Girlfriend (NSYNC song) explained

Girlfriend
Cover:NSyncGirlfriend.jpg
Alt:The members of NSYNC are inside a limousine, wearing leather jackets and suits. The band name and title is positioned on the top-left corner
Type:single
Artist:NSYNC featuring Nelly
Album:Celebrity
B-Side:The Two of Us
Recorded:April–May 2001[1]
Label:Jive
Producer:The Neptunes
Chronology:NSYNC
Prev Title:Gone
Prev Year:2001
Next Title:Better Place
Next Year:2023

"Girlfriend" is a pop and hip hop song by American boy band NSYNC. It was released on January 14, 2002, as the third single from their fourth studio album Celebrity. It was the group's last song to enter the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five. "Girlfriend" additionally reached number one in Canada and charted within the top 10 in six other countries, including Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. This was the last single and song the band released in their career before their reunion in 2023.

Background

When originally announced as a single, the intention was for the album version of the track to be released along with a video and released to television. However, just weeks before the release, the group announced that the Neptunes would remix the song for its single release and feature two all-new verses with rapper Nelly. When Nelly was approached to record the song, he was initially met with resistance from his record label, who stated that he was trying to "ruin [his] career". Nelly insisted on appearing on the song, which they eventually conceded.[2] It was his first major cross-collaboration.[3]

The song contained a hip hop influence and was sent to top 40 and hot AC radio in January 2002 before being released commercially on March 12, 2002, as an enhanced CD.[4] [5]

Critical reception

In 2015, Billboards Jason Lipshutz ranked it tenth on the list "Top 20 Essential Boy Band Songs," writing, "straddling the lines of pop, R&B and hip-hop, the song could have been the precursor to the boy band's stylistic shift, but instead proved to be the starting point for Justin Timberlake's solo career."[6]

Music video

Background

Two music videos exist for the single, which were both directed by Marc Klasfeld. The first video was released in late December 2001, while the Neptunes Remix debuted on March 12, 2002.[7]

Synopsis

The music video featured the band dancing on cars, singing to girls and a drag race, which was won by Justin Timberlake. The Neptunes Remix featured scenes of Nelly spliced between shots of the pre-existing video. He is shown rapping next to Timberlake during both of his rap verses, as well as interacting with female models in the backseat of the car throughout this version of the video. Scenes of Timberlake initiating the drag race in the interlude, which is shown in the original video, are heavily omitted in the Neptunes Remix to accommodate for Nelly's rap verse, which his second rap verse replaces.

Track listings

US and Canadian CD single[8] [9]

  1. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13
  2. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:43
  3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Back Late" mix) – 5:57
  4. "Gone" (Spanish version) – 4:51
  5. "Girlfriend" (video)

US 12-inch single[10]

A1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:43

A2. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix instrumental) – 4:43

B1. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13

B2. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Back Late" mix) – 5:57

UK CD and cassette single[11] [12]

  1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly)
  2. "The Two of Us"
  3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' radio edit)

European CD single[13]

  1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:43
  2. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13

Australian CD single[14]

  1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:45
  2. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:14
  3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Late" mix) – 5:59
  4. "Girlfriend" (video)

Japanese CD single[15]

  1. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13
  2. "Girlfriend" (instrumental) – 4:12
  3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Late" mix) – 5:58

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes.[11]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2002)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[16] 1
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[17] 5
Europe (European Hot 100)[18] 4
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[19] 93

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)!scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[20] 26
Australian Urban (ARIA)[21] 8
Brazil (Crowley)[22] 81
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[23] 18
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)[24] 84
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[25] 96
Germany (Official German Charts)[26] 73
Ireland (IRMA)[27] 69
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] 77
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 70
UK Singles (OCC)[30] 44
UK Airplay (Music Week)[31] 63
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 33
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[33] 29
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[34] 35

Release history

Region!scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesJanuary 14, 2002Contemporary hit radioJive
January 21, 2002Hot adult contemporary radio
JapanJanuary 30, 2002CD[35]
United StatesMarch 12, 2002Enhanced CD
AustraliaApril 15, 2002CD[36]
United Kingdom[37]

