Justin Timberlake Says 2006 Hit Was Based on Friend’s Breakup

Overview

• Timberlake told Complex’s Re-Rank that “What Goes Around... Comes Around” came from a friend’s breakup and that he asked the friend for permission to use the story.
• He said he wrote the song very quickly, estimating the lyrics took about 20 minutes to complete.
• The clarification was limited to that 2006 song and did not address whether earlier hits such as “Cry Me a River” were about Britney Spears.
• The 2006 track appears on the album FutureSex/LoveSounds and its video features Scarlett Johansson in a role that helped fuel autobiographical readings.
• The statement offers a partial resolution to one long-running claim but is likely to keep public debate alive because it does not change the broader history between Timberlake and Spears or settle questions about his other songs.