/04/23|url=https://assai.co.uk/products/britney-spears-blackout-vinyl-lp-orange-colour-due-out-28-04-23|access-date=February 10, 2023|___location=United Kingdom|publisher=Assai Records|archive-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210203845/https://assai.co.uk/products/britney-spears-blackout-vinyl-lp-orange-colour-due-out-28-04-23|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
== See also ==
* [[Britney Spears discography]]
* [[List of number-one albums of 2007 (Canada)]]
* [[List of number-one albums of 2007 (Ireland)]]
* [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web|last=Hicks|first=Gregory|date=October 25, 2015|title='Blackout': 8 Facts You Didn't Know About Britney Spears' Greatest Album|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/cynnz7/britney-spears-blackout-mysteries|website=[[MTV News]]|access-date=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207154704/https://www.mtv.com/news/cynnz7/britney-spears-blackout-mysteries|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web|last=Marraccini|first=Mark J.|date=October 22, 2022|title=Britney Spears' 'Blackout' Turns 15|url=https://albumism.com/features/britney-spears-blackout-album-anniversary|website=Albumism|accessdate=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207153202/https://albumism.com/features/britney-spears-blackout-album-anniversary|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|last=Real|first=Evan|date=April 3, 2018|title=Happy Birthday, 'Blackout'! An Ode to Britney Spears' Most Iconic Album Ever|url=https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/britney-spears-blackout-10-year-anniversary-145158/|website=[[In Touch Weekly]]|accessdate=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207153204/https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/britney-spears-blackout-10-year-anniversary-145158/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|last=Smith|first=Courtney E.|date=October 30, 2017|title=''Blackout'' Was A Watershed Moment For Britney Spears & Not For The Better|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/10/178865/britney-spears-blackout-gimme-more-breakdown|website=[[Refinery29]]|accessdate=February 7, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207153202/https://www.refinery29.com/amp/en-us/2017/10/178865/britney-spears-blackout-gimme-more-breakdown|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}
== External links ==
* [
* [
{{Britney Spears}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Album}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2007 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Bloodshy & Avant]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Danja (record producer)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Fredwreck]]
[[Category:Albums produced by the Neptunes]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Sean Garrett]]
[[Category:Britney Spears albums]]
[[Category:Jive Records albums]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Electropop albums]]
[[Category:2000s concept albums]]
[[Category:Disco albums by American artists]]
[[Category:Techno albums by American artists]]
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