Girlfriend (NSYNC song)

2002 single by NSYNC

"Girlfriend"

Single by NSYNC featuring Nelly
from the album  Celebrity
B-side| "The Two of Us"
Released| January 14, 2002 (2002-01-14)
Recorded| April – May 2001[1]
Studio|

* Right Track, Battery (New York City)
* Wire (Orlando, Florida)

Genre|

* Pop
* hip hop
* R&B

Length|

* 4:14 (album version)
* 4:45 (The Neptunes remix)

Label| Jive
Songwriter(s)|

* Justin Timberlake
* Pharrell Williams
* Chad Hugo
* Cornell Haynes Jr. (remix)

Producer(s)| The Neptunes
NSYNC singles chronology
| "Gone"
(2001)  | "Girlfriend"
(2002)  | "Better Place"
(2023)

|
|

Nelly singles chronology
| "#1"
(2001)  | "Girlfriend"
(2002)  | "Hot in Herre"
(2002)

|
|

Music video
"Girlfriend" on YouTube

"Girlfriend" is a pop and hip hop song by American boy band NSYNC. It was released on January 14, 2002, as the third single from their fourth studio album, Celebrity. It was the group's last song to enter the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five. "Girlfriend" additionally reached number one in Canada and charted within the top 10 in six other countries, including Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. This was the last single and song the band released in their career before their reunion in 2023.

## Background

[edit]

When originally announced as a single, the intention was for the album version from Celebrity of the track "Girlfriend" to be released along with a video and released to television. However, just weeks before the release, NSYNC announced that the Neptunes would remix the song for its single release and feature two all-new verses with rapper Nelly. When Nelly was approached to record the song, he was initially met with resistance from his record label Universal Records, who stated that he was trying to "ruin [his] career". Nelly insisted on appearing on the song, which they eventually conceded.[2] It was his first major cross-collaboration.[3]

The song contained a hip hop influence and was sent to top 40 and hot AC radio in January 2002 before being released commercially on March 12, 2002, as an enhanced CD.[4][5]

## Critical reception

[edit]

In 2015, Billboard's Jason Lipshutz ranked it tenth on the list "Top 20 Essential Boy Band Songs," writing, "straddling the lines of pop, R&B and hip-hop, the song could have been the precursor to the boy band's stylistic shift, but instead proved to be the starting point for Justin Timberlake's solo career."[6]

## Music video

[edit]

### Background

[edit]

Two music videos exist for the single, which were both directed by Marc Klasfeld. The first video was released in late December 2001, while the Neptunes Remix debuted on March 12, 2002.[7]

### Synopsis

[edit]

The music video featured the band dancing on cars, singing to girls and a drag race, which was won by Justin Timberlake. The Neptunes Remix featured scenes of Nelly spliced between shots of the pre-existing video. He is shown rapping next to Timberlake during both of his rap verses, as well as interacting with female models in the backseat of the car throughout this version of the video. Scenes of Timberlake initiating the drag race in the interlude, which is shown in the original video, are heavily omitted in the Neptunes Remix to accommodate for Nelly's rap verse, which his second rap verse replaces.

## Track listings

[edit]

US and Canadian CD single[8][9]

1. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13
2. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:43
3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Back Late" mix) – 5:57
4. "Gone" (Spanish version) – 4:51
5. "Girlfriend" (video)

US 12-inch single[10]

A1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:43
A2. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix instrumental) – 4:43
B1. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13
B2. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Back Late" mix) – 5:57

UK CD and cassette single[11][12]

1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly)
2. "The Two of Us"
3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' radio edit)

European CD single[13]

1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:43
2. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13

Australian CD single[14]

1. "Girlfriend" (the Neptunes remix featuring Nelly) – 4:45
2. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:14
3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Late" mix) – 5:59
4. "Girlfriend" (video)

Japanese CD single[15]

1. "Girlfriend" (album version) – 4:13
2. "Girlfriend" (instrumental) – 4:12
3. "Gone" (Gone Clubbin' "I'll Be Late" mix) – 5:58

|

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes.[11]

Recording

* Recorded at Right Track, NYC; Battery Studios, NYC; and WIRE Studios, Orlando, FL

