The title of Britney Spears and Elton John's new song, 'Hold Me Closer', comes from the lyrics of John's 1970s hit 'Tiny Dancer'. Getty Images
The title of Britney Spears and Elton John's new song, 'Hold Me Closer', comes from the lyrics of John's 1970s hit 'Tiny Dancer'. Getty Images
The title of Britney Spears and Elton John's new song, 'Hold Me Closer', comes from the lyrics of John's 1970s hit 'Tiny Dancer'. Getty Images
The title of Britney Spears and Elton John's new song, 'Hold Me Closer', comes from the lyrics of John's 1970s hit 'Tiny Dancer'. Getty Images

Culture

Music

Elton John and Britney Spears to collaborate on new song

'Hold Me Closer' will be Spears's first new song in years

AFP

August 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Princess of pop Britney Spears will join forces with music maestro Elton John on a new single, Interscope Records, the record company releasing the track, said on Monday.

The pair — who have 90 years' experience in the music business between them — will collaborate on Hold Me Closer.

No further details were announced, including when the track would be released, but it will be the first new music from Spears since the middle of the past decade.

The title of the song comes from the lyrics of John's early 1970s hit Tiny Dancer, which he co-wrote with long-time creative partner Bernie Taupin.

'Hold Me Closer' with Britney Spears will be the latest in a string of collaborations for John, which include a performance with Miley Cyrus. Reuters
'Hold Me Closer' with Britney Spears will be the latest in a string of collaborations for John, which include a performance with Miley Cyrus. Reuters

The news comes after days of online speculation from fans that the pair would be teaming up.

It also comes weeks after Spears announced a long-wished-for pregnancy had ended in a miscarriage.

The pregnancy, with Sam Asghari, came five months after a Los Angeles judge dissolved a conservatorship overseen by Spears's father — an arrangement the singer said had prevented her from having a contraceptive IUD removed despite her desire for more children.

Aside from her very public legal battle with her father, the singer has mostly only been seen on her social media account in recent years.

She has not given an interview, rarely makes public appearances and last performed in October 2018.

The superstar, who first came to public attention as a child in 1992, released four studio albums under the conservatorship, most recently Glory in 2016.

She was also among a number singers to have staged wildly lucrative Las Vegas residencies in recent years. Her four-year Britney: Pieces of Me run grossed a reported $138 million.

But in January 2019, she abruptly cancelled her planned return to Vegas, going on indefinite professional hiatus.

The multi-award-winning artist John is one of Britain's most bankable stars, whose showmanship and musicality have left their mark on the performing arts.

Since 1962, the singer — born Reginald Dwight — has been responsible for some of the most recognisable tunes in pop, including Rocket Man, Your Song and I'm Still Standing.

