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Song guide

How to sing It’s Gonna Be Me

Analyze your vocal range against the Y2K pop classic. Perfect the 'It's Gonna Be May' pronunciation and hit the harmonies.

It’s Gonna Be Me by *NSYNC
It’s Gonna Be Me*NSYNC · 2000
Before you sing

Song DNA

Medium Difficulty
G3 - C5 Vocal Range
Tenor Best Voice Type
C Minor Key Signature
3:11 Duration
Chest Mix Register

The Peak of the "Boy Band" Sound

Released in 2000 on the album No Strings Attached, "It’s Gonna Be Me" is the quintessential example of the Swedish pop production sound that dominated the era. Produced by Max Martin and Rami, the song combines aggressive, staccato verses with a sweeping, melodic chorus.

To sing this correctly, you must channel Justin Timberlake's distinctive style. It's less about perfect classical technique and more about attitude, rhythm, and specific vocal placement (often called "twang") to cut through the synthesized production.

Phase 1: The Robotic Verses

The song starts in C Minor. The verses ("It's funny, but you don't...") mimic the "puppet" concept of the music video. The delivery needs to be short, punchy, and almost mechanical.

The Trap: Do not use legato (smooth) singing here. Keep your consonants crisp and your notes short. The AI Coach analyzes your rhythmic precision here, ensuring you aren't dragging behind the beat.

Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Build

As you move into "You've got no choice, babe...", the dynamics shift. The melody climbs, and you need to switch from the staccato delivery to a more sustained chest belt. This section builds tension before the release of the chorus.

Phase 3: The Chorus

This is where the energy peaks. The melody is catchy but repetitive, requiring consistency. You'll be hitting notes around G4 and A4 regularly. Maintain a forward placement—feel the vibration in the front of your face (the mask) rather than in your throat. This "mask resonance" is the secret to the *NSYNC sound.

Also, pay attention to the ad-libs in the final choruses. While Justin handles the lead, JC Chasez provides high-energy runs and harmonies that sit above the melody. If you are an advanced singer, try tracking the ad-lib line in the app.

Questions answered

Frequently asked questions

Why does Justin Timberlake pronounce it "May"?
Producer Max Martin instructed him to sing "May" because the narrower "Me" sound lacked the aggressive pop "punch" needed to end the chorus emphatically.
What is the highest note in It’s Gonna Be Me?
The lead vocal hits a solid C5 in mix/falsetto during ad-libs, but the core melody stays mostly between C4 and A4.
Is this song hard for beginners?
It's moderately difficult. The pitch isn't extreme, but the rhythmic precision and stylistic "growls" or "fry" required to sound authentic take practice.
Put it into practice

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