Backstreet Boys

Released: April 12, 1999

Songwriter: Andreas Carlsson Max Martin

Producer: Kristian Lundin Max Martin

[Intro: AJ]
Yeah-eh-eh

[Verse 1: Brian & Nick]
You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way
But we are two worlds apart
Can't reach to your heart
When you say
That I want it that way

[Chorus: Nick & All]
Tell me why
Ain't nothing but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothing but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way

[Verse 2: AJ with Brian]
Am I your fire?
Your one desire
Yes, I know it's too late
But I want it that way

[Chorus: AJ, All & Brian]
Tell me why
Ain't nothing but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothing but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way

[Bridge: Kevin with AJ]
Now I can see that we're falling apart
From the way that it used to be, yeah
No matter the distance
I want you to know
That deep down inside of me

[Reprise: Howie & All]
You are my fire
The one desire
You are (you are, you are, you are)

[Interlude: Nick & All]
Don't wanna hear you say
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
(Don't wanna hear you say)
I never wanna hear you say (oh, yeah)
I want it that way

[Chorus: Brian, All, (Nick) & AJ]
Tell me why
Ain't nothing but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothing but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say (don't wanna hear you say)
I want it that way
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say (never wanna hear you say, yeah)
I want it that way

[Outro: AJ]
'Cause I want it that way

The Backstreet Boys are the most successful boy band in history, having sold over 130 million records worldwide, and with their first nine albums reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200. Florida natives A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter, along with Kentucky transplant Kevin Richardson, were joined in a band once they attended Lou Pearlman’s auditions for a vocal group in 1992, with the group being completed by Kevin’s cousin Brian Litrell. Once took under the wing of Swedish producer Max Martin in 1995, the stage was set for global domination, attracting the lust of women and the anger of men. While the fad died down and Kevin even left for a while, the band never officially took a break or such.

more tracks from the album

Greatest Hits 1999 [SWE]

From the albums

Greatest Hits 1999 [SWE]
Hit I Trafikken (Ren Nytelse) (1999)
McMusic Hits ’99 [NOR] (1999)
Absolute Music 28 [NOR] (1999)
Hits For Kids 2 [NOR] (1999)
Millennium (1999)
Drive Me Crazy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1999)
Grammy Nominees 2000 (2000)
The Hits - Chapter One (2001)
Absolute 90's (2008 compilation) (2008)
Playlist: The Very Best of Backstreet Boys (2010)
NKOTBSB (2011)
Non-Stop Pop [GTA V] (2013)
The Essential Backstreet Boys (2013)
Magic Mike XXL (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2015)
The Millennial Mixtape (2019)
NOW That’s What I Call Music 20th Anniversary, Vol. 2 [US] (2019)
NOW 100 Hits 90s No.1s [UK] (2020)

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Greatest Hits 1999 [SWE]