Britney allowed her fans to choose the final single via a Facebook poll , where "Criminal" beat out "(Drop Dead) Beautiful" and "Inside Out".

The song follows a classic "good girl loves bad boy" narrative, with Britney pleading to her mother, "Mama, I’m in love with a criminal," arguing that the love is physical and irrational.

Critics praised it as one of the most "organic" and refreshing tracks on the album, though some found the lyrics slightly clunky. 🎥 The Music Video: A "Badass Fairy Tale"

The music video is often cited as one of Britney's most cinematic and controversial works.