Like I Love You

Writing and recording

MTV News reported in July 2002 that Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams (known collectively as the Neptunes) were working on multiple tracks for Justified. When the duo picked Justin Timberlake up from his hotel in Virginia Beach, they listened to Earth, Wind & Fire albums during the car ride. The background of the songs was the feeling the duo wanted to implement into the musical content of the album. In response to this, Timberlake said: "Nobody's ever heard anything like that before ... a white boy singing this kind of music." Hugo revealed that Timberlake "didn't care what people would say." The production duo commented that despite not being content with sampling music, for inspiration, they listened to both Off the Wall and Thriller, albums by Michael Jackson. Hugo commented that "We just wanted to re-create that sense of those timeless, classic songs, without any of the 'bling, bling, hit me on my two-way' style of the new R&B. It has elements of the old and the new."

"Like I Love You" was the first song they recorded together and the first song Timberlake recorded for Justified. The song was written by Timberlake, Hugo and Williams, while the production was done by the latter two. The song features a rap verse written and performed by hip hop duo Clipse. "Like I Love You" was recorded at Master Sound Recording Studios and Windmark Recording, both located in Virginia Beach with Andrew Coleman serving as a recording engineer. Serban Ghenea mixed the song at Windmark Recording, while Daniel Botancourt and Tim Roberts were additional engineers. John Hanes provided the additional Pro Tools engineering. All the instrumentation was delivered by Hugo and Williams, while the song's vocal arrangement was provided by Williams together with Timberlake.

Release

"Like I Love You" was chosen as Timberlake's debut single and the lead single of Justified. According to Timberlake, there was "never any question" in his mind whether or not the song would be released as his debut single. Of the song, Timberlake said: "It sounded so original to me. And I kind of consider myself a new artist. This is a new beginning for me, so why call on some big-name hip-hop artist when I could get somebody that feels new so it could feel like we were at the bit at the same time?"

On October 14, 2002, a CD single was released in Germany containing the album version of the song, its instrumental and two club extended mixes. The same version of the single was released in Canada on October 17, 2002. In the UK, the album version of "Like I Love You", its instrumental and one extended remix was physically released on October 21, 2002. The song was released as a 12-inch single on November 19, 2002, in Italy and Spain. On November 24, 2002, it was also released in France as a CD single.

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weeklys Craig Seymour wrote "Over a lo-fi Neptunes-produced track dashed with Spanish guitar, live drums, and "Planet Rock"-like electro bleeps... [Timberlake proves that] while no innovator, he is a fine student". In his review of the album Justified for Rolling Stone, Ben Ratliff wrote "In Like I Love You, a nasty funk rhythm on loud, live drums shares the space with a tiny guitar strum and Timberlake's breathy, studied tenor; it's minimalism influenced by Michael Jackson. But a softer, harmony-and-hook-filled chorus sets it off, thus pleasing preteen girls and beat junkies alike."

Denise Boyd, writing for BBC Music, said that the song was a "sure bet for success" with the Neptunes producing the song but "Justin's vocal arrangement has given this offering a distinctive edge and it stands out as one of the best Neptunes productions this year." Slant Magazine called it a "well-oiled Neptunes production" and "the acoustic guitar loops and snap-crackle-pop percussion of "Like I Love You" pick up where NSYNC's hit "Girlfriend" left off."

In 2013, Lauren Nostro from Complex wrote, "The song catapulted Timberlake's career... It was the quintessential R&B/pop/hip-hop track filled with soulful lyrics and a heavy beat. It presented JT as a full-fledged musician, and not just the lead singer of 'N Sync." Adelle Platon from Billboard opined in 2016, "This groovy number cemented J.T.'s solo career as a genre-fusing wunderkind." In 2017, Spin staff ranked it as the best boy-band solo debut single.

