Not a Bad Thing explained

Not a Bad Thing
Cover:Not a Bad Thing.png
Type:single
Artist:Justin Timberlake
Album:The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2
B-Side:"TKO" (Black Friday Remix)
Released:February 24, 2014
Studio:Larrabee, North Hollywood, California
Genre:
Length: (album version with "Pair of Wings")
  • (radio edit/single version)
Label:RCA
Prev Title:TKO
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Love Never Felt So Good
Next Year:2014

"Not a Bad Thing" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his fourth studio album, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy. It was released as the third single from the album on February 24, 2014. The song is a mid-tempo pop ballad, that makes use of an acoustic guitar throughout, with its lyrics centering on the semantic field of love.

"Not a Bad Thing" received positive reviews from several contemporary music critics. The song's music video premiered on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 20, 2014. It is a mini documentary, that follows two documentary filmmakers searching for a couple that got engaged on January 12, 2014, while heading to New York City on the Long Island Rail Road train, with the man proposing to his girlfriend to "Not a Bad Thing". The video concludes with the filmmakers being led to several false leads, with a second part of the video to follow. Timberlake performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and during The 20/20 Experience World Tour. The song reached number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Mainstream Top 40.[1]

Production and release

"Not a Bad Thing" was written by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, James Fauntleroy and debut by Joey Giltner. When looking for a new love song, Timberlake received song and from a new writer this song was received and decided to record. The song was produced by Timbaland, Timberlake, and Harmon. Timberlake arranged and produced his vocals, which were recorded at Larabee Studios in North Hollywood, California. Harmon provided keyboards for the song, while Elliot Ives and Timberlake played the guitar. The track was engineered by Chris Godbey, and mixed by Jimmy Douglass, Godbey and Timberlake, with assistance from Alejandro Baima, at Larabee Studios.

RCA executives reportedly believed that "Not a Bad Thing" could be The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2s largest commercial success. However, they instead opted to release "Take Back the Night" and "TKO" first, to represent the album's R&B sound and distinguish "Not a Bad Thing" from the sonically similar "Mirrors". A radio edit of the song was digitally released on February 24, 2014 in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The next day, it impacted the contemporary hit radio in the United States. On March 31 was sent to US adult contemporary radio and on May 27 to its UK equivalent. "Not a Bad Thing" was released as a CD single in Austria, Germany and Switzerland; apart from the radio edit of the song it also featured the "TKO (Black Friday Remix)". "Not a Bad Thing" impacted the mainstream radio in Italy on June 4.

Composition and lyrical interpretation

"Not a Bad Thing" is a mid-tempo pop ballad,[2] [3] [4] with a running duration of 11 minutes and 28 seconds; the album version has an included hidden track entitled "Pair of Wings".[5] Critics noted the song's resemblance to songs by former boy band NSYNC, which Timberlake had previously been a member of.[6] [7] [8] and the song's focus on the theme of love.[3] [4] PopMatters Brice Ezell saw "Not a Bad Thing" to share the same characteristics as NSYNC's 1999 "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You", using the same "emotional earnestness" which made the latter song the "heart-melter" it was during its release.[9] Mikael Wood of Los Angeles Times described the song as a "dewy, blue-eyed soul number" that was realized when Timberlake was discovering the "emotional possibilities of his singing" during his time with the boy band.[6] Holly Gleason of Paste interpreted the lyrics as endorsing love, with the song contrasting the previous tracks on The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, celebrating the "happily ever after trope for all its worth".[3]

