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SexyBack

{{Short description|2006 single by Justin Timberlake}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{Infobox song

| name = SexyBack

| cover = SexyBack.png

| alt = A young man with a buzz cut, wears a two-piece black suit, with a white shirt and black tie. A black horizontal rectangle covers his left eye, while his right blue eye can be seen. In capitals, "Justin", "Timberlake", and "SexyBack" is written in black, orange, and white font, respectively. The word "Back" is spelled backwards.

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Justin Timberlake

| album = FutureSex/LoveSounds

| released = {{start date|2006|7|18}}

| recorded = 2006

| studio = Thomas Crown (Virginia Beach, Virginia){{cite web|last=Tingen|first=Paul|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul07/articles/jimmydouglass.htm|title=Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Jimmy Douglass|work=SOS Publications Group|publisher=Sound on Sound|date=July 2007|access-date=September 29, 2013|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002045220/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul07/articles/jimmydouglass.htm|url-status=live}}

| genre = *Electro-R&B{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/26/AR2006082600841.html | title=Timberlake, Stripping Down (The Spectacle) | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=August 27, 2006 | access-date=July 13, 2016 | archive-date=August 17, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817225720/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/26/AR2006082600841.html | url-status=live }}

  • hip-hop
  • disco{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 200 Best Songs of the 2000s |website= Pitchfork |date= August 21, 2009 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7693-the-top-500-tracks-of-the-2000s-20-1/?page=10|quote= The duo had already drawn attention with the grinding eroto-disco of “SexyBack”....|accessdate= October 22, 2022}}

| length = {{duration|m=4|s=02}}

| label = {{hlist|Jive|Zomba}}

| writer = {{hlist|Justin Timberlake|Timothy Mosley|Nate Hills}}

| producer = {{hlist|Justin Timberlake|Timbaland|Danja}}

| chronology = Justin Timberlake

| prev_title = Signs

| prev_year = 2005

| next_title = My Love

| next_year = 2006

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|3gOHvDP_vCs|"SexyBack"}}}}

}}

"SexyBack" is a song recorded by American singer Justin Timberlake for his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). It was released on July 18, 2006, to US mainstream and rhythmic radio stationsRadio single releases {{Cite web |url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703052406/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239 |archive-date=July 3, 2010 |url-status=live }}. FMQB.com. by Jive Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Danja, Timbaland, and Timberlake. Discussing "SexyBack", Timberlake revealed that he went "left", singing the song in a rock style, not an R&B style. He described the song as musicians David Bowie and David Byrne "covering" James Brown's 1970 song "Sex Machine". The track features Timbaland on backing vocals while Timberlake's voice is distorted. The instrumentation used in the song includes a pounding bass beat, electronic chords, and drum machine sounds.

"SexyBack" became Timberlake's first number-one single as a solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100, staying seven weeks at the top spot. It also topped several of Billboard magazine's other charts, including the Mainstream Top 40, Hot Dance Airplay, and Hot Digital Songs, and entered the top ten on most singles charts. Internationally, it became Timberlake's first single to reach number one in the United Kingdom. In Australia, the track was Timberlake's second number-one single, spending two consecutive weeks at the top. "SexyBack" was certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and three-times platinum by Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).

The track won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 2007 ceremony. In addition, the song won Timberlake the People's Choice Award for Favorite R&B song and the Male Artist of the Year at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. The music video was filmed in June 2006; Timberlake decided to work with director Michael Haussman based on the latter's work on Madonna's 1994 music video "Take a Bow".

Production

Timberlake began working on his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, in December 2005. Within three weeks, "SexyBack" was one of several songs that were recorded for the album,{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/11514699/cover_story_justin_timberlake_revs_up_his_sex_machine/5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229232146/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/11514699/cover_story_justin_timberlake_revs_up_his_sex_machine/5|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 29, 2008|title=Justin Timberlake Revs Up His Sex Machine|last=Scaggs|first=Austin|date=September 6, 2006|magazine=Rolling Stone|page=5|access-date=May 16, 2009}} having been recorded in less than a day. Timberlake told The Weekend Mail in 2006 that it was the "second or third song" he did with Timbaland in a list of 10 songs they recorded for the album. The song was written and produced by Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate "Danja" Hills, and mixed by Jimmy Douglass, using Pro Tools.{{cite journal|title=The Grammy Nominations; 2006 nominees|date=December 8, 2006|journal=Los Angeles Times|page=E.32}}{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/music/chillis-gnarls-dixies-win-early-awards/2007/02/12/1171128859329.html|title=Chillis, Gnarls, Dixies win early awards|date=February 12, 2007|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Reuters|access-date=September 15, 2009|archive-date=July 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720042502/http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/chillis-gnarls-dixies-win-early-awards/2007/02/12/1171128859329.html|url-status=live}}

Mixing took place in April 2006, using a Neve VR-series console.

Hills played the Akai MPC3000, as well as virtual synths on his Macintosh computer, while Timbaland performed instruments on the Ensoniq ASR-10 sampling keyboard. Bill Pettaway played the guitar, his part taking only two minutes to record, while Darryl Pearson was the bassist. Both the guitar and bass were digitally imported in Pro Tools during mixing, and only a section of the guitar recording was copied and pasted throughout the song.

Composition

=Music=

{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center

| align = right

| total_width = 350

| image1 = David-Bowie_Chicago_2002-08-08_photoby_Adam-Bielawski-cropped.jpg

| width1 = 300 | height1 = 250

| image2 = The Rapture @ Sir Stewart Bovell Park (3 1 2011) (5358527703).jpg

| width2 = 300 | height2 = 200

| footer = David Bowie (left) and the Rapture (right), two artists that were cited as influences for "SexyBack".

}}

Timberlake described "SexyBack" as "an experiment gone right from the sort of synthesizer influence to the distorted vocals", adding that it was "one of the songs that the more you listen to it its just hook after hook after hook. Its just one of those 'flow off the top of your head' tracks, in terms of melody. We wanted to keep it loose and not too rehearsed, it's one of those very experimental records though."{{cite journal|title=Just Justin|date=September 23, 2006|journal=The Weekend Mail|page=28}} Timberlake revealed that he went "left", regarding going more rock, not in how he developed the song, but in the way he sang the song. "I wanted to sing the song like a rock and roll singer, not an R&B singer. That's the approach."{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535791/20060706/timberlake_justin.jhtml |title='Back' In Style: Justin Timberlake Mixes Funk, Rock On New Single |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |date=July 6, 2006 |publisher=MTV News |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028143141/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535791/20060706/timberlake_justin.jhtml |archive-date=October 28, 2009 |url-status=dead }} The day before recording, Timberlake and Timbaland had listened to David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel" and the Rapture's "House of Jealous Lovers". Timberlake wanted to achieve the songs' "raw energy".{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/02/06/ewcom-extra-more-cover-guy-justin-timberlake/ |title=More Justin Time |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=February 6, 2007 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 1, 2014 |archive-date=November 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102045653/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20010820,00.html |url-status=live }} Timberlake said that he modeled himself on Bowie and Prince, and described the song as Bowie and David Byrne "covering" James Brown's 1970 song "Sex Machine". Timberlake said that the song "doesn't qualify as rock or straight funk" and that he was happy with the description "club funk".{{cite journal|title=Goss & Glam|date=July 10, 2006|journal=mX|page=026}} He was "keen for a new musical direction" following the release of his first album, Justified. "I listened to the radio for a few months and thought, 'All this sounds like shit, what do I want to hear?'. That's really all I did. Everything's {{sic}} got so repetitive, everything sounds the same. I had to create something unique otherwise there's no point putting it out."{{cite journal|first=Kathy|last=McCabe|title=McCabe|date=July 13, 2006|journal=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|page=045}}

