What Goes Around.../...Comes Around (Interlude)

"What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" is a narrative of betrayal, heartbreak, and eventual karmic retribution. The song's core meaning revolves around the timeless proverb that one's actions will ultimately have consequences that return to them. Lyrically, it tells the story of a man whose heart is broken by a cheating partner. He grapples with the pain and confusion of the betrayal, especially since he was deeply committed to the relationship, even considering marriage.

While many listeners initially interpreted the song as a sequel to "Cry Me a River," speculating it was about Timberlake's relationship with Britney Spears, Timberlake himself has clarified its true inspiration. The song was written about the experience of his close friend and business partner, Trace Ayala, whose girlfriend at the time, actress Elisha Cuthbert, cheated on him with another friend. Lines like "don't want to think about it, don't want to talk about it" were reportedly taken directly from conversations Timberlake had with Ayala while consoling him.

The song progresses from a state of hurt and vulnerability to one of detached, almost grim satisfaction. The narrator watches as his former lover experiences the same pain she inflicted upon him, as her new partner is unfaithful to her. The interlude section drives this point home, explicitly stating, "I heard you found out that he's doing to you, what you did to me, ain't that the way it goes?" This cements the song's message not just as a lament, but as a cautionary tale about infidelity and the cyclical nature of consequences.

The song begins with the narrator directly addressing a former lover, questioning if her new man is everything she desired. He reflects on the past, remembering how he gave her everything and was completely devoted, yet she left him. He's left in a state of confusion and hurt, unable to comprehend why their relationship, which he believed was destined to last forever, came to an end. The pain is so intense that he doesn't want to think or talk about it; he's sickened by the abrupt and cruel end to their love.

The chorus serves as the central theme, a melancholic but knowing refrain that what goes around, inevitably comes back around. It’s a prophecy of karmic justice. He admits that he should have been more cautious, realizing in hindsight that her arrival in his life was destined to bring him pain. Watching her with someone else is heartbreaking, especially because he knows she is living a lie, pretending to be happy in a new situation founded on deceit. Despite his pain, he finds a grim satisfaction in the knowledge that, in time, she will face the consequences of her actions.

In the second verse, the narrator recalls her claims of moving on and her suggestion that he should do the same. He reveals the depth of his commitment, stating he was ready to marry her, which makes her betrayal all the more shameful and devastating. The repetition of his confusion and heartache underscores the depth of his wounds. He feels the blues, a profound sadness, and struggles with the reality of living without her, all while questioning the fairness of her actions.

The song then shifts into a lengthy, transformative interlude. The tempo changes, and the tone becomes more confrontational and accusatory. The narrator paints a picture of her current reality: she now spends her nights alone because her new partner is never home and ignores her calls. He reveals he has heard that this new man is treating her exactly as she treated the narrator—cheating on her. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy, the karmic wheel completing its turn. He spells it out for her: “When you cheated, girl, my heart bled.” He labels her situation a classic scenario, a predictable outcome for her disloyalty. He declares that she got what she deserved. The interlude concludes with a powerful, chanted repetition of the central theme, “What goes around comes back around,” solidifying the song’s message of inescapable karma. He's no longer just a victim of her actions but a witness to her self-inflicted downfall, confirming that the universe has balanced the scales.

"What Goes Around.../...Comes Around (Interlude)" was written and produced by Justin Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, and Nate "Danja" Hills for Timberlake's second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). The song was a pivotal creation for the album; its completion helped set the experimental and boundary-pushing tone for the rest of the project. The trio was in the studio when Danja began playing a guitar riff, which immediately captured Timberlake's attention. Timberlake then started improvising a melody and the titular phrase, and Timbaland built the drum pattern around it. The song came together organically, with Timberlake reportedly freestyling the lyrics without writing them down.

Recorded at Thomas Crown Studio in Virginia Beach, the song was constructed in a way Danja compared to scoring a horror movie. The producers and Timberlake decided to forgo a traditional bridge, feeling it would be too much in addition to the extensive outro/interlude section. Timbaland contributed backing vocals and used a Turkish oud to complement the guitar riff, adding to the track's unique, worldly sound. While fans widely speculated the song was about Britney Spears, Timberlake and others involved have stated it was inspired by the breakup of his friend Trace Ayala with actress Elisha Cuthbert. The song was released as the album's third single on December 19, 2006.

The primary symbolism in "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" is the concept of Karma, encapsulated by the title phrase. This proverb, which suggests actions have returning consequences, functions as the song's central, recurring motif. The entire narrative is built around this idea, transforming a personal story of betrayal into a universal moral lesson. The repetition of "what goes around, goes around, goes around, comes all the way back around" mimics the cyclical and inescapable nature of fate and consequence that the song describes.

Another subtle technique is text painting, where the music reflects the lyrical meaning. For instance, the descending and ascending melodic lines can be seen as a musical illustration of something "going around" and "coming back around." The extended interlude, titled "...Comes Around," acts as the literal fulfillment of the prophecy stated in the first part of the song, symbolizing the completion of the karmic circle. The shift in musical tone during the interlude, from sorrowful to a more rhythmic and accusatory chant, symbolizes the narrator's emotional shift from victim to a knowing observer of justice being served.

The emotional landscape of "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" is a dynamic journey from profound sadness to a state of grim triumph. The song opens with a tone of deep melancholy and confusion. Timberlake's falsetto conveys a sense of vulnerability and genuine heartbreak as the narrator recounts his devotion and subsequent betrayal. Lyrics like "I'm just so sick about it" and "feeling the blues about it" establish a clear atmosphere of sorrow and hurt.

