In perhaps his most socially aware piece, Mr. Jackson (with the noteworthy efforts of Mr. Timberlake and Mr. Timbaland) exposes to us, the listener, a disturbing phenomenon occurring in post-modern society especially with the momentum of the technological revolution. This phenomenon has not only exacerbated the already fragile state of male-female relationships, but more disturbingly, is poised to alter the shared archetype ingrained in the female psyche of the behavior required of them to attract a male counterpart. So what is this great threat, you may ask?
Due to the occurrence of an ever increasingly competitive society, the average male is now deficient in both the time and energy required to court a female in a healthy manner. Still operating on the basic biological need to actively procreate, the male now must turn to the nearest outlet for his sexual frustration: technology. This powerful social outlet offers the male an escapist reality in which every one of his basic sexual and romantic needs is fulfilled. However in doing so, the male is further removing himself from the reality in which real male-female relationships occur. To further compound this issue, this phenomenon has been carefully observed by females as well. Natural selection therefore dictates to the female that in order to increase their chances of obtaining a biological mate, they must alter their behavior to that which is expected by male suitors. Much like a Greek tragedy then, this self-fulfilling prophecy continues to push the sexes apart; with males actively seeking refuge in a fantasy world far removed from reality, and in doing so, promote an unreal expectation of females.
Mr. Jackson cleverly begins his ruse by working backwards; clearly observing how females have to a certain degree incorporated this fantasy expectation required of them, and in doing, so have learned to exploit it for financial benefit. Observe:
“She work it girl, she work the pole
She break it down, she take it low
She fine as hell, she about the dough
She doing her thing out on the floor
Her money money, she makin’ makin’
Look at the way she shakin’ shakin’
Make you want to touch it, make you want to taste it”
Mr. Jackson continues by stating how this elicited behavior from a female profusely confuses the male because it brings his two parallel universes crashing together: that of real female behavior and that of fantasy female behavior. Observe:
“Now don’t stop, get it, get it
The way she shakin’ make you want to hit it
Think she double jointed from the way she splitted
Got you’re head fucked up from the way she did it
She’s so much more than you’re used to
She knows just how to move to seduce you”
Due then to the coalescing of these two realities, the male now finds himself victim. Unable to distinguish the two separate realities anymore, the male has no choice but to take refuge in an even darker belief: that his two realities are really one in the same, and therefore, he is victim to his own limiting beliefs on what behavior he seeks from a female. Observe:
“She always ready, when you want it she want it
Like a nympho, the info, I show you where to meet her
On the late night, till daylight the club jumpin’
If you want a good time, she gone give you what you want”
It is at this point then, when all hope seems to be lost, that it is none other than Mr. Timberlake who interjects to offer a ray of hope. With his ever melodic falsetto, Mr. Timberlake proposes shattering the shared belief of the fantasy female behavior, and in doing so, returning to the basic natural overtures that are the fundamental building blocks of male-female relationships. Observe:
“Baby this a new age, you like my new craze
Let’s get together maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy, spotlights don’t do you justice baby”
Now, having reached both the metaphorical and musical climax, both Mr. Jackson and Mr. Timberlake join together in the chorus which is a desperate plea for a rebirth, a new starting point for which males and females can join together. Working from this point, a new hope is offered in the continual efforts to bring both male and female together in harmony and therefore return balance to the state of nature. Observe:
“Ayooh
I’m tired of using technology, why don’t you sit down on top of me
Ayooh
I’m tired of using technology, I need you right in front of me”