Critical response

"Not a Bad Thing" received general acclaim from critics. Jeremy Thomas of 411mania.com selected "Not a Bad Thing" as one of the stand-out tracks from The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, using it as an example of a song from the album that "has a gentle side that can be appreciated," noting it as a "lovely close" to the album.[4] Similarly selecting the track as a stand-out, Chris Bosman of Consequence of Sound saw the song serving as the "pitch perfect" nostalgic track, pointing out its 'NSYNC influence.[8] As well as depicting the latter influence, Melinda Newman of HitFix awarded the track an A grade, labeling it as a "lovely, lilting straight-up pop tune."[10] David Meller of musicOMH described the track as "arduous" due to its length and it having "any sort of edginess or intrigue."[11] Along with several other songs within The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, Dave Hanratty of Drowned in Sound dismissed "Not a Bad Thing", writing that it contains "sun-kissed and forced smiles."[7]

Commercial performance

"Not a Bad Thing" reached the top 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in its fourth week on the chart, at number 27.[12] In its fifth week it rose to number 20, and in its sixth week, it again rose to number 14.[13] [14] The song reached number 12 in its seventh week,[15] before entering the top 10 at number 8 the following week.[16] The song sold 88,000 digital copies that week, with an audience impression of 79 million.[16] It marked his 15th top ten hit on the Hot 100, while being the first and only top 10 single from The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2.[16] "Not a Bad Thing" has also achieved similar success on the US format charts, peaking at number 1 on the Mainstream Top 40, number 1 on the Adult Top 40 and at number 4 on the Rhythmic chart. On the Mainstream Top 40, Timberlake became the male artist with the most number-one songs and top 10 singles.[1] Bruno Mars later tied with Timberlake for the most number-one singles among men when his Mark Ronson's collaboration "Uptown Funk" reached the top spot in early 2015.[17] The tie was broken by Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" in June 2016.[18]

In 2014, "Not a Bad Thing" was ranked as the 45th most popular song of the year on the Billboard Hot 100.[19]

As of 2018, the song has sold 1.5 million downloads in the United States.[20]

Music video

A preview of the song's music video made its debut on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 20, 2014,[21] before the full video premiered online later that day.[22] Justin Timberlake does not make an appearance in the video; the video involves two documentary filmmakers searching for a couple that got engaged on January 12, 2014, while heading to New York City on the Long Island Rail Road, with the man proposing to his girlfriend to "Not a Bad Thing". Throughout the music video, couples are interviewed, sharing their reflections on love, marriage and their relationships, as well as what they think of the unknown couple. In conjunction, the documentarians are shown in the streets of New York City with flyers with the hashtag "#haveyouseenthiscouple," as well as them stopping by a radio interview and texting each other from borough to borough, with the messages showing up on the screen. The search produces several false leads, as they ask strangers and friends for help, with the video ending with a "To Be Continued" title.[23] Following the video's premiere, Ellen DeGeneres explained that "Obviously, if you know this couple, contact us, because Justin is trying to find you and we'll put you all together."[23]

A second video documenting several love stories that fans submitted on Twitter under the hashtag #NotABadLoveStory collecting photos and videos was shared on Timberlake's Vevo channel on YouTube.[24]

Live performances

Justin Timberlake performed "Not a Bad Thing" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 21, 2014.[25] Timberlake also performed the song during The 20/20 Experience and 2 of 2 supporting tour, The 20/20 Experience World Tour.[26]

Track listings

CD single
  1. "Not a Bad Thing" (Radio Edit) — 4:26
  2. "TKO" (Black Friday Remix) featuring J. Cole, ASAP Rocky and Pusha T — 4:32
Digital download
  1. "Not a Bad Thing" — 4:26

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2.[27]

Locations
Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australia Urban (ARIA)[28] 1
Iceland (RÚV)[29] 14
Lebanon (The Official Lebanese Top 20)[30] 19
South Korea (Gaon Digital Chart)[31] 25
South Korea (Gaon Download Chart)[32] 22

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)Position
Australia (ARIA)[34] 98
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[35] 45
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[36] 44
US Billboard Hot 100[37] 45
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[38] 16
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 20
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[40] 20
US Rhythmic Songs (Billboard)[41] 33

