Jump to content

SexyBack

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Sexyback)

"SexyBack"
A young man with a buzz cut, wears a two-piece black suit, with a white shirt and black tie. A black horizontal rectangle covers his left eye, while his right blue eye can be seen. In capitals, "Justin", "Timberlake", and "SexyBack" is written in black, orange, and white font, respectively. The word "Back" is spelled backwards.
Single by Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland[1]
from the album FutureSex/LoveSounds
ReleasedJuly 18, 2006 (2006-07-18)
Recorded2006
StudioThomas Crown (Virginia Beach, Virginia)[2]
Genre
Length4:02
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Timbaland
  • Justin Timberlake
  • Nate "Danja" Hills
Justin Timberlake singles chronology
"Signs"
(2005)
"SexyBack"
(2006)
"My Love"
(2006)
Music video
"SexyBack" on YouTube

"SexyBack" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). It was released on July 18, 2006, to US mainstream and rhythmic radio stations[6] by Jive Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Danja, Timbaland, and Timberlake. Discussing "SexyBack", Timberlake revealed that he went "left", singing the song in a rock style, not an R&B style.[7] He described the song as musicians David Bowie and David Byrne "covering" James Brown's 1970 song "Sex Machine".[8] The track features Timbaland on backing vocals while Timberlake's voice is distorted. The instrumentation used in the song includes a pounding bass beat, electronic chords, and drum machine sounds.

"SexyBack" became Timberlake's first number-one single as a solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100, staying seven weeks at the top spot. It also topped several of Billboard magazine's other charts, including the Mainstream Top 40, Hot Dance Airplay, and Hot Digital Songs, and entered the top ten on most singles charts. Internationally, it became Timberlake's first single to reach number one in the United Kingdom. In Australia, the track was Timberlake's second number-one single, spending two consecutive weeks at the top. "SexyBack" was certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and three-times platinum by Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).

The track won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 2007 ceremony. In addition, the song won Timberlake the People's Choice Award for Favorite R&B song and the Male Artist of the Year at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. The music video was filmed in June 2006; Timberlake decided to work with director Michael Haussman based on the latter's work on Madonna's 1994 music video "Take a Bow".[7]

Production

[edit]

Timberlake began working on his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, in December 2005. Within three weeks, "SexyBack" was one of several songs that were recorded for the album,[9] having been recorded in less than a day.[2] Timberlake told The Weekend Mail in 2006 that it was the "second or third song" he did with Timbaland in a list of 10 songs they recorded for the album.[10] The song was written and produced by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate "Danja" Hills, and mixed by Jimmy Douglass, using Pro Tools.[2][11][12] Mixing took place in April 2006, using a Neve VR-series console.[2]

Hills played the Akai MPC3000, as well as virtual synths on his Macintosh computer, while Timbaland performed instruments on the Ensoniq ASR-10 sampling keyboard. Bill Pettaway played the guitar, his part taking only two minutes to record, while Darryl Pearson was the bassist. Both the guitar and bass were digitally imported in Pro Tools during mixing, and only a section of the guitar recording was copied and pasted throughout the song.[2]

Composition

[edit]

Music

[edit]
David Bowie (left) and the Rapture (right), two artists that were cited as influences for "SexyBack".

Timberlake described "SexyBack" as "an experiment gone right from the sort of synthesizer influence to the distorted vocals", adding that it was "one of the songs that the more you listen to it its just hook after hook after hook. Its just one of those 'flow off the top of your head' tracks, in terms of melody. We wanted to keep it loose and not too rehearsed, it's one of those very experimental records though."[10] Timberlake revealed that he went "left", regarding going more rock, not in how he developed the song, but in the way he sang the song. "I wanted to sing the song like a rock and roll singer, not an R&B singer. That's the approach."[7] The day before recording, Timberlake and Timbaland had listened to David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel" and the Rapture's "House of Jealous Lovers". Timberlake wanted to achieve the songs' "raw energy".[13] Timberlake said that he modeled himself on Bowie and Prince, and described the song as Bowie and David Byrne "covering" James Brown's 1970 song "Sex Machine".[8] Timberlake said that the song "doesn't qualify as rock or straight funk" and that he was happy with the description "club funk".[8] He was "keen for a new musical direction" following the release of his first album, Justified. "I listened to the radio for a few months and thought, 'All this sounds like shit, what do I want to hear?'. That's really all I did. Everything's [sic] got so repetitive, everything sounds the same. I had to create something unique otherwise there's no point putting it out."[14]

