This post is late, and that’s because I had a lot of thoughts, honest ones but I wasn’t sure how to get them across. I always promised myself when I’d post my thoughts on things, I’d be honest and I plan to do so here. Hopefully you’re here for the journey. Because when I first learned that that the Boys were doing a collaboration together, I was excited. For a long time I was actually a casual Rascal Flatts fan. I still listen to their album Still Feels Good sometimes, and I’m not a country fans so that says something. Knowing that the Backstreet Boys were offered this song first back in the day? It made the idea of this collaboration that much better.
I had my expectations really, really high because I knew the capabilities of both groups. And maybe they were too high in this case. On my first listen, I wasn’t upset but I guess I could say I was confused. Because while the melodies on the chorus hit so hard and are so impactful, beautiful really, the solos sort of felt off. It’s why I say this song is good, but it’s not amazing. I feel it could’ve been too. There’s a couple reasons for this that I plan to get into.
I’m going to start with the elephant in the room.
Brian opening the song. I realize that my saying this is possibly going to upset a large section of the fandom here. And that’s not my intention. I don’t say this with any mean intentions. I don’t say this with any idea of pushing “my favorite” as a suggestion here. It’s simply the fact that with Brian’s vocal condition I was immediately scared of a live performance. Brian’s vocal condition is deeply complicated. I wrote a full blog on this the very first year this blog was started to help fans understand. It’s why I was so torn on even posting my deep dive on this song. But then I thought, well, by not saying anything, isn’t that saying something? Brian sounds alright on the song, but that’s with editing. Heavier editing than I expected, honestly. That choice confused me. Howie sang more of the solo at the live performance and I don’t know why it wasn’t given to him to start with. He sang it beautifully and it would’ve been a great opportunity for Howie to shine. That’s something he doesn’t get to do as often as Nick, AJ, and Brian. And with Brian’s condition being partially psychological, I think setting up that pressure would hurt, not help. Obviously that’s just my opinion. But it’s food for thought.
Fans lately feel scared to express their worries for Brian, even in a kind way. And that’s upsetting to me, because I worked hard to open that conversation when it was taboo in 2015. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be concerned for one of your favorite singers, as long as you do so with kindness. That’s my intent here. Despite everything, I love Brian. He was my original favorite of the group when I very first became a fan and I will always have a soft spot for him. But I worry and hearing this song, in a few ways I think the full picture was missed. They were so smart on how they used Brian on DNA, a shining example being Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, that this shook me up.
That’s not the only reason the song caught me off guard a bit though. Now, this isn’t the Boys’ first duet with another country group – look at God, Your Mama, and Me. It had a lot of singers to juggle but I always felt like it did it in a balanced manner. That balance was missing on the solos here. It switches back and forth so often at the start here it’s almost off-putting. It felt a bit chaotic. This is something they sort of repaired at the live performance at the ACM Awards, so it confused me even more why the studio track came out the way it did. Maybe it’s because they were trying too hard to get everyone on a song. This has happened on BSB only songs before, so it’s possible that happened here.
But you know what?
Once you get to the choruses, there’s that build up towards the back half of the song that is pure magic. Like I have to go back and replay it. A lot. In that moment I just bask in the vocal talent these groups have and how beautiful it is when they come together. That is what makes this song shine. It’s not the solos. No, its the harmonies. They are ear candy in the purest way.
Those are why I became a fan and it’s why I stay a fan.
The Dark Side 