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
AustriaFebruary 24, 2014Digital downloadSony[42]
France[43]
Germany
Italy[44]
Spain[45]
Switzerland
United KingdomRCA[46]
United States[47]
February 25, 2014Contemporary hit radio[48]
March 31, 2014Hot/Modern/AC radio[49]
AustriaApril 18, 2014CD singleSony[50]
Germany
Switzerland
United KingdomMay 5, 2014RCA[51]
United StatesMay 27, 2014AC radio[52]
ItalyJune 4, 2014Mainstream radioSony[53]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Chart Highlights: Justin Timberlake Passes Bruno Mars For Most Pop Songs No. 1s Among Solo Males. Gary Trust. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. May 26, 2014. May 31, 2014.
  2. Web site: Justin Timberlake Picks "Not A Bad Thing" As The Next '2 Of 2' Single: Listen To The Radio Edit. Mike . Wass . . February 14, 2014. February 18, 2014.
  3. News: Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2. Holly . Gleason . Paste. Paste Media Group. October 1, 2013. February 18, 2014.
  4. Web site: Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2 Review. Jeremy. Thomas. 411mania.com. October 1, 2013. February 18, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140209040324/http://www.411mania.com/music/album_reviews/299131/Justin-Timberlake---The-20-20-Experience-2-of-2-Review.htm#RFtixwVPQDZIpiFU.99. February 9, 2014. dead.
  5. Web site: The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 – Justin Timberlake | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards . Andy . Kellman . . October 1, 2013.
  6. News: Review: Justin Timberlake edgier on '20/20 Experience — 2 of 2'. Mikael . Wood . Los Angeles Times. September 30, 2013. February 18, 2014.
  7. Web site: Album Review: Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2. Dave. Hanratty. Drowned in Sound. September 30, 2013. February 18, 2014. March 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324075045/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17875/reviews/4146930. dead.
  8. Justin Timberlake Overreaches on His 20/20 Follow-Up. Chris . Bosman. . Time Inc.. October 2, 2013. February 18, 2014.
  9. Web site: Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience (2 of 2) . Ezell . Brice . . September 29, 2013 . October 5, 2013.
  10. Web site: Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2: Track-by-track review. Melinda. Newman. . September 30, 2013 . April 21, 2014.
  11. Web site: Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience (2 of 2) . Meller . David . . September 30, 2013 . February 18, 2014.
  12. Web site: Grein . Paul . Chart Watch: After "Frozen," Here Comes "Summer". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! . March 26, 2014 . May 2, 2014.
  13. Web site: Grein . Paul . Chart Watch: Shakira Tops Gaga . Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! . April 3, 2014 . May 2, 2014.
  14. Web site: Grein . Paul . Chart Watch: Sam Smith's Breakout Moment . Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! . April 9, 2014 . May 2, 2014.
  15. Web site: Grein . Paul . Chart Watch: Luke Bryan Avenges ACM Losses . Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! . April 16, 2014 . May 2, 2014.
  16. Pharrell Williams Still Atop Hot 100; Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown Reach Top 10 . Billboard. . April 23, 2014 . May 2, 2014.
  17. Chart Highlights: Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars Top Pop Songs, Dance/Mix Show Airplay. Billboard.
  18. Justin Timberlake's 'Can't Stop the Feeling!' Hits No. 1 on Pop Songs & Adult Pop Songs Charts. Gary Trust. Billboard. June 6, 2016. June 6, 2016.
  19. 2014 Year End Charts - Hot 100 Songs. Billboard. December 9, 2014.
  20. Ask Billboard: Justin Timberlake & *NSYNC's Career Album & Song Sales . Billboard . Billboard-Hollywood Media Group . February 4, 2018 . February 4, 2018 . Trust . Gary.
  21. Web site: Exclusive! Justin Timberlake's New Music Video — The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The Ellen DeGeneres Show (a Warner Bros. production). March 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140320154638/http://www.ellentv.com/videos/0-kplm56s3/. March 20, 2014. dead.
