The song features vocals by American musicians Timberlake and Timbaland. It was recorded at Sarm West Studios in London, while the mixing of the track was finished at The Hit Factory studio in Miami. Sound engineer Demacio "Demo" Castellon first worked on the vocals of the track, by honing them according to his instincts, and then worked on the beats and the synths composed by Timbaland and Danja. An uptempo dance song with an urban, hip hop style, "4 Minutes" also incorporates Timbaland's characteristic bhangra beats and the instrumentation used in the song includes brass, foghorns and cow bells. The song's lyrics carry a message of social awareness, inspired by Madonna's visit to Africa and the human suffering she witnessed there.
"4 Minutes" has been praised by many contemporary critics who called it a busy, dance track and complimented its music, which was compared to that of a marching band. Some however noted that Madonna, rather than Timberlake, appeared as more of a featured artist in the song. "4 Minutes" achieved worldwide success by reaching number one in twenty-one countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the United States, "4 Minutes" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Madonna her 37th top-ten single, breaking the record previously held by Elvis Presley as the artist with most top-ten hits. It is also her second multi-platinum certified single in that country, after "Vogue" from 1990.
In the song's accompanying music video, Madonna and Timberlake sing and run away from a giant black screen that devours everything in its path. At the end of the video, Madonna and Timberlake are consumed by the screen. "4 Minutes" was performed by Madonna on the promotional tour for Hard Candy and the Sticky & Sweet Tour. In the latter, the song served as the opener of the rave segment, where Madonna wore a futuristic robotic dress. During performances of the song, Timberlake and Timbaland appeared on video screens and sang their lines. The song received two Grammy Award nominations for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" and "Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical."
4 Minutes
Madonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye
I'm outta time and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye
I'm outta time and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye (four, four)
I'm outta time and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye (four, four)
I'm outta time and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye (four, four)
I'm outta time and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye (four, four)
I'm outta time and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye (four, four)
I'm outta time and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky) (four, four)
Come on, ah
Yeah, ha
Break down
Come on
Hey, uh
Come on
Madonna, break it
Come on boy
I've been waiting for somebody
To pick up my stroll, uh
Uh, well don't waste time
Give me a sign
Tell me how you wanna roll, uh, mm
I want somebody to speed it up for me
Then take it down slow
There's enough room for both
Well, I can handle that
You just gotta show me where it's at
Are you ready to go?
(Are you ready to go?) (freaky, freaky, freaky, freaky, freaky come on)
If you want it
You already got it
If you thought it
It better be what you want, uh (freaky, freaky)
If you feel it
It must be real just
Say the word and
I'm a give you what you want, uh
Time is waiting
We only got four minutes
To save the world
No hesitating
Grab a boy
Grab a girl
Time is waiting
We only got four minutes
To save the world
No hesitating
We only got four minutes, huh
Four minutes
So keep it up, keep it up
Don't be a pri- (hey), Madonna, uh
You gotta get 'em a, hop
Tick tock tick tock tick tock
That's right, keep it up, keep it up
Don't be a pri- (hey) Madonna, uh
You gotta get em' a, hop
Tick tock tick tock tick tock (freaky, freaky)
Sometimes I think what I need
Is a you intervention, yeah
And you know I can (ah c'mon)
Tell that you like it
And that it's good, by the way
That you move, ooh, hey
The road to hell is paved
With good intentions, yeah
But if I die tonight
At least I can say I did
What I wanted to do, uh
Tell me, how 'bout you?
If you want it
You already got it
If you thought it
It better be what you want (uh, c'mon)
If you feel it
It must be real just
Say the word and
I'ma give you what you want, uh
Time is waiting
We only got four minutes
To save the world
No hesitating
Grab a boy
Grab a girl
Time is waiting
We only got four minutes
To save the world
No hesitating
We only got four minutes, huh
Four minutes
So keep it up, keep it up
Don't be a pri-hey, Madonna, uh
You gotta get 'em a, hop
Tick tock tick tock tick tock
That's right, keep it up, keep it up
Don't be a pri-hey, Madonna, uh
You gotta get 'em a, hop
Tick tock tick tock tick tock
Breakdown, yeah
(Tick tock tick tock tick tock)
Yeah, uh huh
(Tick tock tick tock tick tock)
I only got four minutes, to save the world
The lyrics of Madonna's "4 Minutes" showcase an urgency to save the world in a limited amount of time. The repetition of the line "I'm outta time and all I got is four minutes" emphasizes the need for people to act quickly as time is running out. The lyrics also suggest a desire for speed and intensity, as conveyed in lines like "I want somebody to speed it up for me, then take it down slow." Madonna is calling for action and a sense of urgency in a fast-paced world where time is limited.
