25 Years Later: 7 Shocking Secrets Behind *NSYNC's 'It's Gonna Be Me' And The 'It's Gonna Be May' Meme

As we approach the 25th anniversary of *NSYNC's landmark album, No Strings Attached, in March 2025, the cultural phenomenon surrounding the album's second single, "It's Gonna Be Me," is experiencing a massive resurgence. This song, which finally catapulted the group to their first-ever Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, remains a definitive piece of pop history. Its enduring legacy is cemented not just by its catchy, aggressive pop sound, but also by one of the internet’s most beloved annual traditions: the "It's Gonna Be May" meme, which also celebrates its 25th year of existence in 2025.

The track is more than just a nostalgic hit; it’s a masterclass in boy band marketing, a triumph over legal battles, and a song with fascinating, little-known production secrets. From the iconic music video where the band members are turned into dolls, to the recent hints of a potential *NSYNC reunion in 2025, the story of "It's Gonna Be Me" continues to evolve and capture the attention of a new generation of fans.

The Definitive *NSYNC "It's Gonna Be Me" Fact File

To truly appreciate the song's impact, it is essential to understand the context of its release and the key figures involved. Released in 2000, "It's Gonna Be Me" was the second single from the groundbreaking No Strings Attached album, which itself was a symbolic statement of the band breaking free from their former management. The song is a powerful statement of confidence and a perfect example of late-90s/early-2000s pop perfection.

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• Song Title: "It's Gonna Be Me"
• Artist: *NSYNC (Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick)
• Album: No Strings Attached (Released March 21, 2000)
• Single Release Date: March 20, 2000 (US)
• Writers: Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, Rami Yacoub
• Producers: Max Martin, Rami Yacoub
• US Chart Peak: No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (for two weeks, starting July 29, 2000)
• Music Video Director: Wayne Isham
• Key Cultural Phenomenon: The "It's Gonna Be May" internet meme, based on Justin Timberlake's vocal delivery of the line "It's Gonna Be Me," which spikes in streaming every April 30th.

The Anatomy of a Pop Culture Phenomenon: Unpacking the Song's Legacy

The success of "It's Gonna Be Me" was not accidental; it was the result of a perfect storm of musical genius, creative marketing, and a cultural moment ready for a new brand of boy band dominance. The song quickly followed the massive success of the lead single, "Bye Bye Bye," maintaining the momentum and establishing *NSYNC as the definitive pop act of the era.

1. The Accidental Linguistic Hook That Launched a Meme Empire

The single most enduring part of the song's legacy is undoubtedly the "It's Gonna Be May" meme. This phenomenon, which began with a simple Tumblr image in 2012, centers on the way Justin Timberlake pronounces the final word of the chorus: "It's Gonna Be Me." The heavily-stylized, Swedish-pop-inflected pronunciation makes the word sound distinctly like "May." The song was released in March, but every year, on April 30th, the meme explodes across social media, leading to a massive spike in the song’s streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify. In 2025, the meme itself will be celebrating its 25th anniversary since the song's release, with members like Joey Fatone and Lance Bass actively participating in the annual celebration.

2. The Max Martin Touch: A Production Secret

Like many of the biggest pop hits of the late 90s and early 2000s, "It's Gonna Be Me" was helmed by the legendary Swedish super-producer Max Martin and his collaborator Rami Yacoub. This team was responsible for shaping the sound of pop music for a generation, working with artists like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. Martin's signature style—characterized by catchy, repetitive hooks and a slight, deliberate over-pronunciation of certain vowels—is what gave the song its distinct, almost robotic vocal delivery. This unique style is the very reason why the word "Me" sounds like "May," a testament to Martin's powerful influence on the song's ultimate, meme-worthy form.

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3. The Dollhouse Concept: A Visual Masterpiece

The music video for "It's Gonna Be Me," directed by Wayne Isham, is a visual landmark that perfectly captured the theme of the album, No Strings Attached. The video depicts the five band members—Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, and Chris Kirkpatrick—as articulated dolls trapped inside a toy store. They are literally "no strings attached," breaking free from their packaging to compete for the attention of a female customer. This concept was a clever, metaphorical nod to the band's real-life legal battle to break free from their former manager, Lou Pearlman, symbolizing their transition from manufactured puppets to self-controlled artists.

4. The 2025 Reunion Teases and Broadway Connection

The enduring popularity of the song continues to fuel excitement for a full *NSYNC reunion. While the band has had brief appearances, the 25th anniversary of No Strings Attached in 2025 has brought renewed speculation. Joey Fatone has publicly hinted at the possibility of a new album or tour, keeping the hope alive for fans. Furthermore, the song itself has found new life on the stage. JC Chasez recently announced his involvement in a new musical, and "It's Gonna Be Me" is featured as a major number in the Broadway musical & Juliet, proving the track’s timeless appeal and ability to integrate into contemporary pop culture.

The Enduring Topical Authority of a Boy Band Classic

The song's status as a definitive boy band classic is irrefutable. It was the moment *NSYNC truly stepped out of the shadow of their rivals and claimed the top spot in pop music. Lyrically, the song is a confident declaration of romantic persistence, a theme that resonates deeply with the core audience of the genre. The driving beat, the layered harmonies (especially the distinct vocals of JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake), and the dramatic key change all contribute to a track that is structurally perfect for radio and performance.

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Beyond the charts, the song's cultural footprint is massive. It represents the peak of the TRL era, where music videos were events and boy bands ruled the airwaves. The song's influence can still be heard in modern pop, and its legacy is a key reference point for understanding the evolution of the genre. As Lance Bass prepares for an Instagram livestream to mark the band's 30th anniversary in October 2025, it’s clear that the story of *NSYNC and the track that defined their No. 1 success is far from over.