Born and raised in Tennessee, as a child he appeared on the television shows Star Search and The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. In the late 1990s, Timberlake rose to prominence as one of the two lead vocalists and youngest member of NSYNC, which eventually became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. Timberlake won two Grammy Awards for his R&B-focused debut solo album Justified (2002) and its single "Cry Me a River". Another single from the album, "Rock Your Body", was also successful.
His critically acclaimed second album FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), characterized by its diversity in music genres, debuted atop the U.S. Billboard 200 and spawned the Hot 100 consecutive number-one singles with "SexyBack", "My Love" and "What Goes Around... Comes Around". Established as a solo artist worldwide, his first two albums both exceeded sales of 10 million copies, as he continued producing records and collaborating with other artists.
From 2008 through 2012, Timberlake focused on his acting career, effectively putting his music career on hiatus. He held starring roles in the films The Social Network, Bad Teacher, Friends with Benefits, and In Time.
Timberlake resumed his music career in 2013 with his third and fourth albums The 20/20 Experience and The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2, exploring neo soul styles, partly inspired by the expansive song structures of 1960s and 1970s rock. The former became the best-selling album of the year and spawned the top three singles "Suit & Tie" and "Mirrors". Timberlake voiced Branch in DreamWorks Animation's Trolls (2016), whose soundtrack includes his fifth Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping single, "Can't Stop the Feeling!", which earned him an Academy Award nomination. His fifth studio album Man of the Woods (2018) became his fourth number-one album in the US. Supported by the two top ten singles, "Filthy" and "Say Something", it concluded 2018 as the sixth best-selling album of the year.
Hallelujah
Justin Timberlake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, then the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
Now she tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
The song "Hallelujah" by Justin Timberlake is a cover of Leonard Cohen's well-known song. The opening lines mention David, who is known for his musical talent as well as his position as the king of Israel in the Bible. The idea of a "secret chord" that David played and that pleased the Lord is a reference to David's ability to create music that was devoted to God. The opening verse suggests that some people may not understand or care about the importance of music in life.
The chorus of the song repeats "Hallelujah" four times. “Hallelujah” is Hebrew for "praise God," and is a widely recognized word in religious contexts as a joyful expression of thanksgiving and praise. The song transitions into the next verse, which tells a story of a woman whose beauty has captured the heart of someone who is singing this song. The lyrics suggest that this woman has taken control of the singer's life "tying him to a kitchen chair" and "cutting his hair." The imagery in this verse is very powerful and depicts the struggle that the singer has with his love for this woman who has changed his world.
The final verse suggests a disillusionment with religion and the way love can change a person's understanding of the world. He suggests that although there may be a God, his experience of love has taught him that it’s often brutal; it leads people to hurt one another. The final line, "It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah," is a call to think carefully about the meaning of privilege and the role of faith in life because it does not provide easy answers to the problems of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've heard there was a secret chord
I've heard about a specific chord that was known to command attention and bring spiritual pleasure.
That David played and it pleased the Lord
David's playing of this chord brought pleasure to God, as it was a demonstration of David's reverence and praise.
But you don't really care for music, do you?
However, you are indifferent to music and its significance in elevating the human spirit.
Well it goes like this
Allow me to explain this special chord and its unique sequence of notes.
The fourth, the fifth
It starts with the fourth and fifth notes, creating a sense of anticipation and resolution.
The minor fall, then the major lift
Then comes the minor fall, which intensifies the tension, followed by the major lift, releasing the tension and creating a joyous sensation.
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
It's said that King David composed the song Hallelujah with this chord, perplexed by the powerful emotions it elicited.
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
Your belief in a divine power was unwavering but you needed tangible evidence to fully embrace it.
You saw her bathing on the roof
You witnessed a woman bathing on a roof, stunned by her dazzling beauty and the enchanting moonlight surrounding her.
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
Her exceptional beauty and the bewitching moonlight overwhelmed your senses.
Now she tied you to her kitchen chair
Now this woman has you bound to a chair in her kitchen, taking control over you.
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
She has destroyed your power and stripped you of your dignity.
And from your lips she drew Hallelujah
Despite your defeat and vulnerability, she elicited from you a joyous exclamation of Hallelujah.
Maybe there's a God above
Perhaps there is a divine being above us all.
But all I've ever learned from love
However, the only thing I have really learned from love is how it can bring pain and suffering.
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
Love has taught me to be ruthless and use violence to protect myself from those who try to harm me.
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
The sound that echoes in the night is not a cry of grief or pain.
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's not someone who has had a profound spiritual revelation or experience.
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Instead, what you hear is a sad, defeated, and desperate Hallelujah.
Hallelujah
An exultant expression of joy, gratitude, or praise for either a divine being or a human experience that brings happiness.
Hallelujah
An exultant expression of joy, gratitude, or praise for either a divine being or a human experience that brings happiness.
Hallelujah
An exultant expression of joy, gratitude, or praise for either a divine being or a human experience that brings happiness.
Hallelujah
An exultant expression of joy, gratitude, or praise for either a divine being or a human experience that brings happiness.
Hallelujah
An exultant expression of joy, gratitude, or praise for either a divine being or a human experience that brings happiness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tereza garrett
The most beautiful version ever of this music Hallelujah, love it.
Jaemin Hansen
search up stan walker- Hallelujah, Very touching aswell
jeff frazee
So right....
Mark Morales
Absolutely right. Nothing compares to this version.
Hillary Fuller
For years every now and then I’d come back looking to hear this version of this song bc of how beautifully Justin and Matt sang it... Wow. Still brings me to tears
Thomas Covenant
Justins intensity does this song justice...Love this version..
Vince Lowel Rosete
PRAISE for the GOD above! Hallelujah!
Pinupgirl
This is one of the single most beautiful songs ever. This version is something very special and I’ve always been a fan of Justin Timberlake I want this song played at my Wake.
fred eez
No words can describe how this makes me feel...so edifying with a spiritual connection that overwhelms the soul...God Bless you.
GiGi Epic
Best version ever ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I loveeeee Justin Timberlake especially