Britney Spears broke up with Justin Timberlake in 2002 and was briefly linked to Colin Farrell in 2003. Her album In the Zone, out the following year, had a B-side on it that was seemingly inspired by both of them.

In a resurfaced podcast interview, Britney‘s collaborator, Joshua Schwartz, opened up about her track “Don’t Hang Up.”

He broke down the song’s steamy undertones and recalled conversations with the pop star while they were working on it and other tracks together.

Head inside to read more about Britney Spears’ “Don’t Hang Up” and how it was inspired by Justin and Colin…

“I think that song was about phone sex. She was dating Justin at the time, from ‘Don’t Hang Up’ until we started to get further into the album. Then they broke up and she [started dating],” he explained during an appearance on The Original Doll with James Rodriguez.

He continued, explaining that she spoke with him about Colin. “I remember being there for all that. We were in LA and then she was telling me that she had a date. I was like, ‘I don’t know who that is.’ She was like, ‘Minority Report, did you seen it? Why don’t you watch it tonight,’” he recalled. “And I watched it and was like, ‘Oh, he’s cute, good luck. Good for you, get yourself one of those Hollywood ones.’”

The song was written while she was with Justin but seemingly workshopped through the brief fling with Colin. “I remember her talking about she’s on the phone with him all the time so I think that’s where it kind of came from. It wasn’t anything like… too deep,” Joshua said.

If you were unaware, Britney and Colin were very briefly linked back in 2003 when they showed up to a premiere for The Recruit in January 2003.

Joshua is credited as a co-writer and co-producer on the song. He also worked with Britney on the album track “Brave New Girl.”

If you forgot, back in 2021, Justin issued a public apology to Britney and Janet Jackson.