 " Womanizer " is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her sixth studio album , Circus ( 2008 ) . It was released on October 3 , 2008 by Jive Records as the lead single of the album . Produced and co @-@ written by Nikesha Briscoe and Rafael Akinyemi of The Outsyders , the song was re @-@ recorded after a snippet was leaked onto the internet . " Womanizer " is an up @-@ tempo electropop and dance @-@ pop song with characteristic sirens and a repetitive hook . Described by Spears as a girl anthem , the song 's lyrics recall a womanizing man , while the protagonist of the song makes clear she knows who he really is . Music critics mostly praised its hook , melody and empowering lyrics . Critics also observed it was a stand @-@ out track from its album and also deemed it as a comeback single for Spears . 
