Until the End of Time (Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé song)

"Until the End of Time" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), written and produced by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate "Danja" Hills. The song was later re-recorded as a duet featuring American singer-songwriter Beyoncé, which was released as a single on November 13, 2007 and included on the Deluxe Edition of the album.^[1][2] It reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, being the sixth single from the album to do so, with Timberlake becoming the only male artist in the decade to achieve this.^[3] During the concert tour FutureSex/LoveShow, Timberlake performed the song as a piano solo.^[4]

"Until the End of Time"
Single by Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé
from the album FutureSex/LoveSounds
A-side	"Summer Love"
B-side	"LoveStoned/I Think She Knows"
Released	November 13, 2007
Recorded	2005
Studio	Thomas Crown (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Genre	Quiet storm soul R&B
Length	5:22 7:33 (with "Set the Mood" prelude)
Label	Jive Zomba
Songwriter(s)	Justin Timberlake Timothy Mosley Nate "Danja" Hills
Producer(s)	Timbaland Timberlake Danja
Justin Timberlake singles chronology
"Ayo Technology" (2007) "Until the End of Time" (2007) "The Only Promise That Remains" (2007)
Beyoncé singles chronology
"Green Light" (2007) "Until the End of Time" (2007) "Love in This Club Part II" (2008)

Composition

"Until the End of Time" is a quiet storm ballad, R&B slow jam.^[5][6][7] The song utilizes Linn drums, which Ben Williams of New York compared to Prince's "The Beautiful Ones".^[8]

The digital download and vinyl editions of the album pair the track with a prelude titled "Set the Mood". The version on the standard edition does not feature the prelude, where it is instead attached to the end of the previous track, "Summer Love", as an interlude. The Beyoncé single also does not feature it.

Critical reception

In his review for Entertainment Weekly, Michael Slezak opined the single "sounds like another smash. The original flavor was already a treat —a stripped-down slow jam with a gorgeously simple melody."^[9] For Complex, Tannis Spencer wrote, "Justin and Beyonce got nice and comfy on this ballad and complement each from start to finish. The beat is slow with an accompanying string section that serves as the perfect backdrop for when Justin hits his high notes. The record has a sultry sound which helps offset the super futuristic sound on the rest of the album."^[10] Billboard editor Adelle Platon described it as a "dreamy love song."^[11] Quentin B. Huff of PopMatters wrote that "Until the End of Time" is heavily reminiscent of Prince's work, adding "both songs (with "Sexy Ladies") are album highlights, but they don't seem to strive for the same level of innovation as other songs in the set."^[12] Sputnikmusic's Amanda Murray called the song "excessively bland."^[13]

Chart performance

In the United States, the solo version of "Until the End of Time" entered the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart issued October 20, 2007, making him the first solo male artist that decade to spawn six top 40 singles from the same album. The previous male soloist to achieve that feat was Michael Jackson with Dangerous, which generated seven top 40 Hot 100 entries during 1991–1993. The previous album overall to do so was Shania Twain's Come On Over, which had six top 40 singles during 1997–1999. The same week, the song entered the top five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[14]

Eventually, the duet version became Timberlake's 17th and Beyoncé's 21st career top 20 song on the Hot 100. The song also became the sixth US top 20 entry from the album and Timberlake became the first to do that since Michael Jackson in 1991.^[10]

It also became Beyoncé's highest charting single on US Adult R&B radio peaking at number 2, until "Love On Top" in 2012.^[15]

Formats and track listings

Digital download (3-track)^[16]

1. "Until the End of Time" – 5:22
2. "Summer Love" (Main Version – Clean) – 4:12
3. "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows" (Justice Remix) – 4:43

Remixes EP^[17]

1. "Until the End of Time" (Jason Nevins Extended Mix) – 7:20
2. "Until the End of Time" (Jason Nevins Mixshow) – 5:42
3. "Until the End of Time" (Ralphi Rosario BIG Radio Mix) – 3:53
4. "Until the End of Time" (Johnny Vicious and DJ Escape Remix) – 8:35
5. "Until the End of Time" (Mike Rizzo Global Club Mix) – 7:30
6. "Until the End of Time" (Jonathan Peters Club Mix) – 8:50

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from FutureSex/LoveSounds booklet:^[18]

Jimmy Douglass – mixer, recorder Kaliq Glover – strings recorder Dave Hampton – technical director Lisa Hampton – Pro Tools engineer Danja – drums, keys producer, writer Beyoncé – additional vocals Timbaland – drums, keys, producer, recorder, writer Justin Timberlake – background vocals, producer, writer Ethan Willoughby – additional Pro Tools engineer Benjamin Wright – conductor, strings arrangement The Benjamin Wright Orchestra: Richard Adkins – violin Peggy Baldwin – viola Brian Benning – violin Charlie Bisharat – violin Ida Bodin – bass Kevin Brandon – bass Mark Cargill – concertmaster, contractor, violin Susan Chatman – violin

