5 Shocking Secrets Behind *NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me" Lyrics And The 'May' Meme That Haunts Justin Timberlake

Few songs define the turn of the millennium quite like *NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me," a track that has transcended its boy band origins to become a permanent fixture in global pop culture. Released as the second single from their blockbuster album No Strings Attached in the year 2000, the song is a perfect storm of catchy hooks, aggressive pop production, and a single, unforgettable vocal inflection that continues to dominate social media every spring. As of December 2025, the song is approaching its 26th anniversary, yet its relevance—driven by a viral meme—remains as potent as ever, proving the enduring power of early 2000s pop perfection.

The track's lyrical content centers on a confident, determined declaration of love, where the singer assures a hesitant partner that he is the one who will finally win her heart, unlike all the "other guys" who have hurt her before. However, the song’s legacy is now inextricably linked to a specific, three-word phrase—"It's Gonna Be Me"—which, due to lead singer Justin Timberlake's distinct pronunciation, sounds like "It's Gonna Be May." This misheard lyric launched a cultural phenomenon that boosts the song's streaming numbers annually and has been openly acknowledged by the band members themselves, cementing its status as one of pop music's most successful and humorous accidents.

The *NSYNC Members: A Complete Biographical Profile

The global success of "It's Gonna Be Me" is a testament to the collective talent of the five men who formed the iconic boy band *NSYNC. Formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995, the group became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. Here is a brief profile of each member and their roles:

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• Justin Timberlake (Lead Vocals):
  • Born: January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee.
  • Role: Main vocalist, often singing the most recognizable hooks and ad-libs, including the famous "It's Gonna Be May" line.
  • Current Status (2025): Highly successful solo artist, actor, and producer. Continues to release new music and tour, occasionally reuniting with *NSYNC for special projects like the 2023 song "Better Place."
• JC Chasez (Lead Vocals):
  • Born: August 8, 1976, in Washington, D.C.
  • Role: Co-lead vocalist, often sharing the most challenging vocal runs with Timberlake.
  • Current Status (2025): Has pursued a solo music career, songwriting, and production. He remains active in the industry and participated in the recent *NSYNC reunion activities.
• Lance Bass (Bass Vocals):
  • Born: May 4, 1979, in Laurel, Mississippi.
  • Role: Bass vocalist and group choreographer.
  • Current Status (2025): Prominent television host, producer, actor, and podcast personality. He is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and frequently speaks about his time in the band.
• Joey Fatone (Baritone Vocals):
  • Born: January 28, 1977, in Brooklyn, New York.
  • Role: Baritone vocalist and comic relief.
  • Current Status (2025): Active in television, notably hosting and participating in various reality and cooking shows. He often performs in live theater and remains close with his bandmates.
• Chris Kirkpatrick (Countertenor Vocals):
  • Born: October 17, 1971, in Clarion, Pennsylvania.
  • Role: Countertenor vocalist, providing high harmonies and background vocals. He was instrumental in the band's formation.
  • Current Status (2025): Involved in various projects, including voice acting and reality television appearances. He is an active participant in the recent *NSYNC reunion efforts.

The Lyrical Breakdown: Confidence, Vulnerability, and Max Martin’s Genius

The songwriting for "It's Gonna Be Me" is a masterclass in pop construction, largely thanks to the Swedish songwriting and production team known as the "Cheiron Studio" collective. The track was penned by the legendary trio of Max Martin, Rami Yacoub, and Andreas Carlsson. This team was responsible for a string of massive late 90s/early 2000s hits for artists like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys.

The lyrics are structured to convey a mix of sympathy and unwavering self-assurance. The song opens by acknowledging the woman's past pain:

"You might've been hurt, babe, that ain't no lie / You've seen 'em all come and you've seen 'em all go / I'll be the first to say I understand / 'Cause every little thing I do / Never seems enough for you."

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This opening establishes a sense of empathy, a technique that grounds the song in a relatable emotional context. However, the chorus immediately pivots to a bold, almost demanding declaration, which is the song's core message:

"But baby, when you finally / Get to love somebody / Guess what? / It's gonna be me."

The use of "Guess what?" before the payoff line is a classic pop move, building anticipation before the hook. The song is a perfect example of a "power ballad" masquerading as a dance track, using a driving beat to deliver a deeply romantic, if slightly possessive, message. The lyrical simplicity ensures maximum memorability, a hallmark of Max Martin's songwriting philosophy.

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The 'It's Gonna Be May' Meme: A Pop Culture Phenomenon That Spikes Streams

The most enduring and current aspect of "It's Gonna Be Me" is its annual transformation into the "It's Gonna Be May" meme. This phenomenon is a perfect example of how a small vocal quirk can become a massive, self-sustaining cultural event, providing the song with a fresh wave of relevance every single year.

The meme originated in 2012 when a college student named Kianna Davis posted an image of Justin Timberlake's face with the caption "It's Gonna Be May." The joke centers on Timberlake's over-enunciation of the final word in the chorus, where "me" is sung with such a heavy vowel sound that it is widely misheard as "May." The joke quickly went viral, becoming an internet tradition that kicks off on April 30th.

The impact of this meme is quantifiable: every year on April 30th, the song sees a massive spike in streaming and digital sales. Fans post the meme across all social media platforms—Twitter, Instagram, TikTok—ensuring the song is heard by millions, even those who weren't born when it was originally released in 2000. This annual resurgence is a powerful case study in how internet culture can drive music consumption decades after a song's release, making it one of the most successful pop culture resurrections of the 21st century.

Justin Timberlake's 2024 Commentary on the 'Haunting' Pronunciation

In a fresh and unique update to the song's legacy, Justin Timberlake has repeatedly acknowledged the meme, often with good-natured humor. In recent years, including commentary as recent as 2024, Timberlake has joked about the infamous pronunciation. He has taken to social media to poke fun at himself, even posting videos where he acknowledges the date change.

Timberlake has admitted that the way he sang the line "haunts" him to this day, though he clearly embraces the yearly joke. This interaction with the meme is crucial for the song’s topical authority, as it shows the original artist is not only aware of the phenomenon but actively participates in it, keeping the joke—and the song—alive for a new generation. The band's recent reunion appearances, including the release of "Better Place" in 2023, also brought renewed attention to their classic hits, with "It's Gonna Be Me" always leading the conversation.

The song’s legacy is a fusion of Max Martin's brilliant production, a perfect boy band performance, and a single, humorous vocal delivery. It is a timeless pop anthem that has secured its spot in history, not just for its chart performance, but for its role as a yearly cultural marker that reminds the world: The 90s and early 2000s are never truly over. The moment the clock strikes midnight on April 30th, the world is ready to declare, with a slight, nasal inflection, "It's Gonna Be May."