Here’s a track from Justin Timberlake’s debut solo album, Justified, released in 2002.
Like most of the album, the track was co-written by Timberlake, Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. I believe this is the first time I’ve heard the song, and god willing, it will be the last.
This track solidifies my opinion that Timberlake is a better actor than a pop star. I know he went on to bigger and better things, but isn’t it all pretty much in this vein?
You don’t have to pack everything
Don’t you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything, baby
Hop in the car and go with me
You don’t have to pack everything
Don’t you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything baby
Got laid off at your job today
You’ve been working at this place for years
And though you were underpaid
Mami that place isn’t worth your tears
(Oh, oh)
I know that life is hard on you
And you can’t seem to find out why
I’ll explain, just grab your coat, girl
And just join me on this ride
Let’s take a ride, on the country side
Let’s just get away
We can spend the night, till the morning light
Let’s just get away
Girl you’re the best
You could be
An angel among society
But you get crushed
From what you see
You try to hard to help and that’s enough for me
(Woo)
Try to change what you can
And accept all the things you cannot
(Don’t stress yourself baby)
I know you want to fly away from the world
But for now with the time we’ve got
Let’s take a ride, on the country side
Let’s just get away
We can spend the night, till the morning light
Let’s just get away
Let’s take a ride, on the country side
Let’s just get away
(Let’s just get away)
We can spend the night, till the morning light
Let’s just get away
(Let’s just get away)
Maybe if you consider us just riding
That once you feel like a winner
No more crying
And baby I know just what you need
(I know)
To let your hair down so that you feel free, yea
(Hair, yea yea yea)
It hurts me to watch you see it through
(It hurts me baby)
Girl you’re so confused
(Let’s get away)
And I know what to do
Let’s take a ride, on the country side
Let’s just get away
(Let’s just get away)
(Let’s go, girl)
We can spend the night, till the morning light
(Night)
Let’s just get away
(Let’s just get away)
Let’s take a ride
Hop in the car and go with me
You don’t have to pack everything
Don’t you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything, baby
(Let’s take a ride)
Hop in the car and go with me
You don’t have to pack everything
Don’t you want to feel the breeze?
And forget everything, baby
Let’s take a ride
Let’s go girl
Let’s go girl
Let’s go girl
Meet Me In Montauk 
I didn’t know Pharell Williams was writing/producing 12 years ago. I assumed he was a more recent presence, but I guess he was behind the scenes for a number of years.
I’ve often talked about how an artist needs to have some grit, some edge to hold my interest. This song is gritless and edgeless, as is most of Timberlake’s music.