"SexyBack" is an "urgent, pulsing track, a cocktail of soaring, distorted vocals and heavy, electronic chords threaded together with rap", according to Camilla Long from The Observer.[15] The song is performed in the key of F major (in the A Phrygian mode), and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 117 beats per minute.[16][17] The song's musicscape includes two-note dirty electronic riffs,[18] "leapfrogging keyboards",[19] beat box sound,[20] and incorporates the "same leaky faucet" sounds of musician Obie Trice's 2004 song "The Setup".[21] In addition, the track features Timbaland on backing vocals.[22]

Timberlake's voice in the song is processed,[19] slowed down to where his voice is unrecognizable,[21] with muffled vocals.[23] The song also features Timberlake's "low register distorted vocals."[24] Timberlake revealed that the vocals in the song were influenced by Prince.[15]

Lyrics

[edit]

Douglas explained the title of the song, and how it affected the concept: "Justin [Timberlake] goes in the chorus 'Go head be gone with it', I called the song 'Be Gone With It', just to label it. So they're developing this song and they're going nuts and loving it, and as they play it, and I'm like: 'I don't think this hook is strong enough.' But then, at the very last minute, Justin very, very cleverly decided to call it 'Sexion', he admitted that the song was not going to be titled "SexyBack", saying, "We weren't originally going to call it 'SexyBack'. I definitely didn't think it would become the most worn-out phrase of 2006. It just sounded like a nice opening to the song."[25]

Adam Graham of The Detroit News noted that Timberlake sings about whips and chains,[21] while Bill Lamb of About.com said the song has a "bit of s&m tease about shackles and whips".[24] Furthermore, The Georgia Straight's Martin Turenne said that Timberlake is "shackled to the bedpost, invites the crack of his mistress's whip."[26] Ben Williams of New York magazine wrote that Timberlake had been working on his pickup lines, with "You see these shackles baby I'm your slave / I'll let you whip me if I misbehave."[27] Jason Bracelin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Timberlake sings about "threatening to steal your girl."[28] Charlie Brooker for The Guardian, in regard to the lyric, "them other fuckers don't know how to act", writing that Timberlake's translation is of him telling everyone in the world that they are a "clueless fornicator". Further in his report, Brooker opined that Timberlake "threatens us" by using "language so offensive" with the line, "You motherfuckers, watch how I attack".[29] In addition, Brooker noted that the line, "If that's your girl you'd better watch your back", as Timberlake stating his intention to meddle in the private affairs of others.[29] Barry Schwartz of Stylus noted that the song features "pillow talk",[30] in reference of the song's "sex-crazed lyrics".[22]

Critical reception

[edit]
In a stage, two men, both wearing white shirts, can be seen holding microphones. The first man, wearing a long sleeve shirt, sings, while the other man, wearing a shirt, dances to the music played. A crowd of people can also be seen holding up their cellphones.
Timbaland and Justin Timberlake performing "SexyBack" during Timberlake's 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow concert tour

In the Billboard magazine review of the album, contributor Katy Kroll wrote that Timberlake "claims to be bringing 'sexy' back to pop music, and indeed he is. You can almost feel beads of sweat rolling off the title track and 'SexyBack' featuring Timbaland".[31] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly was complimentary towards Timbaland, producer of the song, writing that Timbaland offers "tougher, trickier rhythms, minimal live playing, a plethora of hip-hop cameos, and a self-consciously hard, edgy club sensibility" to "SexyBack".[32] Russell Baillie of The New Zealand Herald noted, "The producer's angular synthesizer crunch is all over it – at best on the single 'SexyBack' where they dispense with a chorus, leaving the song sustained by its vocal fireworks, electrofunk and Timberlake's repeated declaration that 'I'm bringing sexy back.'"[33] PopMatters' contributor Quentin B. Huff wrote that "SexyBack" was the "fraternal twin" to Nelly Furtado's 2006 song "Promiscuous".[34] Andrew Murfett of The Age wrote that the song was a "raunchy club banger that slyly suppresses" Timberlake's customary falsetto. He continues, "it's introduced a new phrase into the pop cultural lexicon".[35] Glenn Gamboa of Newsday was complimentary towards the song, writing that it was "Timberlake at his best, mainstreaming a combination of the wild, edgy dance-pop style of Basement Jaxx with Missy Elliott's more experimental hip-hop to create a boldly inventive sound that still pleases the masses."[4]

Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times wrote: "...'SexyBack', a twitchy, emaciated track that shot to the top of the charts and also became an irritating catchphrase. (Suddenly everyone was bringing AdjectiveBack.)"[36] Dagny Salas of North by Northwestern commented that Timberlake and Timbaland trade ridiculous lines, with "Get your sexy on/Go ahead, be gone with it" and "Dirty babe/You see these shackles/Baby I'm your slave/I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave."[37] Salas continued in her review that it was not a song that should be good, "but does that really matter when it's good in the way that songs are during the summer [...] That kind of good makes songs like 'SexyBack' completely irresistible."[37] Matt Burns of The Post wrote, "Take the polarizing summer single 'SexyBack', a repetitive song with little structure that doesn't know when to stop, all centered on a ridiculous declaration. Somehow, it works."[38] The Diamondback's Michael Greenwald reported that "SexyBack" was "lyrically, musically and vocally the weakest song" on the album.[39] A writer of The State Journal-Register was not impressed with the song and concluded, with "'SexyBack' is the most annoyingly dumb song to hit Billboard's No. 1 since 'Hollaback Girl'".[40] Guy Blackman of The Sunday Age wrote: "The distorted vocals and stilted production of first single 'Sexyback' make Timberlake's claim to be 'bringing sexy back' ... seem almost laughable."[41] Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Justin Timberlake, we didn't even know that sexy was missing until 2006. We're just happy Justin brought it back safe and sound."[42] Charlie Brooker, columnist for The Guardian, jokingly criticised Timberlake, saying "How DARE this dot-eyed, crop-haired, fun-sized, guff-tongued, pirouetting waif-boy scamper on to the world's airwaves and loudly proclaim to be the sole global administrator of all things sexy? You'd think it takes massive balls to do something like that, but given the shrill, squeaking vocals cheeping through his ghastly little gobhole, it's safe to assume he's got testes the size of capers. He's practically a human dog whistle, the shrieking, high-pitched, mosquito-lunged ponce."[43]

Upon the song's release, it received divided opinions, which pleased Timberlake. "This is such a departure from the first record," said Timberlake. "More people might like it, less people might like it, but you can't call me a chicken."[44]

Chart performance

[edit]

"SexyBack" was commercially successful in the United States. The single debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 2006. After climbing to number 31, it propelled to number one the following week.[45] "SexyBack" became Timberlake's first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from his Futuresex/Lovesounds album.[46] The single spent seven consecutive weeks at the number-one position on the Hot 100.[47] In addition to the Hot 100, "SexyBack" also topped the following Billboard charts: Hot Dance Airplay, Hot Dance Club Play, Hot Dance Singles Sales, Pop 100 Airplay, Pop 100, and Top 40 Mainstream charts.[48] "SexyBack" was certified three-times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[49][50] This song made the then-seventh-biggest jump to number one in the Billboard Hot 100 history,[51] climbing thirty spots from number 31 landing it at the summit of the chart on September 9, 2006.[45] According to Nielsen SoundScan, the song had its biggest selling week in September 2006 and sold 250,000 as a digital download.[52][53] "SexyBack" was on the Hot 100 for a significant thirty-six weeks. As of 2018, the song has accumulated 6.1 million units in the US, combining sales (4.9 million copies sold) and equivalent streams.[54][55]

In the United Kingdom, "SexyBack" debuted at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart based solely on download sales one week prior to its physical release,[56] and ascended to the top of the chart the following week, becoming Timberlake's first UK number-one single.[57] On the Australian ARIA Charts, "SexyBack" debuted at number one[58] and spent two consecutive weeks at the top becoming Timberlake's second number one single there (after "Rock Your Body" reached the summit in 2003),[59] and has been certified two-times Platinum by ARIA Charts.[60] Also, in Canada and Austria, the single has peaked at number three[citation needed] and number five respectively,[61] becoming his most successful single tied with his third released single "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" in both nations.[62] It has also been certified three-times Platinum in Canada.[63]