Personnel

* Justin Timberlake – songwriter
* Chad Hugo – songwriter, producer, remix producer
* Pharrell Williams – songwriter, producer, remix producer
* The Neptunes – producer, remix producer
* Brian Garten – recording, additional vocal recording
* Paul Gregory – assistant recording engineer
* Rowie Nameri – assistant recording engineer
* Matina Scarpino – assistant recording engineer
* Jean-Marie Horvat – mixing
* Josean Possey – assistant mixing engineer
* Chaz Harper – mastering

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Girlfriend"  | Chart (2002)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[16] | 2
Australian Urban (ARIA)[17] | 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] | 43
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] | 34
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[20] | 15
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[21] | 1
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[22] | 5
Denmark (Tracklisten)[23] | 6
Europe (European Hot 100)[24] | 4
Europe (European Hit Radio)[25] | 26
Germany (GfK)[26] | 6
Ireland (IRMA)[27] | 8
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] | 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] | 8
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[30] | 13
Norway (VG-lista)[31] | 12
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[32] | 93
Scotland (OCC)[33] | 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[34] | 36
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] | 23
UK Singles (OCC)[36] | 2
UK Indie (OCC)[37] | 1
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[38] | 1
US Billboard Hot 100[39] | 5
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[40] | 23
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] | 5
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[42] | 6

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Year-end performance for "Girlfriend"  | Chart (2002)  | Position

|

Australia (ARIA)[43] | 26
Australian Urban (ARIA)[44] | 8
Brazil (Crowley)[45] | 81
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[46] | 18
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)[47] | 84
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[48] | 96
Germany (Media Control)[49] | 73
Ireland (IRMA)[50] | 69
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[51] | 77
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[52] | 70
UK Singles (OCC)[53] | 44
UK Airplay (Music Week)[54] | 63
US Billboard Hot 100[55] | 33
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[56] | 29
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[57] | 35

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications and sales for "Girlfriend"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[58] | Gold  | 35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[59] | Gold  | 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[60] | Gold  | 400,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Girlfriend"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label(s)  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | January 14, 2002  | Contemporary hit radio | Jive | [4]
January 21, 2002  | Hot adult contemporary radio
Japan  | January 30, 2002  | CD  | [61]
United States  | March 12, 2002  | Enhanced CD  | [5]
Australia  | April 15, 2002  | CD  | [62]
United Kingdom  | [63]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Touré (August 31, 2001). "'N Sync: True Tales of the Pop Life". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
2. ^ Platon, Adelle (June 23, 2017). "'Nellyville' Turns 15: Nelly Looks Back on the Singles, Guests & Bad 'Hot In Herre' Jokes". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
3. ^ Pickens, Ashley (June 26, 2017). "'Nellyville': 15 Ways Nelly's Midwest-Spun Recipe Made The Culture Pop". Vibe. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
4. ^ a b "Top 40, A/C & Hot A/C, Rhythm Crossover Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2358\. January 11, 2002. p. 35.
5. ^ a b Baker, Soren (February 19, 2002). "*NSYNC Embarking On 'Celebrity' Tour With A Twist". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on September 11, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
6. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (July 13, 2015). "Top 20 Essential Boy Band Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
7. ^ Strecker, Erin (January 1, 2015). "Throwback! Look Back At 'Girlfriend,' 'N Sync's Video for Their Final Single as a Group". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
8. ^ Girlfriend (US CD single liner notes). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. 01241-40013-2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. ^ Girlfriend (Canadian CD single liner notes). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. 01241-48225-2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. ^ Girlfriend (US 12-inch single sleeve). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. 01241-40016-1.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. ^ a b Girlfriend (UK CD single liner notes). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. 9253312.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. ^ Girlfriend (UK cassette single sleeve). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. 9253314.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
13. ^ Girlfriend (European CD single liner notes). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. 9253429.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. ^ Girlfriend (Australian CD single liner notes). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. 9253422.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
15. ^ Girlfriend (Japanese CD single liner notes). NSYNC. Jive Records. 2002. ZJCI-30012.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
16. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
17. ^ "Issue 634" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
18. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
19. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
20. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
21. ^ "'N Sync Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
22. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 2002" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
23. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
24. ^ Billboard – Google Books
25. ^ "EHR Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 22\. May 25, 2002. p. 20. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
26. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
27. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Girlfriend". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
28. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 18, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
29. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
30. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
31. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)". VG-lista. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
32. ^ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 22, saptamina 3.06–9.06, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 15, 2005. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
33. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
34. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
35. ^ "'N Sync feat. Nelly – Girlfriend (Remix)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
36. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
37. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
38. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
39. ^ "N Sync Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
40. ^ "N Sync Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
41. ^ "N Sync Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
42. ^ "N Sync Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
43. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002". ARIA. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
44. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
45. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2002". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
46. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
47. ^ "Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
48. ^ "Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002". Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 2–3\. January 11, 2003. p. 14.2–3&rft.pages=14&rft.date=2003-01-11&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Girlfriend+(NSYNC+song)" class="Z3988">
49. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2002" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
50. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2002". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
51. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
52. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
53. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
54. ^ "Most Broadcast of 2002 — Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
55. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2002". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
56. ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51\. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
57. ^ "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51\. December 20, 2002. p. 22.
58. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
59. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – *NSYNC – Girlfriend/Gone Clubbin'". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
60. ^ "British single certifications – Nsync ft Nelly – Girlfriend". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
61. ^ "ガールフレンド | インシンク" [Girlfriend | NSYNC] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
62. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15/04/2002" (PDF). ARIA. April 15, 2002. p. 25\. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 23, 2002. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
63. ^ "NSYNC Girlfriend The Neptunes Remix Featuring Nelly". Amazon. Retrieved June 30, 2021.

