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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson, Swedish producers who have also written hits for 'N Sync, Britney Spears, and Celine Dion.

This was the first single from The Backstreet Boys' third album. It was the fastest selling album ever, until 'N Sync released No Strings Attached later that year.

The band did not think this should be the first single because it sounded too much like their last album. Their record company convinced them otherwise.

Vanilla Fudge covered this on their album Then And Now. Fudge drummer Carmine Appice explains: "That song is a great song. Whenever I used to hear that song, I used to hear Vanilla Fudge harmony behind it with the spooky kind of organ. The lyrics didn't dictate that song as much as the mood. That was another one, we said, 'Let's just put in a great arrangement and make it really sound Fudge. Put some emotional vocals in there and stuff.'" (Thanks to Carmine for speaking with us about this song. His website is carmineappice.net.)

This was The Backstreet Boys' first and only #1 hit in the UK. (thanks, Paul - London, England)

This was used for the soundtrack of the 1999 film Drive Me Crazy.

Comments:

one of the best boy band songs...i dont really like boybands though....
- rahul, chennai, India

The person who said they hope BSB are more legendary than the Beatles is from Sout Africa. Perhaps the Beatles are not as well known there. Obviously BSB will most likely NOT be more lengdary.
- Rebecca, Houston, TX

i cant believe people compare bsb to the beatles. bsb are a bunch of pussies with no talent. they don't write their own songs, they don't play instruments, they don't even sing their songs. they lip sync. they are a joke and will always be remembered as such. If you compare them to the beatles you have no write to post anything about music.
- bob, baltimore, MD

This song has also been covered by Jackass, Dynamite Boy, and Allister. So many people think these lyrics don't make sense, but that's because they don't know the mindset of the song writer. The singer is singing about someone he loves and longs for, but cannot call her or visit her because of his pride. ..Some people run from their past, even if it means shutting out people they once knew. They might be hiding the person they have become, and don't want their past lover from discovering the life they now lead. Alot has changed in the singer's life since he knew her, and knows that if they were to reunite, things would not be the same. So, he pushes her away(not physically), and won't let her get close. He's singing this to himself, like a prayer, or it can be interpreted as a dialogue between the two. The lyrics on this site are wrong, so this might confuse people. It's "BUT we are two worlds apart..." Here's an explanation(not of the full song): --first lines are self explanatory, he loves her, and doesn't want that to change. She'll always be in his heart. -"Tell me why? ain't nothing but a heartache, Tell me why? ain't nothing but a mistake, tell me why? I never want to hear you say, I want it that way" --The singer never told his love how much he cared for her, and is regretting it. He doesn't want to imagine her being glad that they aren't together(he doesn't want to hear her say that she doesn't love him) -"Am I your fire, your one desire? guess I know it's too late, but I want it that way" --Goes back to how years have passed, and he's thinking about her, and wondering if she ever felt the same way as he does still. But he's running from his past, and cannot bring himself to call her. He's ashamed of his life, and couldn't bear to let her know who he is now. -"Now I can see that we've fallen apart, from the way that it used to be, yeah" --Maybe they were teenagers at the same school, or maybe they lived in the same apartment complex. They both had good lives, but now he's a complete mess, drunk, drug addict, broke, no job, etc... She's probably somewhere out there with kids, a husband who doesn't love her, etc... and it's just not the way it was. -"Tell me why? ain't nothing but a heartache, ain't nothing but a mistake, tell me why? I never want to hear you say, (hear you say, yeah) I want it that way cos I want it that way" --So, he loves her, wants to be with her, but can't, because he's ashamed of himself, and a life with her would never come true. But, he does not want to think that she wants her life the way it is, without him. Ok, that explanation sucked, and I had WAY too much time on my hands today, but I tried(repetitive?). I'm sure it still doesn't make sense, and it didn't to me for seven years, but now I get it. Hope this helps.
- Jena, unknown

Why are people getting offended by BSB being compared to the Beatles? They were both pop and were huge sucesses. The Beatles are obviously better, and have more musical credit than the Boys ever will, but get over it. I think this is definitely the best BSB song EVER. It's just....everything about it oozes out "pop" but also "maturity" to it. That it sounds gosh darned good. Though it doesn't make sense. And good to see that no one has explained yet what it's about. LOL Something about a breakup I think. I don't know and I don't really care.
- Myss, Arvada, CO

one of my all tie faves, i LOVE the backstreet boys, and have ever since i was a little person :P
- Katherine, Perth

this song is about masturbation. just like steven s does every day to catcher in the rye and this band and pictures of Ian I naked
- oliversabitch, bitcharoo, TX

How can a band that doesnt write there own music or play and intruments be compared to the beatles
- Tom, Bozeman, MT

i cant believe backstreet boys were my all time favorite band. blahh. i like real music now (ie blink-182)
- Kimberly, Greeley, CO

i like this song also. it tells you what they want i think. and they are normal people like us. and if they dont get what they want then this happens and tells people what they want. they have feelings and i care for that. well every body has feelings at least.
- sarah floyd, bloomingdale, IL

More legendary than the Beatles? You're on crack!
- Rob, Castaic, CA

Thank you SOOOOO much for that comment, Jason. Any who compares the Backstreet Boys with The Beatles isn't right in the head . . . no offense to anyone.
- Jade, Lexington, MI

I can't even begin to explain how ignorant it is to even attempt to compare the backstreet boys to the Beatles... does anyone remember when music had balls and 13 year old girls didn't control the music scene?
- Jason, Austin, TX

The Howard Stern Parody of this song is much better.
- tom, New York, NY

This Might Be The Worst Lyricy Song Ever, The Song Makes Absolutely no sense wat so ever it describes a love then a rebelious act its just so corny and so badly written its emmbarrising
- Ryan, Lackawanna, NY

I remember being about 11 years old and loving this song along w/bsb but having no idea what it meant. Now I'm 17 and heard it on the radio and was like "hey that song actually has good words to it!' but yeah, bsb wasn't so bad. too bad the band boy thing is over though.
- Shawna, San Diego, CA

I want it that way is the best song of "Backstreet Boys" group.
- Alireza, New jersey, NJ

Heh, big surprise they didn't write the song themselves.
- Tony, Buffalo Grove, IL

Backstreet Boys kix you-know-what forever! I love them and they are gonna be more legendary than the Beatles (I hope!)
- Vere, Pretoria, South Africa

There is a second verion of "I want it that way". I have post the those lyrics on here.
- Kathryn, Wiltshire, England

The plane in the video is not real. It is virtual. x-Kat-x
- Kathryn, Wiltshire, England