LOS ANGELES — Britney Spears has unveiled “She’ll Never Be Me,” a previously unreleased track that Justin Timberlake helped write while the two pop stars were dating.
The song was initially recorded for Spears’ third studio album, Britney, released in 2001. Timberlake, the former *NSync member, is credited as a co-composer and co-lyricist, alongside Bradley Daymond and Alex Greggs, the songwriting and production duo known as Riprock ‘n’ Alex G.
Although the track was recorded for the album, it remained unfinished and was ultimately excluded from the final release. It has now been officially released as part of the album’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
“ She’ll Never Be Me” appears on the anniversary edition alongside four other previously unreleased tracks: “Am I a Sinner,” “When I Say So,” “My Big Secret” and a full version of “Right Now (Taste the Victory),” the song featured in Spears’ 2002 Pepsi commercial.
Timberlake contributed more than songwriting to the track, also providing background vocals for his then-girlfriend.
Greggs discussed the recording during a 2022 appearance on The Original Doll podcast, explaining that the song’s exclusion was not due to a lack of support from the record label.
“The song didn’t go on the album not because the label didn’t like it. There was just way better stuff to go with,” he said.
Greggs also noted that listeners do not always recognize Timberlake’s voice in the background until it is pointed out to them.
“Sometimes people don’t hear Justin’s voice [in She’ll Never Be Me] until I tell them. I said: ‘You don’t hear that Justin’s in the back?’”
He added that the two singers’ voices blended well together and expressed regret that they never had the opportunity to record more music as a pair.
“They blend in there very well together. It’s kind of a shame that they never really got to do more. It would have been cool to have that kind of sweetheart duet.”
Spears and Timberlake ended their relationship in 2002, one year after the release of Britney. Greggs believes the former couple could have eventually released a duet had they remained together.
“It wasn’t the right time. But if they continued to be together, I’m sure it would have happened and it would have been a really cool thing,” he said.
Spears’ self-titled album featured several major hits, including “I’m a Slave 4 U,” “Overprotected” and “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.” The record also included “What It’s Like to Be Me,” another song co-written by Timberlake.
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