Its Gonna Be May - The Story Of A Yearly Internet Moment

As April draws to a close, a particular phrase starts to pop up everywhere you look, whether it's on your social media feeds or in group chats with friends. This simple collection of words, often linked with a picture of a certain pop star, has truly become a yearly tradition, a signal that a new month is just about here. It's a fun little moment that many people look forward to, almost like a special calendar marker.

This yearly internet happening, which brings a chuckle to lots of faces, has its roots in a song from some time ago. It shows how a tiny bit of sound from a song can become something much bigger, something that brings people together online, year after year. The way one person sang a word, quite frankly, turned into a widely shared piece of humor that keeps on giving.

So, this article will walk you through the journey of this popular phrase, looking at where it came from, why it keeps coming back, and even a little bit about the tricky grammar that sometimes gets mixed up with it. It's a rather interesting look at how a piece of music can spark a lasting cultural moment that everyone seems to enjoy.

Justin Timberlake - A Glimpse at the Meme's Core
Personal Details and Bio Data
What's the Story Behind "Its Gonna Be May"?
Why Do We Mix Up "Its" and "It's"?
How Do We Tell "Its" and "It's" Apart?
What Makes the "Its Gonna Be May" Meme Stick Around?
How Brands and People Get Involved with "Its Gonna Be May"
The Enduring Charm of "Its Gonna Be May"

Justin Timberlake - A Glimpse at the Meme's Core

When you think about the "its gonna be may" meme, one person's face almost certainly comes to mind: Justin Timberlake. He's the one who, quite innocently, gave life to this yearly internet event. His way of singing a particular word in a popular song became the spark for something that has amused folks for a good while now. It's pretty amazing how a small vocal choice can become such a big part of online culture, don't you think?

The meme itself centers on his delivery of a line from an old song by his former group. It’s a very specific sound that, to many listeners, sounds a lot like the name of the fifth month. This little vocal quirk, surprisingly enough, became the foundation for a widespread joke that people share every year. It shows how even the smallest details in a performance can take on a life of their own, especially with the internet's help, you know?

For someone who has been a big name in music for a long time, this particular meme is a rather interesting addition to his public image. It’s a playful reminder of his past work and how it continues to resonate with people, even in unexpected ways. The fact that it pops up every year means that his contribution to pop culture, even this small one, remains quite a talking point, more or less.

Personal Details and Bio Data

While the focus here is on the "its gonna be may" meme, it is worth noting the person at its center. Justin Timberlake is a well-known figure in the music world, and his connection to this meme is a big part of why it has become so widely recognized. We can look at some very basic details related to his role in the meme's origin.

Name Associated with Meme	Justin Timberlake
Group Associated with Meme's Song	NSYNC
Meme Origin Year	2012 (according to KnowYourMeme)
Song Title Linked to Meme	"It's Gonna Be Me"
Meme's Yearly Appearance	April 30th / May 1st

This table just gives a quick look at the main connections. It's a simple way to lay out the key bits of information about the person and the group tied to this yearly internet phenomenon. The details are quite straightforward, just the things that make the meme what it is, apparently.

What's the Story Behind "Its Gonna Be May"?

The whole "its gonna be may" thing started with a song from the year 2000. It was a tune by the group NSYNC, called "It's Gonna Be Me." The way Justin Timberlake sang the word "me" in that song, particularly at the very end of the line, sounded a lot like "may" to many listeners. This little vocal twist, honestly, is where all the fun began.

People on the internet started noticing this sound back in 2012, and from there, it just took off. Every year, as April comes to a close and May is about to begin, pictures and videos of Justin Timberlake from that music video, with the caption "it's gonna be may," flood social media. It's a kind of internet inside joke that everyone seems to be in on, like your own special signal for the turning of the month.

The meme even has a bit of a connection to other seasonal internet jokes, like the "wake me up when September ends" one. It’s about marking time with a bit of humor, making the arrival of a new month a moment for a shared laugh. This yearly appearance, quite frankly, shows how some internet traditions really stick around, bringing smiles to people's faces time and again.

Why Do We Mix Up "Its" and "It's"?

Before we go further into the meme, it's worth taking a moment to look at something that often gets mixed up, which is the difference between "its" and "it's." This confusion is pretty common, you know, because the words look and sound so much alike. It’s a little grammar puzzle that trips up many writers, even those who are usually quite good with words.

"Its" without an apostrophe shows that something belongs to "it." Think of it like "his" or "hers." It's a way of saying ownership. For example, if you say, "the dog ate its food," you're showing that the food belongs to the dog. Or, if you talk about "the lake is beautiful in its own unique way," you're saying the unique way belongs to the lake. This kind of word, without the little mark, just points to possession, more or less.

On the other hand, "it's" with an apostrophe is a shorter way of saying "it is" or "it has." The apostrophe here is like a little signal that some letters have been taken out. So, when you say "it's raining," you really mean "it is raining." And if you say "it's been a long day," you're saying "it has been a long day." This is where the confusion often happens, because people sometimes forget that the apostrophe means a word has been shortened, not that something is owned, you know?

The way these two words look and sound so similar is really the main reason for the mix-up. People hear "its" and "it's" and they sound exactly the same, which can make it tricky to know which one to use when writing. It’s a common hurdle for many people trying to get their words just right, and honestly, it takes a little bit of practice to get it consistently correct.

