In the United States, the song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight non-consecutive weeks, while it topped the Adult and Mainstream Top 40 charts. 'I Want It That Way' is the Backstreet Boys’ signature song, and commercially it reached the number-one spot in more than 25 countries, including Austria, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

In 2021, 'I Want It That Way' was placed at number 240 on the revised list of Rolling Stone's ' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time'. The song was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Song and Record of the Year, and has been included in lists by Blender, MTV, Rolling Stone and VH1. The pop ballad tells of a romantic relationship strained by matters of emotional or physical distance.Ĭritically, the song was met with positive reception, with many critics commending its catchiness, also calling it the pop ballad of the year. It was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson, while Martin and Kristian Lundin produced it. It was released on April 12, 1999, as the lead single from their third studio album, Millennium. ' I Want It That Way' is a song by American vocal group Backstreet Boys.

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