Chart performance

"Like I Love You" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 67 for the issue dated September 7, 2002. The next week it climbed to number 46. It eventually reached a peak of number 11 and stayed on the chart for 36 weeks. The song was more successful on the US Pop Songs and Hot Dance Club Songs charts where it peaked at number four and one respectively. Additionally it charted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart where reached a peak of 53. The song was more successful in Oceania. On the Australian Singles Chart, the song debuted at number nine for the week dated October 27, 2002. The next week it fell to number 11, before eventually reaching its peak of number eight in its third week and remaining there for three consecutive weeks. "Like I Love You" stayed on the chart for a total of twelve weeks and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of 70,000 units. It debuted and peaked at number six on the New Zealand Singles Chart for the week dated November 10, 2002, staying on the chart for twelve weeks.

In the United Kingdom, "Like I Love You" debuted at its peak of number two for the issue dated November 2, 2002. It stayed on the chart for 16 weeks, making its last appearance on February 15, 2003, at number 57. The song debuted and peaked at number five on the Irish Singles Chart. "Like I Love You" debuted and peaked at number four on the Danish Singles Chart, managing to stay at the position for two consecutive weeks before starting to fall on the chart. It stayed on the chart for total of 14 weeks. The single debuted at number 14 on the Norwegian Singles Chart for the week dated October 25, 2002. After three weeks, it managed to peak at number 10 on the chart. Additionally, the song charted and peaked at number 14 on the Swiss Singles Chart.

Music video

Background

The official music video was released on September 9, 2002, as featured in an episode of MTV's Making the Video. The opening scenes at the convenience store were filmed at a 7-Eleven storefront at the corner of Oxford Street and Hazeltine Avenue in Van Nuys, California. The arcade and rap scenes featuring hip hop duo Clipse were filmed at College Arcade in Downtown Los Angeles. The nightclub dance scenes were also filmed in Los Angeles at Grand Avenue Nightclub. The video was directed by Diane Martel from August 22–24, 2002. Marty Kudelka, who created the choreography, can be seen dancing in the video. As of December 2024, the music video has over 107 million views on YouTube.

Synopsis

The video is spliced into three parts; Justin Timberlake dancing outside a 7-Eleven store at night wearing a 7-Eleven shirt and red beanie, Timberlake inside an arcade wearing a leather jacket and snapback, and close-up shots of Timberlake singing to the camera. Clipse and Pharrell Williams both appear during Clipse's rap verse in the arcade alongside Timberlake.

Live performances

Timberlake made his debut solo performance at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, performing "Like I Love You" on August 29, 2002. The song was also included on the setlist for The Justified World Tour, Justified and Stripped Tour, FutureSex/LoveShow, Legends of the Summer, The 20/20 Experience World Tour, The Man of the Woods Tour and The Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Justified.

Recording and mixing

• Recorded at Master Sound Recording Studios and Windmark Recording, Virginia Beach; mixed at Windmark Recording, Virginia Beach.

Personnel

• Songwriting – Justin Timberlake, Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams
• Production – The Neptunes
• Rap Verse – Clipse
• Recording – Andrew Coleman
• Mixing – Serban Ghenea
• Assistant engineers – Daniel Botancourt, Tim Roberts
• Additional Pro Tools Engineering – John Hanes
• All instruments – Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo
• Vocal arrangement – Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

