Cry Me a River

“Cry Me a River” is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his debut solo album, Justified (2002). It was written by Scott Storch with producer Timbaland and was inspired by Timberlake’s former relationship with singer Britney Spears. Jive Records released the song to contemporary hit and rhythmic radio in the United States on November 25, 2002, as the album’s second single. Accompanied by an electric piano, beatbox, guitars, synthesizers, Arabian-inspired riffs and Gregorian chants, “Cry Me a River” is a pop and R&B song about a heartbroken man who moves on from his last girlfriend, who had cheated on him. The song’s music video featured a Spears lookalike and fueled the rumors that she had, from September 2001 to February 2002, cheated on Timberlake with Wade Robson, his choreographer. Cry Me a River” received acclaim from music critics, who praised Timbaland’s production while calling it a standout track on Justified. The song earned several lists of best of the year and the decade (2000s), while Rolling Stone included it on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at 484. It won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2004 ceremony. The song peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Pop Songs charts and charted in the top ten in other countries. It was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Filmmaker Francis Lawrence directed the music video for “Cry Me a River” at 24860 Pacific Coast Hwy in Malibu, California. In the controversial video, Timberlake’s character invades the home of his ex-lover and films himself having sexual activity with another woman. Spears alleged that the video was a publicity stunt, but Timberlake maintained that she did not inspire the production. In 2011, however, Timberlake admitted his breakup with Spears inspired the video. The clip won the awards for Best Male Video and Best Pop Video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Timberlake performed “Cry Me a River” on his four major concert tours: The Justified World Tour (2003–04), Justified and Stripped Tour (2003), FutureSex/LoveShow (2007), and The 20/20 Experience World Tour (2013–15). The song has been covered by various artists without chart success.