Gone (NSYNC song)
{{Short description|2001 single from NSYNC}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Gone
| cover = Gone_'N_Sync.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = NSYNC
| album = Celebrity
| B-side = {{ubl|"I'll Be Good for You"|"The Game Is Over"}}
| released = {{start date|2001|8|21}}
| recorded = 2001
| studio = Westlake Recording (Los Angeles)
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|R&B|soul}}
| length = {{duration|m=4|s=51}}
| label = Jive
| writer = {{hlist|Justin Timberlake|Wade Robson}}
| producer = {{hlist|Justin Timberlake|Wade Robson}}
| prev_title = Pop
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = Girlfriend
| next_year = 2002
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|IbRwSI8yi1o|"Gone"}}}}
}}
"Gone" is a song by American boy band NSYNC. It was released as the second single from their fourth studio album, Celebrity (2001). The band first performed the song on PopOdyssey during mid-2001, and it was sent to US radio on August 21, 2001. The physical release of the single did not occur until October 15, 2001, when a CD single was issued in Australia. It is the first NSYNC single where Justin Timberlake sings all lead vocals.
The song was nominated at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, but lost to U2's "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of".
Background and composition
File:Michael Jackson Cannescropped.jpg.]]
"Gone" was initially written by Justin Timberlake and Wade Robson for Michael Jackson in 2001. However, Jackson passed on the song, which allowed Timberlake to introduce it in an A&R meeting for NSYNC's next album, Celebrity.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6084534/justin-timberlake-duet-michael-jackson-gone-oprah|title=Justin Timberlake Nearly Had Duet With Michael Jackson a Decade Ago|last=Payne|first=Chris|magazine=Billboard|date=May 8, 2014|access-date=February 5, 2020}} It was the first song Timberlake cut on his own, as he brought it to the group to record together. Jackson eventually changed his mind and requested to be featured on the song as a duet; however, the song was already released, and the two could not find a way to revamp it.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/6084699/n-sync-gone-michael-jackson-duet-justin-timberlake|title='N Sync's 'Gone' Comes Back: Why Michael Jackson's Proposed Duet is an Essential Justin Timberlake Track|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=Billboard|date=May 9, 2014|access-date=February 5, 2020}} In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Timberlake expressed, "[Michael] was very absolute about the fact that he wanted it to be a duet between himself and I."
In an interview with Billboard, JC Chasez described the song's significance on the group: ["Gone"] is about as raw as it gets. It's just us and a beat-box, with just a tiny accent of acoustic guitar and violin. That song is a proud moment for us; it really shows how tight we are as a group."{{cite magazine|last=Flick|first=Larry|title='N Sync: Shouldering The Burden of Celebrity|url=http://www.billboard.com/billboard/feature/exclusive/nsync1.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010630235832/http://www.billboard.com/billboard/feature/exclusive/nsync1.jsp|archive-date=June 30, 2001|access-date=February 15, 2016|magazine=Billboard}}
Timberlake got the idea for the song when his then-girlfriend Britney Spears went to the hair salon and did not return for hours.{{Cite web|date=January 29, 2018|title=The Evolution of Justin Timberlake|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-01-29-the-evolution-of-justin-timberlake/|website=iHeartRadio|language=en}} The song and music video were notable departures for the group; previous NSYNC singles always had verses divided between lead vocalists Timberlake and Chasez, and in earlier music videos each group member had a storyline. "Gone" has Timberlake singing both verses as well as the bridge, runs, and ad libs. He is also the focus of the accompanying music video, with Timberlake getting mostly solo footage while his bandmates appear together separately.{{Cite web|last=Nilles|first=Billy|date=March 21, 2020|title=Ranking the 20 Best NSYNC Songs Ever|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1132643/ranking-the-20-best-nsync-songs-ever|website=E! Online}}
The song is set in the key of C major and C minor (recorded in B major and B minor) at 56 bpm.[https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0064210 Gone]
Critical reception
Jason Lipshutz of Billboard stated that the song established "Timberlake as a solo artist long before he was actually a solo artist, and remains one of his very best singles to date." In 2018, Billboard staff ranked the song 24 on their list "The 100 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time," writing, "the bridge is downright surreal, as the sparse beat drops out entirely, the meter all but dissolves, and the five members sound like they're swarming Timberlake's subconscious, until he breaks out for a final chorus of masterful ad libs. But it all comes back to that one word: harrowing, relentless and unmistakably final."{{cite web|date=April 23, 2018|title=The 100 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8362499/greatest-boy-band-songs-of-all-time-top-100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 28, 2018}} In 2015, Rolling Stone staff ranked it as the 37th greatest boy band song of all time.{{cite magazine|last1=Walters|first1=Barry |last2=Stevens|first2=Kat |last3=Spanos|first3=Brittany |last4=Murray|first4=Nick |last5=Benjamin|first5=Jeff |last6=Johnston|first6=Maura |author6-link=Maura Johnston |date=September 24, 2015 |title=75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/boy-band-songs-greatest-1033317/n-sync-gone-2001-165753/ |access-date=March 10, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone}}
Chart performance
"Gone" peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 13, 2001. It also reached number fourteen on the Hip Hop/R&B Airplay charts, becoming the only pop boy band to chart there.{{Cite magazine|last1=Pietroluongo|first1=Silvio|last2=Patel|first2=Minal|last3=Jessen|first3=Wade|date=November 10, 2001|title=More Than Pop|volume=113|issue=45|page=75|magazine=Billboard|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2001/BB-2001-11-10.pdf}} The single also hit number 27 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It also reached number 28 in Canada, number 24 in the UK, and number 43 in Sweden.
