The Ultimate Britney Spears Playlist

In case you forgot to mark it down on your calendars, I feel it is my civic duty to alert you to the fact that the birthday of a major pop star is happening on Dec. 2. The pop star? One Britney Jean Spears. The level of celebration required to properly fete a woman who has given us so many iconic songs and lived so colorfully in front of us all since she was a young teenager? A level too high to put any kind of value on.

Any millennial will tell you that Spears and her music was a seminal part of their lives growing up. From "...Baby One More Time" to "Toxic" to "I'm A Slave 4 U," this woman knew how to sing the hell out of a pop song. We loved her for it. We marveled at it, and now, we must celebrate these achievements on her special day.

More: Most Memorable MTV VMA Moments Since the First Show in 1984

And so I've taken the liberty of compiling the essentials for the ultimate Britney Spears playlist. Don't worry: Only the bangers have made the cut. So put on these songs, and you can't go wrong when it comes time to say, "Happy 36th birthday, Britney."

1. "Circus"

Start the playlist off with a bang by putting "Circus" on rotation. Your friends will thank you.

2. "Oops, I Did It Again"

Easily one of the best songs Spears has ever done, it's just as easy a choice for the second song on your playlist.

3. "Toxic"

A little "Toxic" goes a long way.

4. "I'm a Slave 4 U"

The beat of this song is even better. Make sure you get your choreography in order to dance along to this bop when it comes on.

5. "If U Seek Amy"

Maybe the cheekiest Spears song around, the true meaning of "If U Seek Amy" may hit you long after the song is finished, but that doesn't mean you won't have fun listening to it when it comes on next.

6. "Womanizer"

I dare you not to sing this song at the top of your lungs. I. Dare. You.

7. "Slumber Party (feat. Tinashe)"

A newer Spears song and the only collaborative effort to make the ultimate playlist cut, "Slumber Party" comes along on the playlist when you want to start getting sexy.

8. "Work B**ch"

And then, when you want to take the tempo up a few notches and really have some fun, you pop on "Work B**ch" and let it all hang out.

9. "Piece of Me"

Literally yes, Britney, we do want a piece of you. But not in a weird way.

10. "Gimme More"

Thematically, "Gimme More" is a strong follow-up to "Piece of Me," but there's a little more grit here. Perfect for the halfway mark on this playlist, methinks.

More: Britney Spears Sang Live & Gave Everyone Something to Talk About

11. "I Wanna Go"

Oh, you wanna have some real fun? Do you want to make the second act of this playlist just as fun as the first?

12. "Till the World Ends"

Just a real tune coming at you hot and fresh for the No. 12 spot. But real talk: Don't let the world end at this song.

13. "Radar"

I'll tell you what: This song needs to be on your radar ASAP.

14. "My Prerogative"

The only cover on the list, I daresay Spears does a better job than the song's original vocalist, Bobby Brown.

15. "Hold It Against Me"

Just because the playlist is winding down doesn't mean the vibes have to do the same. "Hold It Against Me" is a great way to keep the birthday celebration for Ms. Spears alive and well.

16. "You Drive Me Crazy"

A seriously great song, "You Drive Me Crazy" is kinda how I feel about Spears too (that's a good thing).

19. "...Baby One More Time"

Because you have to end a great playlist with a classic Spears song and, really, the one that started it all.

More: DeMario Jackson Once Hit on Britney Spears in Front of the Paparazzi

And there you have it folks. The ultimate Britney Spears playlist in honor of one Ms. Britney Spears' birthday. Now, go on and get down to these songs. Immediately.