Selfish (Justin Timberlake song)

"Selfish"
Promotional graphic
Single by Justin Timberlake
from the album Everything I Thought It Was
ReleasedJanuary 25, 2024 (2024-01-25)
Genre
Length3:49
LabelRCA
Songwriters
Producers
Justin Timberlake singles chronology
"3D" (Remix)
(2023)		 "Selfish"
(2024)		 "Drown"
(2024)
Music video
"Selfish" on YouTube

"Selfish" is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. Released on January 25, 2024, it is his first solo single release in almost six years, following his standalone July 2018 single "SoulMate". It is the lead single from his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was.[3] It was followed shortly after by a promotional single, "Drown", in late February.

Background and release

In 2023, Timberlake reunited with former members of his band, NSYNC, and released the single "Better Place" in support of the Trolls Band Together soundtrack,[4] and a collaboration with Timbaland and Nelly Furtado titled "Keep Going Up".[5] Timberlake had also collaborated with Romeo Santos on the song "Sin Fin",[6] with Jack Harlow on the song "Parent Trap" for Harlow's album Come Home the Kids Miss You,[7] a remix of Coco Jones' song "ICU",[8] and a further remix of the song "3D" by Jungkook.[9] Timberlake had also worked with Calvin Harris, alongside Pharrell Williams and Halsey, on Harris's song "Stay with Me".[10]

On January 25, 2024, Timberlake appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He announced the release of "Selfish" and revealed that the parent album Everything I Thought It Was had taken four years to produce.[11]

Composition

The song was written by Timberlake, Amy Allen, Henry Walter, Theron Thomas, and Louis Bell. The song was produced by Timberlake, Cirkut, and Bell.

In an Apple Music 1 interview, the singer explained that the songwriting process of the single started with his music director Adam Blackstone singing "Jealous Guy" by Donny Hathaway.[12][13] During the process, Timberlake reflected that men usually do not sing about "an emotion that makes them vulnerable".[14]

Critical reception

Billboard compared the track to Timberlake's previous lead singles saying it "is actually much more unassuming" describing it as "a honeyed, ornately produced mid-tempo ballad built on warmly groaning organs and a bossa nova drum machine," and while lyrically "not exactly a brand-new sentiment" for Timberlake, it is "one sweet enough that it's hard to really get up much hate for."[15] It was voted as favorite new music release in their weekly poll.[16] Consequence gave the song a widely negative review, calling it "a turd" and stating that "'Selfish' isn't even bad enough to be interesting, and it's certainly not ambitious; it's like he was aiming squarely for mediocre and still came up short."[17] The New York Times found it thematically similar to Nick Jonas's 2014 single "Jealous".[18] The Daily Beast also compared "Selfish" to Jonas's song, and said it "seems to be mature, radio-friendly, well-produced, and, yes, ambitionless pop."[19]

Promotion

Music video

An official music video, directed by Bradley Calder, was released on January 25, 2024.[20][21]

The music video on YouTube has received over 50 million views as of April 2025.[22]

Live performances

On January 19, 2024, Timberlake performed a free one-night-only concert at the Orpheum in Memphis where he live-debuted the new single after teasing a new project on social media in previous days.[23] On January 27, 2024, Timberlake performed the single on Saturday Night Live. The performance was introduced by Jimmy Fallon.[24] Timberlake performed the song on the February 23, 2024 episode of the UK's The Graham Norton Show.[25][26] In April 2024, Timberlake opened the iHeartRadio Music Awards, performing the single, as well as "No Angels", the second single off of Everything I Thought It Was.[27] Timberlake also performed the song on his seventh concert tour, The Forget Tomorrow World Tour (2024).[28]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Selfish" debuted and peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became his 39th career solo entry on the Hot 100 and his 29th to reach the top 40.[29] In Canada, the track debuted and peaked at number 22 on the Canadian Hot 100.[30]

In the United Kingdom, "Selfish" debuted at number 47 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart and number 51 on the Singles Sales Chart on January 26, 2024.[31] On January 29, 2024, the song appeared at number 35 on the country's Singles Midweek Chart and ended up debuting at number 37 on the main chart on February 2, 2024;[32][33] it appeared on that chart for nine weeks.[34] "Selfish" climbed to its eventual peak at number 29 in the following week.[35] Six weeks after its release, the song peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[36]

