Tales of love that can never be are staples of post-war popular music; presumably because before and during The Big One, Americans had a number of more pressing issues at hand (Nazis). But it is rare today to find a song with a new take on this age-old theme, which is why the song “I Want It That Way” as performed by the Backstreet Boys (or BSB, to their friends), has forever tattooed its glorious lyrics on our hearts and minds.
The song opens quite postively: “Yeah.” Then, the object of BSB’s collective desire is immediately established, as they sing, “You are my fire/ my one desire.” Objectum sexuality is a real preference that exists in an innumerable amount of people. While many find themselves aroused by couches or bridges, it is more rare to find those who will admit to sexual desire for an element. BSB does just this, stating without hesitation their arousal at the sight of “[their] fire” and furthermore pledging dedication to the substance, admonishing fire to “believe, when [they] say that [they] want it that way.”
Note the ambiguity—what is “it?” What is “that?” Is “it” a room that BSB wants “that way,” i.e., warm? Had BSB, during the penning of this ditty, secluded themselves in some sort of mountain villa without proper heating? This might particularly be of concern to them considering Brian Littrell’s history of heart problems. Without conclusive evidence, we can only assume that indeed, this was a song written at a time when the Backstreet Boys felt particularly, perhaps uncomfortably, chilly.
In the second verse, you’ll note that BSB acknowledges the difficulties of carrying on a relationship with fire, noting that they are “worlds apart,” and that it is impossible to “reach [the fire’s] heart;” indeed, because that would burn them. “Tell [us] why!” they implore, perhaps not understanding the basic tenets of physics. They call their lack of heating a “mistake;” one that we can only assume some peon was dramatically punished for, and then—mysteriously—they state, “[We] never want to hear [the fire] say, ‘I want it that way.’” This is easy enough to understand: a talking fire would be extremely unexpected and frightening, and again, they have Brian’s heart condition to consider.
Needily, BSB now asks the fire if they, BSB, are “[the fire’s] fire.” They observe that “it’s too late” to carry on this relationship—perhaps it is just at the end of winter and the fire-making season is about to pass—but still, still, BSB bravely pledges their desire for the room (“it”) to be warm (“that way”). The song continues on this way for something like thirty to forty verses, capturing the agony of cold rooms and impossible love, while providing the listener with a danceable beat and harmonies that could melt your ears off.