* v
* t
* e

NSYNC

* Lance Bass
* JC Chasez
* Joey Fatone
* Chris Kirkpatrick
* Justin Timberlake

Studio albums|

* NSYNC
* Home for Christmas
* No Strings Attached
* Celebrity

Compilation albums|

* The Winter Album
* Greatest Hits
* The Essential *NSYNC

Live albums and videos|

* N the Mix
* Live from Madison Square Garden
* Making the Tour
* PopOdyssey Live

Singles|

* "I Want You Back"
* "Tearin' Up My Heart"
* "Here We Go"
* "For the Girl Who Has Everything"
* "Together Again"
* "U Drive Me Crazy"
* "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You"
* "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays"
* "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)"
* "Music of My Heart"
* "Bye Bye Bye"
* "It's Gonna Be Me"
* "I'll Never Stop"
* "This I Promise You"
* "Pop"
* "Gone"
* "Girlfriend"
* "Better Place"

Other songs|

* "That's When I'll Stop Loving You"
* "Something Like You"

Tours|

* NSYNC in Concert
* No Strings Attached Tour
* PopOdyssey
* Celebrity Tour

Related articles|

* Awards and nominations
* Discography
* Super Bowl XXXV halftime show
* Lou Pearlman
* Johnny Wright
* Jive Records
* "New Kids on the Blecch"
* On the Line (soundtrack)
* Dead 7
* The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story

* v
* t
* e

Nelly

* Discography
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums
and singles|

| Country Grammar|

* "Country Grammar (Hot Shit)"
* "E.I."
* "Ride wit Me"
* "Batter Up"

|

Nellyville|

* "Hot in Herre"
* "Dilemma"
* "Air Force Ones"
* "Work It"
* "Pimp Juice"

Sweat and Suit|

* "Flap Your Wings"
* "Tilt Ya Head Back"
* "Na-NaNa-Na"
* "My Place"
* "Over and Over"
* "N Dey Say"

Brass Knuckles|

* "Wadsyaname"
* "Party People"
* "Body on Me"
* "Stepped on My J'z"

5.0|

* "Just a Dream"
* "Move That Body"
* "Gone"

M.O.|

* "Hey Porsche"
* "Get Like Me"

Heartland|

* "Lil Bit"

Compilations|

* Sweatsuit
* The Best of Nelly

EPs|

* 6 Derrty Hits

Remix albums|

* Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention

Featured singles|

* "Where the Party At"
* "Girlfriend" (The Neptunes remix)
* "Get It Poppin'"
* "Nasty Girl"
* "Call on Me"
* "5000 Ones"
* "Here I Am"
* "Miss Me"
* "Lose Control (Let Me Down)"
* "Cruise (Remix)"
* "I Don't Wanna Go to Bed"
* "Millionaire"

Soundtrack singles|

* "#1"
* "Shake Ya Tailfeather"
* "Errtime"
* "Warrior"

Other singles|

* "Iz U"
* "Grillz"
* "The Champ"
* "The Fix"
* "Die a Happy Man"

Other songs|

* "Cool Again (Remix)"
* "She Drives Me Crazy (DND Remix)"

Related articles|

* St. Lunatics
* Derrty Entertainment
* The Main Event
* Nellyville (TV series)
* Super Bowl XXXV halftime show
* Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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