Jump to content

User:ThinkBlue/Music

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"ThinkBlue/Music"
Song

"Rock Your Body" is the third single from Justin Timberlake's solo debut album Justified. The song features Vanessa Marquez. She was at that time signed to Star Trak Entertainment[1]. Released in 2003, The Neptunes-produced single peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. "Rock Your Body" entered the Australian chart at #1 and stayed there for 1 week. It also became his third #2 hit in the UK Singles Chart.

The beat was intended for Michael Jackson's 2001 album Invincible, but The Neptunes ended up selling the track to Timberlake instead.

Timberlake performed this song at the Kids' Choice Awards.

Background

[edit]

"Rock Your Body" was written by Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo. In an interview with The Malay Mail in 2002, in discussion of Vanessa Marquez's collaboration on the song, Justin Timberlake said:

"Rock Your Body" is a dance-pop R&B[3] disco bounce song.[4] Jody Rosen of The Nation reported that the title for the song conflates from two of Michael Jackson's songs, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (1978) and "Rock with You" (1979).[5] The song includes a "beat-driven" sound. It also features a "funky" guitar riff.[6] Timberlake beat-box in the song.[7]

Dave de Sylvia of Sputnikmusic noted that the sound was similar to Jackson's songs "Rock with You" and "Billie Jean" (1983).[6] Sean Daly of The Washington Post noted that Jackson's 1979 song "Rock with You" is updated in "Rock Your Body".[8] Dave Renard of The Virginian-Pilot said that "...Timberlake's vocal imitations of his heroes, including Michael Jackson" was evidenced in the song.[9] The Times' contributor Lisa Verrico commented that the song was a "funky track that sounds like Nelly doing Jacko doing 1980s disco".[10] Kitty Empire of The Guardian said that the "vintage vibes" of "Rock Your Body" are an "open tribute: classic come dancing/ come hither pop."[11] Sean Piccoli of South Florida Sun-Sentinel said that the track was an 'N Sync "crony".[12] Howard Cohen of The Miami Herald commented that "Rock Your Body" is a "fun slice of Queen-like funk."[13] Ed Masley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote: "...'Rock Your Body' makes good on the title with one of the spunkier, funkier disco grooves this side of Daft Punk, as Timberlake vows to 'have you nekkid by the end of this song.'"[14]

Reception

[edit]

David Browne of Entertainment Weekly, in review of the album, wrote: "In the latter category, he's more engaging -- the stud on the loose, making promises of romance and more in slurpy cuts like 'Senorita' and 'Rock Your Body'."[15] Denise Boyd of the BBC wrote: "An eighties soul feel can be heard throughout Justified, most noticeably in 'Rock Your Body', where the influences of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder are very clear."[16] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian noted, "Elsewhere, he does justice to the songs, for what it's worth (not a lot, on the predictable likes of 'Rock Your Body')."[17] Jim Farber of the New York Daily News reported that in "Rock Your Body" the Neptunes help Timberlake channel '70s funk without sounding slavishly retro.[18] The Russia Journal's Martha Mercer wrote: "His lyrics ... are most of the 'my baby did me wrong' (on 'Cry Me a River') and 'shake that booty' (on 'Rock Your Body') variety, but generally harmless."[19] Sean Richardson of The Boston Phoenix wrote: "There’s more where that came from on Justified, especially on the liquid bounce of 'Rock Your Body', the Neptunes’ sharpest MJ homage since No Doubt's 'Hella Good'."[20] Malcolm X. Abram of the Akron Beacon Journal wrote: "...Justified is just as much a showcase for The Neptunes' burgeoning songwriting and beat making skills. Delving into the past on 'Rock Your Body', they lay down a funky '70s disco beat complete with a throbbing bass line."[21] Tony Hicks of the Contra Costa Times said that the songs from Justified, "Rock Your Body", "Nothin' Else" and "Last Night", pay effective homage to the "simple disco funk of the late '70s."[22] Christy Lemire of the Associated Press noted that the single's unabashedly '70s disco-influence "could just single-handedly bring back the 'Hustle' with its booming bass and double claps and lyrics like: 'So you grab your girls and you grab a couple more/And you all can meet me in the middle of the floor.'"[23] Kevin O'Hare of the Sunday Republican reported that Timberlake had a Jackson theme throughout the album and concluded that the track was a "groove-filled dance cut" that would have fit perfectly on Jackson's 1979 album Off the Wall."[24] Jim Farber of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote that with The Neptunes, Timberlake "time-traveled back to late '70s funk" with the song.[25] Yeow Kai Chai of The Straits Times noted that the track "is a throwback to early Stevie Wonder or a pre-'Thriller' Michael Jackson."[26] James Sullivan of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the song was the album's obvious tribute to funk-pop superstars Jackson and his '80s counterpart, Prince.[27]

