: Critics from Billboard noted how Timbaland’s production traded aggressive club beats for "creeping bass" and big-band brass, creating a sound that feels "timeless". Lyrical Theme
: Unlike many other tracks on the album that sprawl past the seven-minute mark, "That Girl" is noted for being more focused and "concise" while still maintaining a rich, live-band feel.
Timberlake has stated that the song was inspired by the film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? , centering on a "Romeo and Juliet" type of relationship that isn't fully blessed by those around them. Justin Timberlake - That Girl
The track is a mid-album shift toward a and doo-wop aesthetic.
: While some find the sing-song chorus ("I'm in love with that girl / And she told me / 'Cuz she's in love with me") to be "dangerously cheesy," others find it "adorable" and a refreshing break from the "fabulously nasty" tone of his earlier hits like "Cry Me A River". : Critics from Billboard noted how Timbaland’s production
Watch this live performance to see how the song's energy and the Tennessee Kids' backing band come alive on stage: Justin Timberlake: That Girl Is Poison Cover jtimberlakevids TikTok• Jan 8, 2025 Album Review: Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience
: The lyrics are characterized by a sense of "total contentedness" and adoration. , centering on a "Romeo and Juliet" type
"That Girl" is widely considered a highlight of Justin Timberlake's 2013 album The 20/20 Experience , praised by reviewers from The Line of Best Fit for its concise, "buoyant confidence" and soulful energy.