"Larger Than Life" is a song by the Backst… Read Full Bio ↴Released August 24, 1999
"Larger Than Life" is a song by the Backstreet Boys, released as the second single from their 1999 album, Millennium. It was written by Max Martin, Kristian Lundin and Brian Littrell and is mainly a tribute to the group's fans. The song broke the record for longest running #1 on MTV's Total Request Live. Longtime friend, Brian McAndrew, was featured in the song with a guitar solo. The song reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the UK Singles Chart.
The music video for "Larger Than Life" was a big-budget production directed by Joseph Kahn in August 1999, who also directed the band's "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" video in June 1997, which bears a number of similarities to this video. It takes place in a futuristic space setting, and includes elaborate special effects and animation, as well as a break-down with a dance number. The video opens with a long pass of a spaceship over the top of the camera as a number of the band's past singles cycle through as if on a radio dial. A robot, whose face is portrayed by Antonio Fargas, who played the driver in the "Everybody" video, awakens the band members from their sleep in pods on the ship.
Each of the band members is subsequently featured in their own separate vignettes, while being featured together on a large stage doing a dance routine with backup dancers. A breakdown was added to the album version of the song before the final choruses for the extended dance sequence which continues to the end of the song. The vignettes are intercut with the dance sequence following the breakdown.
The video reportedly went over budget, which was the reason that Howie Dorough's vignette was not particularly elaborate. The video holds a Guinness World Record for the 8th most expensive music video with estimated production costs of over US$2,100,000.
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Larger Than Life
Backstreet Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're screamin' my name, alright
But let me tell you now
There are prices to fame, alright
All of our time spent in flashes of light
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
Looking at the crowd
And I see your body sway, c'mon
Wishin' I could thank you in a different way, c'mon
'Cause all of your time spent keeps us alive
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
All of your time spent keeps us alive
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
Yeah, every time we're down
Yeah, you can make it right
Yeah, and that's what makes you larger than life
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger
That makes you larger
That makes you larger than life
The Backstreet Boys’ song Larger than Life is an ode to the group’s fans, their love and dedication. The opening lines, “I may run and hide, When you're screamin' my name, alright, But let me tell you now, There are prices to fame, alright,” speaks about the overwhelming nature of fame and the need for some privacy that comes with it. However, the singers acknowledge the positive impact that their fans have on their lives, saying “How your love's affecting our reality, every time we're down, You can make it right, And that makes you larger than life.”
The lyrics in the chorus, “All you people can't you see, can't you see, How your love's affecting our reality, Every time we're down, You can make it right, And that makes you larger than life,” reveal the extent to which the Backstreet Boys rely upon their fans' love and support. The chorus repeats this sentiment multiple times, emphasizing the importance of their fans.
The final lines of the song, “Yeah, every time we're down, Yeah, you can make it right, Yeah, and that's what makes you larger than life,” further emphasize the idea that the Backstreet Boys and their fans mutually rely on each other. In this way, the song is a heartfelt expression of gratitude to their fans.
Line by Line Meaning
I may run and hide
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the attention that comes with fame.
When you're screamin' my name, alright
Especially when fans are calling out to me.
But let me tell you now
Despite my occasional discomfort, I want to acknowledge the fans' impact on my life.
There are prices to fame, alright
I understand that fame comes with its own set of challenges.
All of our time spent in flashes of light
Our public image is defined by the brief moments of time we spend on stage, in front of cameras, or with fans.
All you people can't you see, can't you see
Fans, I want to show you how much I appreciate you.
How your love's affecting our reality
Your support means so much to us, and it affects every aspect of our lives.
Every time we're down
When we face adversity or challenges in our personal or professional lives,
You can make it right
We're uplifted by your love and support, which helps us overcome obstacles.
And that makes you larger than life
It's the fans' impact on our lives that truly makes them larger than life.
Looking at the crowd
As we step out onto the stage,
And I see your body sway, c'mon
I can see how much you're enjoying our music and performance.
Wishin' I could thank you in a different way, c'mon
I want to express my gratitude to the fans in a meaningful way beyond just a brief acknowledgement.
'Cause all of your time spent keeps us alive
The fans' time, energy, and love are what keep us going, both creatively and personally.
Yeah, every time we're down
Even during the lowest points when it feels like nothing is going right,
Yeah, you can make it right
The fans' love and support can turn everything around.
Yeah, and that's what makes you larger than life
It's the fans' impact on our lives that truly makes them larger than life.
That makes you larger
It's the fans' impact on our lives that truly makes them larger than life.
That makes you larger than life
It's the fans' impact on our lives that truly makes them larger than life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Littrell Brian, Lundin Kristian, Martin Max, Yuuko Ebine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chuisdaniellangues9288
I may run and hide
When you're screamin' my name, alright
But let me tell you now
There are prices to fame, alright
All of our time spent in flashes of light
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
Looking at the crowd
And I see your body sway, c'mon
Wishin' I could thank you in a different way, c'mon
'Cause all of your time spent keeps us alive
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
All of your time spent keeps us alive
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
Yeah, every time we're down
Yeah, you can make it right
Yeah, and that's what makes you larger than life
All you people can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger
That makes you larger
That makes you larger than life
@ShellaLuna91
After 20 something years I never realized that they wrote this song thanking their fans. That’s so sweet
@Skyward_flux3
What This song is 20 years old
@ShellaLuna91
@@Skyward_flux3 it’s actually 22 years old I think it was released in 1999
@Skyward_flux3
Oh really
@nurulatifah1617
t just sang along most of the times..didnt even knew the actual lyrics, so after singing while looking at them, wow for the lyrics though...
@AJ-xc4qe
There oughta be a WatchMojo list for Top 10 Love Songs That Are Actually About the Fans!
@alterbria
This song gets even more special once you realize it's a love letter to their fans ♡
@user-cq1ek3px9j
I wish more artists were this grateful. They put this out when they were sizzling hot!
@jeffchristianson-ziebell7727
It is one of the coolest songs ever as such.. for sure. Root of all true success is GRATITUDE & they showed it here
@denotato
This is so cute i cannot