In Sweden, "SexyBack" peaked at number four,[64] while in France it peaked at number eight[45] becoming Timberlake's first top ten hit from the album, and would later score two more top ten singles with "My Love" and "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around". The song peaked at number one in Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway, and at number two in Switzerland and Belgium.[45]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "SexyBack" was directed by Michael Haussman and features Spanish actress Elena Anaya.[65] The video was filmed in June 2006.[66] In discussion of the video filmed in Barcelona, Timberlake said: "Obviously we went for the architecture, the exteriors, the interiors — the vibe in Spain is different than anywhere else in the world. It's so cool to shoot there, but the girls are also pretty hot, so that doesn't hurt either".[7]

Timberlake decided to work with director Michael Haussman, following his work on Madonna's 1994 music video for "Take a Bow". "It's one of my favorite videos Madonna's ever done," Timberlake said. "Even today, I still remember the visuals, the images, how he captured her. A lot of times, Madonna seems like she's the person in control, and in that video, she seemed vulnerable. It was a cool thing to see."[7] The video was first shown on MTV's Making the Video on July 25, 2006.[67]

Timberlake and Anaya star as rival spies who become romantically entangled.[68] The video starts off with a cable car looking over Barcelona, from the West looking East, then it switches to a luxurious-looking hotel in Plaça de Catalunya with Elena Anaya taking off her shirt, revealing her black bra and a gun tucked at the back of her skirt, all while German newscaster Alexander von Roon plays on her TV. It then cuts to Timberlake in a different room; then to a club scene and Timberlake in front of a white background. Timberlake and Anaya are seeming to be spies in the hotel room and strangers in the club. In the hotel scenes, the spies both conduct espionage at each other. Elena then hides her gun at a drawer. At the club meanwhile, Timberlake is seen chasing a woman whom he recognized as Anaya herself. He keeps chasing her but she keeps disappearing out of his sight. Back at the hotel scenes, both Justin and Elena stick a tape and places a glass of water on the door so that they would know if someone snuck into their room, while Timberlake heads to the other room to deal with his rival spy Anaya. Elena then goes to the bathroom preparing to take a shower. At a certain point, Timberlake sneaks over to Anaya's room by jumping over to her balcony. Then when Anaya goes to check it out, Timberlake confronted her, but it quickly became erotic as they begin kissing each other and Justin ripped the pearl necklace from her neck. Justin finally traps Elena and she tries to reach for her gun but Justin grabs her hand and pull it away from the drawer. Their sexual tension culminated when the two are later seen in the bed together having sex. After that, Elena covered Justin's mouth to not tell anyone about their encounter, and Timberlake leaves her and went back to his room. When Justin was about to enter, he noticed that his tape was ripped, indicating that someone entered his room. Knowing that a bomb was planted, he jumps into another balcony before an explosion ensues, avoiding it completely. In the club, Justin and Elena met at the bathroom stall and they immediately kiss each other, proving that they still have a romantic interest after their sex in the hotel. It ends with the figure of Anaya sitting on a chair beside a small television in which her kiss with Timberlake is frozen on the screen.

The music video on YouTube has received over 290 million views as of March 2024.[69]

Legacy and accolades

[edit]

The song's abrasive electro-funk came as such a shock to the system in the era of pitched-up soul samples and MOR pop-rock that you might not have been quite sure what to do with it immediately upon its July release. But the song shortly proved itself as something powerful enough to both define top 40 and also push it forward, while severing the final ties between Timberlake and his teen-pop past.

——Billboard staff's "The Greatest Pop Star By Year (1981–2019)"[70]

"SexyBack" helped introduce EDM sounds to top 40 radio, as it brought together variations of electronic dance music with Timberlake's R&B sounds.[71][72] VH1 listed it third on their list of the "100 Greatest Songs of the ’00s,"[73] while the Los Angeles Times listed it as an honorable mention among "the most timeless tunes of the 2000s", with an editor stating it "sounded wholly unfamiliar and unique."[74] Entertainment Weekly deemed it a "modern day classic."[71] Complex staff acknowledged in 2013 that the song "arrived on the scene like a hurricane", adding that while it had been established that "the dude from 'N Sync" was "more than capable" when he first released solo material with Justified four years earlier, "SexyBack" put Timberlake in a position "where you were forced to take him seriously."[75]

