To a certain extent, yes.

She's more like Marilyn to me, but yeah I guess in a way she could also be like Elvis. Both were the standard in their prime and both were sidelined when they aged and became "uncool" during the second phases of their career.
Her reign was one of the longest ones in pop for females. Only Madonna and Mariah had longer terms as truly being popstars that ruled the world during this period. I would consider these to be the top females in pop since they became ubiquitous in the 80's.

Madonna 1983-1989 (6 years)
Mariah 1990-1998 (8 years)
Britney 1999-2004 (5 years)
Kelly Clarkson 2005-2006 (1 year)
Rihanna 2007-2008 (1 year)
Lady Gaga 2009-2010 (1 year)
Adele 2011-


What is she a let down from? Her own impossible to live up to standards? No one is achieving what Britney did when she first came out. It's ridiculous to expect that from any popstar, why expect it from her? None of the women on that list above will top their peaks most likely, it's irrational to expect that from them.

Well lets break this down.

Elvis was known for bringing rock n roll to the global audience, it wasn't just a niche genre. He came on the scene with innocence and being to0 risque (his gyrating hips were deemed too sexual in the 50s). He changed how an artist was marketed, he was in fact everywhere during his peak. He had a young Southern charm, humble, and a certain naivete to him. He represented a generation yearning for rebellion. Elvis rarely wrote any songs. Later in his career he became a shadow of his former self, and succumbed to many addictions. Elvis was no longer cool, and suffered a dry spell in his career. In his last few years, he stopped doing rock and only did gospel music.

Lets see how this applies to Britney.

While pop music was going in a down turn during the 90s. They were limited to groups (Spice Girls, Hanson, Backstreet Boys). But there wasn't a solo female artist who did pop and managed to have hits (Mariah became very urban, Madonna was going through an important transition and was past her peak). Britney came on the seen, as a young, Southern girl, who was humble and charming. She looked innocent and yet was too risque for her clothing. She too was everywhere at the time, and seemed to capture a generation. She managed to bring along many other female pop singers. After her prime, she suffered a public breakdown. Britney was allegedly under drugs, and became uncool. She became a shadow of her former self, and many were thinking her death was near.


In terms of how they started, how they peaked and how they fell they are very alike. They both were important in their respective time periods. Its not about music, its about the bigger picture.

now, this is an intelligent reply

Ch..

Yup.

Nice joke

So it's only 6 + 8 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22 years from 1983 to 2011?

I like your analysis, but gurl, you need to learn counting again

Avril was the it girl from 2002-2004.

Britney-10 million and no top 10's
Let Go-16 million and 3 top 10's