Britney Spears coming back to MTV Awards

With skin, snakes and smooches in her past MTV repertoire, there's no telling what's in store Sunday when Britney Spears opens this year's Video Music Awards.

The 25-year-old tabloid magnet will perform "Gimme More," the first single from her upcoming album, MTV announced Thursday.

Spears is a VMAs veteran: She covered the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" in 2000, stripping down to a nude-colored bikini top and matching pants; a year later, she performed "I'm A Slave 4 U" with a 7-foot albino python around her neck. In 2003, she and Madonna had the watercooler moment of the year with an open-mouth kiss — in the opening act.

Sunday's show in Las Vegas will mark Spears' latest — and biggest — step toward a career comeback after a period of public misbehavior, short-lived marriages, ultra-short hair-don'ts and other misadventures.

Her long-awaited new album is due for release Nov. 13 on Jive Records.