"SexyBack" won the People's Choice Award for Favorite R&B song at the 2007 awards ceremony.[76] At the 49th Grammy Awards, "SexyBack" won a Grammy Award in the category of Best Dance Recording.[77] At the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, Timberlake won Male Artist of the Year for "SexyBack", "Let Me Talk To You / My Love", and "What Goes Around... Comes Around".[78] It won Best R&B/Urban Dance Track and Best Pop Dance Track at the 2007 Winter Music Conference's International Dance Music Awards.[79] Additionally, it won an ASCAP Pop Music Award in 2007 in the category Most Performed Songs.[80] The song was featured in the video game Fortnite Festival.[81]

Live performances

[edit]

Timberlake performed "SexyBack" and "My Love" as a medley for the opening of the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards[82] and again for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2006, which he also hosted.[83] In addition, he performed the song at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.[84] On August 25, 2013, Timberlake performed "SexyBack" in a medley with other of his songs at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

"SexyBack" was featured on FutureSex/LoveShow (2007), Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour with rapper Jay-Z (2013), The 20/20 Experience World Tour (2013/15), The Man of the Woods Tour (2018/19) and The Forget Tomorrow World Tour (2024).[85]

In addition it was featured on the setlist for three editions of Rock in Rio in 2013, 2014 and 2017 and two editions of the iHeartRadio Music Festival in 2013 and 2018.

Timberlake performed a remixed version of "SexyBack" at Super Bowl LII (2018) and an NPR Tiny Desk Concert (2024).

Cover versions

[edit]

The indie rock band Rock Plaza Central gained attention for their radically different cover of "SexyBack", with brass-and-banjo roots-rock stylings.[86] American rock band Poison released a cover of the song as a promotional single and a bonus track on the Wal-Mart version of their 2007 cover album Poison'd![87] British soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae recorded a jazz/swing version whilst appearing on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in 2007.[88] American pop rock band Maroon 5 covered the beginning of the song as part of a medley during their 2012 Overexposed Tour. Cartoon stars Weebl and Bob covered the song with their version "Pastry" including the refrain "I'm bringing pastry back"[89]

Track listings

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits sourced from Sound On Sound and the original album liner notes.[2]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "SexyBack"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[161] 5× Platinum 350,000
Canada (Music Canada)[162] 3× Platinum 120,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[163] Platinum 8,000^
Germany (BVMI)[164] Platinum 300,000
Italy (FIMI)[165]
(since 2009)
Gold 25,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[166] Platinum 15,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[167] Gold 30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[168] 2× Platinum 1,200,000
United States (RIAA)[169] 2× Platinum 4,900,000[55]
Mastertone
Canada (Music Canada)[170] 6× Platinum 240,000*
United States (RIAA)[171] 3× Platinum 3,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "SexyBack"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States July 18, 2006 Contemporary hit radio Jive [6]
Rhythmic radio
Japan August 23, 2006 CD single
Germany August 25, 2006
12-inch single
France August 26, 2006 Digital download [172]
United Kingdom August 28, 2006 CD single [173]
United States September 5, 2006 Hot AC radio
Urban radio
September 26, 2006 12-inch single
October 24, 2006 Digital download (SexyTracks: The SexyBack Remixes) [174]
Germany April 21, 2008
France