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Selfish"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[103] Gold 20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[104] Platinum 80,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[105] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[106] Silver 200,000 

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Selfish"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various January 25, 2024 RCA [107]
Italy January 26, 2024 Radio airplay Sony Italy [108]

References

  1. ↑ Sacher, Andrew (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake details new album Everything I Thought It Was, shares "Selfish"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  2. ↑ Atkinson, Katie (January 20, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Unveils New Song "Selfish" at Memphis Concert & Drops Everything I Thought It Was Album Trailer". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Announces First Album Since 2018, Shares Video for New Song "Selfish": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ↑ Deville, Chris (September 29, 2023). "NSYNC – "Better Place"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  5. ↑ Zemler, Emily (September 1, 2023). "Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado Reunite With Timbaland on New Single 'Keep Going Up'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (September 1, 2022). "Romeo Santos and Justin Timberlake Team Up for New Song 'Sin Fin'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ Aswad, Jem (May 3, 2022). "Jack Harlow Unveils New Album Tracklist, Featuring Drake, Lil Wayne, Justin Timberlake". Variety. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ Denis, Kyle (July 14, 2023). "Coco Jones & Justin Timberlake Unite for 'ICU' Remix: Stream It Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  9. ↑ Peters, Mitchell (November 25, 2023). "Jung Kook Drops '3D' Remix With Justin Timberlake: Stream It Here". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  10. ↑ Bain, Katie (July 6, 2022). "Calvin Harris Reveals Release Date for New Collab With Halsey, Justin Timberlake & Pharrell". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  11. ↑ Zemler, Emily (January 26, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Announces World Tour, Performs With Classroom Instruments on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  12. ↑ Mali, Shreya (January 26, 2024). "The Real Meaning Behind Justin Timberlake's Selfish". The List. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  13. ↑ McNeal, Bria (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Is Feeling a Little Selfish". Esquire. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  14. ↑ Evans, Greg (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Shows "Selfish" Side In New Single And Video, And Explains Why He's Not Hosting This Week's 'SNL'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Friday Music Guide: Justin Timberlake, Megan Thee Stallion, Ice Spice & More". Billboard.
  16. ↑ "Fans Choose Justin Timberlake's 'Selfish' as This Week's Favorite New Music". Billboard.
  17. ↑ "Justin Timberlake's New Song "Selfish" Is the Latest Turd in a Ten-Year Run of Shitty Music: Review". January 25, 2024.
  18. ↑ Pareles, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (January 26, 2024). "Justin Timberlake's Envious Comeback, and 12 More New Songs". The New York Times.
  19. ↑ Roth, Madeline (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake's 'Selfish' Comeback is Missing Something". The Daily Beast.
  20. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Expresses His Vulnerability on New Song "Selfish"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  21. ↑ Aswad, Jem (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Drops New Single and Video, "Selfish"". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  22. ↑ Justin Timberlake - Selfish (Official Video).YouTube
  23. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Unveils New Song 'Selfish' at Memphis Concert & Drops 'Everything I Thought It Was' Album Trailer". Billboard. January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Justin Timberlake - Selfish (Live)". YouTube. January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Justin Timberlake - Selfish (Live on The Graham Norton Show)". YouTube. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  26. ↑ Isgin, Kieran (February 23, 2024). "Who is on BBC's The Graham Norton tonight - February 23?". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Kicks Off 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards With 'Selfish' & 'No Angels' Performance". Billboard. April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  28. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (April 30, 2024). "Here Is Justin Timberlake's 'The Forget Tomorrow World Tour' Set list". Uproxx. United States. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Scores His Highest Hot 100 Debut in Six Years with 'Selfish'". Billboard.
  30. ↑ "Justin Timberlake | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  31. ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart on 26/1/2024 26 January 2024 - 1 February 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Update 29 January 2024 - 4 February 2024". Official Charts. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 on 2/2/2024 2 February 2024 - 8 February 2024". Official Charts. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Justin Timberlake". Official Charts.
  35. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 on 2/2/2024 9 February 2024 - 15 February 2024". Official Charts. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 1/3/2024 1 March 2024 - 7 March 2024". Official Charts. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  37. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 12 February 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1771. Australian Recording Industry Association. February 12, 2024. p. 4.