Phillippa "Pip" Clarke – violin Jeff Clayton – flute Salvator Cracchiolo – trumpet Yvette Devereaux – violin Ernie Ehrhardt – viola James Ford – trumpet Pam Gates – violin Songa Lee-Kitto – violin Valerie King – flute Marisa McLeod – violin Giovana Moraga – viola Partick Morgan – viola Michele Nardonecelli – viola Cameron Patrick – viola Kathleen Robertson – violin Jimbo Ross – viola Nancy Stein-Ross – viola Mari Tsumura – violin

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Until the End of Time" Chart (2007–2008) Peak position CIS (TopHit)[19] 88 Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] 30 Netherlands (Dutch Tipparade 40)[21] 9 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[22] 31 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[23] 80 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 60 US Billboard Hot 100[25] 17 US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[26] 2 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[27] 11 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[28] 17 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[29] 3 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[30] 26 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[31] 12

Year-end charts 2007 year-end chart performance for "Until the End of Time" Chart (2007) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[32] 11 2008 year-end chart performance for "Until the End of Time" Chart (2008) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[33] 35 Decade-end charts Decade-end chart performance for "Until the End of Time" Charts (2000–09) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[34] 20 US Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[35] 46

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Until the End of Time"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[36]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Until the End of Time"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	November 13, 2007	12"	Jive	[37]
Germany[a]	December 7, 2007	CD single	Sony	[38]
United States	December 24, 2007	Digital download (Remixes)	Jive	[39]

Notes

1. Released as a double A-side with "Summer Love".

References

1. "Until The End Of Time - Duet with Beyonce". Deezer.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
2. "Justin Timberlake Looks Back to the Future". MTV News. November 26, 2007. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
3. "Justin Timberlake makes US chart history". Digital Spy. October 12, 2007. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
4. "Sexy sure is back". The Advertiser. November 2, 2007. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
5. Caramanica, Jon (October 2006). "Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds". Vibe. 14: 142. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
6. "Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé: "Until the End of Time"". Rolling Stone. November 15, 2007. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
7. "Justin Timberlake Revs Up His Sex Machine". Rolling Stone. September 21, 2006. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
8. Williams, Ben (September 11, 2006). "The Men Who Would Be Prince". New York. New York Media. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
9. "Snap judgment: Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé's new duet". EW.com. September 28, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
10. "The 25 Best Justin Timberlake Songs". Complex. March 15, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
11. Platon, Adelle (December 27, 2016). "Justin Timberlake's 14 Best Hip-Hop/R&B Collaborations". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
12. Huff, Quentin B. (October 5, 2006). "Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds". PopMatters. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
13. Murray, Amanda (September 17, 2006). "Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSounds". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
14. October 10, 2007. "Timberlake Hits Big With 'Until the End of Time'". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2017.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
15. "Chart Juice: Beyonce Banks First Adult R&B No. 1". Billboard. February 23, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
16. "Until the End of Time – Duet With Beyonce – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Apple Inc.). Retrieved January 23, 2012.
17. "Until the End of Time – EP" (in German). iTunes Store (Apple Inc.). Retrieved January 23, 2011.
18. "Liner notes". FutureSex/LoveSounds (Compact Disc). Justin Timberlake. Virginia Beach, Virginia: Jive, Zomba. 2006. p. 20. 8 28768 80622 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
19. Justin Timberlake & Beyonce — Until the End of Time. TopHit. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
20. "Justin Timberlake & Beyoncé – Until the End of Time". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
21. "Justin Timberlake - duet with Beyoncé Until The End Of Time". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved May 6, 2022.
22. "Justin Timberlake & Beyoncé – Until the End of Time". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
23. "Romanian Top 100 – Issue nr: 46/2007 (26 Noiembrie - 02 Decembrie 2007)" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on November 27, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
24. "Justin Timberlake & Beyoncé – Until the End of Time". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
25. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
26. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
27. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
28. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
29. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
30. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
31. "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
32. "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
33. "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
34. "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
35. "DECADE END CHARTS Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
36. "American single certifications – Justin Timberlake – Until the End of Time". Recording Industry Association of America.
37. "Justin Timberlake - Until the End of Time [Vinyl] - Amazon.com Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011.
38. "Summer Love/Until the End of Time Duet With/Basic". Amazon Germany.
39. "Until the End of Time". Amazon.

External links

• "Until The End Of Time" on YouTube
• "Until the End of Time" on YouTube
• "Set the Mood Prelude / Until the End of Time" on YouTube
• "Until The End Of Time (Jason Nevins Radio Mix)" on YouTube
• "Until The End Of Time (Julian Bunetta Remix)" on YouTube
• "Until The End Of Time (Future Presidents Remix)" on YouTube
• "Until The End Of Time (Ralphi Rosario Soul Radio Mix)" on YouTube
• "Until The End Of Time (Johnny Vicious & DJ Escape Radio Remix)" on YouTube