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://i.ytimg.com/vi/URyc9iKazGw/maxresdefault.jpg [bare URL image file]
  2. ^ a b c d e f Tingen, Paul (July 2007). "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Jimmy Douglass". SOS Publications Group. Sound on Sound. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  3. ^ "Timberlake, Stripping Down (The Spectacle)". The Washington Post. August 27, 2006. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Gamboa, Glenn (September 12, 2006). "Melville, N.Y., Drops column". Newsday.
  5. ^ Pitchfork Staff (August 21, 2009). "The 200 Best Songs of the 2000s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 22, 2022. The duo had already drawn attention with the grinding eroto-disco of "SexyBack"....
  6. ^ a b Radio single releases "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2012.. FMQB.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e Vineyard, Jennifer (July 6, 2006). "'Back' In Style: Justin Timberlake Mixes Funk, Rock On New Single". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c "Goss & Glam". mX: 026. July 10, 2006.
  9. ^ Scaggs, Austin (September 6, 2006). "Justin Timberlake Revs Up His Sex Machine". Rolling Stone. p. 5. Archived from the original on December 29, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  10. ^ a b "Just Justin". The Weekend Mail: 28. September 23, 2006.
  11. ^ "The Grammy Nominations; 2006 nominees". Los Angeles Times: E.32. December 8, 2006.
  12. ^ "Chillis, Gnarls, Dixies win early awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. Reuters. February 12, 2007. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  13. ^ Collis, Clark (February 6, 2007). "More Justin Time". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  14. ^ McCabe, Kathy (July 13, 2006). "McCabe". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney): 045.
  15. ^ a b Long, Camilla (July 14, 2006). "Observermail preview: Justin Timberlake interview". The Observer. London: guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  16. ^ Justin Timberlake Digital Sheet Music: SexyBack. Musicnotes.
  17. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (September 5, 2006). "Justin Timberlake". Slant. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  18. ^ "Justin Timberlake: SexyBack". NME. August 18, 2006. Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  19. ^ a b Ruggieri, Melissa (July 13, 2006). "Justin Timberlake". Richmond Times-Dispatch: G–10.
  20. ^ Stewart, Allison (September 12, 2006). "Justin Timberlake, More Purr Than Growl". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  21. ^ a b c Graham, Adam (July 14, 2006). "Funk/R&B CD". The Detroit News: 08F.
  22. ^ a b Lustig, Jay (September 4, 2006). "Timberlake surely in sync with his female fans". The Star-Ledger: 22.
  23. ^ Hauk, Hunter (June 28, 2006). "Pop stars bring their summer sexy". Quick: 16.
  24. ^ a b Lamb, Bill (2006). "Justin Timberlake — SexyBack". About.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  25. ^ Breamu, Jon (September 21, 2006). "Justin time — Timberlake gets in sync with his sexy side on new beat-driven CD". Ventura County Star.
  26. ^ Turenne, Martin (September 14, 2006). "Timberlake strangely ladylike". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  27. ^ Williams, Ben (September 11, 2006). "The Men Who Would Be Prince". New York. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  28. ^ Bracelin, Jason (August 11, 2006). "Bringing Sexy Back". Las Vegas Review-Journal: 33J.
  29. ^ a b Brooker, Charlie (September 15, 2006). "Supposing ... Justin Timberlake's bringing sexy back". The Guardian. London: guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  30. ^ Schwartz, Barry (September 12, 2006). "Justin Timberlake — FutureSex/LoveSounds". Stylus. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  31. ^ Kroll, Katy (September 16, 2006). "FutureSex/LoveSounds". Billboard.
  32. ^ Willman, Chris (September 8, 2006). "FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 7, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  33. ^ Baillie, Russell (September 23, 2006). "Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  34. ^ Huff, Quentin B. (October 5, 2006). "A Tale of Two Tims". PopMatters. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  35. ^ Murfett, Andrew (September 14, 2006). "Future Sex/Love Sounds". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on June 17, 2008. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  36. ^ "New CD's". The New York Times. September 11, 2006. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  37. ^ a b Salas, Dagny; Emily Vaughan (October 9, 2006). "Album Review of Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds". North by Northwestern. Archived from the original on November 5, 2007. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  38. ^ Burns, Matt (September 12, 2006). "CD Review: Justin Timberlake brings 'SexyBack'". The Post. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  39. ^ Greenwald, Michael (September 12, 2006). "CD Review: Justin Timberlake sounds best at center stage". The Diamondback. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  40. ^ "Let's say bye, bye, bye to SexyBack". The State Journal-Register: 2A. September 14, 2006.
  41. ^ Blackman, Guy; Martin Boulton; Tom Ryan; Ruth Brown; Nicole Bittar; Barney Zwartz (September 17, 2006). "SexyBack". The Sunday Age: 48.
  42. ^ Geier, Thom; Jeff Jensen; Tina Jordan; Margaret Lyons; Adam Markovitz; Chris Nashawaty; Whitney Pastorek; Lynette Rice; Josh Rottenberg; Missy Schwartz; Michael Slezak; Dan Snierson; Tim Stack; Kate Stroup; Ken Tucker; Adam B. Vary; Simon Vozick-Levinson; Kate Ward (December 11, 2009). "The 100 Greatest Movies, TV Shows, Albums, Books, Characters, Scenes, Episodes, Songs, Dresses, Music Videos, And Trends That Entertained Us Over The Past 10 Years". Entertainment Weekly. p. (1079/1080):74–84.
  43. ^ Brooker, Charlie (September 15, 2006). "Charlie Brooker: Supposing ... Justin Timberlake's bringing sexy back". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  44. ^ Adams, Cameron (July 13, 2006). "Timberlake's sexy solo". Herald Sun: 124.
  45. ^ a b c d "Justin Timberlake and Timbaland — SexyBack". αCharts.us. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  46. ^ Bronson, Fred (November 2, 2006). "Chart Beat – 'Love' Conquers". Billboard.
  47. ^ Franzen, Marty (March 23, 2007). "Back on hot track Timberlake lands in area with' SexyBack Tour' stops". Burlington County Times: 3D.
  48. ^ "Justin Timberlake Charts & Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  49. ^ "Justin Timberlake #1 at Radio in the U.S. and Europe With 'What Goes Around ... Comes Around'". PR Newswire. March 14, 2007.
