Britney’s new single makes the charts

Britney Spears’ MTV Video Music Awards appearance was an embarrassing flop, but her new single “Gimme More” could still wind up on top.

A thumping dance track full of suggestive come-ons delivered by Spears in a breathy voice, the single debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 85th place.

Industry experts expect it to climb fast when the digital version comes out Oct. 2.

“I guarantee you, when the song comes out on iTunes, it will probably make it into the top 20,” said Billboard’s Silvio Pietroluongo. “It’s also getting more and more radio play.”

The song’s momentum does not appear to have been stalled by Spears’ putrid performance last Sunday, in which she lumbered across the stage in an ill-fitting black bikini and lazily lip-synced.

Spears was counting on the VMAs and her new single to spark a career comeback. Her first album in four years is scheduled to be released Nov. 13.