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.
AI Coach Tip: The "May" Meme
Why does Justin sing "It's gonna be MAY"? This isn't an accident. The vowel /eɪ/ (as in "say") projects much better and sounds harsher than the closed /i:/ vowel (as in "me"). To get a high score, modify your vowel shape to be wider and brighter on the final word.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Producer Max Martin instructed him to sing "May" because the narrower "Me" sound lacked the aggressive pop "punch" needed to end the chorus emphatically.
The lead vocal hits a solid C5 in mix/falsetto during ad-libs, but the core melody stays mostly between C4 and A4.
It's moderately difficult. The pitch isn't extreme, but the rhythmic precision and stylistic "growls" or "fry" required to sound authentic take practice.