  50. ^ "The Time Is Now". Recording Industry Association of America. July 17, 2007. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  51. ^ "Timberlake Still 'Sexy' At No. 1, New Single Keeps Climbing". Billboard. October 12, 2006. Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  52. ^ "2006 U.S. Music Purchases Exceed 1 Billion Sales". Business Wire. January 4, 2007. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  53. ^ "Timbaland tops Hot 100". Music Week. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  54. ^ "The Evolution of Super Bowl LII Half-Time Performer Justin Timberlake". Nielsen. January 31, 2018. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  55. ^ a b Trust, Gary (February 4, 2018). "Ask Billboard: Justin Timberlake & *NSYNC's Career Album & Song Sales". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Media Group. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  56. ^ "Beyonce hits UK number one spot". BBC News Online. August 27, 2006. Archived from the original on January 4, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  57. ^ "Timberlake enjoys UK chart-topper". BBC News Online. September 3, 2006. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  58. ^ "Justin Timberlake — SexyBack". Ultratop. September 9, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  59. ^ "Justin Timberlake — Rock Your Body". Ultratop. May 17, 2003. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  60. ^ "ARIA Charts — Accreditations – 2006 Singles". ARIA Charts. 2006. Archived from the original on November 12, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  61. ^ Lwin, Nanda (September 26, 2006). "Bob Seger roars back with new album; Chart talk". The Hamilton Spectator: G10.
  62. ^ "Justin Timberlake — What Goes Around... Comes Around". αCharts. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  63. ^ "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Certification Results". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  64. ^ Sexton, Paul (September 14, 2006). "Dylan's 'Modern Times' Rises To Euro Chart Zenith". Billboard.
  65. ^ "La actriz Elena Anaya protagoniza el nuevo videoclip de Justin Timberlake". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). July 24, 2006. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  66. ^ "Timberlake and Diaz Recover From 'Rough Patch'". World Entertainment News Network. June 28, 2006.
  67. ^ "Life: Short List". The Press of Atlantic City: B1. July 25, 2006.
  68. ^ Jessica Goodman. "Justin Timberlake's 'SexyBack': An oral history of his No. 1 smash". EW.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  69. ^ Justin Timberlake - SexyBack (Official Video).YouTube
  70. ^ "The Greatest Pop Star By Year (1981–2019)". Billboard. April 2, 2020. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  71. ^ a b Goodman, Jessica (July 8, 2016). "Justin Timberlake explains how David Bowie influenced 'SexyBack'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  72. ^ Craddock, Lauren (July 8, 2016). "How David Bowie Inspired Justin Timberlake's 'SexyBack'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  73. ^ VH1 Staff (September 29, 2011). "100 Greatest Songs of the '00s (COMPLETE LIST)". VH1. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  74. ^ Los Angeles Times Staff (January 11, 2011). "A decade in songs: A look at the most timeless tunes of the 2000s". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  75. ^ "The 25 Best Justin Timberlake Songs". Complex. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  76. ^ "Depp Looms Large At People's Choice Awards". CBS. January 10, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2009. [dead link]
  77. ^ "Dixie Chicks earn Grammys triumph". BBC News Online. February 11, 2007. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  78. ^ Montgomery, James (August 7, 2007). "MTV VMA Race Is On: Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Lead Nominations". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  79. ^ "2007 International Dance Music Awards". Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  80. ^ "2007 ASCAP Pop Music Awards Winners List". ASCAP. April 18, 2004. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  81. ^ "All Fortnite Festival songs ever released". esports.gg. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  82. ^ "2006 Video Music Awards". MTV. August 31, 2006. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  83. ^ "Denmark hosting MTV Europe Music Awards". USA Today. Associated Press. November 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  84. ^ Kyles, Kyra (December 29, 2006). "Sacha Baron Cohen broke out this past year, making us laugh, and opening our eyes — Mr. Popular". Chicago Tribune. RedEye: 42.
  85. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (April 30, 2024). "Here Is Justin Timberlake's 'The Forget Tomorrow World Tour' Set list". Uproxx. United States. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  86. ^ The Gazette (Montreal) (January 26, 2007). "Never doubt your inner steed". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  87. ^ Graff, Gary (June 22, 2007). "Poison bandmates end tensions with new album of cover songs". The Plain Dealer: T15. Poison also laid down a take of Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback" which appears on special editions of "Poison 'd"
  88. ^ Dalton, Stephen (August 17, 2007). "Web video of the day — Viewing Guide". The Times: Times2 23.
  89. ^ "Pastry". Weebl's Stuff. July 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  90. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  91. ^ "Issue 903" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  92. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  93. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  94. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  95. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  96. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  97. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  98. ^ Justin Timberlake — SexyBack. TopHit. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  99. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on October 18, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  100. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 46. týden 2006 in the date selector.
  101. ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in Danish). Tracklisten.
  102. ^ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 37. September 16, 2006. p. 71.
  103. ^ "Justin Timberlake: SexyBack" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  104. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in French). Les classement single.
  105. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  106. ^ "IFPI archive". Archived from the original on November 25, 2006. Retrieved November 25, 2006.
