If U Seek Amy

"If U Seek Amy"
Close up image of the face of Britney Spears. She is looking to the left side of the image. In the center, the words "Britney Spears If U Seek Amy" are written in capital and small letters.
Single by Britney Spears
from the album Circus
ReleasedMarch 10, 2009 (2009-03-10)
Recorded2008
Genre
Length3:36
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Max Martin
Britney Spears singles chronology
"Circus"
(2008)
"If U Seek Amy"
(2009)
"Radar"
(2009)
Music video
"If U Seek Amy" on YouTube

"If U Seek Amy" (also broadcast on radio as "If U See Amy" or simply "Amy") is a song by American singer Britney Spears from her sixth studio album, Circus (2008). It was released on March 10, 2009, by Jive Records as the third single of the album, chosen by a poll on Spears's official website. "If U Seek Amy" was written and produced by Swedish producer Max Martin, who also wrote previous hits for her first three albums. In the song, Spears is looking for a woman named Amy in a club, and although it appears to be about sex, it is actually about how society perceives her life. Musically, "If U Seek Amy" makes use of instruments such as keyboards and timpani.

"If U Seek Amy" was generally well-received by critics. After its release, the song caused some controversy in various countries because "If U Seek Amy" sounds like "F-U-C-K me". This led to the Parents Television Council (PTC) threatening to file indecency complaints against any radio station that played the song during daytime. An edited version of the song titled "If U See Amy" was released in some regions, including in stations owned by Clear Channel Radio and Austereo. "If U Seek Amy" was successful, reaching the top 10 or the top 20 in various countries around the world. It was also Spears' third single from the album Circus to reach the top 20 in the US.

The music video for "If U Seek Amy" begins with a parody of an America's Newsroom report by Megyn Kelly and portrays Spears at a sex party that takes place at her house. Towards the end, she changes into conservative housewife clothes and opens the front door with her family while paparazzi take pictures of them. It references some of her previous music videos such as "...Baby One More Time" and "Piece of Me". Critics noted the similarities with her past work and also compared it to the film Eyes Wide Shut. "If U Seek Amy" was performed at the Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009) and the Femme Fatale Tour (2011). It was also performed as part of the revamped setlist of Spears' Las Vegas residency show, Britney: Piece of Me (2013–17). Most recently, "If U Seek Amy" was performed on Spears' Piece of Me Tour in 2018.