Justin Timberlake celebrates his 42nd birthday today, and the Aquarian crooner boasts a fantastic music library. To commemorate the former NSYNCer’s special day, we’ve compiled our favorite music videos of his career. See how your favorites ranked below.
I Want You Back
NSYNC’s debut single, “I Want You Back” (1996) shows the boy band dancing in front of futuristic backgrounds as they try to get the girl back using some kind of transporter.
Señorita
Though “Señorita” is a great song off of JT’s debut solo album, Justified (2002), Justin is just dancing on this one girl in a desert bar. The plus is that Pharrell, who co-wrote the song is featured on the video.
Tearin' Up My Heart
This photoshoot themed music video is one of NSYNC’s less elaborate conceptual videos, but the song still hits to this day.
Pop
The sped-up visual effects in “Pop” add to the funkiness of this music video, as well as the spinning dance floor.
What Goes Around...Comes Around
Scarlett Johansson stars alongside JT in this 9-minute long video, which feels like a mini movie. The music video left Justin with a broken finger due to a fight scene with the actor Shawn Hatosy, who starred alongside him in the 2006 crime/drama Alpha Dog; Johansson was also bruised up in the scene.
Suit & Tie
This black-and-white 1920s throwback video was directed by Fight Club‘s David Fincher, and even though the song isn’t that great, Fincher’s touch on the music video is aesthetically pleasing.
SexyBack
This provocative song had radio in a choke-hold in 2006 (no pun intended). The video was shot in Barcelona over four days, with Elena Anaya starring opposite Timberlake as a rival spy who becomes his love interest.
Cry Me A River
Justin wrote this song about Britney Spears in 2002. In the song, the relationship goes bad because the girl cheated, and to get even, JT makes sure the girl finds out he’s moved on with his life. In the video, Justin uses a video camera to tape him getting hot and heavy with another girl. When his girlfriend (who is played by an actress that looks very much like Britney Spears) comes in, he sets it up so she will see the tape.
Mirrors
This eight-minute music video opens with a dedication to Timberlake’s late grandparents Sadie Bomar and William Bomar, who were together for 62 years. The video shows an elderly couple throughout different stages of their lifetime as they “reflect” on their time together over the years.
LoveStoned / I Think She Knows Interlude
Justin’s visuals for “LoveStoned / I Think She Knows Interlude” was an interesting take using the audio waves to create an image of himself.
This I Promise You
NSYNC wearing turtlenecks in Redwood National Park while different shots of love relationships are shown in bubbles floating around them in the forest make this music video so memorable.
Rock Your Body
Justin Timberlake is joined by several backup dancers within a multi-color lighted cube in this stand-out track from Justified. The song was originally intended to be featured on Michael Jackson’s Invincible.
Bye Bye Bye
The iconic puppet string music video came out in 2000 and is arguably NSYNC’s most iconic video. The video starts with evil puppet master, Kim Smith (Friday Night Lights), manipulating the NSYNC members as they are tied to strings.
It's Gonna Be Me
The clever visual concept of “It’s Gonna Be Me” had the boy banders turn into dolls who come to life and break free from their display boxes and fight other toys in a toy store.