Entertainment

J.T.'s "Like I Love You" Vid Is Still Glorious

by Kristie Rohwedder

Feb. 1, 2016

In 2002, the pop music world reluctantly said “Bye Bye Bye” to one of its crown jewels when *NSYNC, one of the two reigning juggernauts of the late ‘90s/early ‘00s boy band universe, announced that they would be taking a ~totally temporary~, ~totally not permanent~, ~totally chill break~. But before we could sing "this break is tearin' up my heart," the hiatus morphed into something that looked like a forever breakup; That October, Justin Timberlake dropped “Like I Love You,” the first single off of his debut solo album, Justified. Dude had moved on. (And then, he released the album. And then, he released the “Cry Me a River” music video. And then, colleague JC Chasez released his first single. Needless to say, fall/winter of ’02 was an overwhelming time to be an *NSYNC fan.) The funky, Neptunes-produced track and the energetic, Diane Martel-directed music video only confirmed what my J.T.-obsessed best friend had suspected all along: *NSYNC was only the beginning of Timberlake's illustrious pop music career.

It's been over 13 years since the "Like I Love You" music video kicked open the door to the Total Request Livestudio and took over the countdown, but don't think for a second it doesn't hold up. Not unlike the 7-Eleven Slurpee, this music video is a timeless treat.

...That being said, I have some burning Qs for this timeless treat of a clip.

1. Is Wearing A 7-Eleven T-Shirt To 7-Eleven Sort Of Like Wearing A Band’s T-Shirt To Their Concert?

i.e., Is it not bad luck?

2. Did J.T. Wear The 7-Eleven T-Shirt To 7-Eleven On Purpose?

Or is the 7-Eleven teesh nothing more than a fun lil coincidence?

3. Hold Up, Did Justin Just Cast A Spell?

Bringus Slurpeeosa.

4. Why & How Is Everyone Else Ignoring This Impromptu Dance Recital?

If a saw a trio of dudes break out some fire choreo in the middle of a convenience store parking lot, I'd drop my bottle of Vanilla Coke and immediately start crying tears of delight.

5. How Do J.T. & The Backup Dancers Do This Move Without Toppling Over?

What's the secret? I want to try the move, but I'm too afraid I'll twist my ankle, fall flat on my face, and be stuck on the ground for forever.

6. What's Up With This Hat?

Is that bandana attached to the trucker hat? Is that camo print pointillism? Is that a DC Shoes logo? Is there anything this hat doesn't have going for it?