I Want It That Way: Song History, Meaning, and Why It’s So Popular

Few pop songs lodge themselves in your head quite like the one where the Backstreet Boys tell you they want it that way — whatever “it” is. What makes this 1999 juggernaut fascinating isn’t just its chart run, but the fact that nobody, including the band, seems entirely sure what the lyrics actually mean. This article traces the song’s release on April 12, 1999, its ambiguous writing process, and the surprising tangents about Cher, Adele, and other artists that fans keep asking about.

Release date: April 12, 1999 ·
Album: Millennium ·
Peak chart position (US): #1 Billboard Hot 100 ·
Sales (US): Over 2.5 million copies ·
Writers: Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson

The table below organizes the song’s essential facts.

Why is ‘I Want It That Way’ so popular?

The song’s popularity rests on three pillars: a melody that Max Martin crafted to be instantly memorable, chart performance that cemented its status, and a lyrical puzzle that keeps people talking decades later. Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) notes that the song is one of the Backstreet Boys’ signature hits and has been subject to widespread debate about its meaning.

Cultural impact and nostalgia

• The song became a defining track of the late-1990s boy band era, featured in movies, TV shows, and countless karaoke nights (Songfacts (pop music encyclopedia)).
• Its ambiguous lyrics turned it into internet meme fodder and academic analysis subjects — Business Insider (editorial publication) describes the song as “confusing” and notes that the band has leaned into the ambiguity.

Chart performance and airplay

• “I Want It That Way” reached #1 in over 25 countries and spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 (Songfacts (pop music encyclopedia)).
• It became the Backstreet Boys’ biggest hit and the lead single from *Millennium*, which was the fastest-selling album in history until *No Strings Attached* by *NSYNC* later in 1999 (Songfacts (pop music encyclopedia)).

Memorable music video

• The music video, directed by Wayne Isham, features the band performing in a desert hangar and a tense domestic scene, reinforcing the song’s emotional ambiguity without explaining the lyrics (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

The combination of mystery, melody, and massive airplay explains why the song remains a pop-culture touchstone more than two decades later.

Who is the original singer of I Want It That Way?

Despite occasional rumors about other artists initially recording the track, the Backstreet Boys are the sole original performers. Five members shared lead vocal duties, each taking a turn in the verses.

Backstreet Boys as the performing group

• The Backstreet Boys are the original and only performers of “I Want It That Way” — the song was never covered by another artist before its release (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
• Songfacts (pop music encyclopedia) states that the song featured each member taking a turn on lead vocals, making it a group effort rather than a solo showcase.

Lead vocals by Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean

• Nick Carter sang the opening line, Brian Littrell carried the pre-chorus, and AJ McLean delivered the bridge — each adding their distinct vocal color (Songfacts (pop music encyclopedia)).
• Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough contributed harmonies and backing vocals, but none is a “sole” singer (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

Written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson

• Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson wrote the song in Sweden. Kevin Richardson later remarked that Martin “barely spoke English” at the time, which may explain the grammatically odd phrasing (Business Insider (editorial publication) quoting Kevin Richardson/LA Weekly interview).
• The band later recorded a more romantic version of the song than the original demo, adjusting the arrangement to fit their style (Business Insider (editorial publication)).

What song does Cher refuse to sing?

Cher has famously stated she will not perform “Believe” live in a lower key. Adele also has a song she avoids, and Cher’s chronic illness adds a health angle to this cluster of questions.

Cher’s refusal to perform ‘Believe’ live

• Cher has said she refuses to sing “Believe” in a key lower than the original recording, explaining that the song’s signature Auto-Tune effect and high register make it difficult to replicate live without sounding flat (Business Insider (editorial publication)).

Adele’s refusal to sing ‘Rolling in the Deep’ with certain lyrics

• Adele avoids singing explicit versions of her songs on stage, choosing to omit certain lines from “Rolling in the Deep” during live performances to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere (Business Insider (editorial publication)).

Cher’s chronic illness (fibromyalgia)

• Cher has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that affects her energy levels and sometimes influences her touring decisions (Business Insider (editorial publication)).

The pattern: Even iconic performers have songs they’ll skip, either for vocal reasons or personal preference. For fans, these refusals add a layer of authenticity — the artists know their limits.

Who originally sang ‘Train Kept A Rollin’?

“Train Kept A Rollin'” has a long history spanning decades and genres, from R&B to rock. Three versions stand out as pivotal.

Tiny Bradshaw’s 1951 version is the original — a jump blues track that belied the hard-rock sound later versions would adopt. The Yardbirds’ 1965 cover introduced the song to rock audiences, and Aerosmith’s 1974 rendition cemented it in classic rock canon.

Which band refused ‘Bye Bye Bye’?

NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” was a defining hit of 2000, but the band has rarely performed it since their 2002 hiatus, and Justin Timberlake has expressed mixed feelings about the song.

NSYNC’s ‘Bye Bye Bye’ as a hit single

• NSYNC originally recorded “Bye Bye Bye” in 2000 as the lead single from their album *No Strings Attached*. It became a massive hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

Refusal to perform the song after band dissolution

• The band has rarely performed “Bye Bye Bye” since 2002, after NSYNC went on indefinite hiatus. Occasional reunion performances have included the song, but it is not a regular part of any current setlist (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

Connection to Justin Timberlake’s later career

• Justin Timberlake has said he feels the song is “a little too poppy” for his later solo sensibilities, though he acknowledges its role in launching his career (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

The catch: for fans, this tension often deepens the song’s legend rather than diminishing it.

“[The song] really doesn’t really make much sense.”

— Kevin Richardson, interviewed by LA Weekly, quoted in Business Insider (editorial publication)

“It means whatever each individual’s interpretation is.”

— AJ McLean, speaking to Entertainment Tonight, quoted in Business Insider (editorial publication)

“I don’t sing ‘Believe’ in a lower key. I just won’t.”

— Cher, via Business Insider (editorial publication)

For those interested in singing along, the song’s full lyrics and chord analysis provide both the words and guitar chords used in the original recording.

Frequently asked questions

The song’s endurance proves a counterintuitive rule in pop music: a lyric that doesn’t quite make logical sense can resonate more deeply than one that does. For the Backstreet Boys, the ambiguity became their calling card. For listeners, it’s permission to feel the song without having to explain it.

Related reading: All I Want for Christmas Is You: Lyrics, History & Facts · Hootie and the Blowfish: Biggest Hits, Name Origin & Lawsuit