Justin Timberlake is finally setting the record straight about the inspiration behind “What Goes Around… Comes Around.”

For years, listeners have speculated that the 2006 song was connected to Timberlake’s former relationship with Britney Spears. The pair dated from 1999 until 2002, and the intense public interest surrounding their breakup led fans to search his music for possible references to the pop star.

But according to Timberlake, one of his most recognizable breakup songs was never about Spears.

“Maybe I should dispel a rumor at this point,” Timberlake said during a Nov. 5 appearance on Complex’s Re-Rank . “It’s not a personal story from mine.”

The singer explained that the song was instead inspired by a close friend whose relationship had ended badly. After hearing what happened, Timberlake asked whether he could turn the experience into a song.…