{{listen|filename=SexyBackSample.ogg|title="SexyBack" excerpt

|description=A 23-second sample of Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack". The song is built around a pounding bass beat, electronic chords and beat box sounds.|format=Ogg}}

"SexyBack" is an "urgent, pulsing track, a cocktail of soaring, distorted vocals and heavy, electronic chords threaded together with rap", according to Camilla Long from The Observer.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/jul/14/justintimberlake|title=Observermail preview: Justin Timberlake interview|last=Long|first=Camilla|date=July 14, 2006|work=The Observer|publisher=guardian.co.uk|access-date=September 3, 2009|location=London|archive-date=November 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103195253/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/jul/14/justintimberlake|url-status=live}} The song is performed in the key of F major (in the A Phrygian mode), and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 117 beats per minute.{{cite book|title=Justin Timberlake Digital Sheet Music: SexyBack|publisher=Musicnotes}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=957 |title=Justin Timberlake |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |date=September 5, 2006 |magazine=Slant |access-date=September 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627112818/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=957 |archive-date=June 27, 2013 }} The song's musicscape includes two-note dirty electronic riffs,{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/justin-timberlake/8006|title=Justin Timberlake: SexyBack|date=August 18, 2006|work=NME|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-date=October 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029182824/http://www.nme.com/reviews/justin-timberlake/8006|url-status=live}} "leapfrogging keyboards", beat box sound,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091201573.html|title=Justin Timberlake, More Purr Than Growl|last=Stewart|first=Allison|date=September 12, 2006|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108194422/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091201573.html|url-status=live}} and incorporates the "same leaky faucet" sounds of musician Obie Trice's 2004 song "The Setup".{{cite journal|first=Adam|last=Graham|title=Funk/R&B CD|date=July 14, 2006|journal=The Detroit News|page=08F}} In addition, the track features Timbaland on backing vocals.{{cite journal|first=Jay|last=Lustig|title=Timberlake surely in sync with his female fans|date=September 4, 2006|journal=The Star-Ledger|page=22}}

Timberlake's voice in the song is processed,{{cite journal|first=Melissa|last=Ruggieri|title=Justin Timberlake|date=July 13, 2006|journal=Richmond Times-Dispatch|page=G–10}} slowed down to where his voice is unrecognizable, with muffled vocals.{{cite journal|first=Hunter|last=Hauk|title=Pop stars bring their summer sexy|date=June 28, 2006|journal=Quick|page=16}} The song also features Timberlake's "low register distorted vocals."{{cite news|url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/sexyback.htm|title=Justin Timberlake — SexyBack|last=Lamb|first=Bill|year=2006|publisher=About.com|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513072319/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/sexyback.htm|archive-date=May 13, 2009|url-status=dead}} Timberlake revealed that the vocals in the song were influenced by Prince.

=Lyrics=

Douglass explained the title of the song, and how it affected the concept: "Justin [Timberlake] goes in the chorus 'Go head be gone with it', I called the song 'Be Gone With It', just to label it. So they're developing this song and they're going nuts and loving it, and as they play it, and I'm like: 'I don't think this hook is strong enough.' But then, at the very last minute, Justin very, very cleverly decided to call it 'SexyBack'." He admitted that the song was not going to be titled "SexyBack", saying, "We weren't originally going to call it 'SexyBack'. I definitely didn't think it would become the most worn-out phrase of 2006. It just sounded like a nice opening to the song."{{cite news|first=Jon|last=Breamu|title=Justin time — Timberlake gets in sync with his sexy side on new beat-driven CD|date=September 21, 2006|work=Ventura County Star}}

Adam Graham of The Detroit News noted that Timberlake sings about whips and chains, while Bill Lamb of About.com said the song has a "bit of s&m tease about shackles and whips". Furthermore, The Georgia Straight's Martin Turenne said that Timberlake is "shackled to the bedpost, invites the crack of his mistress's whip."{{cite news|url=https://www.straight.com/timberlake-strangely-ladylike?# |title=Timberlake strangely ladylike |last=Turenne |first=Martin |date=September 14, 2006 |work=The Georgia Straight |access-date=September 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016050549/http://www.straight.com/timberlake-strangely-ladylike |archive-date=October 16, 2012 }} Ben Williams of New York magazine wrote that Timberlake had been working on his pickup lines, with "You see these shackles baby I'm your slave / I'll let you whip me if I misbehave."{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/reviews/20314/|title=The Men Who Would Be Prince|last=Williams|first=Ben|date=September 11, 2006|work=New York|access-date=September 3, 2009|page=1|archive-date=February 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201003716/http://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/reviews/20314/|url-status=live}} Jason Bracelin of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Timberlake sings about "threatening to steal your girl."{{cite journal|first=Jason|last=Bracelin|title=Bringing Sexy Back|date=August 11, 2006|journal=Las Vegas Review-Journal|page=33J}} Charlie Brooker for The Guardian, in regard to the lyric, "them other fuckers don't know how to act", writing that Timberlake's translation is of him telling everyone in the world that they are a "clueless fornicator". Further in his report, Brooker opined that Timberlake "threatens us" by using "language so offensive" with the line, "You motherfuckers, watch how I attack".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/sep/15/tvandradio.charliebrooker|title=Supposing ... Justin Timberlake's bringing sexy back|last=Brooker|first=Charlie|date=September 15, 2006|work=The Guardian|publisher=guardian.co.uk|access-date=September 3, 2009|location=London|archive-date=January 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116113709/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/sep/15/tvandradio.charliebrooker|url-status=live}} In addition, Brooker noted that the line, "If that's your girl you'd better watch your back", as Timberlake stating his intention to meddle in the private affairs of others. Barry Schwartz of Stylus noted that the song features "pillow talk",{{cite news|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/justin-timberlake/futuresexlovesounds.htm |title=Justin Timberlake — FutureSex/LoveSounds |last=Schwartz |first=Barry |date=September 12, 2006 |work=Stylus |access-date=September 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007074538/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/justin-timberlake/futuresexlovesounds.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2012 }} in reference of the song's "sex-crazed lyrics".

