Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean saying ‘I want it this way’ makes no sense

Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean lovingly refers to the band’s hit ‘I Want It That Way’ as ‘the song that doesn’t make any sense’ – but he admits that the group fought their label to keep the version we know today.

McLean, 45, is opening up exclusively We weekly about the 1999 hit single on the final episode of ‘Anatomy of a Song’, revealing: ‘The record label actually fought us over the original version because they felt it was wrong because of the lyrics. They had us go in and re-record the chorus.

According to McLean, the label’s alternate chorus was: “No goodbyes / No more lies / I love it when I hear you say / I want it like this.”

Although the band recorded the label’s version, they had a different vision for the song. “It just didn’t feel right,” McLean says. “We went with our gut feeling and fought the label tooth and nail.”

The Backstreet Boys followed their instincts and continued with the version fans know and love today – including the iconic “Tell me Why” lyrics. “By the grace of God we made the right decision,” McLean said Us.

“I Want It That Way” eventually became the Backstreet Boys’ signature song and is still wildly popular decades later. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon release and was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 2000, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

The song’s memorable music video, set in the Tom Bradley Terminal of Los Angeles International Airport, also has a fascinating history. Filmed in April 1999, it was the second – and last – time a video was shot at the terminal before the 9/11 terrorist attacks in September 2001. Since then, restrictions have been put in place that prevent anyone from filming videos at the airport.

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“It was a really cool experience,” says McLean Us, Then I remember the parody video made by Blink-182 in response to the song’s success. “That’s the greatest form of flattery, and those guys are great. They have become friends over the years.”

Regardless of the history, McLean is proud of “I Want It That Way” and knows the band made the right choice lyrically. “It was a moment,” McLean says. “That song will forever be remembered as the song that makes no sense.”

Watch the exclusive video above to hear more from AJ McLean about the unexpected history of the Backstreet Boys’ biggest hit.