As the song progresses, particularly into the chorus, the emotion shifts slightly to include a sense of foresight and inevitability. The declaration that "in time you will find" what goes around comes around introduces a feeling of tension and waiting for a resolution. The emotional climax occurs in the interlude. Here, the sorrow is replaced by a colder, more accusatory tone. The beat becomes more aggressive, and the chanting vocals create an atmosphere of judgment. The narrator is no longer just a passive victim but an active observer of karma's delivery, culminating in the assertive line, "You got what you deserved." The song, therefore, masterfully captures the complex emotional arc of moving from being a heartbroken victim to a detached witness of retributive justice.

"What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" was a major commercial success, becoming Justin Timberlake's third consecutive number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from the album FutureSex/LoveSounds. It achieved top-ten status in numerous countries, including the UK, Australia, and Germany, and has been certified multi-platinum in several regions. The song's success was bolstered by its acclaimed, cinematic music video, which was presented as a short film. Directed by Samuel Bayer and co-starring actress Scarlett Johansson, the video received the MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction and was the first major artist video to be released for sale on iTunes, where it became the fastest-selling pop promo at the time.

The song earned Timberlake a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and a nomination for Record of the Year in 2008. Its lengthy, two-part structure and sophisticated production were influential, with some critics noting its potential influence on subsequent artists like Taylor Swift. The song remains a signature track in Timberlake's discography, praised for its ambitious production, emotional depth, and memorable hook, solidifying its place as a significant pop ballad of the 2000s.

The song's rhythm, set at a slow 76 beats per minute, creates a deliberate, ballad-like pace that allows the emotional weight of the lyrics to unfold gradually. The underlying beat, a hallmark of Timbaland's production, is both gentle and hypnotic, providing a modern R&B foundation for the orchestral and pop elements. The song is in common time, making its core rhythm accessible despite its complex layers.

The rhyme scheme in the verses is roughly ABCB, as seen in lines like: "You know I gave you the world / You had me in the palm of your hand / So why your love went away / I just can't seem to understand." This simple structure keeps the focus on the narrative and the raw emotion. The pre-chorus and chorus employ more consistent rhyming, enhancing their melodic and memorable quality. The interlude section shifts rhythmically, becoming more percussive and chant-like. The lyrical rhythm here is more syncopated and repetitive, emphasizing the karmic lesson being delivered and creating a powerful, almost trance-like effect that builds the song to its climax.

Musically, "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around" is a sophisticated blend of genres, primarily identified as psychedelic pop and sophisti-pop. It features a complex arrangement that sets it apart from typical pop ballads. The instrumentation is notable for its use of a Turkish oud, which adds an Eastern-inflected texture to the melody, layered over strings, basses, and Timbaland's signature beat-boxing and intricate drum programming. The song is composed in the key of A Dorian mode (A minor) with a slow tempo of 76 beats per minute. Its structure is unconventional, spanning over seven minutes and concluding with a two-minute interlude that features a darker, more rhythmic vibe and chanting vocals from Timbaland.

Timberlake's vocal performance is a key stylistic element, ranging from a pained, emotive falsetto in the verses to a more direct and rhythmic delivery in the interlude. This dynamic vocal approach mirrors the song's emotional journey from heartbreak to vindication. The production, handled by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja, creates a cinematic and atmospheric soundscape, which Danja likened to scoring a horror film. The removal of a traditional bridge in favor of a long, evolving outro was a deliberate choice to maintain a specific flow and avoid overcomplicating the structure.

What is the song 'What Goes Around... Comes Around' about?

The song is about betrayal in a relationship and the concept of karma. It tells the story of a man who was cheated on by his girlfriend and later witnesses her experience the same kind of heartbreak when her new partner is unfaithful to her, proving that 'what goes around, comes around'.

Who is 'What Goes Around... Comes Around' written about?

While many fans speculated it was about Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake has stated the song was inspired by the real-life breakup of his best friend, Trace Ayala, with actress Elisha Cuthbert, after she allegedly cheated on him.

What is the story in the 'What Goes Around... Comes Around' music video?

The music video, starring Scarlett Johansson and Shawn Hatosy, is a short film about a tumultuous romance. Timberlake's character catches his girlfriend (Johansson) cheating with his friend (Hatosy). After a confrontation and a high-speed car chase, she crashes her car and is killed, presenting a tragic and literal interpretation of 'what goes around, comes around'.

What does the interlude in 'What Goes Around... Comes Around' signify?

The interlude, titled '...Comes Around,' represents the fulfillment of the song's karmic prophecy. The musical tone shifts to be more confrontational as the lyrics describe how the cheating ex-girlfriend is now being cheated on herself, thus receiving the same pain she inflicted.

Did 'What Goes Around... Comes Around' win a Grammy Award?

Yes, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008. It was also nominated for Record of the Year.

What instruments are featured in 'What Goes Around... Comes Around'?

The song features a rich orchestration that includes strings (violins, viola, cello), keyboards, and drums. A notable and unique instrument used in the track is the Turkish oud, which helps create its distinctive melodic sound.

Why is the song so long?

The song's length of 7 minutes and 28 seconds is due to its two-part structure. It includes the main ballad followed by a lengthy, distinct musical interlude. This structure allows for a full narrative arc, moving from the initial heartbreak to the eventual karmic retribution, creating a cinematic feel.