All I Have To Give

Album: Backstreet's Back (1997)
Charted: 1 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This tender ballad of devotion was written by Full Force, an R&B group who wrote the #1 hit "Head To Toe" by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. It was one of the first Backstreet Boys tunes to feature all the guys on lead vocals.
  • Howie Dorough, aka Howie D, was thankful to get his moment to shine on the song, which he calls his favorite tune of the Backstreet Boys' catalog. Before the boy band hit it big, Howie D was one of the lead singers of the group until Swedish hitmaker Max Martin was brought on board as producer. He brought New Jack Swing-ish edge to their sound that made the group famous but didn't suit Howie's voice, so he was often pushed to the background.

    Howie told Songfacts he credits Full Force for recognizing his potential on "All I Have To Give": "Full Force was working with us and they said, 'We hear all the voices here, but why doesn't anybody ever use Howie?' They were like, 'He sounds great, we need to put him on this.' So, they are the ones I always credit, and it's still one of my favorite songs."
  • Backstreet's Back was the group's second international album and, under the title Backstreet Boys, was their debut album in the US.
  • This won Video of the Year at the 1999 Teen Choice Awards.
  • The Backstreet Boys performed this on Saturday Night Live on May 15, 1999.
  • Full Force included the track on their 2014 album, Full Force: With Love From Our Friends, which features guest appearances by many of their R&B contemporaries. The BSB cover boasts Lil' G of Silk, Slim of 112, and Steve Russell of Troop.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.