Justin Timberlake has been entertaining us since he was a little kid (never forget The Mickey Mouse Club!) For his 34th birthday, we’re looking back and celebrating all the different eras of Mr. Timberlake’s musical career, from *NSYNC to “Mirrors.” Check out five of our personal picks below.
(Psst: Want more? Check out our gallery of all of his career highlights.)
5. “Cry for You,” The All-New Mickey Mouse Club
It doesn’t hold a candle to some of his later stuff, but the tune’s importance becomes clear right around the two-minute mark. It’s one of our earliest warnings of the incredible falsetto we were ultimately in for. Bonus: Hi there, Ryan Gosling and JC Chasez!
4. “It Makes Me Ill”
Sure, “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me” are more iconic *NSYNC tunes. But this performance of the No Strings Attached number, from their HBO-taped Madison Square Garden show, showcases the boy band at its absolute cheesiest, unfortunate hairdos and all.
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3. “Cry Me a River”
The phrase was already in the vernacular, but now whenever someone sarcastically says “cry me a river,” you can add in the “Oh…OHs” yourself. Justin Timberlake songs are the gifts that keep on giving.
2. MTV Video Vanguard Full Performance
He’s been working since he was a little kid, so it’s no surprise that Mr. Timberlake has energy for days, but even by his own super-high benchmarks, this 14-minute showstopper was impressive. Any performance that allows for both a “SexyBack” opener and a brief *NSYNC reunion is one worth being remembered.
1. “Mirrors”
The 20/20 Experience allowed JT to throw back to the big-band era, and we have no complaints. The consummate showman, this iHeartRadio performance of “Mirrors” was a great showcase for his vocals — away from the long-ago teenybopper dance moves.
Happy Birthday, Justin!