TKO (song)

"TKO"
Single by Justin Timberlake
from the album The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2
A-side"Not a Bad Thing"
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2013 (2013-09-20)
RecordedMay–July 2012
StudioLarrabee (North Hollywood)
Genre
Length7:04 (album version)
4:49 (radio edit 1)
4:32 (radio edit 2)
LabelRCA
Songwriters
Producers
  • Timbaland
  • Justin Timberlake
  • Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon
Justin Timberlake singles chronology
"Take Back the Night"
(2013)		 "TKO"
(2013)		 "Not a Bad Thing"
(2014)

"TKO" is a song by American singer Justin Timberlake from his fourth studio album, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy and a sample of Barry White's "Somebody's Gonna Off the Man". A remix by rappers J. Cole, ASAP Rocky, and Pusha T, subtitled the "Black Friday Remix", was also released. Lyrically, it uses boxing metaphors to describe the feeling of seeing a former lover with someone else.

RCA Records released "TKO" on September 20, 2013, as the second single from The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2. It received mixed reviews from music critics and entered the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it reached number thirty-six. The song was eventually certified platinum by Pro-Música Brasil (PMB) and gold by Music Canada and Grammofonleverantörernas förening (GLF). The accompanying music video, directed by Ryan Reichenfeld, was released on October 29, 2013, and stars Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough as Timberlake's love interest.

Background and composition

On March 16, 2013, a day after The 20/20 Experience released, record producer and drummer for The Roots, Questlove announced that Timberlake was planning to release a follow-up record to The 20/20 Experience in November. He referenced the album's 10-song track listing and title by saying, "10 songs now...10 songs later = 20 vision."[3] Affirming Questlove's comments, album co-producer J-Roc revealed that the follow-up will consist of outtakes from the original album, as well as new material from upcoming studio sessions.[4] Timberlake announced on May 5 that his fourth album, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, would be released in September.[5]

"TKO" was written by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, and James Fauntleroy, and was produced by Timbaland, Timberlake, and Harmon.[6] It features heavy drums and "scratchy" studio effects, which, according to a staff writer for Consequence, are reminiscent of a "slightly more refined Justified."[7] Jocelyn Vena of MTV News described the production as having "signature bleepy production" and "dark undertones".[8] Lyrically, "TKO" leans heavily on boxing metaphors, with the title "TKO", short for technical knockout, to describe the feeling of seeing a former lover with someone else.[9] The theme continues with lines like "I'm out for the count, yeah girl you knock me out."[10]

Release and promotion

According to RCA Records, the label perceived much more hit potential in "Not a Bad Thing" (2014); however, they decided to release "Take Back the Night" (2013) and "TKO" as pre-album singles, as they felt it best represented the album's R&B side. Released a year after the just-as-pop-heavy "Mirrors" (2013), "Not A Bad Thing" became a top-ten hit.[11]

After releasing "Take Back the Night" as the first single from The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, Timberlake faced controversy for its title, due to the similarities between the song's title and the anti-rape organization of the same name.[12] After that, on September 19, 2013, the singer teased his fans with an Instagram post, saying, "Should I release a new single today???."[13] Later, he posted another photo, saying, "Get Ready...", attached to a photo of him in the studio recording a song.[14] Five hours later, Timberlake posted a tease of the track with a 15-second snippet.[15] To finish the teasing, the singer posted the single's cover art, saying, "You ready to hear it in full???," also revealing its title: "TKO".[16] On September 20, 2013, the single was released.[10]

A remix of "TKO", subtitled the "Black Friday Remix", premiered on November 29, 2013. It features new rap verses from J. Cole, ASAP Rocky and Pusha T.[17] Timberlake included "TKO" on the set list of his fifth worldwide tour entitled The 20/20 Experience World Tour (2013–2015).[18]

