From The Vault: Justin Timberlake – ‘Cry Me A River’

Published: Sunday 10th Dec 2017 by Joe

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… or Justin Timberlake, it seems.

Today’s From The Vault pick is JT’s infamous Grammy winning expose, ‘Cry Me A River.’

Masterminded by Timberlake, Timbaland and Scott Storch, ‘River’ was released as the second single from the crooner’s solo debut ‘Justified’ in 2002.

The lyrics, depicting a guy confronting his cheating girlfriend, were the cause of ample controversy at the time; notably as they allegedly relayed the end of Justin and Britney Spears’ high profile relationship.

A global smash, the track fared better than its predecessor ‘Like I Love You’, not only in the US where it peaked at #3 but also worldwide with a #2 placement both in the UK and Australia. It also won him a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

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If there any doubt as to who JT was aiming for beforehand it was dispelled by the time its accompanying visual was released.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the video presented Justin in all his stalking glory, trying to get revenge on his lookalike ex by destroying her Malibu house. All while Timbaland waits for him in the rain.

The clip’s was showered with praise and was the most resonating step towards shedding JT’s clean-cut image.

Now on the eve a brand new era – that includes a headlining performance on the Super Bowl stage – we’re glad some of the following are on the cusp of being answered:

Will he go full on Pop with material akin to ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’? Or will he re-tread the Urban route? And how will he handle the inevitable Janet Jackson questions in an era is ready and willing to call out “cultural appropriation” and other injustices? The list goes on…

Anyhow, what is for sure is that we’re in for a series of very interesting Pop moments courtesy of JT. Something we’re not mad at considering the lack of “event” releases in 2017.

It’s a bit early, but welcome back Justin!

Your thoughts?

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  1. Fancy BISH December 10, 2017

    This is a bop, I can’t even deny that lol…don’t act like you don’t know it!

  2. Caleb December 10, 2017

    Put it back in the vault.

    • Lmfao_Hoe December 10, 2017

      Smh used Britney and Janet

      • Martin December 11, 2017

        And you should use somebody to get away from your sad life

    • #formulation ?☕ December 10, 2017

      How bout we put you back in ya mama vajayjay?

      • Facts only December 10, 2017

        How about you get in formation and go drink a cup of bleach.

    • Black chick December 10, 2017

      Shut up wigger

      • GI December 10, 2017

        So you’re calling him a Wigger,..now how about I call you a n/gger (Coming from a black guy) you dusty ass bit/h.

    • GI December 10, 2017

      Speak that truth Caleb.

      • Black Chick December 10, 2017

        He must be giving it good to your black a r s e

    • Famous December 10, 2017

      Lol ? not “Put it back in the vault”.

    • Meme December 10, 2017

      Screaming. Lololol

  3. #formulation ?☕ December 10, 2017

    The album was everything…

  4. thanosoftitans December 10, 2017

    My fav JT track. Still knocks hard in 2017! Wish he would return to this sound and vibe.

  5. Meme December 10, 2017

    This was the best of him. Thank god for timbaland and Pharrell for making this white boys career. I use to like him until he left janet to drown while he saved his own career. And if he don’t bring Janet back on stage come next Super Bowl, it’s over for him.

    • Fancy BISH December 10, 2017

      It’s TEA time! *Nene voice* ☕️ lol…you betta clock him Meme!

    • Martin December 11, 2017

      that was 14 years ago. Demn, you’re OLD

    • Caleb December 11, 2017

      I think he believes bringing out Usher is going to make up for not bringing out Janet. That will be some bs but not a big surprise huh.

  6. S****** Blonde December 10, 2017

    I feel like this post was made just to bash him, anyway, this was such a big moment in Pop Culture at the time, everyone was like “No way, Britney is angel”, f*uck you ‘N synch boy ? I still think he loves her but he also knows that she’s not the same person he fell in love with anymore. To me it seems like they both think what their lives would be like now, if they had stayed together, it happens to all of us, we all have that ex ?

  7. Facts only December 10, 2017

    He has always had that look of a snake about him. Just shady as hell.

    • Fancy BISH December 10, 2017

      ☕️

  8. eric December 10, 2017

    I half liked Justin and his choreography from Marty Kudelka especially, but after the Superbowl, I have no desire for anything Justin has to offer. He showed his true colors leaving Janet high and dry, and he has proven to be quite the opportunist, like when he jumped on that fabricated MJ song. I’ll re-watch Janet’s All for You tour on the night of the Superbowl. How bout that?

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