Critical reception

File:Justin Timberlake ♫ SexyBack.jpg concert tour]]

In the Billboard magazine review of the album, contributor Katy Kroll wrote that Timberlake "claims to be bringing 'sexy' back to pop music, and indeed he is. You can almost feel beads of sweat rolling off the title track and 'SexyBack' featuring Timbaland".{{cite magazine|first=Katy|last=Kroll|title=FutureSex/LoveSounds|date=September 16, 2006|magazine=Billboard}} Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly was complimentary towards Timbaland, producer of the song, writing that Timbaland offers "tougher, trickier rhythms, minimal live playing, a plethora of hip-hop cameos, and a self-consciously hard, edgy club sensibility" to "SexyBack".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/09/11/futuresexlovesounds/|title=FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=September 8, 2006|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 4, 2009|archive-date=August 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807134224/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1532765,00.html|url-status=live}} Russell Baillie of The New Zealand Herald noted, "The producer's angular synthesizer crunch is all over it – at best on the single 'SexyBack' where they dispense with a chorus, leaving the song sustained by its vocal fireworks, electrofunk and Timberlake's repeated declaration that 'I'm bringing sexy back.{{' "}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10402219|title=Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds|last=Baillie|first=Russell|date=September 23, 2006|work=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=September 4, 2009|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020144925/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10402219|url-status=live}} PopMatters' contributor Quentin B. Huff wrote that "SexyBack" was the "fraternal twin" to Nelly Furtado's 2006 song "Promiscuous".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/justin-timberlake-futuresex-lovesounds/|title=A Tale of Two Tims|last=Huff|first=Quentin B.|date=October 5, 2006|magazine=PopMatters|access-date=September 4, 2009|archive-date=January 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131134418/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/justin-timberlake-futuresex-lovesounds|url-status=live}} Andrew Murfett of The Age wrote that the song was a "raunchy club banger that slyly suppresses" Timberlake's customary falsetto. He continues, "it's introduced a new phrase into the pop cultural lexicon".{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/cd-reviews/future-sexlove-sounds/2006/09/14/1157827079842.html|title=Future Sex/Love Sounds|last=Murfett|first=Andrew|date=September 14, 2006|work=The Age|access-date=September 4, 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=June 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617230621/http://www.theage.com.au/news/cd-reviews/future-sexlove-sounds/2006/09/14/1157827079842.html|url-status=live}} Glenn Gamboa of Newsday was complimentary towards the song, writing that it was "Timberlake at his best, mainstreaming a combination of the wild, edgy dance-pop style of Basement Jaxx with Missy Elliott's more experimental hip-hop to create a boldly inventive sound that still pleases the masses."{{cite journal|first=Glenn|last=Gamboa|title=Melville, N.Y., Drops column|date=September 12, 2006|journal=Newsday}}

Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times wrote: "...'SexyBack', a twitchy, emaciated track that shot to the top of the charts and also became an irritating catchphrase. (Suddenly everyone was bringing AdjectiveBack.)"{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/11/arts/music/11choi.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&ref=music&pagewanted=all|title=New CD's|date=September 11, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-date=September 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912055719/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/11/arts/music/11choi.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&ref=music&pagewanted=all|url-status=live}} Dagny Salas of North by Northwestern commented that Timberlake and Timbaland trade ridiculous lines, with "Get your sexy on/Go ahead, be gone with it" and "Dirty babe/You see these shackles/Baby I'm your slave/I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave."{{cite news|url=http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2006/10/340/album-review-of-justin-timberlakes-futuresexlovesounds/|title=Album Review of Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds|last=Salas|first=Dagny|author2=Emily Vaughan|date=October 9, 2006|work=North by Northwestern|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-date=November 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105231850/http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2006/10/340/album-review-of-justin-timberlakes-futuresexlovesounds/|url-status=live}} Salas continued in her review that it was not a song that should be good, "but does that really matter when it's good in the way that songs are during the summer [...] That kind of good makes songs like 'SexyBack' completely irresistible." Matt Burns of The Post wrote, "Take the polarizing summer single 'SexyBack', a repetitive song with little structure that doesn't know when to stop, all centered on a ridiculous declaration. Somehow, it works."{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-17625450_ITM|title=CD Review: Justin Timberlake brings 'SexyBack'.|last=Burns|first=Matt|date=September 12, 2006|work=The Post|access-date=September 4, 2009}} The Diamondback's Michael Greenwald reported that "SexyBack" was "lyrically, musically and vocally the weakest song" on the album.{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-17625743_ITM|title=CD Review: Justin Timberlake sounds best at center stage.|last=Greenwald|first=Michael|date=September 12, 2006|work=The Diamondback|access-date=September 4, 2009}} A writer of The State Journal-Register was not impressed with the song and concluded, with {{" '}}SexyBack' is the most annoyingly dumb song to hit Billboard's No. 1 since 'Hollaback Girl'".{{cite journal|title=Let's say bye, bye, bye to SexyBack|date=September 14, 2006|journal=The State Journal-Register|page=2A}} Guy Blackman of The Sunday Age wrote: "The distorted vocals and stilted production of first single 'Sexyback' make Timberlake's claim to be 'bringing sexy back' ... seem almost laughable."{{cite journal|first=Guy|last=Blackman|author2=Martin Boulton |author3=Tom Ryan |author4=Ruth Brown |author5=Nicole Bittar |author6= Barney Zwartz |title=SexyBack|date=September 17, 2006|journal=The Sunday Age|page=48}} Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Justin Timberlake, we didn't even know that sexy was missing until 2006. We're just happy Justin brought it back safe and sound."{{cite magazine|first=Thom|last=Geier |author2=Jeff Jensen |author3=Tina Jordan |author4=Margaret Lyons |author5=Adam Markovitz |author6=Chris Nashawaty |author7=Whitney Pastorek |author8=Lynette Rice |author9=Josh Rottenberg |author10=Missy Schwartz |author11=Michael Slezak |author12=Dan Snierson |author13=Tim Stack |author14=Kate Stroup |author15=Ken Tucker |author16=Adam B. Vary |author17=Simon Vozick-Levinson |author18=Kate Ward |date=December 11, 2009|title=The 100 Greatest Movies, TV Shows, Albums, Books, Characters, Scenes, Episodes, Songs, Dresses, Music Videos, And Trends That Entertained Us Over The Past 10 Years|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|page=(1079/1080):74–84}} Charlie Brooker, columnist for The Guardian, jokingly criticised Timberlake, saying "How DARE this dot-eyed, crop-haired, fun-sized, guff-tongued, pirouetting waif-boy scamper on to the world's airwaves and loudly proclaim to be the sole global administrator of all things sexy? You'd think it takes massive balls to do something like that, but given the shrill, squeaking vocals cheeping through his ghastly little gobhole, it's safe to assume he's got testes the size of capers. He's practically a human dog whistle, the shrieking, high-pitched, mosquito-lunged ponce."{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/sep/15/tvandradio.charliebrooker | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Charlie | last=Brooker | title=Charlie Brooker: Supposing ... Justin Timberlake's bringing sexy back | date=September 15, 2006 | access-date=December 16, 2016 | archive-date=March 20, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320234609/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/sep/15/tvandradio.charliebrooker | url-status=live }}