References

1. (October 27, 2002). "Timberlake fails to top chart". [[British Broadcasting Corporation]].
2. D'Angelo, Joe. (January 7, 2003). "Eminem, Avril, Norah Jones nab most Grammy noms". [[MTV]].
3. Moss, Corey. (July 23, 2002). "Justin Timberlake Working 'NSecret On Star-Packed Solo LP". [[MTV News]]. [[Viacom (2005–present).
4. Kaufman, Gil. (August 26, 2002). "Preview Of Justin Timberlake Album From Neptunes' Hugo". MTV News. Viacom.
5. MTV News Staff. (September 24, 2002). "Timberlake, Janet Jackson Make Sexy Pair on Justified".
6. (October 12, 2002). "Reviews – For Records Released on 21 October 2002".
7. Atkinson, Katie. (May 6, 2016). "Critic's Choice: Every Justin Timberlake Single Ranked".
8. Seymour, Craig. (September 13, 2002). "Music Capsule review - Like I Love You".
9. Ratliff, Ben. (November 4, 2002). "Justin Timberlake: Justified: Music Review".
10. Boyd, Denise. (November 20, 2002). "BBC Music - Review of Justin Timberlake - Justified". [[British Broadcasting Corporation]].
11. Cinquemani, Sal. (November 8, 2002). "Justin Timberlake: Justified - Music review".
12. (March 15, 2013). "The 25 Best Justin Timberlake Songs". Complex.
13. Platon, Adelle. (December 27, 2016). "Justin Timberlake's 14 Best Hip-Hop/R&B Collaborations".
14. Spin Staff. (April 20, 2017). "Best Boy Band Solo Debut Singles, Ranked".
15. "The Hot 100 : Sep 14, 2002 - Billboard Chart Archives". Prometheus Global Media.
16. (May 6, 2013). "The Official Charts Company - Like I Love You by Justin Timberlake Search". The Official Charts Company.
17. Dangelo, Joe. (August 20, 2002). "Justin Timberlake To Play VMAs, Says Solo Debut Is 'Very Me'".
18. justintimberlakeVEVO. (October 2, 2009). "Justin Timberlake - Like I Love You (Official Video)".
19. (October 2, 2009). "Justin Timberlake - Like I Love You (Official Music Video)".
20. (March 22, 2018). "An important analysis of Justin Timberlake's Like I Love You music video". [[The Daily Edge]].
21. Hay, Carla. (September 7, 2002). "Eminem Clip Dominates VMAs".
22. (December 3, 2003). "JT returns to the UK". [[NME]].
23. Fuoco, Christina. (June 5, 2013). "Christina Does Her Cher Impression, Justin Fights The Screams At Tour Kickoff". [[MTV News]].
24. Checkoway, Laura. (August 17, 2007). "Justin Timberlake Brings 'FutureSex' to Madison Square Garden: Live Report".
25. Ford, Rebecca. (July 29, 2013). "Justin Timberlake, Jay Z Affirm Their 'Legends' Status with Rose Bowl Bow: Concert Review". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
26. Farber, Jim. (November 7, 2013). "Concert review: Justin Timberlake kicks off '20/20 Experience' tour with flirty gig at Barclays Center". New York Daily.
27. Bliss, Karen. (March 14, 2018). "Five Highlights From Justin Timberlake's Opening Night of the Man of the Woods TourT".
28. (April 30, 2024). "Here Is Justin Timberlake's 'The Forget Tomorrow World Tour' Set list".
29. (2002). "[[Justified (album)". [[Jive Records]].
30. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)".
31. "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". [[Croatian Radiotelevision]].
32. (November 9, 2002). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
33. (December 21, 2002). "EHR Top 50".
34. "IFPI Greece Top 50 Singles Chart".
35. (March 8, 2003). "Top National Sellers".
36. "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 6, saptamina 17.02-23.02, 2003". [[Romanian Top 100]].
37. (November 9, 2002). "Top 50 Airplay Chart".
38. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002". [[ARIA]].
39. "Jaaroverzichten 2002". [[Ultratop]].
40. (January 14, 2003). "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". [[Jam!]].
41. (2002). "Top 100 Songs of 2002". [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]].
42. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002". [[Dutch Top 40]].
43. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002". [[MegaCharts]].
44. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002". [[UKChartsPlus]].
45. (January 18, 2003). "Most Broadcast of 2002 – Airplay Top 50".
46. "Billboard Top 100 – 2002".
47. (December 20, 2002). "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002".
48. (December 20, 2002). "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002".
49. (December 19, 2003). "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs".
50. Trias, Mike. (September 13, 2002). "A Tale of Two Tims".
51. (October 14, 2002). "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 14th October 2002". [[ARIA]].
52. "Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake". Amazon (DE).
53. "Like I Love You: Justin Timberlake". Amazon (CA).
54. "Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake". Amazon (IT).
55. "Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake". Amazon (ES).
56. "Like I Love You: Justin Timberlake". Amazon (FR).