The Best 'It's Gonna Be May' Memes Flooding the Internet and the Proof Behind the Trend
By Elena Rostova
Q1: Why does Justin Timberlake pronounce "me" as "may" in the song?
A1: Swedish producer and songwriter Max Martin directed Timberlake to pronounce the lyric with an open, hard vowel sound. The adjustment gave the vocal track a sharper rhythmic edge, helping the line punch clearly through the dense pop production.
Q2: When did the meme actually start circulating on the internet?
A2: The joke first gained traction in spring 2012 when a Tumblr user shared an image of an April calendar featuring Timberlake’s photo taped over the 30th date. The visual quickly went viral and evolved into an annual spring tradition.
Q3: How does the meme affect *NSYNC's streaming numbers today?
A3: Every April 30, streaming plays for "It's Gonna Be Me" jump significantly across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The twenty-four-hour surge introduces the catalog to new listeners and boosts annual digital royalty streams.
Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.