  22. Web site: Video: Justin Timberlake – 'Not a Bad Thing'. Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. April 12, 2014.
  23. Timberlake premieres the video on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show". Ashley . Lee . Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. March 20, 2014. April 12, 2014.
  24. Justin Timberlake Releases New Fan-Made 'Not A Bad Thing' Video: Watch. Jason . Lipshutz . Billboard. June 3, 2014. November 14, 2014.
  25. Web site: Watch Justin Timberlake And Jimmy Fallon's 'History of Rap' Reunion. https://web.archive.org/web/20140301164639/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1722794/justin-timberlake-jimmy-fallon-history-of-rap-5.jhtml. dead. March 1, 2014. Shipley. Kelci . MTV News. Viacom. February 22, 2014. February 24, 2014.
  26. News: Concert review: Justin Timberlake kicks off '20/20 Experience' tour with flirty gig at Barclays Center. New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. November 7, 2013. February 24, 2014.
  27. . . 2013 . booklet . . New York City, NY.
  28. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 40 Urban Singles. ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. April 19, 2014. http://www.freezepage.com/1397931283HDNJMSXMSI?url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/urban-singles. April 19, 2014.
  29. Web site: Justin Timberlake Chart History. RÚV. 8 April 2016 . June 19, 2017.
  30. http://www.olt20.com/Justin_Timberlake#fragment-2 Justin Timberlake chart history
  31. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart. Gaon Chart. March 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140315051636/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E&current_week=11&current_year=2014&chart_Time=week. March 15, 2014. dead.
  32. Web site: Gaon Download Chart. Gaon Chart. March 15, 2014.
  33. Web site: Gaon Download Chart. Gaon Chart. April 20, 2014.
  34. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 7, 2015.
  35. 2014 Year End Charts - Canadian Hot 100. . December 9, 2014 .
  36. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2014. Recorded Music NZ. January 1, 2015.
  37. 2014 Year End Charts - Hot 100 Songs. Billboard. December 9, 2014.
  38. 2014 Year End Charts - Adult Contemporary. Billboard. December 28, 2014.
  39. 2014 Year End Charts - Adult Pop Songs. Billboard. December 28, 2014.
  40. 2014 Year End Charts - Pop Songs. Billboard. December 9, 2014.
  41. 2014 Year End Charts - Rhythmic Songs. Billboard. December 9, 2014.
  42. Web site: Not a Bad Thing: Justin Timberlake. Amazon.com (DE). April 12, 2014. de.
  43. Web site: Not a Bad Thing: Justin Timberlake. Amazon.com (FR). fr. April 12, 2014.
  44. Web site: Not a Bad Thing: Justin Timberlake. Amazon.com (IT). April 12, 2014. it.
  45. Web site: Not a Bad Thing: Justin Timberlake. Amazon.com (ES). April 12, 2014. it.
  46. Web site: Not a Bad Thing: Justin Timberlake. Amazon.com (UK). April 12, 2014.
  47. Web site: Not a Bad Thing: Justin Timberlake. Amazon.com. February 25, 2014.
  48. Web site: Top 40/Mainstream Future Releases. AllAccess . https://web.archive.org/web/20140226202118/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. February 26, 2014. live. February 24, 2014.
  49. Web site: Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases. AllAccess . https://web.archive.org/web/20140729155132/http://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases. July 29, 2014. live. March 25, 2014.
  50. Web site: Not a Bad Thing: Justin Timberlake. Amazon.com (DE). de. April 12, 2014.
  51. Web site: Forthcoming U.K. Singles. April 3, 2014. BBC Radio 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20140327220313/http://www.radio1.gr/music/forthcoming_uk_singles.htm. live. March 27, 2014.
  52. Web site: Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases. AllAccess . https://web.archive.org/web/20140729155132/http://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases. July 29, 2014. live. May 21, 2014.
  53. Web site: Justin Timberlake – Not a Bad Thing (Sony) . Radio Airplay SRL . June 5, 2014 . Corradini, Paola . it.