I Want You Back (NSYNC song)

"I Want You Back" is a song by American boy band NSYNC, from their debut studio album, NSYNC (1997). It was released in Germany on January 15, 1997, as the band's debut single. The dance-pop and pop song was later released in the United States on February 17, 1998, and in the United Kingdom on February 15, 1999. It was written and produced by Max Martin and Denniz Pop. In its initial release, "I Want You Back" peaked at number four in Germany, and topped the charts in the Netherlands. After releasing internationally, the song charted at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and at number five on the UK Singles Chart. Two music videos for "I Want You Back" were released for the song's initial release and global re-release, which were directed by Alan Calzatti, and Jesse Vaughan and Douglas Biro respectively.

"I Want You Back"
North American variant of the 1997 re-release cover art
Single by NSYNC
from the album NSYNC
B-side	"You Got It" "I Just Wanna Be with You" "Everything I Own" "Giddy Up"
Released	January 15, 1997 February 17, 1998
Recorded	1996
Studio	Cheiron, Stockholm, Sweden
Genre	Dance-pop pop
Length	3:22
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Denniz Pop Max Martin
Producer(s)	Pop Martin
NSYNC singles chronology
"I Want You Back" (1997) "Tearin' Up My Heart" (1998)
Music video
"I Want You Back" on YouTube
Music video
"I Want You Back (US Version)" on YouTube

Background and composition

"I Want You Back" was written and produced by Max Martin and his then-mentor Denniz Pop. NSYNC were flown over to Stockholm to record the song in 1996. In a 2018 interview with Billboard, band member Joey Fatone described the song as "edgy for pop" and was apprehensive about its reception with listeners.^[1] "I Want You Back" was released as a CD single in Germany on October 4, 1996,^[2] and eventually in the United States on February 17, 1998.^[3] The song was also distributed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 1999.^[4] "I Want You Back" was sent out to American CHR stations on December 29, 1997, prior to the song's release as a CD single in the US.^[5]

Musically, "I Want You Back" is a dance-pop^[6] and pop song.^[1] According to the sheet music that was published on Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, the song is set in the time signature of ⁴
₄ common time, with a tempo of 110 beats per minute, while composed in the key of G♯ minor. NSYNC's vocals on the track ranges from the low note of E₄ to the high note of G♯₅, while the song is constructed in verse–chorus form.^[7]

Commercial performance

"I Want You Back" peaked in the top 10 in Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada. The song also topped the chart in the Netherlands. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified gold in the United States, Germany, and Australia.

Music videos

Two versions of the music video for "I Want You Back" were released: one for the song's original release, and the other for its global re-release.^[1]

Original version

The first video was shot in Stockholm, Sweden from August 15–16, 1996 by Alan Calzatti. It was released with the original German release of the song in October 1996. It depicts the NSYNC members in a space station, with many high-tech effects playing out around them.^{[citation needed]} The video was filmed using a green screen, as each member walked on treadmills.^[1] The band attempt to contact a girl through a computer, in order to bring her onto the ship, while they are dancing throughout the video.^{[citation needed]}

Alternate version

The second video accompanied the British and US release of the song in 1998 and was directed by Jesse Vaughan and Douglas Biro in America.^[1] The video was partially shot in grayscale, and depicts NSYNC performing in a warehouse, playing pool, riding jet-skis, and driving around the neighborhood with a girl in a Cadillac. JC Chasez opined that this version was the moment where "we just made a real music video".^[1]

Track listing

German maxi single (1996)[8] "I Want You Back" (Radio Version) – 3:22 "I Want You Back" (Long Version) – 4:23 "I Want You Back" (Club Version) – 5:24 "I Want You Back" (Progressive Dub Mix) – 5:26 UK & European maxi single (1997)[9] "I Want You Back" (Radio Version) – 3:22 "Tearin' Up My Heart" (Radio Version) – 3:26 "You Got It" – 3:34 "I Want You Back" (Club Version) – 5:24

UK & European CD single 1 (1998)[10] "I Want You Back" (Radio Version) – 3:22 "I Just Wanna Be with You" – 4:02 "I Want You Back" (Riprock & Alex G.'s Smooth Vibe Mix) – 4:28 UK & European CD single 2 (1998)[11] "I Want You Back" (Radio Version) – 3:22 "Everything I Own" – 4:10 Exclusive interview – 5:06