Notes and References

  1. 'N Sync: True Tales of the Pop Life. Touré. Rolling Stone. August 31, 2001. March 29, 2020.
  2. 'Nellyville' Turns 15: Nelly Looks Back on the Singles, Guests & Bad 'Hot In Herre' Jokes. Platon. Adelle. Billboard. June 23, 2017. October 16, 2020.
  3. Web site: 'Nellyville': 15 Ways Nelly's Midwest-Spun Recipe Made The Culture Pop. Pickens. Ashley. Vibe. June 26, 2017. October 16, 2020.
  4. January 11, 2002 . Top 40, A/C & Hot A/C, Rhythm Crossover Impact Dates . . 2358 . 35.
  5. Web site:
    • NSYNC Embarking On 'Celebrity' Tour With A Twist
    . February 19, 2002. February 5, 2020. Baker. Soren. Yahoo! Music. September 11, 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1315708217GZCBNHZOGX?url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/nsync/news/artist-name-nsync-id-1033340-embarking-on-celebrity-tour-with-a-twist--12056871.
  6. Top 20 Essential Boy Band Songs. Lipshutz . Jason. July 13, 2015. Billboard. March 11, 2017.
  7. Throwback! Look Back At 'Girlfriend,' 'N Sync's Video for Their Final Single as a Group. Strecker. Erin. Billboard. January 1, 2015. October 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20150103220253/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6422414/nsync-girlfriend-video-throwback. January 3, 2015. dead.
  8. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. US CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 01241-40013-2.
  9. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. Canadian CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 01241-48225-2.
  10. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. US 12-inch single sleeve. Jive Records. 01241-40016-1.
  11. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. UK CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 9253312.
  12. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. UK cassette single sleeve. Jive Records. 9253314.
  13. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. European CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 9253429.
  14. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. Australian CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 9253422.
  15. Girlfriend. NSYNC. 2002. Japanese CD single liner notes. Jive Records. ZJCI-30012.
  16. 'N Sync Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. November 24, 2018.
  17. Web site: Canadian Top 20 in 2002. Cross Canada Countdown. https://web.archive.org/web/20050407223203/http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2002.pdf. 7 April 2005. 19 April 2024.
  18. https://books.google.com/books?id=5xAEAAAAMBAJ&q=n+sync Billboard – Google Books
  19. Web site: Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 22, saptamina 3.06–9.06, 2002. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050215113031/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10023.html. February 15, 2005. May 10, 2020.
  20. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002. ARIA. September 17, 2020.
  21. Web site: ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2002. ARIA. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200415012252/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-urban-singles-2002.htm. April 15, 2020. September 17, 2020.
  22. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2002. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.
  23. Web site: Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002. Jam!. January 14, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20040906184715/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_singles.html. September 6, 2004. March 22, 2022.
  24. Web site: Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002. Jam!. https://web.archive.org/web/20040906183811/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100page2_2002.html. 6 September 2004. August 20, 2024.
  25. Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002. Music & Media. 21. 2–3. 14. January 11, 2003.
  26. Web site: Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2002. GfK Entertainment. de. November 24, 2018.
  27. Web site: Top 100 Songs of 2002. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040602113021/http://www.rte.ie/2fm/charts/top100_2002.html. June 2, 2004. March 16, 2022.
  28. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002. Dutch Top 40. March 26, 2020.
  29. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002. MegaCharts. nl. November 24, 2018.
  30. Web site: The Official UK Singles Chart 2002. UKChartsPlus. November 24, 2018.
  31. Most Broadcast of 2002 — Airplay Top 50. Music Week. 31. January 18, 2003. August 4, 2023.
  32. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2002. billboardtop100of.com. March 26, 2020.
  33. Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 12. December 20, 2002.
  34. Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 22. December 20, 2002.
  35. Web site: ガールフレンド インシンク. Girlfriend NSYNC. Oricon. ja. September 29, 2023.
  36. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15/04/2002. ARIA. 25. April 15, 2002. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020423140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020424-0000/www.aria.com.au/Issue633.pdf. April 23, 2002. April 28, 2021.
  37. Web site: NSYNC Girlfriend The Neptunes Remix Featuring Nelly. Amazon. June 30, 2021.

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