And Then We Kiss

"And Then We Kiss" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears. It was written by Spears, Mark Taylor and Paul Barry, while production was handled by Taylor. The song did not make the final track listing of In the Zone and was later remixed by Junkie XL for inclusion on Spears' first remix album, B in the Mix: The Remixes (2005). It was also included in the EP released to promote the remix album, called Key Cuts from Remixed. The remix was released as the promotional single from the album in Australia and New Zealand. The original version by Taylor leaked online in September 2011.

"And Then We Kiss"
Promotional single by Britney Spears
from the album B in the Mix: The Remixes
Released	October 31, 2005 (2005-10-31)
Recorded	2003
Genre	Euro-trance Dance-rock
Length	4:28
Label	Jive
Songwriter(s)	Britney Spears Michael Taylor Paul Barry
Producer(s)	Mark Taylor Junkie XL

The Junkie XL Remix of "And Then We Kiss" is a euro-trance song with influences of techno and usage of dance-rock guitars, synthesizers and symphonic strings. The lyrics speak about a kiss and the different sensations that a woman experiences, including trembling, crying and moaning. Junkie XL explained that he wanted to make the song a 2006 version of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence". The Junkie XL Remix of "And Then We Kiss" was well received by music critics, with some noticing its potential to be a radio or club hit. The song failed to appear on any major charts. However, it peaked at number fifteen on the US Billboard Hot Dance Airplay. The song appears in Dance Dance Revolution Supernova 2.

Background

Junkie XL remixed "And Then We Kiss" for inclusion on B in the Mix: The Remixes.

"And Then We Kiss" was written by Spears, Mark Taylor and Paul Barry, while produced by Taylor.[1][2] The song was recorded in the same sessions as "Breathe on Me", and was originally intended for In the Zone (2003). This version produced by Taylor features an electronica vibe reminiscent of Madonna's Ray of Light (1998), and contains a flamenco guitar with prominent lead vocals by Spears.[2] "And Then We Kiss" was set to be included as a UK and Japan bonus track on Britney & Kevin: Chaotic (2005), but was replaced with "Over to You Now" for unknown reasons.[3]

The song was remixed by Junkie XL and released on her remix album B in the Mix: The Remixes (2005). In the album credits, both Taylor and Junkie XL were listed as producers of the song. All instruments, including guitar, bass guitar, synths and drums, were played by Junkie XL. Audio mastering was done by Chaz Harper at Battery Mastering.[4] In September 2005, it was announced by Billboard that the remix would serve as the music for the ad campaign behind Spears' fragrance, Fantasy.[5] The Junkie XL Remix was released as promotional single from B in the Mix: The Remixes on October 31, 2005 in Australia and New Zealand, as "And Then We Kiss".[2][6][7] The version of the song produced by Taylor remained unreleased for years, until a new mix of the song labeled as the original version leaked online on September 2, 2011. After suggestions that it may be a fake, Taylor confirmed its authenticity to Bradley Stern of Muumuse.com on September 5, 2011.[2]

Composition

"And Then We Kiss" is four minutes and twenty-eight seconds long. It is a euro-trance song with influences of techno and usage of synthesizers.[8] The song blends dance-rock guitars and symphonic strings and closes with an orchestral overtone.[8][9] Its lyrics talk about a kiss and the different sensations that the protagonist experiences, including trembling, crying and moaning. At the beginning she sings the lines "Lying alone / touching my skin" which suggest that the whole song may actually be a fantasy.[8] Spears's vocals are much less prominent than on the original version.[2] In an interview with About.com, Junkie XL said he wanted to turn the song "into a 2006 version of Enjoy the Silence with really electronic chunky beats and nice melodic guitar lines. Besides the fact that [Britney]'s singing on it, it could be a track off my album because it's the same vibe. I'm really happy with the end result and so are they."[10]

Reception

The Junkie XL Remix of "And Then We Kiss" received positive reviews from music critics. Jennifer Vineyard of MTV noted "And Then We Kiss" had "the potential to be a radio or club hit — if Jive were actively promoting [B in the Mix]".[8] Barry Walters of Rolling Stone said the remix "brings a simpatico blend of symphonic strings and dance-rock guitars" in its melody,[9] while Spence D. of IGN noted Junkie XL makes "the remix an understated swatch of atmospheric neo-goth poing and staccato rhythms."[11] A reviewer of Yahoo! Shopping considered the song "dreamy".[12] Kurt Kirton of About.com said that the remixes of "And Then We Kiss", "Toxic", "Touch of My Hand", "Someday (I Will Understand)" and "...Baby One More Time" "hold their own";[13] Gregg Shapiro of the Bay Area Reporter, however, said "the many flaws in Spears' reedy, cold and mechanical voice are brought to the forefront" in the remixes.[14] MTV writer Bradley Stern praised Junkie XL, writing, "the sublime remix found producer Junkie XL taking the (still) unreleased studio version of "And Then We Kiss" [...] and smoothing it over into one of Britney's most lush, mature musical moments of all time."[15]