Upon the song's release, it received divided opinions, which pleased Timberlake. "This is such a departure from the first record," said Timberlake. "More people might like it, less people might like it, but you can't call me a chicken."{{cite journal|first=Cameron|last=Adams|title=Timberlake's sexy solo|date=July 13, 2006|journal=Herald Sun|page=124}}

Chart performance

"SexyBack" was commercially successful in the United States. The single debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 2006. After climbing to number 31, it propelled to number one the following week.{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/10546|title=Justin Timberlake and Timbaland — SexyBack|publisher=αCharts.us|access-date=September 4, 2009|archive-date=March 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317134342/http://acharts.us/song/10546|url-status=live}} "SexyBack" became Timberlake's first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from his Futuresex/Lovesounds album.{{cite magazine|first=Fred|last=Bronson|title=Chart Beat – 'Love' Conquers|date=November 2, 2006|magazine=Billboard}} The single spent seven consecutive weeks at the number-one position on the Hot 100.{{cite journal|first=Marty|last=Franzen|title=Back on hot track Timberlake lands in area with' SexyBack Tour' stops|date=March 23, 2007|journal=Burlington County Times|page=3D}} In addition to the Hot 100, "SexyBack" also topped the following Billboard charts: Hot Dance Airplay, Hot Dance Club Play, Hot Dance Singles Sales, Pop 100 Airplay, Pop 100, and Top 40 Mainstream charts.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p373055/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}|title=Justin Timberlake Charts & Awards|website=Allmusic|access-date=September 4, 2009}} "SexyBack" was certified three-times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{cite news|title=Justin Timberlake #1 at Radio in the U.S. and Europe With 'What Goes Around ... Comes Around'|date=March 14, 2007|publisher=PR Newswire}}{{cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?id=691381ED-73A8-ED48-8EB1-F323B95F3901 |title=The Time Is Now |date=July 17, 2007 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=September 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521212728/http://www.riaa.com/newsitem.php?id=691381ED-73A8-ED48-8EB1-F323B95F3901 |archive-date=May 21, 2011 }} This song made the then-seventh-biggest jump to number one in the Billboard Hot 100 history,{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56979/timberlake-still-sexy-at-no-1-new-single-keeps-climbing |title=Timberlake Still 'Sexy' At No. 1, New Single Keeps Climbing |date=October 12, 2006 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5nTGZJSbZ?url=http://www.billboard.com/search/?keyword=Justin+Timberlake |archive-date=February 11, 2010 |url-status=dead }} climbing thirty spots from number 31 landing it at the summit of the chart on September 9, 2006. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the song had its biggest selling week in September 2006 and sold 250,000 as a digital download.{{cite news|url=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070104005813|title=2006 U.S. Music Purchases Exceed 1 Billion Sales|date=January 4, 2007|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=February 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206200720/http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070104005813|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=27643§ioncode=1 |title=Timbaland tops Hot 100 |magazine=Music Week |date=April 13, 2007 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108002709/https://www.musicweek.com/news/read/timbaland-tops-hot-100/035597 |url-status=live }} "SexyBack" was on the Hot 100 for a significant thirty-six weeks. As of 2018, the song has accumulated 6.1 million units in the US, combining sales (4.9 million copies sold) and equivalent streams.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2018/the-evolution-of-super-bowl-lii-halftime-performer-justin-timberlake.html?cid=socSprinklr-Nielsen |title=The Evolution of Super Bowl LII Half-Time Performer Justin Timberlake |date=January 31, 2018 |work=Nielsen |access-date=January 31, 2018 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201020357/http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2018/the-evolution-of-super-bowl-lii-halftime-performer-justin-timberlake.html?cid=socSprinklr-Nielsen |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8097976/justin-timberlake-nsync-career-album-song-sales-ask-billboard |title=Ask Billboard: Justin Timberlake & *NSYNC's Career Album & Song Sales |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Media Group |date=February 4, 2018 |access-date=February 4, 2018 |last=Trust |first=Gary |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204204414/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8097976/justin-timberlake-nsync-career-album-song-sales-ask-billboard |url-status=live }}

In the United Kingdom, "SexyBack" debuted at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart based solely on download sales one week prior to its physical release,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5291140.stm|title=Beyonce hits UK number one spot|date=August 27, 2006|work=BBC News Online|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=January 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104012752/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5291140.stm|url-status=live}} and ascended to the top of the chart the following week, becoming Timberlake's first UK number-one single.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5310902.stm|title=Timberlake enjoys UK chart-topper|date=September 3, 2006|work=BBC News Online|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112150340/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5310902.stm|url-status=live}} On the Australian ARIA Charts, "SexyBack" debuted at number one{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/366b4/Justin-Timberlake-SexyBack|title=Justin Timberlake — SexyBack|date=September 9, 2006|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=December 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206154648/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Justin+Timberlake&titel=SexyBack&cat=s|url-status=live}} and spent two consecutive weeks at the top becoming Timberlake's second number one single there (after "Rock Your Body" reached the summit in 2003),{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/15f6/Justin-Timberlake-Rock-Your-Body |title=Justin Timberlake — Rock Your Body |date=May 17, 2003 |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=September 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021171456/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Justin+Timberlake&titel=Rock+Your+Body&cat=s |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }} and has been certified two-times Platinum by ARIA Charts.{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ariacharts-accreditations-2006singles.htm |title=ARIA Charts — Accreditations – 2006 Singles |year=2006 |publisher=ARIA Charts |access-date=September 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112030209/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-Accreditations-2006Singles.htm |archive-date=November 12, 2009 |url-status=dead }} Also, in Canada and Austria, the single has peaked at number three{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} and number five respectively,{{cite journal|first=Nanda|last=Lwin|title=Bob Seger roars back with new album; Chart talk|date=September 26, 2006|journal=The Hamilton Spectator|page=G10}} becoming his most successful single tied with his third released single "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" in both nations.{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/11844|title=Justin Timberlake — What Goes Around... Comes Around|publisher=αCharts|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=November 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112192715/http://acharts.us/song/11844|url-status=live}} It has also been certified three-times Platinum in Canada.{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |title=Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Certification Results |access-date=September 6, 2009 |publisher=Canadian Recording Industry Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412081617/http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |archive-date=April 12, 2009 }}

In Sweden, "SexyBack" peaked at number four,{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Sexton|title=Dylan's 'Modern Times' Rises To Euro Chart Zenith|date=September 14, 2006|magazine=Billboard}} while in France it peaked at number eight becoming Timberlake's first top ten hit from the album, and would later score two more top ten singles with "My Love" and "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around". The song peaked at number one in Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway, and at number two in Switzerland and Belgium.

