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.
Young Man
Justin Timberlake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Da-da
Yeah, good job
I said, young man, sit down let me tell you how it's supposed to be
How they told me
I said, young man, if you wanna make God smile
Make plans, you've got to be ready
You 'gon have to stand for something
Beautiful boy, got it from your momma
Damn she look good, you might get a sister
By the time you get the picture, if you get a woman this good
Gotta pay the system
And it's all right
And if you need to cry, you've got my permission
You can do anything in the world if you listen
Like a young man
Sit down let me tell you how it's supposed to be
How they told me
Say, young man, if you wanna make God smile
Make plans you've got to be ready
You don't understand, right now you're a young man
But you 'gon have to stand for something
We don't ever back down, don't back down
We don't have to act out, don't act out
And even when you fall, don't stay down
If you need me around you know I stay down
And anywhere you go, you can go your own way
If you ask me how I know these things remember I once was a
Young man, sit down let me tell you how it's supposed to be
How they told me
Say, young man, if you wanna make God smile
Make plans you've got to be ready
You don't understand, right now you're a young man
But you 'gon have to stand for something
Someday somebodies gonna break your heart in two
And I'll be there
Someday, you're gonna break somebodies heart
That's what we do
One day I'll be gone, but right now I'm home
No, you'll never be alone
And maybe someday you'll be talking to your own
Young man, yeah
You know your daddy's so proud of you
My little young man
Mama can't just get enough of you
My little young man, yeah
You know your daddy's so proud of you
My little young man
I said, young man, sit down let me tell you how it's supposed to be
How they told me
Say, young man, if you wanna make God smile
Make plans you've got to be ready
You don't understand, right now you're a young man
But you 'gon have to stand for something
Is it daddy?
Daddy!
Daddy!
Yeah, that's daddy
Say "I love you, daddy"
"I love you, daddy" (sweet boy)
The lyrics to Justin Timberlake's song "Young Man" convey a heartfelt message from a father figure to his son. The song begins with the father telling his son to sit down and listen, as he wants to impart what he has learned about life. The father emphasizes the importance of making plans and being prepared in order to make God smile. He acknowledges that the son may not fully understand these concepts now, but encourages him to develop his own values and to stand up for them.
The second verse celebrates the son's mother, emphasizing her beauty and the potential for the son to have a sister. However, the father also recognizes that in finding a woman as good as his mother, the son will have to navigate the complexities of societal expectations. The father assures the son that it's okay to cry and grants him permission to express his emotions freely. He instills confidence in the son, reminding him that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to as long as he listens and learns.
In the chorus, the father reassures the son that they will always be there for each other. He urges the son to stay true to himself and not back down from challenges. Even if he falls, the father promises to be there to support him. The father also acknowledges that someday the son may experience heartbreak, and he too will break someone's heart, as it is a part of life. Despite these future experiences, the father wants the son to know that he will never be alone.
The song concludes with the son expressing his love for his daddy, affirming the special bond they share. It's a touching reminder from the father that he is proud of his son and that he and the son's mother can't get enough of him.
