Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean He lovingly calls the band’s hit ‘I Want It That Way’ ‘the song that makes no sense’ – but admits the band fought their label to keep the version we know today .
McLean, 45, opens up exclusively to Us every week about the 1999 hit single in the latest episode of “Anatomy of a Song”, revealing: “The label actually fought us on the original version because they felt that because of the lyrics it didn’t have no Sens. They had us go in and re-record the chorus.
According to McLean, the label’s alternative refrain read: “No goodbyes / No more lies / I love it when I hear you say / I want it that way.” »
Although the band recorded the label’s version, they had a different vision for the song. “It just didn’t feel right,” McLean says. “We followed our instincts and fought the label tooth and nail.”
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The Backstreet Boys followed their instincts and moved forward with the version that fans now know and love – which includes the iconic lyrics “Tell me Why”. “By the grace of God, we made the right decision,” McLean said. We.
“I Want It That Way” eventually became the Backstreet Boys’ signature song and still remains wildly popular decades later. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its release and was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 2000, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
AJ McLean
Frazer Harrison/ACMA2019/Getty Images pour l’ACM
The song’s memorable music video, set at Los Angeles International Airport’s Tom Bradley Terminal, also has a fascinating story. Filmed in April 1999, it was the second and final time video was filmed in the terminal before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Since then, restrictions have been put in place to prevent anyone from filming video at the terminal. ‘airport.
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“It was a really, really cool experience,” says McLean. We, we then remember the parody video made by Blink-182 in response to the success of the song. “It’s the greatest form of flattery, and these guys are awesome. They became friends over the years. »
Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Brian Littrell of Backstreet Boys perform on June 16, 2018.
Nicolas Hunt/Getty Images
Whatever its story, McLean is proud of “I Want It That Way” and knows the band made the right choice lyrically. “It was a moment,” McLean says. “This song will forever go down in history as the song that makes no sense.”
To hear more from AJ McLean on the unexpected story of Backstreet Boys’ biggest hit, watch the exclusive video above.
2023-11-01 08:06:40
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