Justin Timberlake Admits ‘SexyBack’ Was Inspired by Gay Thoughts

The music video for Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” makes the song seem pretty heterosexual. Meanwhile, Timberlake revealed the tune was inspired by some not-so-heterosexual thoughts he was having. Interestingly, the track was also inspired by a classic rock song by an LGBTQ icon. “SexyBack” was a bit of a novelty song, but its impact on popular music ran deep.

Justin Timberlake’s ‘SexyBack’ was inspired by thoughts of men and women in a club

During a 2020 interview posted on Timberlake’s YouTube channel , the singer said “SexyBack” was inspired by a song by LGBTQ icon David Bowie. “I was listening to ‘Rebel Rebel,’ which essentially is about a cross-dresser,” he said. “So I was picturing guys, girls, all iterations of that in a club, singing this to each other.

“And I said, ‘This has to be so simple and a vibe and just like an attitude,'” Timberlake added. “And I was like, ‘What’s the most audacious thing you could possibly say?’ And that was the first line of the song.”

Justin Timberlake explained how the song got another unforgettable hook

The “Selfish” singer recalled how producer Timbaland came up with another hook for “Sexyback.” “I’ll never forget this moment,” Timberlake remembered. “So [Timbaland’s] like, ‘All right man, I think we got to bring dance music back.'” That’s a bold claim, but the success of “SexyBack” arguably paved the way for the rise of dance-pop artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Kesha, all of whom became popular in the wake of “SexyBack.” In fact, “SexyBack” was so big that it helped make dance music the main sound of popular music for a few years in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

The “I’m Lovin’ It” singer further explained the creation of “SexyBack.” “So he’s [beatboxing],” Timberlake added. “He’s like, ‘Whatchu you gonna say?’ I just go like this, [singing] ‘I’m bringing sexy back!’ And he goes, ‘Yeah!’ He just said ‘Yeah!’ But Timbaland doesn’t do anything off-beat. You should know that. So then we just started trading lines back and forth and it was just, it honestly, it was like a pop-dance cipher.”

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‘SexyBack’ was beyond huge

“SexyBack” became Timberlake’s first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 . The tune was No. 1 for seven weeks, making it the singer’s longest-running No. 1 single. It charted for an impressive 36 weeks in total. The tune has been referenced repeatedly in popular culture, including in Megan Trainor’s smash hit “All About That Bass.” The line “I’m bringin’ sexy back” might be one of the most famous musical catchphrases of all time.

“SexyBack” appeared on Timberlake’s most beloved album, FutureSex/LoveSounds . That record topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks, lasting on the chart for 106 weeks altogether.

FutureSex/LoveSounds produced two other chart-toppers: “My Love” and “What Goes Around…/…Comes Around.” The three other singles from the record — “Summer Love,” “LoveStoned,” and “Until the End of Time” — each reached the top 20. Love it or hate it, FutureSex/LoveSounds will remain the pinnacle of Timberlake’s career and one of the most important albums of the 2000s.

You might not have heard “SexyBack” at a pride parade in 2024 but maybe they should play it next year!