"Until the End of Time" is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). A quiet storm, soul, and R&B song, it was written and produced by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate "Danja" Hills. The song was later re-recorded as a duet with American singer Beyoncé, which was released as a single on November 13, 2007, and included on the album's deluxe edition.

"Until the End of Time" received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised its dreamy, romantic tone and vocal performances. Commercially, 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. During the concert tour FutureSex/LoveShow, Timberlake performed the song as a piano solo.

Background and composition After the release of his debut solo album Justified in 2002, Timberlake thought he "lost his voice" in the sense that he did not like what he was doing. He felt "burnt-out" after Justified; this partly changed his career's direction, and he took a break from the music industry and instead appeared in films. The first role he took during this time was as a journalist in the thriller Edison Force, filmed in 2004 and released on July 18, 2006. He also appeared in the films Alpha Dog, Black Snake Moan, Richard Kelly's Southland Tales, and voiced Prince Artie Pendragon in the animated film Shrek the Third, released on May 18, 2007.

When he felt inspired to compose songs again, he did not choose to reunite with his former band 'NSYNC, although he considered it after his first record. Instead, he went to Justified collaborator Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley's studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia to begin sessions for his second album. However, neither of them had an idea of what the album would be–no plan for it, and even a title. "Until the End of Time" was written by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate "Danja" Hills as a quiet storm ballad, R&B slow jam. The song utilizes Linn drums, which Ben Williams of New York compared to Prince's "The Beautiful Ones".

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". 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." Billboard editor Adelle Platon described it as a "dreamy love song". 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." Sputnikmusic's Amanda Murray called the song "excessively bland".

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. 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 album's sixth US top 20 entry, making Timberlake the first to achieve that since Michael Jackson in 1991. It also became Beyoncé's highest charting single on US Adult R&B radio peaking at number 2, until "Love On Top" in 2012.

Live performances Timberlake included "Until the End of Time" on the set list of his 2007 worldwide tour, FutureSex/LoveShow. He also included it on the set lists of the Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour (2013), The 20/20 Experience World Tour (2013–15), The Man of the Woods Tour (2018–19), and The Forget Tomorrow World Tour (2024–25). A shortened selection of the song was included in Timberlake's Super Bowl LII halftime show performance in 2018, and featured him playing a white grand piano.

Formats and track listings Digital download (3-track) "Until the End of Time" – 5:22 "Summer Love" (Main Version – Clean) – 4:12 "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows" (Justice Remix) – 4:43

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

Credits and personnel Credits adapted from FutureSex/LoveSounds booklet:

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 + Chart (2007–2008) PeakpositionNetherlands (Dutch Tipparade 40)9Romania (Romanian Top 100) 80

Year-end charts + Chart (2007) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)11 Chart (2008) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)35

Decade-end charts + Charts (2000–09) Position US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)20 US Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)46

Certifications

Release history + Region Date Format Label United States November 13, 2007 12" Jive Germany December 7, 2007 CD single Sony United States December 24, 2007 Digital download (Remixes) Jive

Notes

References

de:Until the End of Time pt:Until the End of Time ru:Until the End of Time (сингл)