Scroll through photos of fans celebrating the end of Spears's conservatorship

Supporters of singer Britney Spears celebrate outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles as Spears's conservatorship is terminated. Reuters
Supporters of singer Britney Spears celebrate outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles as Spears's conservatorship is terminated. Reuters
Britney Spears supporter Phoebe Price and her dog Henry take pictures next to a 'Free Britney' Christmas tree set by fans outside the courthouse. AP
Britney Spears supporter Phoebe Price and her dog Henry take pictures next to a 'Free Britney' Christmas tree set by fans outside the courthouse. AP
For the first time in 13 years, Britney Spears will be able to choose how she spends her fortune, estimated to be worth more than $60 million. AP
For the first time in 13 years, Britney Spears will be able to choose how she spends her fortune, estimated to be worth more than $60 million. AP
Confetti falls on Britney Spears supporters outside the courthouse. AP
Confetti falls on Britney Spears supporters outside the courthouse. AP
Spears supporters march on Grand Avenue during the hearing. AP
Spears supporters march on Grand Avenue during the hearing. AP
Under the conservatorship imposed since 2008, Spears had no control over her how she spent her money, when she performed, who had access to her house and even what medications she should take. AP
Under the conservatorship imposed since 2008, Spears had no control over her how she spent her money, when she performed, who had access to her house and even what medications she should take. AP
Spears herself posted an Instagram with the #FreedBritney hashtag shortly after the court decision. 'Good God, I love my fans so much it's crazy,' she said. AP
Spears herself posted an Instagram with the #FreedBritney hashtag shortly after the court decision. 'Good God, I love my fans so much it's crazy,' she said. AP
New Jersey performer and Britney Spears supporter Brennyboombox cheers Matthew Rosengart, Britney Spears's lawyer, as they celebrate outside the courthouse. AP
New Jersey performer and Britney Spears supporter Brennyboombox cheers Matthew Rosengart, Britney Spears's lawyer, as they celebrate outside the courthouse. AP
Matthew Rosengart, Britney Spears's lawyer,, talks to the media after the hearing. AP
Matthew Rosengart, Britney Spears's lawyer,, talks to the media after the hearing. AP
'Effective today, the conservatorship of the person and the estate of Britney Jean Spears is hereby terminated,' Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny said after a 30-minute hearing in which no one opposed ending the court-sanctioned arrangement. AP
'Effective today, the conservatorship of the person and the estate of Britney Jean Spears is hereby terminated,' Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny said after a 30-minute hearing in which no one opposed ending the court-sanctioned arrangement. AP
Britney Spears supporter Felipe Servat, from Brazil, reacts with the the crowd as they celebrate. AP
Britney Spears supporter Felipe Servat, from Brazil, reacts with the the crowd as they celebrate. AP
The conservatorship was set up and overseen by Britney's father, Jamie Spears, after she had a public breakdown in 2007 and was hospitalised for undisclosed mental health issues. AP
The conservatorship was set up and overseen by Britney's father, Jamie Spears, after she had a public breakdown in 2007 and was hospitalised for undisclosed mental health issues. AP
Lauriann Wright, the lawyer for Jodi Montgomery, who had been entrusted with overseeing Spears's personal life, told the judge there was 'no reason this termination cannot happen and Ms Spears cannot live a safe, happy and fulfilling life'. AP
Lauriann Wright, the lawyer for Jodi Montgomery, who had been entrusted with overseeing Spears's personal life, told the judge there was 'no reason this termination cannot happen and Ms Spears cannot live a safe, happy and fulfilling life'. AP
Spears's case helped prompt hearings in the US Congress and a new law in California aimed at preventing abusive conservatorships, which are normally set up to protect disabled people, the elderly or those suffering from dementia. AP
Spears's case helped prompt hearings in the US Congress and a new law in California aimed at preventing abusive conservatorships, which are normally set up to protect disabled people, the elderly or those suffering from dementia. AP
In June, Spears told the court she had been humiliated and traumatised and that she wanted her life back. EPA
In June, Spears told the court she had been humiliated and traumatised and that she wanted her life back. EPA
Spears's lawyer Rosengart said a 'safety net' had been put in place to help Spears transition back to regular life. AP
Spears's lawyer Rosengart said a 'safety net' had been put in place to help Spears transition back to regular life. AP
Since revealing years of private anguish in tearful testimony in June, Spears hired Rosengart, who moved aggressively to end the restrictions. AP
Since revealing years of private anguish in tearful testimony in June, Spears hired Rosengart, who moved aggressively to end the restrictions. AP
Filipe Servat and Lindsey Fairchild embrace upon hearing the news that Britney Spears's conservatorship has been terminated. EPA
Filipe Servat and Lindsey Fairchild embrace upon hearing the news that Britney Spears's conservatorship has been terminated. EPA
Spears's lawyer Rosengart is pushing for Jamie Spears to be investigated for possible financial mismanagement of his daughter's affairs, but he said on Friday it would be up to Britney Spears to decide how to proceed on that matter. EPA
Spears's lawyer Rosengart is pushing for Jamie Spears to be investigated for possible financial mismanagement of his daughter's affairs, but he said on Friday it would be up to Britney Spears to decide how to proceed on that matter. EPA
Spears had said she had been forced to work and take medication against her will and was prevented from marrying or even getting her hair done. AFP
Spears had said she had been forced to work and take medication against her will and was prevented from marrying or even getting her hair done. AFP
A Britney Spears doll sits atop a 'Free Britney' Christmas tree during a rally outside the courthouse. EPA
A Britney Spears doll sits atop a 'Free Britney' Christmas tree during a rally outside the courthouse. EPA
Lexi Tonniges and Lauren Grundmann are joined by other dancers as they perform on a stage outside the LA courthouse. EPA
Lexi Tonniges and Lauren Grundmann are joined by other dancers as they perform on a stage outside the LA courthouse. EPA
Jamie Spears has said through lawyers that he helped his daughter rehabilitate her career and always acted in her best interest. AFP
Jamie Spears has said through lawyers that he helped his daughter rehabilitate her career and always acted in her best interest. AFP
Jubilation erupted outside the courthouse, with fans cheering and shouting after the decision was announced. The crowd chanted 'Britney! Britney! Britney!' and fans sang and danced to Spears’ song 'Stronger'. Reuters
Jubilation erupted outside the courthouse, with fans cheering and shouting after the decision was announced. The crowd chanted 'Britney! Britney! Britney!' and fans sang and danced to Spears’ song 'Stronger'. Reuters
The judge’s move was widely expected, with little support left for prolonging the legal arrangement. No new arguments were offered at the 30-minute hearing. Spears did not attend. Reuters
The judge’s move was widely expected, with little support left for prolonging the legal arrangement. No new arguments were offered at the 30-minute hearing. Spears did not attend. Reuters
Spears’s lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, told fans and reporters that the case 'helped shine a light on conservatorships and guardianships from coast to coast, from California to New York. And that took a tremendous amount of insight, courage and grace'. Reuters
Spears’s lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, told fans and reporters that the case 'helped shine a light on conservatorships and guardianships from coast to coast, from California to New York. And that took a tremendous amount of insight, courage and grace'. Reuters
Supporters decorate a pink Christmas tree outside the courthouse. Reuters
Supporters decorate a pink Christmas tree outside the courthouse. Reuters
Alexandra Foertschbeck holds a 'Free Britney' flag during at the rally. EPA
Alexandra Foertschbeck holds a 'Free Britney' flag during at the rally. EPA
Twins Edward and John Grimes of Dublin, Ireland, with a 'Free Britney' flag outside the courthouse. AP
Twins Edward and John Grimes of Dublin, Ireland, with a 'Free Britney' flag outside the courthouse. AP
Supporter Rafael Lopez, of Tijuana, Mexico, waves a 'Free Britney' flag. AP
Supporter Rafael Lopez, of Tijuana, Mexico, waves a 'Free Britney' flag. AP
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Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

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Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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