Music video
The music video for "Gone" was directed by Herb Ritts{{Cite web|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=August 22, 2002|title=VMA Lens Recap: The Story Behind 'NSYNC's 'Gone'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457144/vma-lens-recap-the-story-behind-nsyncs-gone/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511142055/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457144/vma-lens-recap-the-story-behind-nsyncs-gone/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2020|website=MTV News|language=en}} and filmed in August 2001.{{Cite web|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=August 30, 2001|title='NSYNC, Jackson 5 Plug Their 'Dancing Machine' Back In|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1448560/nsync-jackson-5-plug-their-dancing-machine-back-in/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125210910/http://www.mtv.com/news/1448560/nsync-jackson-5-plug-their-dancing-machine-back-in/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2021|website=MTV News|language=en}} "The group even found time to finish shooting a video for 'Gone,' 'NSYNC's Joey Fatone said when he called into MTV's 'TRL' on Thursday." It debuted on TRL on September 26, 2001.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=September 27, 2001|title=Wednesday's TRL Talk To Justin & Britney|url=http://popdirt.com/wednesdays-trl-talk-to-justin-britney/280/|website=PopDirt|language=en-US|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210731230105/http://popdirt.com/wednesdays-trl-talk-to-justin-britney/280/ |archive-date=2021-07-31 |url-status=dead}} The video is shot in black-and-white, but opens and closes with sepia-toned scenes of a silent film depicting Timberlake as a Charlie Chaplin-esque figure who tries to woo his love interest. The main part of the video depicts Timberlake singing in an empty house with his bandmates. Scenes of the group singing are intercut with Timberlake's flashbacks to happier times with a former girlfriend, played by Croatian model Korina Longin.{{cite web|title=Korina Longin Complete Biography|url=http://www.celebs101.com/biography-10204-Korina+Longin+Complete+Biography.html|access-date=April 28, 2013|work=Celebs101|publisher=Celebrity Photos|quote=Korina starred in NSYNC's "Gone" music video}} These flashbacks include Timberlake celebrating his girlfriend's birthday at a party with NSYNC, painting his girlfriend's toenails, gifting her a necklace, and rolling around in the grass kissing.
"Gone" was the first NSYNC video to center Timberlake, with Jon O'Brien of Billboard writing, "Herb Ritts' brooding monochrome promo highlighted even further how much Timberlake had outgrown his bandmates."{{Cite magazine|last=O'Brien|first=Jon|date=July 22, 2021|title=*NSYNC's 'Celebrity' at 20: All the Tracks Ranked From Worst to Best|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9604679/nsync-celebrity-album-tracks-ranked|access-date=July 23, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} As Timberlake would go on to launch a successful solo career the following year, writers have noted the music video foreshadowed the band's future and Timberlake's solo ascent.{{Cite web|last=Rohwedder|first=Kristie|date=August 6, 2015|title=The Official *NSYNC Music Video Ranking Brought To You By An Official *NSYNC Fan|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/102682-the-official-nsync-music-video-ranking-brought-to-you-by-an-official-nsync-fan|website=Bustle|language=en}} The video became *NSYNC's tenth number 1 video for Total Request Live. The video received spins on BET's 106 & Park, making NSYNC the only all-white group to ever get rotation on the show.{{Cite web|date=March 17, 2019|title=From The Vault: *NSYNC - 'Gone'|url=https://thatgrapejuice.net/2019/03/from-the-vault-nsync-gone/|website=That Grape Juice}} "Gone" was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards,{{Cite magazine|date=July 25, 2002|title=2002 MTV Video Music Award nominees|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74973/2002-mtv-video-music-award-nominees|magazine=Billboard}} but lost to "Without Me" by Eminem.{{Cite magazine|date=September 1, 2002|title=2002 MTV Video Music Awards Winners|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74257/2002-mtv-video-music-awards-winners|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}
Live performances
"Gone" was performed live at the 2001 Billboard Music Awards,{{Cite magazine|date=December 5, 2001|title=R. Kelly, Destiny, McGraw Lead Billboard Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77543/r-kelly-destiny-mcgraw-lead-billboard-awards|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} the 2002 Grammy Awards,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a94h1Zdk50Y Nsync & Nelly - Gone/Girlfriend (Grammys Awards 2002)]— via YouTube and during the band's set at a 2002 Winter Olympics concert,{{Cite magazine|date=December 19, 2001|title=Nightly Concerts Set For Salt Lake's Olympic Plaza|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77393/nightly-concerts-set-for-salt-lakes-olympic-plaza|access-date=|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} in addition to the group's PopOdyssey and Celebrity tour shows. Justin Timberlake has also sang the song solo on his Justified Tour and The 20/20 Experience World Tour.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc0DMgeidB0 Justin Timberlake -- GONE Ft. Lauderdale 20/20 Tour 2014] — via YouTube The group sang the opening bars of "Gone" at the beginning of their reunion medley at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards where Timberlake was awarded the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.{{Cite web|last=Saad|first=Nardine|date=August 26, 2013|title='N Sync VMA reunion was Timberlake's idea, some wish it was longer|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-nsync-reunion-justin-timberlake-vma-mtv-20130826-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}
Track listing
