I Want It That Way
Backstreet Boys Lyrics


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

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

Am I, your fire?
Your one, desire
Yes I know, it's too late
But I want it 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 want to hear you say
I want it that way

Now I can see that we've fallen 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

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

Don't want to hear you say
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Ain't nothin' but a mistake (don't want to hear you say)
I never want to hear you say
(Oh yeah) I want it that way

Tell me why
(Ain't) Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Tell me why
(Ain't) Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
(I) I never want to 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 want to hear you say (never want to hear you say it)
I want it that way





'Cause I want it that way

Overall Meaning

The Backstreet Boys' hit song "I Want It That Way" is a romantic ballad about a couple who are in love but unable to bridge the gap between their different worlds. In the first verse, one partner sings, "You are my fire / The one desire / Believe when I say / I want it that way," expressing their feelings of love and desire. However, the chorus reveals the conflict between the two, with lines like "We are two worlds apart / Can't reach to your heart," and "I never want to hear you say / I want it that way," suggesting a sense of frustration and distance between them.


The second verse sees the roles reversed, with the other partner singing, "Am I your fire? / Your one desire / Yes, I know it's too late / But I want it that way." These lyrics suggest that both partners are questioning their relationship and whether they can make it work. However, the final chorus ends on a hopeful note, with the repeated line "I want it that way" suggesting that the partners are still committed to finding a way to make their relationship work, despite the odds.


Overall, "I Want It That Way" is a love song that deals with the complexity of relationships and the difficulties that arise when partners come from different backgrounds or have different goals. It highlights the importance of communication and commitment in making a relationship work, even when everything seems to be pulling the couple apart.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah
The singer affirms the reality


You are my fire
The person being addressed is the singer's passion


The one desire
The person being addressed is the only thing they desire


Believe when I say
The artist assures that what they are saying is true


I want it that way
The artist desires things to remain as they are


But we are two worlds apart
The singer and the person being addressed are very different


Can't reach to your heart
The singer cannot connect with the person being addressed emotionally


When you say
The person being addressed has expressed something that makes things difficult


That I want it that way
The person being addressed desires things to be different from the way they are


Tell me why
The artist requests an explanation or cause for something


Ain't nothin' but a heartache
The thing being discussed is nothing other than emotional pain


Ain't nothin' but a mistake
The thing being discussed is nothing but an error


I never want to hear you say
The singer wants the person being addressed to never express something specific


Am I, your fire?
The singer questions whether they are still the other's passion


Your one, desire
The singer's single desire is the person being addressed


Yes I know, it's too late
The artist admits that something cannot be changed because the opportunity to do so has passed


But I want it that way
Despite it being too late, the artist still desires things to be as they are


Now I can see that we've fallen apart
The singer has realized that they have grown apart from the person being addressed


From the way that it used to be, yeah
Things have changed from the way they once were


No matter the distance
Regardless of how far apart they are


I want you to know
The artist wants the person being addressed to understand something


That deep down inside of me
The following statement is coming from the artist's innermost being


Don't want to hear you say
The singer wants to avoid hearing a certain statement from the person being addressed


‘Cause I want it that way
The artist desires things to remain as they are




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andreas Mikael Carlsson, Martin Karl Sandberg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@marialauralopezcampo8373

You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way
But we are two worlds apart
Can't reach to your heart
When you say
That I want it 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
Am I your fire?
Your one desire
Yes, I know it's too late
But I want it 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
Now I can see that we've fallen 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
You are my fire
The one desire
You are (you are, you are, you are)
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
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 (don't wanna hear you say)
I want it that way
'Cause I want it that way



All comments from YouTube:

@yujinidle

"it's number five."
"huh"
"he killed my brother."
"oh i forgot about that part."

@ekintekdal2805

NINE-NINEE

@vedangbohra4562

Noice

@alejandrohoughtaling5470

Brooklyn 99 nice

@sandeep_poudel

nine nine Noice there!

@priyabarlota5137

Noine-noine!!!

67 More Replies...

@chicken

no matter how many years have passed, this will remain one of my favorite songs of all time

@justus.4966

wrd

@sushi_rolld

ok chicken

@dominiquepowell3158

You and me both

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