Reception

Upon release, "TKO" garnered mixed reviews from critics. Supporters appreciated the presence of the "unique Timberlake charm" and Timbaland style of R&B production.[19][20] Underwhelmed and disappointed reviewers, such as Annie Zaleski, criticized the monotony and a lack of evolution in Timbaland's production, and the usage of "tired" and "predictable" boxing cliches in the lyrics.[1][21][22] Tom Breihan of Stereogum was let down by the absence of Timberlake's "old-school loverman slickness" on The 20/20 Experience, and that "the melody doesn't quite stick the way you'd hope a Timberlake melody would."[23] Pitchfork and Consequence of Sound cringed at Timbaland's "baby talk" in the intro, "She kill me with the coo coochie coochie coo".[24][25]

In North America, "TKO" peaked at number thirty-six on the US Billboard Hot 100[26] and number nine on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[27] In terms of airplay, it peaked at number thirty-six on Adult Pop Airplay,[28] number twelve on Pop Airplay,[29] and number ten on Rhythmic Airplay.[30] It peaked at number twenty-eight on the Canadian Hot 100.[31] On its component airplay charts, it peaked at number ten on Canada CHR/Top 40[32] and number thirty-four on Canada Hot AC.[33] It was certified platinum by Music Canada.[34] In South America, the song was certified platinum by Pro-Música Brasil (PMB).[35]

In Europe, "TKO" peaked at numbers five and thirteen on the bubbling under charts in the Flanders and Wallonia regions of Belgium,[36][37] but peaked at number twenty-three on the former's urban chart.[38] It also peaked at number four in Bulgaria,[39] number one hundred sixty-three in France,[40] number seventy-one in Germany,[41] number fifty-one on the Irish Singles Chart,[42] number thirteen in the Netherlands,[43] number sixty-eight in Switzerland,[44] number fifty-eight on the UK Singles Chart,[45] and number fifteen on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart.[46] It was certified gold by Grammofonleverantörernas förening (GLF).[47]

In Asia, "TKO" peaked at number thirteen in Lebanon[48] and numbers one hundred fifty-five and five on Gaon Chart's digital and international charts in South Korea.[49][50] In Oceania, the song peaked at number twenty-four on the urban chart in Australia.[51]

Music video

American actress and model Riley Keough (pictured) is Timberlake's love interest in the video.

A music video for the song, directed by Ryan Reichenfeld, was released on October 29, 2013. Timberlake's love interest in the video is played by Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough, with the video lasting for 7 minutes.[52] In another scene, Keough delivers a cast-iron skillet to Timberlake's cranium. Through it all, Timberlake keeps his chin up and continues to sing even while being dragged to his death.[52] Upon its release, Billboard called the video "a knock-down, drag-out good time",[52] while Melinda Newman of HitFix panned it as a cartoonish, "misguided look at domestic violence", comparing it to the video of Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie".[53]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2.[6]

Locations

  • Vocals recorded and mixed at Larrabee Studios, North Hollywood, California

Personnel

  • Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley – producer, songwriter
  • Justin Timberlake – Mixer, producer, songwriter, vocal producer, vocal arranger
  • Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon – keyboards, producer, songwriter
  • James Fauntleroy – songwriter
  • Barry White – songwriter
  • Chris Godbey – engineer, mixer
  • Jimmy Douglass – mixer
  • Alejandro Baima – assistant engineer
  • Elliot Ives – guitar

Charts

Certifications

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[35] Platinum 60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[34] Gold 40,000*
Sweden (GLF)[47] Gold 20,000‡

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

Release history

Release dates
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 20, 2013 Digital download RCA [59]
United States September 24, 2013 Contemporary hit radio [60]
Italy October 18, 2013 Sony [61]

