Is Justin Timberlake the American Robbie Williams?

Yesterday, while discussing the return of Justin Timberlake, Kelefa Sanneh, the New York Times' dean of popular music, mentioned the aversion of Panic! At the Disco's band members toward audience members showing up at shows simply because the band members are "hot." He drew the comparison that, far from complaining, Timberlake appears to revel in projecting his own sexuality for his audience's obvious enjoyment. Sanneh says Justin Timberlake is "that rarest of creatures: a male pop star who is willing to sing about being sexy."

Justin Timberlake is indeed a rarity in the U.S., but, if you move beyond American shores, you only need watch arguably the most successful of current British male pop stars, Robbie Williams, or a number of Latin male pop stars, Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias come to mind, to find an abundance of male pop stars willing to sing about being sexy. In fact, that willingness and effectiveness is a key part of their appeal to hordes of adoring fans, female, and, yes, male.

It seems almost old-fashioned today to think that Americans would prefer a simple world in which their female pop stars whisper sexual sweet nothings dressed in skimpy clothing while male pop stars are locked into rigid, sexist roles that deny the attractiveness of their own bodies. We need Justin Timberlake. He wants to "push the boundaries of pop music," and, despite the efforts of super-producer Timbaland, it may not be his sound, as much as his image, that does indeed do that. Elvis would be proud.

Via YouTube, male pop stars enjoying being sexy:

• Enrique Iglesias - 2002 MTV Europe Music Awards - Maybe / Love to See You Cry / White Wedding
• Ricky Martin - 1999 Grammy Awards - The Cup of Life / La Copa De La Vida
• Justin Timberlake (w/ Kylie Minogue) - 2003 Brit Awards - Cry Me a River / Rapture
• Robbie Williams - Top of the Pops - Rock DJ

Review: Justin Timberlake - SexyBack

Robbie Williams Album Cover © Chrysalis Records.

Justin Timberlake Single Cover © Jive Records.