Music video

The music video for "SexyBack" was directed by Michael Haussman and features Spanish actress Elena Anaya.{{cite news |url=http://www.lavanguardia.es/premium/publica/publica?COMPID=51277555513&ID_PAGINA=22088&ID_FORMATO=9&turbourl=false |title=La actriz Elena Anaya protagoniza el nuevo videoclip de Justin Timberlake |date=July 24, 2006 |work=La Vanguardia |language=es |access-date=September 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621041146/http://www.lavanguardia.es/premium/publica/publica?COMPID=51277555513&ID_PAGINA=22088&ID_FORMATO=9&turbourl=false |archive-date=June 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }} The video was filmed in June 2006.{{cite news|title=Timberlake and Diaz Recover From 'Rough Patch'|date=June 28, 2006|publisher=World Entertainment News Network}} In discussion of the video filmed in Barcelona, Timberlake said: "Obviously we went for the architecture, the exteriors, the interiors — the vibe in Spain is different than anywhere else in the world. It's so cool to shoot there, but the girls are also pretty hot, so that doesn't hurt either".

Timberlake decided to work with director Michael Haussman, following his work on Madonna's 1994 music video for "Take a Bow". "It's one of my favorite videos Madonna's ever done," Timberlake said. "Even today, I still remember the visuals, the images, how he captured her. A lot of times, Madonna seems like she's the person in control, and in that video, she seemed vulnerable. It was a cool thing to see." The video was first shown on MTV's Making the Video on July 25, 2006.{{cite journal|title=Life: Short List|date=July 25, 2006|journal=The Press of Atlantic City|page=B1}}

Timberlake and Anaya star as rival spies who become romantically entangled.{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/21/justin-timberlake-sexyback-oral-history/|title=Justin Timberlake's 'SexyBack': An oral history of his No. 1 smash|author=Jessica Goodman|website=EW.com|access-date=January 1, 2022}} The video starts off with a cable car looking over Barcelona, from the West looking East, then it switches to a luxurious-looking hotel in Plaça de Catalunya with Elena Anaya taking off her shirt, revealing her black bra and a gun tucked at the back of her skirt, all while German newscaster Alexander von Roon plays on her TV. It then cuts to Timberlake in a different room; then to a club scene and Timberlake in front of a white background. Timberlake and Anaya are seeming to be spies in the hotel room and strangers in the club. In the hotel scenes, the spies both conduct espionage at each other. Elena then hides her gun at a drawer. At the club meanwhile, Timberlake is seen chasing a woman whom he recognized as Anaya herself. He keeps chasing her but she keeps disappearing out of his sight. Back at the hotel scenes, both Justin and Elena stick a tape and places a glass of water on the door so that they would know if someone snuck into their room, while Timberlake heads to the other room to deal with his rival spy Anaya. Elena then goes to the bathroom preparing to take a shower. At a certain point, Timberlake sneaks over to Anaya's room by jumping over to her balcony. Then when Anaya goes to check it out, Timberlake confronted her, but it quickly became erotic as they begin kissing each other and Justin ripped the pearl necklace from her neck. Justin finally traps Elena and she tries to reach for her gun but Justin grabs her hand and pull it away from the drawer. Their sexual tension culminated when the two are later seen in the bed together having sex. After that, Elena covered Justin's mouth to not tell anyone about their encounter, and Timberlake leaves her and went back to his room. When Justin was about to enter, he noticed that his tape was ripped, indicating that someone entered his room. Knowing that a bomb was planted, he jumps into another balcony before an explosion ensues, avoiding it completely. In the club, Justin and Elena met at the bathroom stall and they immediately kiss each other, proving that they still have a romantic interest after their sex in the hotel. It ends with the figure of Anaya sitting on a chair beside a small television in which her kiss with Timberlake is frozen on the screen.

The music video on YouTube has received over 290 million views as of March 2024.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gOHvDP_vCs Justin Timberlake - SexyBack (Official Video)].YouTube

Legacy and accolades

{{Quote box|width=300px|align=right|The song's abrasive electro-funk came as such a shock to the system in the era of pitched-up soul samples and MOR pop-rock that you might not have been quite sure what to do with it immediately upon its July release. But the song shortly proved itself as something powerful enough to both define top 40 and also push it forward, while severing the final ties between Timberlake and his teen-pop past.|source=——Billboard staff{{'}}s "The Greatest Pop Star By Year (1981–2019)"{{Cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9338589/greatest-pop-star-every-year |title=The Greatest Pop Star By Year (1981–2019) |magazine=Billboard |date=April 2, 2020 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314060347/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9338589/greatest-pop-star-every-year |url-status=live }}}}

"SexyBack" helped introduce EDM sounds to top 40 radio, as it brought together variations of electronic dance music with Timberlake's R&B sounds.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/08/justin-timberlake-sexyback-david-bowie | title=Justin Timberlake explains how David Bowie influenced 'SexyBack' | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | date=July 8, 2016 | access-date=July 9, 2016 | author=Goodman, Jessica | archive-date=July 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709160939/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/08/justin-timberlake-sexyback-david-bowie | url-status=live }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7431171/david-bowie-justin-timberlake-sexyback | title=How David Bowie Inspired Justin Timberlake's 'SexyBack' | magazine=Billboard | date=July 8, 2016 | access-date=July 9, 2016 | author=Craddock, Lauren | archive-date=July 8, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708223212/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7431171/david-bowie-justin-timberlake-sexyback | url-status=live }} VH1 listed it third on their list of the "100 Greatest Songs of the ’00s,"{{cite web | url=http://www.vh1.com/news/1678/100-greatest-songs-of-00s/ | title=100 Greatest Songs of the '00s (COMPLETE LIST) | work=VH1 | date=September 29, 2011 | access-date=July 9, 2016 | author=VH1 Staff | archive-date=July 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707130418/http://www.vh1.com/news/1678/100-greatest-songs-of-00s/ | url-status=dead }} while the Los Angeles Times listed it as an honorable mention among "the most timeless tunes of the 2000s", with an editor stating it "sounded wholly unfamiliar and unique."{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-decade-tunes-iconic-2000s-music-songs-pictures-photogallery.html | title=A decade in songs: A look at the most timeless tunes of the 2000s | work=Los Angeles Times | access-date=July 9, 2016 | author=Los Angeles Times Staff | date=January 11, 2011 | archive-date=August 17, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817054242/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-decade-tunes-iconic-2000s-music-songs-pictures-photogallery.html | url-status=live }} Entertainment Weekly deemed it a "modern day classic." Complex staff acknowledged in 2013 that the song "arrived on the scene like a hurricane", adding that while it had been established that "the dude from 'N Sync" was "more than capable" when he first released solo material with Justified four years earlier, "SexyBack" put Timberlake in a position "where you were forced to take him seriously."{{Cite news |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/the-25-best-justin-timberlake-songs/justin-timberlake-like-i-love-you |title=The 25 Best Justin Timberlake Songs |date=March 15, 2013 |work=Complex |access-date=June 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027182220/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/the-25-best-justin-timberlake-songs/justin-timberlake-like-i-love-you |url-status=live }}