  38. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Belarus Weekly Chart: Mar 14, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Justin Timberlake – Selfish" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Класации – Световният Top 10 – 08.03.2024 – 14.03.2024" [Rankings – World Top 10 – 08.03.2024 – 14.03.2024] (in Bulgarian). PROPHON. March 15, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  45. 1 2 3 "Charts – TopHit – Highway to Airplay". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  46. ↑ "Airplay Radio Chart Top40 – 6. tjedan (05.02.2024.)". HRT. February 12, 2024. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  47. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Radio – Top 100 – 8. týden 2024" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  48. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart: Mar 28, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  49. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  50. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  51. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög Birt – 17. febrúar 2024 – Næst uppfært 24. febrúar 2024" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  52. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Media Forest charts - 2024 - 05 28-01-24 03-02-24". Media Forest. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  54. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of February 7, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Weekly Chart: Feb 29, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Latvijas spēlētāko dziesmu Radio Top 2024. gads – 10. nedēļa" [Latvia's most played songs Radio Top 2024 – Week 10] (in Latvian). LAIPA. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  57. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Feb 15, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  58. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 11, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  59. ↑ "Justin Timberlake – Selfish" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  60. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  61. ↑ "TurnTable Official Radio Songs: February 9th, 2024 – February 15th, 2024". TurnTable. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  62. ↑ "Top 20 Panama – Del 18 al 25 de Marzo, 2024" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  63. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 24.02.2024–01.03.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  64. ↑ "Justin Timberlake – Selfish". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  65. ↑ "Media Forest – Weekly Charts". Media Forest. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  66. ↑ "Media Forest – Weekly Charts". Media Forest. Note: Select 'Songs – TV'. Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  67. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Mar 7, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  68. ↑ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 19/02/2024" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. February 22, 2024. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  69. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – SK Radio – Top 100 – 7. týden 2024" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  70. ↑ "Local & International Radio Chart Top 10 Week 22-2024". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  71. ↑ "BGM Chart – Week 4 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  72. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 6". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  73. ↑ "Justin Timberlake – Selfish". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  74. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 9/2/2024 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  75. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  76. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  77. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  78. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Dance Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  79. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  80. ↑ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  81. ↑ "Top 100 - Record Report". Record Report. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  82. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Belarus Monthly Chart: March 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  83. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: March 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  84. ↑ "CZ – Radio – Top 100: Měsíc 2/2024" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  85. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Monthly Chart: March 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  86. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Monthly Chart: March 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  87. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: March 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  88. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Romania Monthly Chart: March 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  89. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: March 2024". TopHit. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  90. ↑ "SK – Radio – Top 100: Měsíc 2/2024" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  91. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Belarus Annual Chart: 2024". TopHit. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  92. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  93. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart: 2024". TopHit. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  94. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Annual Chart: 2024". TopHit. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  95. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög – 2024" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  96. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Annual Chart: 2024". TopHit. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  97. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2024". TopHit. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  98. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  99. ↑ "Adult Pop Airplay Songs — Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  100. ↑ "Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  101. ↑ "Year-End Charts: Radio Songs". Billboard. 2024. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  102. ↑ "Resumen Anual 2024" (PDF). Record Report. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  103. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Justin Timberlake – Selfish" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  104. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Justin Timberlake – Selfish". Music Canada. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  105. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 9, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Selfish in the search box.
  106. ↑ "British single certifications – Justin Timberlake – Selfish". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 18, 2025. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Selfish Justin Timberlake in the "Search:" field.
  107. ↑ Ragusa, Paolo (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake Announces New Album, Reveals First Single "Selfish": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  108. ↑ Sisti, Sara (January 25, 2024). "Justin Timberlake - Selfish (Radio Date: 26-01-2024)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved February 1, 2024.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.