I Want You Back (NSYNC song)

"I Want You Back" is a song by American boy band NSYNC, from their debut studio album, 'N Sync (1997). It was released in Germany on October 4, 1996, as the band's debut single. The dance-pop and pop song was later released in the United States on December 29, 1997, and in the United Kingdom on February 15, 1999. It was written by Max Martin and the producer Denniz Pop. In its initial release, "I Want You Back" peaked at number four in Germany, and topped the charts in the Netherlands. After releasing internationally, the song charted at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and at number five on the UK Singles Chart. Two music videos for "I Want You Back" were released for the song's initial release and global re-release, which were directed by Alan Calzatti, and Jesse Vaughan and Douglas Biro respectively.

"I Want You Back"
The five NSYNC members surround a blue car while in front of a white background. The title and artist name are written above them.
North American variant of the 1997 re-release cover art
Single by NSYNC
from the album 'N Sync
B-side
ReleasedOctober 4, 1996
Recorded1996
StudioCheiron, Stockholm, Sweden
Genre
Length3:22
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Pop
  • Martin
NSYNC singles chronology
"I Want You Back"
(1996)		 "Tearin' Up My Heart"
(1997)
Music video
"I Want You Back" on YouTube
Music video
"I Want You Back (US Version)" on YouTube

Background and composition

"I Want You Back" was written and produced by Max Martin and his then-mentor Denniz Pop. NSYNC were flown over to Stockholm to record the song in 1996. In a 2018 interview with Billboard, band member Joey Fatone described the song as "edgy for pop" and was apprehensive about its reception with listeners.[1] "I Want You Back" was released as a CD single in Germany on October 4, 1996,[2] and eventually in the United States on February 17, 1998.[3] The song was also distributed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 1999.[4] "I Want You Back" was sent out to American CHR stations on December 29, 1997, prior to the song's release as a CD single in the US.[5]

Musically, "I Want You Back" is a dance-pop[6] and pop song.[1] According to the sheet music that was published on Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, the song is set in the time signature of 4
4 common time, with a tempo of 110 beats per minute, while composed in the key of G♯ minor. NSYNC's vocals on the track ranges from the low note of E4 to the high note of G♯5, while the song is constructed in verse–chorus form.[7]

Commercial performance

"I Want You Back" peaked in the top 10 in Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada. The song also topped the chart in the Netherlands. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified gold in the United States, Germany, and Australia.

Music videos

Two versions of the music video for "I Want You Back" were released: one for the song's original release, and the other for its global re-release.[1]

Original version

The first video was shot in Stockholm, Sweden from August 15–16, 1996 by Alan Calzatti. It was released with the original German release of the song in October 1996. It depicts the NSYNC members in a space station, with many high-tech effects playing out around them. The video was filmed using a green screen, as each member walked on treadmills.[1] The band attempt to contact a girl through a computer, in order to bring her onto the ship, while they are dancing throughout the video.

Alternate version

The second video accompanied the British and US release of the song in 1998 and was directed by Jesse Vaughan and Douglas Biro in America.[1] The video was partially shot in grayscale, and depicts NSYNC performing in a warehouse, playing pool, riding jet-skis, and driving around the neighborhood with a girl in a Cadillac. JC Chasez opined that this version was the moment where "we just made a real music video".[1]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications
Certifications and sales for "I Want You Back"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36] Gold 35,000^
Germany (BVMI)[37] Gold 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[39] Gold 600,000[40]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release dates and formats for "I Want You Back"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Germany October 4, 1996 CD single Sony [2]
Japan November 1, 1997 Ariola Japan [41]
United States December 29, 1997
Jive [5]
February 17, 1998 CD single [3]
United Kingdom February 15, 1999
Northwestside [4]

References
  1. Weatherby, Taylor (March 24, 2018). "*NSYNC Reflects on Making U.S. Debut & Competing With Backstreet Boys as Self-Titled Album Turns 20: 'It Was Us Against the World'". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  2. "I Want You Back". Retrieved February 17, 2022 – via Amazon (DE).
  3. "N-Sync - I Want You Back / Giddy Up". Retrieved February 17, 2022 – via Amazon (US).
  4. "New Releases – For Week Starting 15 February, 1999" (PDF). Music Week. February 13, 1999. p. 27. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  5. "NSYNC I Want You Back" (PDF). R&R. January 30, 1998. p. 50. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  6. Tortorici, Frank (May 3, 1999). "'N Sync's James Lance 'Lansten' Bass". MTV News. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  7. "I Want You Back". Musicnotes.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  8. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. Sweden: BMG Ariola Munich. 1996. 74321 41679 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United Kingdom: Arista Records. 1997. 74321 54112 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United Kingdom: Northwestside Records. 1998. 74321 64698 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United Kingdom: Northwestside Records. 1998. 74321 64697 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United States: BMG Ariola Munich. 1996. 7863 65348 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United States: RCA Records. 1998. 07863 65373-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. "'N Sync – I Want You Back" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  15. "'N SYNC – I Want You Back" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  16. "Nederlandse Top 40 – 'N SYNC" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  17. "'N SYNC – I Want You Back" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  19. "'N SYNC – I Want You Back". Swiss Singles Chart.
  20. "NSYNC: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  21. "'N Sync – I Want You Back". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  22. "'N Sync Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  23. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3560." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  24. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3532." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  25. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 10. March 6, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  26. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – 'N Sync". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  27. "'N Sync – I Want You Back". Top 40 Singles.
  28. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  29. "'N Sync – I Want You Back". Singles Top 100.
  30. "N Sync Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  31. "N Sync Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  32. "N Sync Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  33. "N Sync Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  34. "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  35. "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  36. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  37. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('N Sync; 'I Want You Back')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  38. "British single certifications – 'N Sync – I Want You Back". British Phonographic Industry.
  39. "American single certifications – 'N Sync – I Want You Back". Recording Industry Association of America.
  40. "Best-Selling Records of 1998". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 5. January 30, 1999. p. 75. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  41. "アイ・ウォント・ユー・バック | インシンク" [I Want You Back | NSYNC] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
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