"My Love " by Justin Timberlake
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Artist
After almost four years of silence, with the exception of numerous violent paparazzi run-ins along with girlfriend Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake seems ready to take on the music charts once again -- and so far pretty successfully. Like many of today’s pop stars, the Memphis native found fame on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, which led to his career with ’NSYNC before his sales soared as a solo act.
The Album
“My Love” featuring T.I. was released as a single October 24th of 2006, right on the heels of Timberlake’s latest album “Future Sex/Love Sounds [Explicit].”
The Song
Most notable right off the bat is how impressively Timberlake manages to hit the high notes in this high-pitched lovesick serenade. T.I.’s rap is a nice break from this, as well as from the repetitiveness of the lyrics.
There are essentially two parts to the song. Timberlake takes the romantic, heart-felt dedication to the woman he loves. “Girl you amaze me/ Ain’t gotta do nothin’ crazy/ See all I want you to do is be my love.” He goes on to present her with a ring that “represents my heart and everything that you been waiting for.” The rap by T.I. that follows tells us how the saga ends. “Baby, you decide that I ain’t your guy/ Ain’t gonna lie, Me in your space/ But forget your face, I swear I will.” Despite the plea, the girl doesn’t go for it.
Rejection is part of life -- whether you lose a romance, a spot on the team, a place in a band, or even a so-called friendship. As Christians, we’re sometimes rejected because what we believe in doesn’t sit well with others. There’s no way around the occasional rejection, so the question becomes how to handle it when it comes our way. In the song “My Love,” T.I. gets mad and disses the girl at the end of his rap, which discredits the rest of the song.
Of course, it’s easy to get mad when we feel denied, but thinking of it as a learning experience might help us keep focused on God and keep our emotions in check. Pray through the situation and specifically ask God to show you some of the benefits of not getting what you wanted. Finally, follow Christ’s example by showing love and kindness to those who rejected you. “I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.” (Matthew 5:43, The Message)
So What Do You Think?
1. Justin Timberlake has been known for a lot of things. What’s the first impression that comes to mind when you think of him?
2. How would you describe his new sound?
3. Do you prefer Timberlake’s or T.I.’s part in “My Love”?
4. When is a time that you felt rejected? How did you respond?
5. What are some practical ways we can show love to our enemies?