Line by Line Meaning
Da-da
The joyous exclamation of a father towards his child
Yeah, good job
Encouragement and praise for the child's actions or achievements
I said, young man, sit down let me tell you how it's supposed to be
An invitation for the child to listen and learn about life's expectations and norms
How they told me
Referencing the lessons and advice the artist received from others
I said, young man, if you wanna make God smile
To bring joy to the divine, the child must strive to do good and righteous deeds
Make plans, you've got to be ready
In order to achieve success, the child must have preparedness and foresight
You don't understand, right now you're a young man
The child may not fully comprehend the complexities of life at their current age
You 'gon have to stand for something
The importance of having principles, values, and standing up for what is right
Beautiful boy, got it from your momma
Complimenting the child's attractiveness and acknowledging their resemblance to their mother
Damn she look good, you might get a sister
Expressing admiration for the child's mother's physical appearance and teasing the possibility of a future sibling
By the time you get the picture, if you get a woman this good
When the child fully understands the importance of finding a partner as amazing as their mother
Gotta pay the system
Acknowledging the societal obligations and responsibilities that come with having a relationship or family
And it's all right
Assurance that everything will be fine and manageable
And if you need to cry, you've got my permission
Encouragement for the child to express their emotions and seek comfort in their parent's support
You can do anything in the world if you listen
Emphasizing the power of active listening and receptiveness in achieving success
Like a young man
Encouraging the child to approach life's challenges with the wisdom and determination of a young man
We don't ever back down, don't back down
Instilling the value of resilience and standing firm in the face of adversity
We don't have to act out, don't act out
Promoting the importance of self-control and avoiding unnecessary conflicts or misbehavior
And even when you fall, don't stay down
Encouragement to persevere and not let failures define one's life
If you need me around you know I stay down
Reassurance that the father will always be there to support and assist the child whenever needed
And anywhere you go, you can go your own way
Empowering the child to pursue their own path and make their own choices
If you ask me how I know these things remember I once was a
Drawing on the father's life experiences and wisdom gained from being a young man himself
Someday somebodies gonna break your heart in two
Acknowledging the inevitable heartbreak the child may face in their romantic relationships
And I'll be there
Assurance of the father's presence and support during times of heartbreak
Someday, you're gonna break somebodies heart
Recognizing that the child may unintentionally cause emotional pain to others in their own relationships
That's what we do
Highlighting the universal nature of experiencing heartbreak and the shared experiences of humanity
One day I'll be gone, but right now I'm home
Acknowledging the eventual passing of the father, but emphasizing the importance of the current familial bond
No, you'll never be alone
Reassurance that the child will always have the love and support of their family
And maybe someday you'll be talking to your own
Imagining a future where the child becomes a parent themselves and imparts their own wisdom to their children
Young man, yeah
Affectionately addressing the child as a young man
You know your daddy's so proud of you
Expressing the father's immense pride and joy in the child's accomplishments and personal growth
My little young man
A term of endearment and familiarity used by the father
Mama can't just get enough of you
Highlighting the mother's deep love and adoration for the child
I said, young man, sit down let me tell you how it's supposed to be
Reiterating the father's invitation to impart wisdom and guidance to the child
Say, young man, if you wanna make God smile
Encouragement for the child to lead a righteous and virtuous life, pleasing to a higher power
Make plans you've got to be ready
Stressing the importance of preparedness and foresight in achieving one's goals
You don't understand, right now you're a young man
Repeating the reminder that the child may not fully comprehend certain aspects of life at their current age
But you 'gon have to stand for something
Reiterating the necessity for the child to hold onto their values and beliefs
Is it daddy?
The child seeking confirmation of their father's identity
Daddy!
An expression of excitement upon realizing the presence of their father
Yeah, that's daddy
Confirmation from the father that he is indeed the one being referred to
Say 'I love you, daddy'
The child expressing their love and affection towards their father
'I love you, daddy' (sweet boy)
Endearingly referring to the child as a sweet boy while reciprocating their love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES EDWARD FAUNTLEROY II, JEROME HARMON, JUSTIN R. TIMBERLAKE, TIM MOSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Craig Jude Justin Francis
Wow. What a song JT. Life lessons for all the kids out there!! This kind of music needs more love. Music with real emotions and meaning.
D E W
This song is so underrated, this song should be a hit. What is hapenning to people nowadays this song is a great definition of a music we should be listening
Nicole Sweeney
I'm about 2 weeks away from giving birth to my first child, a son! This song definitely made the cut for my labor and delivery playlist 😊 awesome song
Musicowl
This song actually makes me think of "Not a Bad Thing". I really love it
Gerben Rog
Thanks, I forgot about that song!
Musicowl
ashley1994 Because of the simulairities in the beat and vocals
Rachel Lammers
I love this song to
Jesse Norman
My son and I rock to this and I gotta hold back tears singin it to him, SO MUCH LOVE
First time had be giggling and tearin up not gunna lie
007galaxie
I love this song, makes me feel so good. Great lyric video, good job.
Susan K Tenney
What a beautiful song! The love of your child is absolute and forever and guidance is important. Now as a "nana" that includes grandchildren as well!