For the last 12 months, AJ has been in the studio writing with One Republic’s Ryan Tedder, *NSYNC’s JC Chasez, as well as industry legends, Mark Hudson and Kristin Lundin to create his debut. The album, which he sees as ‘pushing the envelope’, is a departure stylistically and musically from his Backstreet Boys material, and has seen him rediscover an inner sense of himself.
A personal record, the record draws inspiration from his own experiences, including exorcising the alcohol addiction he once suffered.
Says AJ of his new material ‘This record for me has allowed me to rediscover a sense of who I really am. I’ve been writing with some amazing people like Ryan Tedder and Mark Hudson; to be able to finally create this body of work, I really do think I’m going to surprise people with the direction of this album.’
Talking further about the sounds of the album – ‘We recorded partly in Nashville so we’ve got this whole Southern Rock vibe going, as well as in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The record really allows me to unwrap another side to me’.
On first hear of the material, you get a sense that AJ really is, in his words, ‘a sponge in terms of musical influence’. You can sense some early Lenny Kravitz, a bit of Jamiroquai, dripping into Daft Punk and rounded off with some Lynyrd Skynyrd. If you had to use one verb to describe this record, it would be funky.
Having had massive success with the world’s biggest boy band, AJ is no stranger to global chart success. However, he understands that with this record, it is more about discovery as opposed to ‘ticking the boxes to fit in with what gets played on radio’. The album, currently without name, but AJ admits ‘he has a few ideas’, is his vision, and won’t be compromised.
Having already teased fans on the Backstreet Boys World tour, as each of the boys performed one solo track, the record will be released toward the end 2008. The intimate European tour will allow AJ to reconnect with new and all fans, on a level not experienced since his early tenure with the Backstreet Boys. AJ’s tour kicks off in London on May 15th, taking in multiple dates in Germany (Frankfurt, Hamburg, Koln), Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, finishing in Paris on the 3rd of June.
Substance abuse issues
Rising to fame in his early teens, McLean became known as the "bad boy" of the musical group known as the Backstreet Boys. In 2001, the other band members reportedly became distressed by A.J.'s self-destructive behavior. Following an intervention, McLean entered rehab for alcoholism and cocaine abuse. His mother, Denise McLean, later authored the book Backstreet Mom, describing A.J.'s life before, during, and after rehab.
In December 2003, McLean and his mother appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to talk about his recovery from clinical depression, alcoholism, and drug use. Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter surprised McLean by appearing on the show to talk about their experiences with his addictions and to offer their support for his rehabilitation. This was the first time all five Backstreet Boys had appeared together in public in almost two years.
I Quit
AJ McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why did I always stick around?
You tell me how to feel
You tell me what to say
You say I gotta see things your way
I've gotta make a change
I've gotta get away
From my biggest mistake
It's been a long time coming to this
Oh, wait don't tell me this is finally it
Never thought I could live without
I'll always sort it out
You can't fire me, I quit!
How does it feel to be wrong?
Fucking stupid for so long, yeah, yeah
So why you gotta yell
Don't you think I heard?
Always wanna have the last word
You say you're gonna leave
That I won't be the first
To hit you right where it hurts
It's been a long time coming to this
Oh, wait don't tell me this is finally it
Never thought that I could live without
I'll always sort it out
You can't fire me, I quit!
I can't believe that I
Put up with all the lies
The fights, the sleepless nights
Now Baby, it's my time
Gotta move on with my life, yeah!
It's been a long time coming to this
Oh, wait don't tell me this is finally it
Never thought that I could live without
I'll always sort it out
You can't retire me, you don't get to fire me, you can't fire me, I quit!
Ooh, you can't fire me, I quit!
Ooh, you can't fire me, I quit!
The opening lines of the song "You're always bringing me down, why did I always stick around?" suggest that the singer has been in a toxic relationship or situation where they have felt undervalued or belittled. The use of the phrase "biggest mistake" implies that they regret being in that situation for so long. The chorus "It's been a long time coming to this, oh wait don't tell me this is finally it" suggests that they have finally reached a breaking point and are ready to move on from that situation. The line "You can't fire me, I quit" is a phrase often used by people who feel they are being unfairly treated or undervalued in their job. In this context, it's a strong statement to show that the singer is taking control and walking away from a situation they feel they have no control over.
In the second verse, the lyrics "How does it feel to be wrong? Fucking stupid for so long, yeah, yeah" suggest that the singer is frustrated with the other person's behavior and feels justified in walking away from the situation. They use phrases like "always wanna have the last word" and "you won't be the first to hit you right where it hurts" to show that the other person is manipulative and controlling. The lines "I can't believe that I put up with all the lies, the fights, the sleepless nights. Now baby, it's my time, gotta move on with my life" show that the singer is ready to move forward and leave this negative situation behind.
Overall, "I Quit" is a song about taking control of your life and walking away from a toxic situation or relationship. It's a reminder that you don't have to put up with mistreatment and that you have the power to make a change.