"And Then We Kiss" was not officially released as promotional single in the United States, therefore it was not eligible at the time to appear on Billboard's Hot 100. Even so, promotional vinyls were sent to radio stations,[16] who started to play the song unofficially and it managed to garner enough airplay to appear on the Hot Dance Airplay chart of Billboard in early 2006.[17] It debuted at number 25 on the chart issue dated February 25, 2006, reaching a new position of 23 on the following issue.[17] After five weeks on the chart, "And Then We Kiss" reached a peak of 15, on the chart issue dated March 25, 2006.[18] The song spent a total of eleven weeks on the chart,[19] making its last appearance on the week of May 6, 2006.[20] Despite being released in Australia and New Zealand, "And Then We Kiss" failed to appear on major charts of both countries.[21]

Track listing

• Digital download[6][7]

1. "And Then We Kiss"  – 4:28

• 12" Vinyl[16]

1. "And Then We Kiss" (Junkie XL Remix)  – 4:28
2. "And Then We Kiss" (Junkie XL Remix Instrumental)  – 4:28
3. "And Then We Kiss" (Junkie XL Undressed Remix)  – 4:41
4. "And Then We Kiss" (Junkie XL Undressed Remix Instrumental)  – 4:41

Credits and personnel

• Britney Spears — lead vocals, songwriting
• Michael Taylor — songwriting
• Paul Barry — songwriting
• Mark Taylor — producer
• Junkie XL — producer, remixer, all instruments
• Chaz Harper — audio mastering

Credits and personnel adapted from B in the Mix: The Remixes album liner notes.[4]

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
scope="row"	Israel (Media Forest)[22]	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Airplay[23]	15
Russia Airplay (Tophit)[24]	12

References

1. "BMI Repertoire — And Then We Kiss (Legal Title)". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
2. Stern, Bradley. "Daily B: The Original Version of 'And Then We Kiss' Surfaces". Muumuse.com. Bradley Stern. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
3. Staff, RCA (October 18, 2005). "Britney Spears. Chaotic — DVD out October 31st". RCA/Jive Label Group. Sony Music Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 25, 2005. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
4. B in the Mix: The Remixes (Inlay cover). Britney Spears. Jive. 2005. 82876-74062-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
5. Reporter, Billboard (September 28, 2005). "Britney, Junkie XL Team Up On Remix Disc". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
6. "And Then We Kiss — Single by Britney Spears". Apple Store. October 31, 2005. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
7. "And Then We Kiss — Single by Britney Spears". Apple Store. October 31, 2005. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
8. Vineyard, Jennifer (November 8, 2005). "Surprise: Britney's Releasing An Album In Just Two Weeks". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
9. Walters, Barry (November 28, 2005). "Rolling Stone : B In The Mix, The Remixes (Deluxe Version) : Review". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. ISSN 0035-791X. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
10. Slomowicz, Ron. "Junkie XL Interview". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
11. D., Spence (November 23, 2005). "Britney Spears B in the Mix: The Remixes". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
12. "B In The Mix: The Remixes — Britney Spears (CD)". Yahoo! Shopping. Yahoo!. 2005. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
13. Kirton, Kurt (2005). "Britney Spears — B In the Mix (The Remixes)". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
14. Shapiro, Gregg (February 2, 2006). "Movers and shakers". Bay Area Reporter. Benro Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
15. Stern, Bradley (October 10, 2011). "The 5 Best Britney Spears Remixes Ever!". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
16. And Then We Kiss (12" Vinyl liner notes). Britney Spears. Jive Records. 2005. 82876 76466 1.CS1 maint: others (link)
17. "Catching the Long Tail". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 118 (9): 68. 2006. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
18. "Culture Clash". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 118 (12): 88. 2006. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
19. "Inside Pitch". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 118 (18): 55. 2006. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
20. "Hot Dance Airplay — Subscription Required". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. May 6, 2006. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
21. "Australian-charts.com – Britney Spears – And Then We Kiss". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
22. "Britney Spears – And Then We Kiss Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
23. http://www.billboard.com/artist/297529/britney-spears/chart?page=1&f=348
24. "Official Russia Top 100 Airplay Chart (week 5)" (in Russian). Tophit. Retrieved January 26, 2018.