Justin Randall Timberlake is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He i… Read Full Bio ↴Justin Randall Timberlake is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with sales of over 88 million records.

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.

Wave
Justin Timberlake Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah
This is?
Yeah, come on, go (hahahaha)
Wave
Wave, wave
Wave

Let's go to an island

Like leave and let's just catch a vibe
The dreamiest weather
The bluest water and bonfires

I got on rose colored glasses
You're batting your eyelashes
Come on, don't be passive
So last time will be magic
This is fantastic, and we could get some practice
And miles on our passes for love

Would you believe we're alone
So far from home, but you'd never go
Said you're so free, in the zone
Ain't got no phone, don't need it though

'Cause it ain't got no waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
And just wave (wave)
Wave (waves)
Wave (waves)
Wave (waves)

Now the other way
Now the other way
Now the other way
Now the other way
Now the other way
Now the other way
(Uh, hey)

Let's do some more riding
I got a couple fish then we can dine
Look, we're getting better
Aging like your favorite wine

I got on rose colored glasses
You're batting your eyelashes
Come on, don't be passive
So last time will be magic
Ooh, this is fantastic, and we could get some practice
And miles on our passes for love

Would you believe we're alone
So far from home, but you'd never go
Said you're so free, in the zone
Ain't got no phone, don't need it though

'Cause it ain't got no waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
And just wave (wave)
Wave (waves)
Wave (waves)
Wave (waves)

Wave (wave)
Wave (wave)
Wave

I swear that you (yeah we're goin')
So much time my favorite pursuit (yeah we're goin')
Bring your ring of shades, no need for shoes (yeah the girl)
All I need is your skin in the air
I swear you (come on babe, come on babe)
So much time my favorite pursuit (let's go, let's go, let's go)
Bring your ring of shades, no need for shoes (go babe, go babe)
All I need is your skin and the air (let's go, let's go, let's go)

Wave
Wave (wave)
Wave
Wave
Wave (wave)
Wave
Wave

I got on rose colored glasses
You're batting your eyelashes
Come on, don't be passive
So last time will be magic
Ooh, this is fantastic, and we could get some practice
And miles on our passes for love

Would you believe we're alone
So far from home, but you'd never go
Said you're so free, in the zone
Ain't got no phone, don't need it though

'Cause it ain't got no waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
Waves (waves)
And just wave (wave)
Wave (waves)
Wave (waves)
Wave (waves)

Now the other way
Now the other way
Now the other way
Now the other way
Now the other way

Now the other way
(Wave)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Justin Timberlake's song "Wave" describe a desire to escape to an island and experience the perfect, idyllic paradise. The singer suggests leaving everything behind and catching a vibe on an island with beautiful weather, blue water, and bonfires. He wears rose-colored glasses, symbolizing optimism and positivity, and encourages his partner to be more active and engaged in the relationship. The idea is to make every moment together magical and to practice being in love. The lyrics convey a sense of freedom and being in the zone, away from the distractions of everyday life.

The repetitive chorus of "wave" can be interpreted in multiple ways. Firstly, it represents the literal motion of waves associating with the island setting. Additionally, it can symbolize the ebb and flow of a relationship, the ups and downs experienced between two people. The chorus also captures the overall carefree and playful vibe of the song, encouraging listeners to let loose and enjoy the moment, just like riding the waves.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah
Expressing agreement or enthusiasm

This is?
Asking for confirmation or clarification

Yeah, come on, go (hahahaha)
Encouraging and urging someone to proceed

Wave
Referring to the action or motion of a wave

Wave, wave
Repeating the action or motion of a wave

Let's go to an island
Suggesting to travel to an island

Like leave and let's just catch a vibe
Proposing to detach from current surroundings and embrace a relaxed and positive atmosphere

The dreamiest weather
Referring to ideal or picturesque weather conditions

The bluest water and bonfires
Describing the beautiful scenery of clear blue water and bonfires

I got on rose-colored glasses
Choosing to see things in an optimistic or romantic perspective

You're batting your eyelashes
Flirting or using one's charm to attract attention

Come on, don't be passive
Encouraging someone to take action and not be passive or indifferent

So last time will be magic
Anticipating that the previous experience or encounter will be extraordinary

This is fantastic, and we could get some practice
Expressing excitement and suggesting the opportunity for improvement or rehearsal

And miles on our passes for love
Referring to accumulating experiences or journeys in the pursuit of love

Would you believe we're alone
Asking if it is possible to feel isolated or disconnected from others

So far from home, but you'd never go
Acknowledging physical distance from home while recognizing the other person's loyalty

Said you're so free, in the zone
Noting that the person feels liberated and completely immersed in the present moment

Ain't got no phone, don't need it though
Emphasizing the absence of a phone and implying that it is unnecessary

'Cause it ain't got no waves (waves)
Explaining the reason for not needing a phone is the absence of exciting or engaging experiences

And just wave (wave)
Advocating for the enjoyment and involvement in the motion or action of a wave

Now the other way
Referring to changing direction or perspective

Now the other way
Repeating the notion of changing direction or perspective

Now the other way
Further emphasizing the need for a shift in direction or perspective

Let's do some more riding
Suggesting engaging in further enjoyable or exhilarating activities

I got a couple fish then we can dine
Implying catching fish and then using them for a meal together

Look, we're getting better
Expressing improvement or progress

Aging like your favorite wine
Comparing the development and refinement of their relationship to the aging process of wine

I swear that you (yeah we're goin')
Emphasizing a strong statement or promise that the intended person will be included

So much time my favorite pursuit (yeah we're goin')
Considering spending time together as the most enjoyable and significant pursuit

Bring your ring of shades, no need for shoes (yeah the girl)
Requesting the person to bring their sunglasses and emphasizing the casual and carefree nature of the occasion

All I need is your skin in the air
Expressing the desire for physical closeness and the enjoyment of a shared experience

Now the other way
Again referring to changing direction or perspective

Now the other way
Repeating the notion of changing direction or perspective

Now the other way
Further emphasizing the need for a shift in direction or perspective

I got on rose-colored glasses
Choosing to see things in an optimistic or romantic perspective

You're batting your eyelashes
Flirting or using one's charm to attract attention

Come on, don't be passive
Encouraging someone to take action and not be passive or indifferent

So last time will be magic
Anticipating that the previous experience or encounter will be extraordinary

Ooh, this is fantastic, and we could get some practice
Expressing excitement and suggesting the opportunity for improvement or rehearsal

And miles on our passes for love
Referring to accumulating experiences or journeys in the pursuit of love

Wave
Referring to the action or motion of a wave

Wave (wave)
Repeating the action or motion of a wave

Wave
Referring to the action or motion of a wave

Wave (wave)
Repeating the action or motion of a wave

Wave
Referring to the action or motion of a wave

I swear you (come on babe, come on babe)
Emphasizing a strong statement or promise directed towards the person

So much time my favorite pursuit (let's go, let's go, let's go)
Considering spending time together as the most enjoyable and significant pursuit

Bring your ring of shades, no need for shoes (go babe, go babe)
Requesting the person to bring their sunglasses and emphasizing the casual and carefree nature of the occasion

All I need is your skin and the air (let's go, let's go, let's go)
Expressing the desire for physical closeness and the enjoyment of a shared experience