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{Track listing
| headline = European maxi single{{cite AV media notes|title=Gone |others=NSYNC|date=2001|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment|id=9252742}}
| total_length =
| title1 = Gone
| note1 = Radio Edit
| length1 = 4:22
| title2 = Gone
| note2 = Spanish Radio Edit
| length2 = 4:22
| title3 = Gone
| note3 = Album Version
| length3 = 4:51
| title4 = I'll Be Good for You
| length4 = 3:56
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese maxi single{{cite AV media notes|title=Gone |others=NSYNC|date=2001|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment|id=ZJCI-30010}}
| total_length =
| title1 = Gone
| note1 = Radio Edit
| length1 = 4:22
| title2 = Gone
| note2 = Album Version
| length2 = 4:51
| title3 = I'll Be Good for You
| length3 = 3:56
| title4 = Pop
| note4 = Databass Remix
| length4 = 5:32
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = UK maxi single
| total_length =
| title1 = Gone
| note1 = Radio Edit
| length1 = 4:22
| title2 = I'll Be Good for You
| length2 = 3:56
| title3 = Pop
| note3 = Pablo La Rosa's Funktified Mix
| length3 = 5:38
}}
{{col-2}}
{{Track listing
| headline = European Gone Clubbin version
| total_length =
| title1 = Gone
| note1 = Gone Clubbin' I'll Be Back Late Mix
| length1 = 5:57
| title2 = Gone
| note2 = Radio Edit
| length2 = 4:22
| title3 = The Game Is Over
| length3 = 3:25
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Australian Gone Clubbin version
| total_length =
| title1 = Gone
| note1 = Gone Clubbin' – I'll Be Back Late Mix
| length1 = 5:57
| title2 = Gone
| note2 = Gone Clubbin' – I'll Be Back Late Radio Edit
| length2 = 3:57
| title3 = Gone
| note3 = Radio Edit
| length3 = 4:22
| title4 = Gone
| note4 = Spanish Version
| length4 = 4:22
| title5 = Girlfriend
| note5 = The Neptunes Remix
| length5 = 4:43
}}
{{col-end}}
Credits and personnel
Recording{{cite AV media notes |title=Gone |others=NSYNC |date=2001 |type=liner notes |publisher=Jive Records |id=9252742}}
- Recorded at Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA
- Justin Timberlake – songwriter, producer, arranger, multi instruments
- Wade J. Robson – songwriter, producer, arranger, multi instruments
- Alan Armitage – recording
- Kevin Guarnieri – assistant recording engineer
- Peter Mokran – mixing
- Tony Flores – assistant mixing engineer
- Chris Haggerty – digital editing
- Robin Wiley – string arrangement
- Yasu – strings recording
- Jeremy Welch – assistant strings recording engineer
- The Hampton String Quartet – strings performer
- Michael Thompson – guitars
- Michael A. Lang – piano
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
!scope="col"|Chart (2001–2002) !scope="col"|Peak |
| {{single chart|Australiapandora|67|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue608.PDF|urltitle=Issue 608|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 10, 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders Tip|17|artist=*N Sync|song=Gone|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 10, 2014}} |
| scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/n-sync/chart-history/cns/|title='N Sync Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 10, 2020}}
|28 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-12-15.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=19|issue=51|page=11|date=December 15, 2001|access-date=September 10, 2020}}
|73 |
| {{single chart|Germany|62|artist=N Sync|song=Gone|songid=4947|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 17, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland3|40|artist=*N Sync|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 18, 2020}} |
| scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade){{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/2001/week-46|title=Tipparade-lijst van week 46, 2001|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=March 13, 2023}}
|11 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|36|date=20011208|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|85|artist=*N Sync|song=Gone|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 10, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|43|artist=*N Sync|song=Gone|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 10, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|UK|24|date=20011208|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 26, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|UKindie|3|date=20011208|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 22, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|11|artist=N SYNC|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 26, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|27|artist=N SYNC|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 26, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|14|artist=N SYNC|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 26, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|7|artist=N SYNC|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 26, 2017}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|17|artist=N SYNC|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 26, 2017}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2001) !scope="col"|Position |
| scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=9|issue=51|page=60|date=December 21, 2001}}
|61 |
|---|
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2002) !scope="col"|Position |
| scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/2002-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2002|website=billboardtop100of.com|access-date=May 27, 2020}}
|75 |
|---|
| scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2002|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 17, 2023}}
|75 |
| scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=10|issue=51|page=12|date=December 20, 2002}}
|59 |
| scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=10|issue=51|page=22|date=December 20, 2002}}
|80 |
{{col-end}}