Summer Love (Justin Timberlake song)

When composing songs for his second studio album FutureSex/LoveSounds, Timberlake went to former Justified collaborator Timbaland's studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to begin sessions for his second album.[3] However, not one of them had an idea of what the album would be–no plan for it and even a title.[4] "Summer Love/Set the Mood (Prelude)" was written and produced by Timo "Timbaland" Mosley, Nate "Danja" Hills and Timberlake himself.[5] The song was recorded by Jimmy Douglas, while its mixing was done by Douglas together with Timbaland. The keyboards were provided by Timberlake, Timbaland and Danja; the latter also played the drums in the single.[6]

"Summer Love" was released as the sixth and final single from FutureSex/LoveSounds. The song was remixed with additional vocals by hip-hop rapper Stat Quo. A reviewer of DJ Booth commented that the collaboration will "burn up the dance floors". He also explained that "the collaboration is chalked full of infectious production work from none other than Timbo [Timbaland]."[7]

"Summer Love" is an uptempo pop song, with a length of 4 minutes and 13 seconds.[8][9] According to digital sheet music published at Musinotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, "Summer Love" was written in the key of D minor, in common time with a moderately slow 96 beat-per-minute tempo.[8] Timberlake's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of D4 to the high note of A5. Its instrumentation consists of keyboards, drums, guitar, piano and handclaps.[1][8] Barry Schwartz of Stylus Magazine praised the song and commented that "with its good foot hesitation boom-clap and cascading chorus synthline" 'Summer Love' shows Timberlake's best vocals on FutureSex/LoveSounds." Schwartz further said that "the beat drops out while he sings in perfect harmony, 'Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame girl'".[10] Lyrically, the single is about "wanting to fall in love with the lusty seasonal lover".[1]

Justin Timberlake performing on his 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow tour.

Critics reacted in a generally positive manner to "Summer Love". Barry Schwartz of Stylus Magazine gave "Summer Love" a positive review and additionally praised "its good foot hesitation boom-clap and cascading chorus".[10] Shaheem Reid and Jayson Rodriguez off MTV News stated that "Summer Love" alongside Timberlake's 2007 singles "My Love" and "LoveStoned", rocked every iPod, stereo player and stadium during his tour.[11] North by Northwestern's Dagny Salas called "Summer Love/Set the Mood (Interlude)" a stand-out track on FutureSex/LoveSounds. According to him the song "oozes sun, sex, and a sultry affair".[1] A reviewer of IGN commented that "the bulk of the album is focused on funk lite, but with 'Summer Love/Set The Mood (Prelude)' Timberlake and Timbaland slip into darkness."[12] An editor of Billboard criticized Timbaland's production: "[W]hile the track offers cunning instrumentation, Timbaland's heavy production hand is so overwhelming that the singer is pushed to the back of the track".[13]

The song debuted at number 74 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the issue dated April 28, 2007.[14] After seven weeks on the chart, on June 9, 2007, the single reached its peak at number six.[15] The next week it fell to number eight and stayed on the position for four weeks, before falling to number nine in the issue dated July 14, 2007.[16] "Summer Love" became Timberlakes's sixth single to reach the top 10 and stayed a total of 20 weeks on the chart.[17] It ranked at number 39 on Billboard's Best of 2007 – Hot 100 Songs.[18] The single debuted on the US Pop Songs chart at number 39 in the issue dated April 21, 2007,[19] and peaked at number one on June 23, 2007. "Summer Love" became Timberlake's fifth number one single on the US Pop Songs chart.[20] For the issue dated July 28, 2007, the song peaked at number 24 on the US Adult Pop Songs chart.[21] It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after one million downloads of the song were sold.[22] As of 2018, the song has sold 1.6 million copies in the country.[23] "Summer Love" peaked at number eight on the Canadian Hot 100 chart, for the issue dated June 30, 2007 and stayed on the chart for 16 weeks.[24]

Elsewhere, the song attained moderate success. In New Zealand, "Summer Love" debuted at number 35 on August 27, 2007.[25] After thirteen weeks fluctuating on the chart it reached its peak of fifteen on November 26, 2007. The song stayed on the chart for total of 19 weeks.[25] In Europe, the single entered on six national charts. In Austria it debuted at number 52, and after two weeks the song peaked at number 47. It stayed on the chart for total of seven weeks. "Summer Love" was more successful in Belgium, where it reached number six on the Flandrian Singles Chart[26] and number eight on the Wallonian Singles Chart.[27] The single entered the Swedish Singles Chart at number 53 and the next week it reached its peak at number 38.[28] In Germany, "Summer Love" charted together with "Until the End of Time" and peaked at number 39. It stayed on the chart for nine weeks. The song also reached number 22 on the Slovakian Singles Chart.[29]

• CD single

1. "Summer Love" — 4:13
2. "Until the End of Time" (duet with Beyoncé) — 5:22

Technical

• Recorded and mixed at Thomas Crown Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Personnel Credits are adapted from the liner notes of FutureSex/LoveSounds.[6]

• Jimmy Douglas – Recording, mixing
• Nate "Danja" Hills – Drums, keyboards, production, songwriting
• Tim "Timbaland" Mosley – Drums, keyboards, mixing, production, songwriting
• Justin Timberlake – Background vocals, keyboards, production, songwriting

• "Medley: Summer Love / Set the Mood (Prelude) (Clean)" on YouTube