"Something Like You" is a 2001 song by NSYNC, co-produced and co-written by Justin Timberlake and group vocal coach Robin Wiley for the album Celebrity.
| "Something Like You" | |
|---|---|
| Song by NSYNC | |
| from the album Celebrity | |
| Released | July 24, 2001 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:14 |
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
|
Production
edit"I said, 'We have to get him to do it.' I mean, that's the other thing that he's famous for — besides his incredible voice, he's killer on the harp. Somehow the record company got a hold of him and it just worked out. He came in and it definitely was a surreal moment. I was sitting at the board, and he's sitting in the booth playing the part."
— Timberlake on enlisting Wonder, via MTV.com[1]
Stevie Wonder played harmonica on the track.[2] Timberlake and Wiley enlisted Wonder after writing the harmonica part.[1] during recording Timberlake informed Wonder that he was playing the final note flat.[3]
Critical reception
editEntertainment Weekly wrote the song was a "the squishy ballad with drooling-puppy harmonies and lyrics", and gave it a D-rating.[4] Variety deemed it "so-so".[5] Billboard felt the "slushy" song had an "eyeroll-worthy lyric" and "corny harmonica riff", though positively compared it to the Boyz II Men hit "4 Seasons of Loneliness".[6] ABC suggested that Wonder was actively choosing to contribute to "studio-produced pop" whereas other may have declined.[7] Slant Magazine felt that in comparison with Boyz II Men, the song was "watered-down pop than classic soul", and a sign of the "classic hit-making formula" of old rather than the new experimental pop direction the band was exploring.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b vanHorn, Teri (July 27, 2021). "'NSYNC Seek To Impress With Skills, Not Sales". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Graff, Gary (June 29, 2001). "They've Come A Long Way, Baby". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved August 2, 2021 – via nsynchasitall.tripod.com.
- ^ "Read Vibe's Feb 2003 Justin Timberlake Cover Story". Vibe. January 14, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Browne, David (August 8, 2001). "Celebrity". EW.com. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Gallo, Phil (July 26, 2001). "'N Sync". Variety. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ O'Brien, Jon (July 22, 2021). "*NSYNC's 'Celebrity' at 20: All the Tracks Ranked From Worst to Best". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "'N Sync Releases 'Celebrity'". ABC News. July 24, 2001. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Cinquemani, Sal (July 23, 2001). "Review: NSYNC, Celebrity". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 2, 2021.