“Criminal” is the fourth official promotional single from American pop singer Britney Spears‘ seventh studio album, Femme Fatale.

“Criminal” was written by Max Martin, Shellback and Tiffany Amber, while being produced by Martin and Shellback.

“Criminal” is a guitar-driven midtempo song, which incorporates a folk-style flute melody. It is influenced by the works of ABBA and Madonna. The song speaks of being in love with an outlaw.

After the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Spears told MTV News that she had thought of a “really cool concept for the video, just to make it interesting. You’ll have to see.” On September 6, 2011, Spears announced through her Twitter account that she had decided to shoot the video “in the streets of merry old England when I get there.”

Lyrics for Britney Spears – Criminal

[Britney Spears – Verse 1:]
He is a hustler
He’s no good at all
He is a loser, he’s a bum, bum, bum, bum
He lies, he bluffs
He’s unreliable.
He is a sucker with a gun, gun, gun, gun

I know you told me
I should stay away.
I know you said
He’s just a dog astray.
He is a rebel with a tainted heart
And even I know this a’int smart

[Chorus:]
But mama I’m in love with a criminal
And this type of love
Isn’t rational, it’s physical
Mama please don’t cry
I will be alright
All reasons inside
I just cant deny
Love the guy

[Britney Spears – Verse 2:]
He is a villain of the devil’s law
He is a killer just for fun, fun, fun, fun
That man’s a snitch and unpredictable,
He’s got no conscious
He got none, none, none, none

All I know, should let go, but no
’cause he’s a rebel with a tainted heart
And even I know this ain’t smart

[Chorus:]
But mama I’m in love with a criminal
And this type of love
Isn’t rational, it’s physical
Mama please don’t cry
I will be alright
All reasons inside
I just cant deny
Love the guy

[Bridge:]
And he’s got my name
Tatooed on his arm
His lucky charm,
So I guess its okay
He’s with me

And I hear people talk
Trying to make remarks
Keep us apart
But I don’t even hear
I don’t care

[Chorus:]
‘Cause mama I’m in love with a criminal
And this type of love
Isn’t rational, it’s physical
Mama please don’t cry
I will be alright
All reasons inside
I just cant deny
Love the guy

Listen to: Britney Spears – Criminal