How Do We Tell "Its" and "It's" Apart?

So, how do you figure out which one to use when you're writing, especially when thinking about something like "its gonna be may"? There's a simple little trick that can help you sort it out. If you can replace the word with "it is" or "it has," then you need the apostrophe, meaning "it's." If you can't, and you're talking about something belonging to "it," then you use "its" without the apostrophe.

Let's try it out with some examples. If you want to say, "it's going to be a fabulous night," try replacing "it's" with "it is." "It is going to be a fabulous night." That works, so "it's" with the apostrophe is the correct choice. This is the very same logic that applies to the meme itself, as it's a shortened way of saying "it is going to be May," you see?

Now, for "its" without the apostrophe, think about a sentence like, "The tree lost its leaves." Can you say "the tree lost it is leaves"? No, that doesn't make sense. So, "its" without the apostrophe is the right one because it shows the leaves belong to the tree. This simple check, more or less, can clear up a lot of the confusion people have with these two words, making it much easier to write them correctly.

Many people find this little test really helpful. It’s a quick way to double-check your writing and make sure you’re using the correct form. Remembering that the apostrophe in "it's" means something is missing, usually "i" or "ha," can be a game-changer for those who struggle with this particular grammar point. It’s pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it, you know?

What Makes the "Its Gonna Be May" Meme Stick Around?

The "its gonna be may" meme has been around for a good while now, starting in 2012 and still making its rounds every April 30th. What gives it such staying power? Well, a few things, actually. For one, it's tied to a moment in pop culture that many people remember and feel a connection to. NSYNC was a big deal, and Justin Timberlake remains a very recognizable figure.

Another reason is its simplicity. The joke is easy to get, and it’s something that comes around every year, so it becomes a predictable and welcome little moment. It’s like a yearly tradition, a signal that spring is truly settling in and a new month is upon us. This consistent timing, honestly, helps it stay fresh in people's minds, almost like a little holiday.

The meme also works because it’s funny without being mean-spirited. It’s a gentle poke at a specific way a word was sung, not a harsh criticism. This lightheartedness makes it something people are happy to share and enjoy. It’s a universally understood piece of humor that doesn't require a lot of explanation, which is pretty neat.

Plus, the internet loves a good recurring joke. Things that happen yearly, like this meme or the "wake me up when September ends" one, create a sense of shared experience online. It’s a way for people to feel connected through a bit of shared silliness. This collective enjoyment, you know, helps keep the meme alive and well, year after year, just a little bit of fun for everyone.

How Brands and People Get Involved with "Its Gonna Be May"

It's not just regular folks sharing the "its gonna be may" meme; even big companies and public figures get in on the fun. This shows just how widely recognized and accepted the meme has become. When brands use it, they're trying to connect with people in a more relaxed and relatable way, showing they're aware of what's popular online. It’s a pretty clever way to seem approachable, more or less.

For example, there have been instances where well-known people, like former President Obama, have used the phrase in their social media posts. His simple caption, "it's gonna be may," on Facebook, showed how even serious figures can join in on a lighthearted internet moment. This kind of participation helps to cement the meme's place in popular culture, making it even more of a widely accepted thing, you know?

NSYNC members themselves, like Joey Fatone and Lance Bass, have even spoken about the meme, recognizing its widespread appeal and how it continues to amuse people a long time after the song first came out. Their acknowledgment, honestly, adds another layer to the meme's story, showing that even the creators of the original material find it amusing. It’s a testament to the meme's lasting charm and its ability to connect with different generations, apparently.

The yearly appearance of the meme means that it’s a dependable source of content for social media. People expect it, and they often look forward to seeing new versions or sharing their favorites. This anticipation, very much, contributes to its continued popularity. It’s a fun little ritual that many people participate in, making it a truly communal online experience.

The Enduring Charm of "Its Gonna Be May"

The "its gonna be may" meme is more than just a passing internet fad; it's a yearly cultural marker that brings a smile to many faces. It shows how something as small as a specific vocal pronunciation in a song can grow into a widely shared and loved piece of online humor. This yearly tradition, honestly, highlights the power of shared jokes and how they can connect people across different places and times.

It also serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of clear communication, especially when it comes to tricky grammar points like the difference between "its" and "it's." The meme itself, using "it's" as a contraction, perfectly illustrates one of those grammar rules, making it a subtle lesson wrapped in a bit of fun. It’s a pretty neat way to learn, if you ask me.

As April 30th rolls around each year, you can be pretty sure that your feeds will be filled with images of Justin Timberlake, signaling the arrival of a new month. This simple, recurring moment of shared amusement is a testament to the meme's lasting appeal. It’s a bit of lighthearted fun that many people look forward to, a small but joyful part of the internet's yearly rhythm, you know?

The entire journey of this meme, from a particular sound in a music video to a widely recognized internet tradition, is quite interesting. It shows how pop culture moments can take on new lives online, evolving into something that brings people together through laughter. It's a fun example of how a piece of art, in a way, can keep on giving, year after year, just a little bit of joy for everyone.

This article has walked through the story of the "its gonna be may" meme, from its start with Justin Timberlake and NSYNC, explaining how a particular sound became a yearly internet event. We looked at the common confusion between "its" and "it's," offering simple ways to tell them apart, and explored why this meme has continued to be popular, including how brands and public figures join in. The piece aimed to give a good picture of this enduring piece of online culture.