Summer Love (Justin Timberlake song)

In November 2002, Timberlake released his debut solo album, Justified,^[1] which was a commercial success^[2] and received generally positive reviews from music critics.^[3] The album spawned four singles, including the US top-five singles "Rock Your Body" and "Cry Me a River".^[4] After its release, he thought he "lost his voice" in the sense that he did not like what he was doing. He felt "burnt-out" after Justified; this partly changed the direction of his career, and he took a break from the music industry and instead appeared in films.^[5] The first role he took during this time was as a journalist in the thriller Edison Force, filmed in 2004 and released on July 18, 2006.^[6] He also appeared in the 2006 films Alpha Dog,^[7] Black Snake Moan,^[8] Southland Tales,^[9] and voiced Prince Artie Pendragon in the animated film Shrek the Third, released on May 18, 2007.^[10]

When Timberlake felt inspired to compose songs again, he chose not to reunite with his former band NSYNC. However, he considered it after his first record.^[11] Instead, he went to Justified collaborator Timbaland's brand-new Thomas Crown Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia to begin sessions for his second album.^[5][12] However, neither of them had an idea of what the album would be–no plan for it, and even a title.^[12] FutureSex/LoveSounds was released on September 12, 2006, by Jive Records and Zomba;^[13] "Summer Love/Set the Mood (Prelude)" places at number nine on the album's track list.^[14] It was written and produced by Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, Nate "Danja" Hills, and Timberlake himself.^[15] The song was recorded by Jimmy Douglas, while its mixing was done by Douglas together with Timbaland. The keyboards were provided by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja; the latter also played the drums in the single.^[16]

"Summer Love" (2006)

A 20-second sample of the chorus of "Summer Love". Its instrumentation consists of keyboards, drums, guitar, piano, and "handclapping".^[17][18]

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"Summer Love" is an uptempo pop song, with a length of 4 minutes and 13 seconds.^[18][19] According to digital sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, "Summer Love" was written in the key of D minor, in common time with a moderately slow 96 beat-per-minute tempo.^[18] Timberlake's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of D4 to the high note of A5. Its instrumentation consists of keyboards, drums, guitar, piano and handclaps.^[17][18] Barry Schwartz of Stylus Magazine praised the song and commented that "with its good foot hesitation boom-clap and cascading chorus synthline" 'Summer Love' shows Timberlake's best vocals on FutureSex/LoveSounds." Schwartz further said that "the beat drops out while he sings in perfect harmony, 'Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame girl'".^[20] Lyrically, the single is about "wanting to fall in love with the lusty seasonal lover".^[17]

"Summer Love" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Barry Schwartz of Stylus Magazine gave "Summer Love" a positive review and additionally praised "its good foot hesitation boom-clap and cascading chorus".^[20] Shaheem Reid and Jayson Rodriguez off MTV News stated that "Summer Love" alongside Timberlake's 2007 singles "My Love" and "LoveStoned", rocked every iPod, stereo player and stadium during his tour.^[21] North by Northwestern's Dagny Salas called "Summer Love/Set the Mood (Interlude)" a stand-out track on FutureSex/LoveSounds. According to him the song "oozes sun, sex, and a sultry affair".^[17] A reviewer of IGN commented that "the bulk of the album is focused on funk lite, but with 'Summer Love/Set The Mood (Prelude)' Timberlake and Timbaland slip into darkness."^[22] An editor of Billboard criticized Timbaland's production: "[W]hile the track offers cunning instrumentation, Timbaland's heavy production hand is so overwhelming that the singer is pushed to the back of the track".^[23]

In North America, "Summer Love" peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[24] On its component airplay charts, it peaked at number 24 on Adult Pop Airplay,^[25] number 1 on Pop Airplay,^[26] and number 10 on Rhythmic Airplay.^[27] It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)^[28] for sales of 1,600,000 copies,^[29] and gold as a ringtone.^[30] The song peaked at number 8 on the Canadian Hot 100.^[31] On its component airplay charts, it peaked at number 1 on Canada CHR/Top 40^[32] and number 9 on Canada Hot AC.^[33] It was certified gold by Music Canada for both the single and ringtone formats.^[34][35] In Europe, "Summer Love" peaked at number 47 in Austria,^[36] numbers 6 and 8 on the Belgium Ultratip Bubbling Under charts,^[37][38] number 191 on the CIS Airplay chart,^[39] number 39 in Germany,^[40] number 22 on the Slovakia Airplay chart,^[41] and number 38 in Sweden.^[42] It was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).^[43] In Oceania, the song peaked at number 14 on the Australia Digital Track Chart^[44] and number 15 in New Zealand,^[45] where it was certified 2× platinum by Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ).^[46]

Timberlake included "Summer Love" on the set list of his 2007 worldwide tour, FutureSex/LoveShow.^[47] He also included it on the set lists of the Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour with rapper Jay-Z (2013),^[48] The 20/20 Experience World Tour (2013–2015),^[49] The Man of the Woods Tour (2018–2019),^[50] and The Forget Tomorrow World Tour (2024–2025).^[51]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of FutureSex/LoveSounds.^[16]