References

  1. 1 2 Cinquemani, Sal (September 20, 2013). "Single Review: Justin Timberlake, "TKO"". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ O'Brien, Jon (September 23, 2013). "Weekly Singles Review: Justin Timberlake, Haim & Jonas Brothers". Yahoo! UK & Ireland. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  3. ↑ Payne, Chris (March 17, 2013). "Questlove: Justin Timberlake's '20/20 Experience,' Volume 2 Due In November". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  4. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (April 17, 2013). "Justin Timberlake's November Album To Feature Material From '20/20' Sessions". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  5. ↑ Letkemann, Jessica (May 5, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Tweets '20/20 Experience' Part 2 Due September 30". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 4, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Anon. (2013). The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (Liner notes). Justin Timberlake. New York City, NY: RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
  7. ↑ Consequence Staff (September 20, 2013). "Listen to new Justin Timberlake: "T K O"". Consequence. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (September 20, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Knocks Fans Out With New Track, 'T.K.O.'". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  9. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (September 24, 2013). "Justin Timberlake, 'TKO' – Song Meaning". PopCrush. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Billboard Staff (September 20, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Hits Fans With 'TKO': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  11. ↑ Trust, Gary (April 23, 2014). "Pharrell Williams Still Atop Hot 100; Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown Reach Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  12. ↑ Nostro, Lauren (July 16, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Addresses Controversy Surrounding "Take Back the Night" Single". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  13. ↑ Timberlake, Justin (September 19, 2013). "Justin Timberlake on Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  14. ↑ Timberlake, Justin (September 19, 2013). "Justin Timberlake on Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  15. ↑ Martins, Chris (September 19, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Shares 'TKO' Snippet on Instagram". Spin. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  16. ↑ Timberlake, Justin (September 19, 2013). "You ready to hear it in full??? #TKO #newsingle". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  17. ↑ Ortiz, Edwin (November 29, 2013). "Premiere: Justin Timberlake f/ J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, & Pusha T "TKO (Black Friday Remix)"". Complex Magazine. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  18. ↑ Farber, Jim (November 7, 2013). "Concert review: Justin Timberlake kicks off '20/20 Experience' tour with flirty gig at Barclays Center". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  19. ↑ Dixon, Josh. "Single Review: Justin Timberlake – 'TKO'". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ Bakare, Lanre (September 26, 2013). "Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience Part 2 – review". The Guardian. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ Zaleski, Annie (October 1, 2013). "Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience—2 of 2 | Music". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  22. ↑ Jackson, Kyle. ""TKO" – Music Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  23. ↑ Breihan, Tom (September 20, 2013). "Justin Timberlake – "TKO"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  24. ↑ Dombal, Ryan (October 1, 2013). "Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  25. ↑ Bosman, Chris (October 1, 2013). "Album Review: Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience Pt. 2". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  27. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  28. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  29. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  30. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  31. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  32. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  33. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  34. 1 2 "Canadian single certifications – Justin Timberlake – TKO". Music Canada. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  35. 1 2 "Brazilian single certifications – Justin Timberlake – TKO" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  36. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake – TKO" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  37. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake – TKO" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  38. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake – TKO" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  39. 1 2 "Airplay Top 5 – 25.11.2013 – 01.12.2013". Bulgarian Association of Music Producers. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake – TKO" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  41. 1 2 "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 18, 2019.
  42. 1 2 "Chart Track: Week 39, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Archived from the original. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  43. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake – TKO". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  44. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake – TKO". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  45. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart on 5/10/2013 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  46. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 5/10/2013 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  47. 1 2 "Grammotex – Artikeldata Artist: Justin Timberlake Titel: TKO" (in Swedish). Grammotex. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  48. 1 2 "Justin Timberlake chart history". olt20.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  49. 1 2 "Gaon Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  50. 1 2 "Gaon International Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  51. 1 2 "The ARIA Report, Issue 1233". ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  52. 1 2 3 "Justin Timberlake's 'TKO' Video Is A Knock-Out: Watch". Billboard. October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  53. ↑ Newman, Melinda (October 29, 2013). "Justin Timberlake in 'TKO' revenge fantasy music video: Watch". HitFix. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Gaon Monthly Digital Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  55. ↑ JAAROVERZICHTEN 2013 Archived April 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch). ultratop.be/nl. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  56. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2013 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  57. ↑ "Mainstream Top 40: 2013 Year-End Charts" (PDF). Billboard. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 19, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  59. ↑ "TKO". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  60. ↑ "CHR". FMQB. Mediaspan. Retrieved September 26, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  61. ↑ "Justin Timberlake – TKO (Sony)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
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