Line by Line Meaning
You're always bringing me down
You have been constantly demotivating me.
Why did I always stick around?
I am questioning my decision to keep staying with you despite your negative attitude towards me.
You tell me how to feel
You impose your emotions on me and do not allow me to express myself.
You tell me what to say
You dictate my expressions and take away my freedom of speech.
You say I gotta see things your way
You force your perspectives upon me and do not respect my opinions.
I've gotta make a change
I have realized I need to change the situation I am in.
I've gotta get away
I need to leave this toxic relationship to find happiness and peace of mind.
From my biggest mistake
Leaving you is the right decision because being with you was my biggest mistake.
It's been a long time coming to this
I have been contemplating leaving you for a while now.
Oh, wait don't tell me this is finally it
I cannot believe I am finally leaving this relationship.
Never thought I could live without
I never imagined that I could survive without you.
I'll always sort it out
I have confidence in myself to figure things out and move on.
You can't fire me, I quit!
I am not going to wait for you to end things; I am taking control and leaving on my own terms.
How does it feel to be wrong?
I am questioning your judgment and reflecting on how you have been treating me.
Fucking stupid for so long, yeah, yeah
I have been foolish for staying as long as I did and putting up with your negativity.
So why you gotta yell
Your constant yelling and aggression have contributed negatively to our relationship.
Don't you think I heard?
I hear you, but I am choosing to ignore you because you are not worth my time and energy anymore.
Always wanna have the last word
You are not willing to compromise and always want to have the final say in all our arguments.
You say you're gonna leave
You are threatening to end the relationship, but I am the one who will actually leave.
That I won't be the first
You have been in relationships before, but I am the first one to take the bold step of leaving.
To hit you right where it hurts
Leaving you will hurt you more than anything else I could do to you.
I can't believe that I
I am surprised at myself for putting up with so much negativity from you.
Put up with all the lies
I tolerated your lies, deceit, and manipulation for too long.
The fights, the sleepless nights
Our constant arguments and the stress you caused me resulted in many nights of lost sleep.
Now Baby, it's my time
I have decided to prioritize myself and take control of my life.
Gotta move on with my life, yeah!
Leaving you is the right decision, and I am looking forward to moving on and starting a new chapter in my life.
You can't retire me, you don't get to fire me, you can't fire me, I quit!
I am asserting my independence and taking control of the situation by leaving on my own terms.
Ooh, you can't fire me, I quit!
I am determined to leave this relationship, and your attempts to stop me will not work.
Ooh, you can't fire me, I quit!
I am confident in my decision to leave and will not be deterred by your attempts to keep me in this toxic relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALEXANDER JAMES MCLEAN, BENJAMIN GLOVER, DANIEL JOHN MUCKALA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
6995maria
You're always bringing me down
Why did I always stick around?
You tell me how to feel
You tell me what to say
You say I gotta see things your way
I've gotta make a change
I've gotta get away
From my biggest mistake
It's been a long time coming to this
Oh, wait don't tell me this is finally it
Never thought I could live without
I'll always sort it out
You can't fire me, I quit!
How does it feel to be wrong?
Fucking stupid for so long, yeah, yeah
So why you gotta yell
Don't you think I heard?
Always wanna have the last word
You say you're gonna leave
That I won't be the first
To hit you right where it hurts
It's been a long time coming to this
Oh, wait don't tell me this is finally it
Never thought that I could live without
I'll always sort it out
You can't fire me, I quit!
I can't believe that I
Put up with all the lies
The fights, the sleepless nights
Now Baby, it's my time
Gotta move on with my life, yeah!
It's been a long time coming to this
Oh, wait don't tell me this is finally it
Never thought that I could live without
I'll always sort it out
You can't retire me, you don't get to fire me, you can't fire me, I quit!
Ooh, you can't fire me, I quit!
Ooh, you can't fire me, I quit!
Nisha Hall
This is such a catchy song!!! TY for posting! LOVE IT! LOVE AJ!
Jaci D
Wow A.J. you make me want to sing so loud in public. I freakin love this song and his voice fits so perfectly!
D L
It's a shame this song wasn't around when I dumped my first boyfriend. This song describes the end of our relationship and my feelings toward him at the time. Go A.J!
ClaraBamOne
i just cant stop saying how Awsome he is!! This album Rocks!
07Strawberry08
AJ seriously Rocks! He's just amazing and I'd be very proud to have a man like him in my life
goodtogo27b
I have only listened to a few songs on this album. Firstly, I didn't know he has a solo album but this is how I like to hear him. Loved him before and love him now.
Shirley Dutra
Namoral, esse CD só tem música boa!
RosAna
No sabia de este album como solista :) lo quiero! Vale totalmente la pena, conn esa voz tan hermosa!!
ClaraBamOne
i ust cant stop saying how Awsome he is!! This album Rocks!
Callie C
I love this song, it reminds me of a Broadway showtune :)