With the recent release of Filthy, Justin’s latest single from the upcoming album Man in the Woods (no, not a cologne) got me thinking about his body of work and which songs (and videos) rank supreme.
Lovestoned / I Think That She Knows interlude
This is so high on the list based on the I Think That She Knows Interlude alone. It’s THAT strong. The entire FutureSex/LoveSounds album is so masterfully crafted and put together. The interludes that tie all the songs together are some of Justin’s best work.
.
Cry Me A River
I meaaaaannnnn does a diss track get better than this? Justin is spilling the tea and airing the dirty laundry at the same time this song. Thanks to Cry Me A River we know what (according to Justin) went down with him and Britney. And I’m pretty sure we can draw the conclusion that Britney was stepping out on him with another man (my guess: Wade Robson) and this song is such an anthem for those scorned, PLUS the music video is #Iconic.
.
What Goes Around
Forget Taylor Swift, you DO NOT want to cheat on Justin Timberlake, cause he will write a banger that will immortalize your cheatin’ ways in song FOR ETERNITY. Either there was still enough residual ire leftover from the Britney breakup that Justin could go back to that songwriting well or someone ELSE cheated on him. DANG. And like I mentioned above in Lovestoned/I Think She Knows, the interlude at the end (starts around 4:15) is arguably the best part of this song. I LOVE this album and the songs because of these interludes, they are amazing.
“Just a classic case sc-sc-scenario… tale as old as time, girl you got what you deserved.”
.
Like I Love You
DAT FACE.
This song makes the list because this was the very first single from JT’s first solo album Justified. And if you were like me and every other NSYNC fan, you were anxious to hear what Justin’s new music would sound like. And it didn’t disappoint. I remember rushing to the record store and wearing this thing OUT. “Don’t fear me baby, it’s just Justin.”
.
Mirrors
Yes, let the record show I wrote a hater post about this song a few years back but I’ve actually come to really like this song. The guitar riff at the beginning is a nice change for Justin’s music which is usually much more R&B driven. Also: that. chorus. Boy is gifted. And so is Timbaland, who honestly, brings out the best JT albums.
Love this SNL arrangement (and his hair) but the official video is pretty awesome (and doesn’t really feature JT).
.
Can’t Fight The Feeling – the Trolls Song
This makes the list because my niece is a major Trolls fan and LOVE LOVE LOVES singing this song and THAT makes me smile. I’ve told her a billion times the character “Branch” (she calls him “Ranch”) is a guy named Justin Timberlake and he sings this song and I’m a big fan. So any song of Justin’s that creates a bond with my niece, makes the list. This song is just so darn catchy and dance-y and that little bass line in the pre-chorus it great. If sunshine were a song, this would be it.
Plus his mom, Lynn and step dad Paul are in the first listen video, so as a weirdo fan who even knows what their names are, this was cool. And there’s Kunal Nayyar dancing and puppies. Solid.
.
Suite & Tie
It’s just such a good ‘getting ready’ song. The horns, the Jay Z cameo, the chorus, the general singability (that’s a word, right?). This song just doesn’t go wrong anywhere. “This is truffle season, time for tuxedos for no reason.” Songs about truffles and feature The Hollywood Bowl are HQ in my opinion.
.
Let Me Talk To You / My Love
From the creepy little laugh in the background to the frenetic strings, this song works so well with the falsetto part he sings most of this song in. Bonus: this choreography!
.
Pusher Girl
Little known fact, The 20/20 Experience is one of the only albums I have on my phone (cause I HAD to buy the single from iTunes back in the day to get some album deal). Every time I fly, this is my go-to album, meaning I’m intimately acquainted with these songs and this the album opener and it’s perfect. Perfect for a song comparing someone you love to drugs… sounds familiar… hmmm, I wonder why I’m drawn to this song…
Source
.
Justin’s also written lots of songs for other artists, from Beyonce to Rhianna to Black Eyed Peas. Their Where Is The Love song is one of my favorites. BUT I think I’ll add to this list using an NSYNC song he wrote.
.
Gone
SURPRISE TWIST: the co-writer on Gone is Wade Robson, who I theorize is the guy Britney cheated with. OOPS.
.
And yea, sorry, Justin’s new song Filthy didn’t make the list… it sounds like a song they’ll play when Justin runs off the stage for a wardrobe change. It’s just not memorable enough… yet.
.
Man In The Woods is out TOMORROW! Buy it!
Read more Justin Timberlake on TN!
.
Bonus:
This collab with Chris Stapleton on the CMA’s including Justin’s song, Drink You Away. LOVE.
YASSSS.
.
