Cat Cohen's Anatomy of a Hit a Hit in 2016

Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake

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“Can’t Stop The Feeling” is one of happiest, best put-together pop-dance recordings on the charts in a long while.

Song: Can't Stop The Feeling
Artist: Justin Timberlake
Album: Single
Songwriter: JJustin Timberlake, Max Martin, Shellback
Producer: Justin Timberlake, Max Martin, Shellback
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Concept
A high-energy celebration of dancing with someone that turns you on.

Lyric
A fun collection of sensual images one feels when one is high on dancing with a favorite partner. No story here, just a laundry list of good feelings. I got this feeling inside my bones It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on All through my city, all through my home We're flying up, no ceiling, when we in our zone I got that sunshine in my pocket Got that good soul in my feet I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally Room on lock, the way we rock it, so don't stop And under the lights when everything goes Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close When we move, well, you already know So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance A feeling good, good, creeping up on you So just dance, dance, dance, come on All those things I shouldn't do But you dance, dance, dance And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing I can't stop the feeling So just dance, dance, dance I can't stop the feeling So just dance, dance, dance, come on

Groove
An infectious unrelenting uptempo groove that pulses with joy and movement.

Melody
Repetitive, memorable, rhythmic, hooky melodies in each of the four well-contrasted sections build to a climax in the chorus. There is both architecture and range in the melodic lines. Singing along as well as dancing along is almost a given.

Harmony
The four-chord loop in the first three sections is relieved by a touch of modal harmony in the chorus. I vi7 I/!V vi7 loop in A, B, and C. D section is v7 I v7 I iv7 v7 iv7

Structure
Signature Verse Pre-chorus1 Pre-Chorus2 Chorus Chorus (alt) Verse Pre-chorus1 Pre-Chorus2 Chorus Chorus (alt) Breakdown Chorus (alt) Tag Sig ABCDD’ ABCDD’ Breakdown D’ Tag

Signature
Simple four-chord loop that forms the basis of the track.

Production
Full, tight, lean production. Sections contrast and textures alternate in a way that keeps the listener involved all the way to the end.

Performance
Timberlake sings with joy, precision, sensuality, and emotion, showing why he’s remained on the charts for over two decades.

Predicted Longevity
“Can’t Stop The Feeling” was this year’s top summer song. Not only a 2016 signature song for 2016, but one that should have a long life ahead. A certain Grammy winner. 5 stars on the “Cat Scale” from 1 to 5.

Album Cover: Single

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