Justin Timberlake says friend’s breakup inspired ‘What Goes Around… Comes Around’
The singer addressed speculation linking the 2006 track to Britney Spears during an appearance on Complex’s “Re-Rank.”
Justin Timberlake said a friend’s breakup, rather than his own relationship with Britney Spears, provided the story behind “What Goes Around… Comes Around.” Appearing on Complex’s YouTube series “Re-Rank,” he said he had sought permission from the friend before turning the experience into a song.
Timberlake explained that the friend had described what happened during the breakup. After hearing the account, the singer asked whether he could write about it, and the friend encouraged him to do so.
The track appeared on FutureSex/LoveSounds, his second solo album, in 2006. Timberlake previously described its themes as betrayal and forgiveness. Speculation had linked it to Spears, with some listeners interpreting it as a follow-up to “Cry Me a River.”
Recalling the writing process, Timberlake said the song took nearly 20 minutes to write. He also discussed its accompanying interlude and the 10-minute video filmed for the track.