US cassette single (1996)[12] "I Want You Back" (Radio Version) – 3:20 "Giddy Up" – 4:07 US maxi single (1998)[13] "I Want You Back" (Hot Tracks Extended Version) – 5:23 "I Want You Back" (Riprock's Elevation Mix) – 5:28 "I Want You Back" (Florian's Transcontinent Club Mix) – 5:45 "I Want You Back" (Riprock & Alex G.'s Smooth Vibe Mix) – 4:27

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "I Want You Back" from 1996 to 1997 Chart (1996–1997) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 11 Europe (European Hot 100) 34 Germany (GfK)[15] 10 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 13 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 22 Scotland (OCC)[18] 50 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 5 UK Singles (OCC)[20] 62 Weekly chart performance for "I Want You Back" from 1998 to 1999 Chart (1998–1999) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[21] 11 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[22] 2 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[23] 6 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[24] 3 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[25] 22 Ireland (IRMA)[26] 22 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 5 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[28] 6 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] 14 UK Singles (OCC)[20] 5 US Billboard Hot 100[30] 13 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[31] 17 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[32] 7 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[33] 22

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "I Want You Back" in 1998 Chart (1998) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[34] 8 US Billboard Hot 100[35] 37

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "I Want You Back"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36]	Gold	35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[37]	Gold	40,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[38]	Gold	250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[39]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[40]	Gold	600,000[41]
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "I Want You Back"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
Germany	October 4, 1996	CD single	Sony	[2]
Japan	November 1, 1997		Ariola Japan	[42]
United States	December 29, 1997	Contemporary hit radio rhythmic contemporary radio	Jive	[5]
	February 17, 1998	CD single		[3]
United Kingdom	February 15, 1999	CD single cassette single	Northwestside	[4]

References

1. Weatherby, Taylor (March 24, 2018). "*NSYNC Reflects on Making U.S. Debut & Competing With Backstreet Boys as Self-Titled Album Turns 20: 'It Was Us Against the World'". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
2. "I Want You Back". Retrieved February 17, 2022 – via Amazon (DE).
3. "N-Sync - I Want You Back / Giddy Up". Retrieved February 17, 2022 – via Amazon (US).
4. "New Releases – For Week Starting 15 February, 1999" (PDF). Music Week. February 13, 1999. p. 27. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
5. "NSYNC I Want You Back" (PDF). R&R. January 30, 1998. p. 50. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
6. Tortorici, Frank (May 3, 1999). "'N Sync's James Lance 'Lansten' Bass". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
7. "I Want You Back". Musicnotes.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
8. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. Sweden: BMG Ariola Munich. 1996. 74321 41679 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United Kingdom: Arista Records. 1997. 74321 54112 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United Kingdom: Northwestside Records. 1998. 74321 64698 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United Kingdom: Northwestside Records. 1998. 74321 64697 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United States: BMG Ariola Munich. 1996. 7863 65348 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
13. I Want You Back (booklet). NSYNC. United States: RCA Records. 1998. 07863 65373-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. "'N Sync – I Want You Back" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
15. "'N SYNC – I Want You Back" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
16. "Nederlandse Top 40 – 'N SYNC" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
17. "'N SYNC – I Want You Back" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
19. "'N SYNC – I Want You Back". Swiss Singles Chart.
20. "NSYNC: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
21. "'N Sync – I Want You Back". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
22. "'N Sync Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
23. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3560." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
24. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3532." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
25. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 10. March 6, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
26. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – 'N Sync". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
27. "'N Sync – I Want You Back". Top 40 Singles.
28. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
29. "'N Sync – I Want You Back". Singles Top 100.
30. "N Sync Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
31. "N Sync Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
32. "N Sync Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
33. "N Sync Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
34. "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
35. "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
36. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
37. "Canadian single certifications – *NSYNC – I Want You Back". Music Canada. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
38. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('N Sync; 'I Want You Back')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
39. "British single certifications – 'N Sync – I Want You Back". British Phonographic Industry.
40. "American single certifications – 'N Sync – I Want You Back". Recording Industry Association of America.
41. "Best-Selling Records of 1998". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 5. January 30, 1999. p. 75. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
42. "アイ・ウォント・ユー・バック | インシンク" [I Want You Back | NSYNC] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 29, 2023.