Embers of Desire in the Twilight of Reason | I Want It That Way | Backstreet Boys

The timeless hit, "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys, has kept audiences intrigued for years. With its catchy pop melody and soothing harmonies, it has become one of the best-loved hits of the 90s. However, an underlying question often arises with this classic track - What is its meaning?

"I Want It That Way" is a shimmering example of love's complexity. The song, taken from their hit 1999 album "Millennium", is often interpreted as an ode to a romance that flies in the face of reason. It presents an emotional narrative that resonates with anyone who's ever been in a complicated relationship.

Look at the opening lines, "You are my fire, the one desire / Believe when I say, I want it that way." There's an apparent contradiction in the lyrics. On the one hand, there's the unmistakable longing for a significant other, underscored by the statement "You are my fire." This sentiment suggests an intense, burning passion for the other person that drives the protagonist.

However, the line "I want it that way" complicates things. What exactly is "that way?" Fans and critics have spent years trying to decipher this sentiment. One theory suggests the song is about a relationship that's ideal in the singer's mind — the sense of wanting things to stay in a particular way that's perhaps more romantic or idealized than reality.

Notably, in the beautifully sung chorus "Tell me why / Ain't nothin' but a heartache / Tell me why / Ain't nothin' but a mistake / I never wanna hear you say / I want it that way," the song drenches listeners in raw, unfiltered sentiment. Heartache, mistakes, the plea to a lover not to assert their desire to keep things "that way" — all of these point to the poignant portrayal of a romance characterized by pain and misunderstanding.

There's also a possibility that the song is about a breakup, with the line "I want it that way" referring to the singer not wanting to let go of the relationship. Their hope is that the unresolved issues in the relationship should be fixed rather than breaking up.

Indeed, one of the song's writers, Max Martin, hails from Sweden and was still learning English at the time of the song's conception. The song's somewhat muddled narrative might be attributed to this language barrier.

To sum up, it's clear that "I Want It That Way" is a song deeply evocative of romance's rollercoaster ride. Despite its somewhat nebulous lyrics, the song transcends linguistic boundaries to stir a universe of emotion. With its unforgettable melody, the Backstreet Boys crafted an anthem of longing, confusion, and desire that remains as enchanting today as it was over two decades ago.