 " Sometimes " was released as the second single on April 30 , 1999 . " Sometimes " achieved commercial success worldwide , reaching number one in Belgium ( Flanders ) , Netherlands and New Zealand , while peaking inside the top five in four countries . In the United States , " Sometimes " missed the top ten , peaking at number twenty @-@ one on the Billboard Hot 100 . The music video for the song was directed by Nigel Dick . During rehearsals , on February 11 , 1999 , Spears injured her left knee and needed surgery . After recuperating in Kentwood , Louisiana , the music video was shot on April 9 – 10 , 1999 at Paradise Cove in Malibu , California . It was released on May 6 , 1999 , on MTV 's Total Request Live . 
