Как я тебя люблю (Like I Love You) - дебютный сингл Джастина Тимберлейка

2002 single by Justin Timberlake

"Like I Love You" is the debut solo single of American singer songwriter Justin Timberlake from his debut studio album, Justified (2002), which features American hip hop duo Clipse. It was co written by Timberlake and the Neptunes (Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams), who also produced it. The song was released on September 16, 2002, as Timberlake's debut solo single, following the announced hiatus of NSYNC earlier that year. According to Williams, the song's drums were an ode to the funk era. The song peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the United Kingdom. It was performed by Timberlake at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, on August 29, 2002. It also received a nomination at the Grammy Awards of 2003 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

MTV News reported in July 2002 that Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams (known collectively as the Neptunes) were working on multiple tracks for Justified. When the duo picked Timberlake up from his hotel in Virginia Beach, they listened to Earth, Wind & Fire albums during the car ride. The background of the songs was the feeling the duo wanted to implement into the musical content of the album. In response to this, Timberlake said: "Nobody's ever heard anything like that before a white boy singing this kind of music." Hugo revealed that Timberlake "didn't care what people would say." The song was written by Timberlake, Hugo and Williams, while the production was done by the latter two. The song features a rap verse written and performed by hip hop duo Clipse. The song was released as a 12 inch single on November 19, 2002, in Italy and Spain. The song received positive reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weeklys Craig Seymour wrote "Over a lo fi Neptunes produced track dashed with Spanish guitar, live drums, and Planet Rock like electro bleeps [Justin proves that] while no innovator, he is a fine student". In his review of the album Justified for Rolling Stone, Ben Ratliff wrote "In Like I Love You, a nasty funk rhythm on loud, live drums shares the space with a tiny guitar strum and Timberlake's breathy, studied tenor; it's minimalism influenced by Michael Jackson. But a softer, harmony and hook filled chorus sets it off, thus pleasing preteen girls and beat junkies alike." Denise Boyd, writing for BBC Music, said that the song was a "sure bet for success" with the Neptunes producing the song but "Justin's vocal arrangement has given this offering a distinctive edge and it stands out as one of the best Neptunes productions this year." Slant Magazine called it a "well oiled Neptunes production" and "the acoustic guitar loops and snap crackle pop percussion of "Like I Love You" pick up where NSYNC's hit "Girlfriend" left off." In 2013, Lauren Nostro from Complex wrote, "The song catapulted Timberlake's career It was the quintessential R&B/pop/hip hop track filled with soulful lyrics and a heavy beat. It presented JT as a full fledged musician, and not just the lead singer of 'N Sync." Adelle Platon from Billboard opined in 2016, "This groovy number cemented J. T.'s solo career as a genre fusing wunderkind." In 2017, Spin staff ranked it as the best boy band solo debut single.

"Like I Love You" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 67 for the issue dated September 7, 2002. The next week it climbed to number 46. It stayed on the chart for 16 weeks, making its last appearance on February 15, 2003, at number 57. It was filmed in Weston, Ontario, Canada, and was directed by Diane Martel from August 22–24, 2002. As of April 2024, the music video has over 105 million views on YouTube.

The video is spliced into three parts; Justin Timberlake dancing outside a 7 Eleven store at night wearing a 7 Eleven shirt and red beanie, Timberlake inside an arcade wearing a leather jacket and snapback, and close up shots of Timberlake singing to the camera. Clipse and Pharrell Williams both appear during Clipse's rap verse in the arcade alongside Timberlake.

Timberlake made his debut solo performance at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, performing "Like I Love You" on August 29, 2002. The song was also included on the setlist for The Justified World Tour, Justified and Stripped Tour, FutureSex/LoveShow, Legends of the Summer, The 20/20 Experience World Tour, The Man of the Woods Tour and The Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

+ Release dates and formats for "Like I Love You" Region Release date Format(s) Label Ref. (Reference) United States September 16, 2002 Contemporary hit radio, Rhythmic contemporary, rhythmic contemporary radio Jive Australia October 14, 2002 Maxi single Germany Canada October 17, 2002 CD single United Kingdom October 21, 2002 CD single, cassette single Spain France November 25, 2002 CD single