Significant Singles of Timbaland

Timothy Mosely is one of the most influential producers and innovators of the 20th and 21st century. Hailing from the Tidewater area of Virginia with fellow game changers Missy Elliott, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, Timbaland has created a body of work to be studied by producers and sonic examiners for decades to come. Groomed in Devante Swing’s Bassment Crew (w/Missy, Ginuwine, Static (from Playa), Tim learned a little from one of R&B's hottest producers at the time, but his innovations are his own.

Timbaland's use of the Ensoniq ASR-10, a relic by many's standards, was the most innovative production at that time. His sample choices were obscure (crickets, frogs, dogs, babies), but infectious. Shameless elders doing anything to stay hip now were arranging their vocals in Missy's rap-like cadence and tripling their high hats and double-timing their beats to sound like Tim.

The Elton John to Missy’s Bernie Taupin, Tim’s compositions (yes, chords and arrangements) and productions (not just beat making and sampling) are the foundation for Hip-Hop and R&B’s marriage ushering in the next millennium. These are the significant singles of Timbaland.
(Before we even get started, Missy’s first four albums alone is the introductory study of Timbaland’s production genius.)

1. Can U Get Wit It-Usher
Yes, though Devante got the full credit and Tim just musicianship-listen again and you’ll hear it. Beat boxing and all-especially the long version.

2. One in a Million-Aaliyah
One of the most pivotal recordings for the next 10 years. Changed song phrasing and syncopation as well as drumming and drum programming patterns. Before One in a Million had its full run on the charts, Timbaland's production style had been copied by producers up-and-coming and established hitmakers alike.

3. Pony-Ginuwine
Displayed the quirky, risky, and funky sensibilities Tim’s work display.
(weapon of choice: Bud frog)

4. Can We-SWV
Their last #1. Tim and Missy's 3rd.
(weapon of choice: dog bark)

5. If Your Girl Only Knew (Remix)-Aaliyah
Not that the original didn’t bust the doors wide open, it’s just that this remix showed that Tim had more beats than people to give ‘em to and bored easily of tracks looping so the flip at the end of this one shoes ADHD or genius or both.

6. Are You That Somebody-Aaliyah
Fellow trackmasters challenged Tim to make a track knock w/o using high-hats which he was so now famous for. The challenged delivered Aaliyah her first crossover smash and Grammy nom. (weapon of choice: baby talk)

7. Hit ‘em Wit Da Hee (Remix)-Missy and Lil’ Kim
Another example of beat flipping and the ending is damn nasty.

8. Sexual Needs-Adina Howard [unreleased]
Eastwest/Sylvia Rhone politics kept this completed album and killer single from Adina Howard from ever seeing light of day. It was something of a part two to "One In a Million," using a backward 808 for special effect.

9. Up Jumps Da Boogie/Luv 2 Luv Ya-Tim, Magoo, Missy and Shawnta
For no other reason than to see the original Bassment crew together in the videos, both these tracks have to be listed. It seemed their takeover announcement.

10. Get Ur Freak On/What’cha Gonna Do-Missy
Both listed because Miss E…So Addictive contains perhaps the best encapsulation of Tim’s production on one disc-even getting into “afrobeat” c/o Fela on “What Cha Gonna Do.”

11. Work it-Missy
Last of her significant Timbo hits, but 4 fo 4 on the dynamic duo delivering full albums of production genius.

12. Big Pimpin’-Jay-Z and UGK/It’s Hot/Come and Get Me-Jay-Z
The first is listed simply because of what it did for Jay’s career. Otherwise, it’s a sample and minimal in Tim’s actual “work.” But it resides on an album where his other two tracks are in that ADHD beat zone. “Come And Get Me” is actually two different songs. It’s also proof that Tim’s a funkmaster.

13. Dirt Off Your Shoulder-Jay-Z
Reference Fade to Black or youtube Tim’s offering of two other killers before this one for Jay. The anthem and mantra they created couldn’t be better displayed than the soon-to-be-president’s perfect timing and usage during his campaign.

14. I’ll Be Around-Cee-Lo
Almost go-go, “Sweet Sugar-Lo and Timbo” combined well and made about the closest thing you’ll ever see to Cee-Lo going commercial on ya. Hot jam that hit number one for good reason.

15. Ugly-Bubba Sparxxx
Tim tried the ‘label owner’ thing for a minute and out of it we got Bubba and Petey Pablo.

16. Call Me-Tweet
Musically full for such a short track. While "Oops" was a bigger hit, I feel Missy and Tweet get that credit for the lyrics more than the beat.

17. Cry Me A River-Justin Timberlake
Though Storch argues who came up with it, I believe Tim’s revisit of it on "What Comes Around Goes Around" lays claim enough. And though Justin’s work the Neptunes outnumber his Tim tracks on Justified, their synergy survives most successfully laying foundation for the follow-up to far surpass the debut’s success by a mile.

18. Who is She To You-Brandy
One of the best tracks he’s ever done.

19. Promiscuous-Nelly Furtado
Made him a pop star, finally.

20. Give it To Me-Justin, Nelly Timbo
Cemented him as a pop star.

21. Headsprung-LL Cool J
LL needed this sooooo bad.

22. Put You Up on the Game-The Game
One of very few west coast tracks Tim got to do. Glad Dre approved:)

23. Let Me Talk To Her/My Love/Losing My Way-Justin Timerlake
Just when you thought you'd heard every sound and beat in his vault, "My Love" dropped and was the freshest thing on the radio. Finally won Timbo a Grammy, though he was snubbed on Producer of the Year.

24. Miles Away-Madonna
Best song on Hard Candy. I feel like the others had to be done for this one to be perfect.

25. Carry Out w/Justin-Timbo
Prelude to Just’s next joint. Can’t wait.