"SexyBack" won the People's Choice Award for Favorite R&B song at the 2007 awards ceremony.{{cite news|url=http://cbs3.com/national/33rd.Annual.People.2.278762.html |title=Depp Looms Large At People's Choice Awards |date=January 10, 2007 |publisher=CBS |access-date=September 10, 2009 }} {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} At the 49th Grammy Awards, "SexyBack" won a Grammy Award in the category of Best Dance Recording.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6347969.stm|title=Dixie Chicks earn Grammys triumph|date=February 11, 2007|work=BBC News Online|access-date=September 10, 2009|archive-date=January 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105005524/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6347969.stm|url-status=live}} At the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, Timberlake won Male Artist of the Year for "SexyBack", "Let Me Talk To You / My Love", and "What Goes Around... Comes Around".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1566507/20070807/timberlake_justin.jhtml|title=MTV VMA Race Is On: Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Lead Nominations|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=August 7, 2007|publisher=MTV News|access-date=May 18, 2009|archive-date=January 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116070852/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1566507/20070807/timberlake_justin.jhtml|url-status=dead}} It won Best R&B/Urban Dance Track and Best Pop Dance Track at the 2007 Winter Music Conference's International Dance Music Awards.{{cite web|title=2007 International Dance Music Awards|url=http://wintermusicconference.com/events/idmas/index.php?wmcyear=2003|access-date=March 17, 2017|archive-date=April 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418163724/http://wintermusicconference.com/events/idmas/index.php?wmcyear=2003|url-status=live}} Additionally, it won an ASCAP Pop Music Award in 2007 in the category Most Performed Songs.{{Cite web|url = http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2007/mostperformed.aspx|title = 2007 ASCAP Pop Music Awards Winners List|date = April 18, 2004|access-date = December 29, 2014|work = ASCAP|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085324/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2007/mostperformed.aspx|url-status = live}} The song was featured in the video game Fortnite Festival.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-25 |title=All Fortnite Festival songs ever released |url=https://esports.gg/news/fortnite/all-jam-tracks-ever-released-in-fortnite/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=esports.gg |language=en}}

Live performances

Timberlake performed "SexyBack" and "My Love" as a medley for the opening of the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2006/#|title=2006 Video Music Awards|date=August 31, 2006|publisher=MTV|access-date=September 10, 2009|archive-date=August 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819072659/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2006/|url-status=dead}} and again for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2006, which he also hosted.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2006-11-02-mtv-europe-awards_x.htm|title=Denmark hosting MTV Europe Music Awards|date=November 2, 2006|work=USA Today|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=May 18, 2009|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108002703/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2006-11-02-mtv-europe-awards_x.htm|url-status=live}} In addition, he performed the song at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.{{cite journal|first=Kyra|last=Kyles|title=Sacha Baron Cohen broke out this past year, making us laugh, and opening our eyes — Mr. Popular|date=December 29, 2006|journal=Chicago Tribune|publisher=RedEye|page=42}} On August 25, 2013, Timberlake performed "SexyBack" in a medley with other of his songs at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

"SexyBack" was featured on FutureSex/LoveShow (2007), Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour with rapper Jay-Z (2013), The 20/20 Experience World Tour (2013/15), The Man of the Woods Tour (2018/19) and The Forget Tomorrow World Tour (2024/25).{{cite web |last1=Rossignol |first1=Derrick |title=Here Is Justin Timberlake's 'The Forget Tomorrow World Tour' Set list |url=https://uproxx.com/pop/justin-timberlake-forget-tomorrow-world-tour-setlist/ |website=Uproxx |access-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430151840/https://uproxx.com/pop/justin-timberlake-forget-tomorrow-world-tour-setlist/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |location=United States |date=April 30, 2024 |url-status=live}}

In addition it was featured on the setlist for three editions of Rock in Rio in 2013, 2014 and 2017 and two editions of the iHeartRadio Music Festival in 2013 and 2018.

Timberlake performed a remixed version of "SexyBack" at Super Bowl LII (2018) and an NPR Tiny Desk Concert (2024).

Cover versions

The indie rock band Rock Plaza Central gained attention for their radically different cover of "SexyBack", with brass-and-banjo roots-rock stylings.{{cite news|author=The Gazette (Montreal)|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=2b6d6727-5cbd-405d-abf3-8e1b3932f553&k=17645|title=Never doubt your inner steed|access-date=March 11, 2010|date=January 26, 2007|work=The Vancouver Sun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108065506/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=2b6d6727-5cbd-405d-abf3-8e1b3932f553&k=17645|archive-date=November 8, 2012|author-link = The Gazette (Montreal)}} American rock band Poison released a cover of the song as a promotional single and a bonus track on the Wal-Mart version of their 2007 cover album Poison'd!{{cite journal|first=Gary|last=Graff|title=Poison bandmates end tensions with new album of cover songs|date=June 22, 2007|journal=The Plain Dealer|page=T15|quote=Poison also laid down a take of Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback" which appears on special editions of "Poison 'd"}} British soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae recorded a jazz/swing version whilst appearing on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in 2007.{{cite journal|first=Stephen|last=Dalton|title=Web video of the day — Viewing Guide|date=August 17, 2007|journal=The Times|page=Times2 23}} American pop rock band Maroon 5 covered the beginning of the song as part of a medley during their 2012 Overexposed Tour.