  107. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  108. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  109. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – SexyBack". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  110. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". Top Digital Download.
  111. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 37, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  112. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  113. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". Top 40 Singles.
  114. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". VG-lista.
  115. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Oct 26, 2006". TopHit. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  116. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  117. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200638 into search.
  118. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". Singles Top 100.
  119. ^ "Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". Swiss Singles Chart.
  120. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  121. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  122. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  123. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  124. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  125. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  126. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard.
  127. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  128. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  129. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  130. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  131. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  132. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2006". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  133. ^ "Jahreshitparade 2006" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  134. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2006" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  135. ^ "Rapports annuels 2006" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  136. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  137. ^ "CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2006)". TopHit. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  138. ^ "Europe's Top Singles of 2006" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 51. December 23, 2006. p. 38. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  139. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2006" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  140. ^ "VIVA Single Jahrescharts 2006 – 2006" (in German). Viva.tv. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  141. ^ "Best of 2006". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on August 2, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  142. ^ "Musica: Classifiche Annunali 2006 FIMI-AC Nielsen" (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original on January 12, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2021. Click on Scarica l'allegato.
  143. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2006". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  144. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  145. ^ "Annual Top 50 Singles Chart 2006". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on May 6, 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  146. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2006". TopHit. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  147. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2006" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  148. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006" (in German). Swiss Music Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  149. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2006". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  150. ^ "2006 Urban Top 40" (PDF). Music Week. January 13, 2007. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  151. ^ "US Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  152. ^ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  153. ^ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  154. ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006". Billboard.biz. 2006. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  155. ^ "US Pop 100 Year-End Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  156. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  157. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 31, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  158. ^ "US Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  159. ^ "2009 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart". ARIA. January 2010. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  160. ^ "The Decade in Music – Hot 100 Songs" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 50. December 19, 2009. p. 159. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  161. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  162. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back". Music Canada. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  163. ^ "Guld Og Platin November/December/Januar". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  164. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Justin Timberlake; 'SexyBack')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  165. ^ "Italian single certifications – Justin Timberlake – SexyBack" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 15, 2018. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "SexyBack" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  166. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. August 21, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  167. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  168. ^ "British single certifications – Justin Timberlake – SexyBack". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  169. ^ "American single certifications – Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  170. ^ "Canadian ringtone certifications – Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back". Music Canada. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  171. ^ "American ringtone certifications – Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  172. ^ "SexyBack [Explicit]". Amazon. August 26, 2006. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  173. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 26, 2006. p. 25.
  174. ^ "SexyTracks – The SexyBack Remixes (feat. Timbaland) – EP". iTunes. October 24, 2006. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.