I Want It That Way

Composition

I Want It That Way was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson with production by Martin and Kristian Lundin. The song’s lyric has long been noted for an unclear narrative thread; an alternative set of lyrics was recorded and abandoned during sessions.

Reception

Released in April 1999, the single reached the top ten in twenty-five countries and number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The accompanying album “Millennium” became one of the fastest-selling albums in U.S. record industry history.

Legacy

The song received three Grammy nominations at the 2000 ceremony, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It remains the most-streamed song in the Backstreet Boys catalog and is closely identified with the late-1990s boy band era.