Cartoon stars Weebl and Bob covered the song with their version "Pastry" including the refrain "I'm bringing pastry back"{{cite web |url=http://weebls-stuff.com/toons/weebl-and-bob-pastry/ |title=Pastry |website=Weebl's Stuff. |date=July 3, 2008 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727003318/http://weebls-stuff.com/toons/weebl-and-bob-pastry/ |url-status=live }}

Track listings

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

  • CD single
  1. "SexyBack" (Main Version) – 4:02
  2. "SexyBack" (Instrumental) – 4:02
  • Japanese CD maxi single
  1. "SexyBack" (Main Version) – 4:02
  2. "SexyBack" (Clean Version) – 4:02
  3. "SexyBack" (Instrumental) – 4:02
  • European CD maxi single
  1. "SexyBack" (Main Version) – 4:02
  2. "SexyBack" (Linus Loves Remix) – 6:18
  3. "SexyBack" (Pokerface Club Mix) – 6:34
  4. "SexyBack" (Tom Novy's Ibiza Dub) – 7:47
  5. "SexyBack" (Director's Cut Video)

{{col-2}}

  • Digital download
  1. "SexyBack" – 4:02
  • Digital download (SexyTracks The SexyBack Remixes)
  1. "SexyBack" (Linus Loves Remix) – 6:21
  2. "SexyBack" (Armand's Mix) – 7:12
  3. "SexyBack" (Pokerface Remix) – 6:33
  4. "SexyBack" (Tom Novy Ibiza Dub) – 7:47
  • American 12-inch vinyl
  1. "SexyBack" (Clean Version) – 4:02
  2. "SexyBack" (Instrumental) – 4:02
  3. "SexyBack" (Main Version) – 4:02
  4. "SexyBack" (Instrumental) – 4:02
  • European 12-inch vinyl
  1. "SexyBack" (Armand's Mix) – 7:15
  2. "SexyBack" (Main Version) – 4:02
  3. "SexyBack" (Pokerface Club Mix) – 6:34
  4. "SexyBack" (Linus Loves Remix) – 6:18

{{col-end}}

Personnel

Credits sourced from Sound On Sound and the original album liner notes.

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Weekly chart performance for "SexyBack"

!Chart (2006–2007)

!Peak
position

{{Single chart|Australia|1|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Australiaurban|3|song=|artist=|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222431/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20070720-0000/issue903.pdf|urltitle=Issue 903|access-date=March 3, 2022|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Austria|5|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Flanders|3|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Wallonia|2|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/justin-timberlake/chart-history/cns/|title=Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 26, 2022}}

|align="center"|1

{{Single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|1|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|access-date=June 24, 2020|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|7|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|access-date=June 24, 2020|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|CIS|11|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|songid=6006|access-date=August 11, 2019|refname=|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"|Croatia (HRT){{cite web|url=http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018203415/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/strana_lista.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2006|title=Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija|publisher=Croatian Radiotelevision|access-date=August 23, 2021}}

|align="center"|6

{{Single chart|Czech Republic|12|song=|artist=|year=2006|week=46|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Denmark|2|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|year=2007|week=01|refname=|rowheader=true}}

scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title=Hits of the World: Eurocharts|magazine=Billboard|volume=118|issue=37|page=71|date=September 16, 2006}}

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

{{Single chart|Finland|3|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|France|8|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Germany|1|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|songid=222900|access-date=January 27, 2020|refname=|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"| Greece (IFPI){{Cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |title=IFPI archive |access-date=November 25, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125202023/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |archive-date=November 25, 2006 |url-status=dead }}

| style="text-align:center;"| 7

{{Single chart|Hungarysingle|3|song=|artist=|year=2006|week=40|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Hungarydance|11|song=|artist=|year=2006|week=46|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Ireland2|1|song=SexyBack|artist=|access-date=January 27, 2020|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Italy|3|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Dutch40|5|song=|artist=|year=2006|week=37|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Dutch100|7|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Norway|1|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"| Russia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/weekly/20061020-20061026|title=Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Oct 26, 2006|publisher=TopHit|access-date=April 25, 2024}}

| 21

{{single chart|Scotland|1|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|date=20060909|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Slovakia|4|song=|artist=|year=2006|week=38|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Sweden|4|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{Single chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UK|1|artist=Justin Timberlake|song=SexyBack|date=20060909|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|UKrandb|1|song=|artist=|date=20060909|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 4, 2023|refname=}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|18|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|4|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|access-date=September 7, 2021|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceairplay|1|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|11|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|1|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|refname=|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|4|song=|artist=Justin Timberlake|refname=|rowheader=true}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2013)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|UKrandb|35|song=|artist=|date=20130519|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 5, 2023|refname=UKrandb2}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2006 year-end chart performance for "SexyBack"

! scope="col"| Chart (2006)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-EndofYearCharts-Top100Singles2006.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2006 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=May 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106172712/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-EndofYearCharts-Top100Singles2006.htm |archive-date=November 6, 2013 }}

|4

scope="row"|Australian Urban (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/UrbanSingles2006.htm|title=ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2006|publisher=ARIA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415010756/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/UrbanSingles2006.htm|archive-date=April 15, 2020|access-date=December 12, 2022}}

|40

scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=http://www.austriancharts.at/2006_single.asp |title=Jahreshitparade 2006 |publisher=Ö3 Austria Top 40 |access-date=May 6, 2011 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323165026/http://austriancharts.at/2006_single.asp |archive-date=March 23, 2012 }}

|46

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2006 |title=Jaaroverzichten 2006 |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=May 6, 2011 |language=nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017041740/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2006 |archive-date=October 17, 2013 }}

|34

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2006 |title=Rapports annuels 2006 |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=May 6, 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019140536/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2006 |archive-date=October 19, 2013 }}

|29

scope="row"|Brazil (Crowley){{cite web|url=https://maistocadas.mus.br/2006/|title=Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006|publisher=Crowley Broadcast Analysis|date=April 3, 2018|access-date=January 30, 2022}}

|18

scope="row"|CIS (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/airplay/yearly/2006-01-01/all/all|title=CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2006)|publisher=TopHit|access-date=August 11, 2019|archive-date=August 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830031403/https://tophit.ru/en/chart/airplay/yearly/2006-01-01/all/all|url-status=live}}

|76

scope="row"|European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2006/BB-2006-12-23.pdf|title=Europe's Top Singles of 2006|magazine=Billboard|volume=118|issue=51|page=38|date=December 23, 2006|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808134207/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2006/BB-2006-12-23.pdf|url-status=live}}

|5

scope="row"|France (SNEP){{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=2006|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 2006|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108002704/http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=2006|url-status=live}}

|63

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control GfK){{cite web|url=http://www.viva.tv/charts/viva-single-jahrescharts-2006-2006-264/?start=20|title=VIVA Single Jahrescharts 2006 – 2006|publisher=Viva.tv|access-date=May 6, 2011|language=de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223062434/http://www.viva.tv/charts/viva-single-jahrescharts-2006-2006-264/?start=20|archive-date=February 23, 2011}}

|21

scope="row"|Ireland (IRMA){{cite web|url=http://www.irma.ie/best2006.htm|title=Best of 2006|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-date=August 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802214455/http://www.irma.ie/best2006.htm|url-status=live}}

|8

scope="row"|Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/dettaglio_documento.asp?id=763&idtipo_documento=1|title=Musica: Classifiche Annunali 2006 FIMI-AC Nielsen|publisher=FIMI|language=it|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112111437/http://www.fimi.it/dettaglio_documento.asp?id=763&idtipo_documento=1|archive-date=January 12, 2007|access-date=January 15, 2021}} Click on Scarica l'allegato.

