The ‘It’s Gonna Be May’ Meme Is Older Than You Think

Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Recording artist Justin Timberlake performs the halftime show of Super Bowl LII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Eagles won 41-33. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Around this time of year, it’s impossible to avoid the “It’s Gonna Be May” memes on social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, it’s everywhere. But how long have Justin Timberlake’s lyrics been misconstrued?

Husband: I can’t believe it’s gonna be May…
Me: *cuts him off loudly singing *NSYNC
Him: …in a few days. But yeah, that too. 🙈🤣 pic.twitter.com/CLmkCUPUHI
— Kristin Fortuna (@42nagirl) April 26, 2021

*NSYNC’s song “It’s Gonna Be Me” dropped in June of 2000, but to find the origin of the meme, we have to travel all the way back to 2012. A Tumbler user by the name amyricha posted a photo of JT with the caption “It’s Gonna Be May,” and the internet was never the same.

Since then, it’s near impossible to get into the last week of April without seeing Justin’s mug literally everywhere. Which we are certainly not mad about.

The best part is, next year in 2022 we can celebrate the meme’s 10th birthday!