Context

This line is from the song "…Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears from the album …Baby One More Time (1999).

After leaving the Mickey Mouse Club—but way before headlining a Vegas show that drove fans crazy—Britney Spears, who was only 18, felt a loneliness that was killing her.

She had to confess: she still believed. 

And she made everyone else believe in her, too, when she released her first hit single, putting on a schoolgirl uniform for the video and singing sultrily, "Hit me, baby, one more time." With this smash hit, Britney ushered in a new wave of solo female pop singers, including Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Mandy Moore.

Where you've heard it

You've heard this when someone wants something—a drink, a date, dessert—just one more time, and that's it, they're done. Pinky swear.

Additional Notable References:

• Memorably covered by Scottish rock band Travis.
• And by Glee, who imitated the video, too.
• And by Ed Sheeran.
• And some guy singing to Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Producers ellipses'd out the "hit me" from the song title and record album, afraid it would glorify domestic violence.  But if you listen to the lyrics close enough, that almost sounds like they're just putting extra foundation over a bruise. What do you think the song really means?