Christian Dahlager of Iowa State Daily commented, "Timberlake cops classic Michael Jackson throughout the album, especially on 'Senorita' and 'Rock Your Body'."[28] Laura Buckingham of The Spartan Daily wrote that Timberlake channels Michael Jackson with "Rock Your Body". Buckingham goes on to say that the song "is a fun dance song reminiscent of tracks from Jackson's 1979 megahit disc Off The Wall."[29] Katie McDonald of Boston College wrote that the stand-out tracks in Justified include "Señoria", "(Oh No) What You Got," "Cry Me a River," and the Michael Jackson-esque "Rock Your Body".[30] Chad Jackson of the University of Virginia commented, "Timberlake's only lyrical advancement from 'N Sync appears to be a move toward more overt eroticism. In the middle of 'Rock Your Body' he boasts that he will 'have you nekkid by the end of the song'".[31] Noreen Okarter of The Johns Hopkins News-Letter reported that the Neptunes contributed to "provide great beats with dance numbers like 'Se-orita' [sic], a fun song that shows Timberlake's amazing skill in singing falsettos, 'Like I Love You', featuring the rap group Clipse and 'Rock Your Body.'"[32] Heather Kevnick of The Michigan Journal wrote that the single is "reminiscent of the king of pop's legendary 'Off the Wall'. He can hit the high notes with the same clarity and perfects the same feel good sense that Jackson is known for."[33]

In the January 2004 magazine issue of Vibe the song won the Guilty Pleasure Award from Vibe Awards. Marques Houston wrote a piece of the song in the issue. "'Rock Your Body' is addictive, omnipresent, and ridiculously pleasurable. Proving that even when a fuzzy-headed blond boy starts body-rocking and beat-boxing, we shouldn't be so quick to walk away."[34]

Chart performance

[edit]

In North America, the single was officially solicited to radio in May 2003. "Rock Your Body" appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, and debuted at number 61. It peaked at number five in week eight and spent one week at number five.[35][36] The song spent 22 weeks on the chart.

Its first appearance in December 2003 in the US Singles Top 100 and the last appearance was in January 2004 in the France Singles Top 100. Its peak position was number one, on the Australia Singles Top 50, it stayed there for one week. Its highest entry was number one in the Australia Singles Top 50.

Music video

[edit]

The video features Timberlake dancing. The female lead dancer in the music video is Staci Flood lip-syncing Marquez's parts of the song.

The video version of the song also features another beatbox breakdown in the middle of the song, much like the one performed in the *NSync single "Pop".

Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy

[edit]

While Timberlake was performing this song at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show with R&B singer Janet Jackson, at the moment he sang the lyric, "[I'll] have you naked by the end of this song," he ripped off part of Jackson's costume by accident, exposing her right breast on live television.

Timberlake distanced himself from the controversy while Jackson faced much criticism. Timberlake later commented that "America's harsher on women...[and] unfairly harsh on ethnic people."