Overall, the song is a call to action, stressing the importance of seizing the moment and taking responsibility for the future. By working together, we can save the world in just four minutes, but it requires everyone to put forth their best effort, to stay proactive, and to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm outta time and
I am running out of time, and
All I got is four minutes (freaky, freaky), four minutes aye
All the time I have left is four minutes, and it's a bit crazy, funky. Four minutes, let's go.
Come on boy
Let's go, guy.
I've been waiting for somebody
I have waited for someone for some time now.
To pick up my stroll, uh
To come and take a walk with me.
Well, don't waste time
Don't take too long to decide.
Give me a sign
Show me something to indicate your intention.
Tell me how you wanna roll, uh, mm
Let me know how you want to proceed with me.
I want somebody to speed it up for me
I want someone to move fast with me.
Then take it down slow
And then slow down with me.
There's enough room for both
We can both fit.
Well, I can handle that
I am comfortable with that arrangement.
You just gotta show me where it's at
Just lead me to the right spot.
Are you ready to go?
Are you prepared to move?
(Are you ready to go?) (freaky, freaky, freaky, freaky, freaky come on)
(Are you ready to move?) (It's a bit wild, exciting, exhilarating, come on).
If you want it
If you desire it.
You already got it
It's already yours.
If you thought it
If you envisioned it.
It better be what you want, uh (freaky, freaky)
You better make sure it's what you truly desire. It's kinda crazy.
If you feel it
If you sense it.
It must be real just
It has to be genuine, just
Say the word and
Let me know, and
I'm a give you what you want, uh
I will provide you with what you desire. It's kinda wild.
Time is waiting
Time is limited.
We only got four minutes
We have a short time left.
To save the world
To make a significant change for the better.
No hesitating
Don't waste any time.
Grab a boy
Take a guy.
Grab a girl
Take a lady.
Four minutes
Four minutes to get it done.
So keep it up, keep it up
Keep going, don't stop.
Don't be a pri- (hey), Madonna, uh
Don't be a jerk, Madonna.
You gotta get 'em a, hop
You need to motivate them, keep them moving.
Tick tock tick tock tick tock
Time is running out.
Sometimes I think what I need
Sometimes I feel like I need.
Is a you intervention, yeah
I need your help, intervention.
And you know I can (ah c'mon)
And you know that I am capable. (Ah, come on)
Tell that you like it
Let me know that you enjoy it.
And that it's good, by the way
And that it's excellent, just so you know.
That you move, ooh, hey
The way you move is impressive, oh hey.
The road to hell is paved
It's easy to get into trouble.
With good intentions, yeah
Even when we have good plans.
But if I die tonight
If I were to pass away tonight.
At least I can say I did
Well, I can say that I did.
What I wanted to do, uh
What I intended to do, oh.
Tell me, how 'bout you?
And what about you? What have you done?
Tick tock tick tock tick tock
Time is running out.
Breakdown, yeah
Let's break it down.
(Tick tock tick tock tick tock)
(Time is running out)
Yeah, uh huh
Yeah, that's right.
I only got four minutes, to save the world
I have a limited amount of time to make a significant change.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Floyd Nathaniel Hills, Justin Timberlake, Madonna Ciccone, Timothy Mosley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@odurs
Its February 2024, let’s see how many legends are listening to this masterpiece❤
@psyche_therainsilk
Here! 🫡
@zoe4105
Here
@thesunrisesystem6988
Here
@dehamithenuwara5081
Meee
@rolarady548
Hereee
@popindosin228
Timbaland used to be in every pop song in 00's
Now I kinda miss him...
@burekmali6704
yea lol. even tho he was here for only 20 ish sec. When i was at 3rd mind of song i was like where is Timbaland xd
@MrForeverBean
He's now flipping burgers at McDonald's.
@ceeset5472
Same