Halsey has said that Britney Spears gave her “blessing” for the singer to sample her 2000 hit ‘Lucky’, ahead of the release of her single of the same name.
Halsey first teased the new track at the start of the month, with a message aimed directly at Spears. “When I was five, it always felt like Britney was singing directly to me. 24 years later, these words hit different. Love you forever,” she wrote, alongside a photo of her wearing a t-shirt featuring the word ‘Lucky’.
“But I’m so lucky, I’m a star / But I cry, cry, cry in the lonely heart thinking / If there’s nothing missing in my life / Then why do these tears come at night?” she sings on the track, slightly repurposing the original lyrics into a first-person point of view.
So far, we only have a clip of the song, which is due to be released in full on July 26. Listen below.
On Thursday, Halsey revealed on X that she had received Britney’s blessing to interpolate her pop classic. Responding to a fan question about whether there had been contact with Spears, she replied: “Yes of course!”
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“I wouldn’t even dream of doing it without her blessing!” she added.
yes of course! I wouldn’t even dream of doing it without her blessing! https://t.co/1U8DXlnEEs
— h (@halsey) July 18, 2024
Spears’ original single was released on July 25 in 2000 and was the second single from her second album ‘Oops! I Did It Again’. It is about an eponymous famous actress who seemingly has it all but feels unhappy and lonely.
‘Lucky’ follows on from Halsey’s other recent single ‘The End’. Upon releasing that track, the artist revealed she was “lucky to be alive” after experiencing difficulties with her health.
The singer later confirmed that she had Lupus and T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.
“In 2022, I was first diagnosed with Lupus SLE and then a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Both of which are currently being managed or in remission; and both of which I will likely have for the duration of my life,” she wrote at the time.
“After a rocky start, I slowly got everything under control with the help of amazing doctors. After 2 years, I’m feeling better and I’m more grateful than ever to have music to turn to. I can’t wait to get back where I belong: With you all Singing and screaming my heart out.”
She has since said that her new album will be “all over the place” and “full of experimentation”.