What We Learn From BSB Songs: I Want It That Way

So…I don’t know if we can learn anything from this song. Let me just put this out there now. I mean I’ve been trying to figure this song out for years. Can you believe how long I Want It That Way has been around? I feel old now. Good god. I was twelve when this song came out. You can do the math. This song is arguably the Boys’ biggest hit of their career. It is a song that makes everyone think of the nineties with love, and it’s, again, a song that makes no sense. The alternate version, No Goodbyes (which is like IWITW not on crack?) does make sense but ironically, not so catchy.

Let’s have at it!

I feel like I might need rum or vodka after doing this…

You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way

1. Well, I mean this is pretty straightforward. Kind of charming really, telling a girl you’re their fire and one desire.

2. Okay, believe the Backstreet Boys. (Unless it involves Backstreet Time)

3. You want…what that way?

But we are two worlds apart
Can’t reach to your heart
When you say
That I want it that way

4. Wait, we are? When did that happen? Are the Boys Mars? Are we Venus?

5. I guess you can’t reach someone’s heart if you’re two worlds apart…so okay.

6. Go back a second! When did I say “I Want It That Way?!” I thought you wanted it that way! If we both want it that way, then why is that suddenly a problem?!

7. And what is it we want that way?

Tell me why
Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain’t nothin’ but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way

8. Yes. I want to know why too! Because I don’t know what we want or why we want whatever it is that way. So for the love of all that is holy Howie…tell us why!

9. Why is it nothing but a heartache?

10. And if it’s nothing but a heartache, then how it is also nothing but a mistake? Unless it’s a mistaken heartache?

11. So you can say you want whatever IT is, that way…but you don’t ever want to hear us say it. The song isn’t halfway over and I don’t have a damn clue what’s going on.

 Am I your fire
Your one desire
Yes I know it’s too late
But I want it that way

12. I guess? I mean you say I’m yours, so we’ll go with yes. I mean I’ve been a fan for this long…

13. Whoa! Why is it too late?

14. I thought we DIDN’T WANT IT THAT WAY?! Now you do again?

Tell me why
Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain’t nothin’ but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way

15. *insert crying emoji here* Nothing makes sense anymore!

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…

16. Question: How are we falling apart? We just agreed we’re each other’s fires and one desires.I mean…that escalated quickly.

17. Now that I’m an adult I have no problems admitting to the dirty thoughts that appear at Kevin singing “deep down inside of me…” Please fellow fans, tell me I’m not alone here.

 You are my fire
The one desire
You are
You are, you are, you are

18. So we’re back to this. Maybe the “guy” in the story of the song is bipolar? Indecisive? I’m trying here.

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

19. Why is this not okay for me to say? Why is it okay for YOU to want it that way? So many questions!

Tell me why
Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain’t nothin 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)
I want it that way

20. PLEASE TELL ME WHY?! Someone explain this song to me!!!!!

‘Cause I want it that way

Overall Lesson: This song was created to drive us crazy till the end of time. I don’t understand it. Other fans don’t understand it. The media never understood it. Hell, THE BOYS THEMSELVES do not understand this song. So I think this song was a spell to mystify the world into endless confusion. It will be our fandom anthem till the end of time and you know what? We’ll never be able to explain to our future grand-kids what the heck this song is about.

Still, doesn’t mean we love the song any less because of it!