Remixes/official versions

[edit]

Cover versions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Los Angeles CA : LAist Interview: Vanessa Marquez
  2. ^ "Malay Mail: Timberlake on top". The Malay Mail. 2002-12-20. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ "JUSTIN GOES SOLO, SORT OF". The Cincinnati Post: T12. 2003-07-24.
  4. ^ Rodman, Sarah (2003-08-06). "Music Review; Justina shows class and trash". Boston Herald: 054.
  5. ^ Rosen, Jody (2005-04-04). "Finding Neverland". The Nation. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  6. ^ a b Sylvia, Dave de (2005-07-30). "Justin Timberlake Justified". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  7. ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (2002-11-07). "Seeking Solo Success". Richmond Times-Dispatch: D-13. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  8. ^ Daly, Sean (2002-11-06). "Justin Timberlake, Out on His Own And Ready to Party". The Washington Post: C1. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  9. ^ Renard, Dave (2002-11-08). "CD Review: On New Solo Album, Timberlake Leave 'N Sync, Britney Behind". The Virginian-Pilot: E1. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ Verrico, Lisa (2002-11-01). "The great pretenders - Pop". The Times: Times2 14. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  11. ^ Empire, Kitty (2002-11-03). "The Guardian: Review: Music releases: POP". The Guardian. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ^ Piccoli, Sean (2002-11-05). "Timberlake's Solo May Be Justified". South Florida Sun-Sentinel: 1E. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  13. ^ Cohen, Howard (2002-11-08). "Timberlake, Carter Backtrack In Solo Debuts". The Miami Herald: 30G. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  14. ^ Masley, Ed (2002-11-08). "No Headline". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: 25. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  15. ^ Browne, David (2002-10-28). "Justified (2002)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  16. ^ Boyd, Denise (2002-11-20). "Justin Timberlake Justified Review". BBC. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  17. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (2002-11-01). "Sex bombs: Pop CD Releases: Justin Timberlake Justified". The Guardian. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  18. ^ Farber, Jim (2002-11-05). "FROM DROOL TO COOL: JUSTIN HAS A SURPRISING SOLO LP". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  19. ^ Mercer, Martha (2002-11-22). "Justin Timberlake - Justified". The Russia Journal. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  20. ^ Richardson, Sean (November 14 - 21, 2002). "The boys in the bands". The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved 2009-08-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Abram, Malcolm X. (2002-11-10). "Christina & Justin - As Pop Explosion Fizzles, Two Stars May Manage To Rise From Ashes": E3. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  22. ^ Hicks, Tony (2002-11-06). "Timberlake's Solo Career On Its Way With "Justified" - Album Lacks Originality But Blends Jackson And Late '70s Funk Nicely". Contra Costa Times: d01. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  23. ^ Lemire, Christy (2002-11-08). "Justin Timberlake". Lexington Herald-Leader. Associated Press: 6. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ O'Hare, Kevin (2002-11-10). "Singer's solo effort 'Justified'". The Republican (Springfield): D01. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  25. ^ Farber, Jim (2002-10-31). "Timberlake steps out of lightweight pop bounds with panache". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 04. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  26. ^ Chai, Yeow Kai (2002-11-01). "Sound Bites". The Straits Times. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  27. ^ Sullivan, James (2002-11-05). "Timberlake gets funky on his first solo release". San Francisco Chronicle: D6. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  28. ^ Dahlager, Christian (2002-11-06). "CD Review: Did Justin Timberlake just say that?". Iowa State Daily. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  29. ^ Buckingham, Laura (2002-11-12). "POPSHORT: Justin Timberlake can't shed old pop idol skin". The Spartan Daily. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  30. ^ McDonald, Katie (2002-11-12). "CD Review: Justin goes solo". Boston College. Retrieved 2009-08-20. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  31. ^ Jackson, Chad (2002-11-12). "CD Review: Timberlake falls flat on R&B-influenced solo album". University of Virginia. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  32. ^ Okarter, Noreen (2002-11-15). "Justin Timberlake is Justified in his solo effort". The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  33. ^ Kevnick, Heather (2002-11-19). "Bye Bye Bye *NSYNC, Timberlake does it better solo". The Michigan Journal. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  34. ^ Houston, Marques (January 2004). "The 2003 Vibe Awards". Vibe: 85. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  35. ^ "Hot 100". Billboard. 2003-05-10. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
  36. ^ "Justin Timberlake - Rock Your Body". αCharts.us. Retrieved 2009-08-20.