|22

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2006|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2006|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422235952/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2006|url-status=live}}

|49

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2006&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2006 |publisher=Dutch Top 40 |access-date=May 6, 2011 |language=nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415164605/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2006&cat=s |archive-date=April 15, 2016 }}

|42

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart_annual.asp |title=Annual Top 50 Singles Chart 2006 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand |access-date=May 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506023956/http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart_annual.asp |archive-date=May 6, 2010 }}

|9

scope="row"|Russia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/annual/2006|title=Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2006|publisher=TopHit|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425163344/https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/annual/2006|url-status=live}}

|134

scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web|url=http://www.hitlistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=43&dfom=20060001&newi=0&height=420&platform=Win32&browser=MSIE&navi=no&subframe=Mainframe |title=Årslista Singlar – År 2006 |publisher=Sverigetopplistan |access-date=May 7, 2011 |language=sv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217213338/http://www.hitlistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=43&dfom=20060001&newi=0&height=420&platform=Win32&browser=MSIE&navi=no&subframe=Mainframe |archive-date=February 17, 2015 }}

|23

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=2006 |title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006 |publisher=Swiss Music Charts |access-date=May 6, 2011 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707000200/http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=2006 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 }}

|22

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20060108/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2006|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=January 15, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308215339/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20060108/37501/|url-status=live}}

|10

scope="row"|UK Urban (Music Week){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2007/Music-Week-2007-01-13.pdf |title=2006 Urban Top 40|magazine=Music Week|page=26|date=January 13, 2007|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

|16

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/hot-100-songs|title=US Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Chart|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=August 25, 2015|archive-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613033217/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/hot-100-songs|url-status=live}}

|9

scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/dance-club-songs|title=Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107033901/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/dance-club-songs|url-status=live}}

|32

scope="row"|US Hot Dance Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/dance-mix-show-airplay-songs|title=Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=June 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622173245/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/dance-mix-show-airplay-songs|url-status=live}}

|11

scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs-titles|title=Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006|website=Billboard.biz|year=2006|access-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003173555/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs-titles|archive-date=October 3, 2012}}

|100

scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/pop-100-songs|title=US Pop 100 Year-End Chart|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=May 6, 2011|archive-date=October 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003173619/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/pop-100-songs|url-status=live}}

|6

scope="row"|US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/rhythmic-songs|title=Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029213428/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/rhythmic-songs|url-status=live}}

|30

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+2007 year-end chart performance for "SexyBack"

! scope="col" style="width:268px;"| Chart (2007)

! scope="col" style="width:70px;"| Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2007.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2007 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=August 30, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731164015/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2007.htm |archive-date=July 31, 2010 }}

|align="center"|66

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/hot-100-songs|title=US Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Chart|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=August 25, 2015|archive-date=December 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207211434/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/hot-100-songs|url-status=live}}

|align="center"|63

=Decade-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Decade-end chart performance for "SexyBack"

! scope="col"| Chart (2000–2009)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2009/end-of-decade-singles-chart|title=2009 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart|publisher=ARIA|date=January 2010|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606070244/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2009/end-of-decade-singles-chart|url-status=live}}

|align="center"|63

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-12-19.pdf|title=The Decade in Music – Hot 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|volume=121|issue=50|page=159|date=December 19, 2009|access-date=August 16, 2020|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001053218/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-12-19.pdf|url-status=live}}

|align="center"|60

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "SexyBack"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=SexyBack|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2017|relyear=2006|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=Sexy Back|award=Platinum|number=3|digital=true|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=October 8, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=SexyBack|award=Platinum|certyear=2006|relyear=2006|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-novemberdecemberjanuar|title=Guld Og Platin November/December/Januar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724110837/http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content%2Fguld-og-platin-novemberdecemberjanuar|archive-date=July 24, 2011|access-date=November 8, 2021}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=SexyBack|type=single|artist=Justin Timberlake|award=Platinum|certyear=2017|relyear=2006|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|note=(since 2009)|title=SexyBack|type=single|artist=Justin Timberlake|award=Gold|relyear=2006|certyear=2018|certweek=2|access-date=January 15, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=SexyBack|type=single|artist=Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2024|relyear=2006|source=radioscope|access-date=January 18, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=SexyBack|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2006|certyear=2024|access-date=September 18, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=SexyBack|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2006|certyear=2022|id=10035-46-1|access-date=December 9, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=Sexy Back|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|digital=true|salesamount=4,900,000|salesref=|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Mastertone}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=ringtone|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=Sexy Back|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=October 8, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|artist=Justin Timberlake|title=Sexy Back|type=ringtone|award=Platinum|number=3|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

Release history

{{More citations needed section|date=September 2021}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release dates and formats for "SexyBack"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States

| rowspan="2"| July 18, 2006

| Contemporary hit radio

| rowspan="13"| Jive

| rowspan="2"|

Rhythmic radio
scope="row"| Japan

| August 23, 2006

| rowspan="2"| CD single

|

scope="row" rowspan="2"| Germany

| rowspan="2"| August 25, 2006

|

12-inch single

|

scope="row"| France

| August 26, 2006

| Digital download

| {{Cite news |url=https://www.amazon.fr/SexyBack-Explicit-Justin-Timberlake/dp/B00280EDIK/ |title=SexyBack [Explicit] |date=August 26, 2006 |work=Amazon |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202190034/https://www.amazon.fr/SexyBack-Explicit-Justin-Timberlake/dp/B00280EDIK |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| United Kingdom

| August 28, 2006

| CD single

| {{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=25|date=August 26, 2006}}

scope="row" rowspan="4"| United States

| rowspan="2"| September 5, 2006

| Hot AC radio

|

Urban radio

|

September 26, 2006

| 12-inch single

|

October 24, 2006

| rowspan="3"| Digital download (SexyTracks: The SexyBack Remixes)

| {{Cite news |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sexytracks-the-sexyback-remixes-feat-timbaland-ep/303100015 |title=SexyTracks – The SexyBack Remixes (feat. Timbaland) – EP |date=October 24, 2006 |work=iTunes |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202130538/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sexytracks-the-sexyback-remixes-feat-timbaland-ep/303100015 |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| Germany

| rowspan="2"| April 21, 2008

|

scope="row"| France

|

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{good article}}

{{Justin Timberlake songs}}

{{Timbaland singles}}

{{Poison}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sexyback}}

Category:2006 singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Jive Records singles

Category:Justin Timberlake songs

Category:Music videos directed by Michael Haussman

Category:Music videos shot in Spain

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Germany

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Number-one singles in Norway

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Song recordings produced by Danja (record producer)

Category:Song recordings produced by Justin Timberlake

Category:Song recordings produced by Timbaland

Category:Songs written by Danja (record producer)

Category:Songs written by Justin Timberlake

Category:Songs written by Timbaland

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Zomba Group of Companies singles

Category:2006 songs