Recorded in 2001 and co-written with Justin Timberlake: Britney Spears pulls 'She'll Never Be Me' out of the vault, her first new song in three years

With no fanfare, Britney Spears put 'She'll Never Be Me' on streaming services on Friday (Oct. 9), a song recorded in 2001 for her third album, 'Britney', that had never been officially released. The detail that set the internet buzzing is in the credits: Britney wrote it with Bradley Daymond, Alex Greggs and her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake. The lyrics describe an ex who seems to have moved on with someone who looks a lot like the singer.

The track previews 'Britney (25th Anniversary Edition)', due Nov. 6. According to USA TODAY, it is one of 11 bonus tracks on the reissue, which also brings the first official release of 'Am I a Sinner', 'When I Say So', 'My Big Secret' and a studio recording of 'Right Now (Taste the Victory)', tied to the Pepsi commercial Britney starred in in 2002. Remixes of 'Overprotected' and 'Boys' were already out.

It is Britney's first new song since 'Mind Your Business', her 2023 collaboration with will.i.am. Released in 2001, 'Britney' was her third straight No. 1 album in the US, sold about 10 million copies worldwide and spawned hits such as 'I'm a Slave 4 U' and 'I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman'. In February, the singer reportedly sold her share of her songwriting catalog to Primary Wave; Sony Music still controls her recordings.