"I Want It That Way" MAKES NO SENSE (and it's perfect) 

This song won't make sense, but it helped determine who killed someone's brother. It's number 5.

The song was written by a guy who barely knew English and thought “hit me baby one more time” meant “call me again”

I'm not even a native speaker but the lyrics have always made sense to me. Like how the other comments have mentioned, "HE wants it HIS way, but SHE wants it HER way, HE doesn't want to hear HER saying SHE wants it HER way because HE wants it HIS way", two different POVs

She wants to leave, he wants her to stay. I CAN'T be the only one who was never confused by this, can I?

The songwriter, Max Martin, himself said that the lyrics to his songs are based on what phonetics sound nice and suitable to the melody, not what has meaning. So this song was never intended to make sense lyrically but phonetically :)

The boyfriend wants a close relationship and the girlfriend wants to keep the relationship at arm's distance. It's a one or the other situation and they can't reach a compromise. That's what the song is about.

V1: Guy admires girl, wants it to be that way V2: Girl left guy, she wants it that way Chorus: Guy has a heartache because she doesn't want to be with him V3: Guy asks if he matters to girl, acknowledges it's "too late," but he still wants them to be together Bridge: Talks more about how they fell apart Last verse: Guy still has feelings for her Seems pretty straightforward?

''I googled hot girls in the 90's and we are going to use Marge Simpson'' LMAO!!!!

He says "I want it THAT way" but she wants it "THAT" way. All you need to know is that they want it different ways which is why they are apart.

You said "I want it that way" so often that it doesn't feel human anymore

Am I losing my mind? Because the song makes perfect sense to me. I’ve never been confused about the song one bit...

It makes sense when you realize that the song is about butt-stuff. He wants to do it, but she won't unless she gets to do it to him first. He, however, refuses and it then becomes a fight.

ESL teachers: Learning English will be so helpful because you'll finally be able to understand what all those songs are actually saying! The songs:

My man said Marge Simpson was the hottest woman of the 90s, bet!

9:05 “it doesn’t matter what’s going on, it just has to sound good.” Red Hot Chilli Peppers in a nutshell. 😂

I always just assumed it referred to a breakdown in a relationship where the 2 people always want different things. They will always say 'I want it that way' I.e I want the opposite of what you want to everything. Sometimes even disagreeing with the other person for the sake of it because the relationship is breaking down. The song has always made sense to me.

It's really simple... The song is about a guy wants more from a girl (he wants it that way), and she wants them remain friends OR nothing at all (she wants it that way), he wants more... There are 2 perspectives of who wants what. This is incredibly apparent and simple. The heartache lines etc are from the man's perspective. He's in pain cause he can't have it his way, which is loving her and it being reciprocated.

The thought of Backstreet Boys serenading Marge Simpson is a thought I never thought I would have

Backstreet boys doesn't make sense. Chainsmokers: Hold my beer.

I’ve been a BSB fan since the 90s. It used to annoy me that this was their most iconic song. However, as I got older, I started to realize that one of the reasons it resonates with so many people IS the ambiguity. People can write in their own experiences between the lines, and it makes the song sound like it’s speaking directly to their situation... and even if it doesn’t make complete sense, they’ve managed to insert so much emotion into each line that you can’t help but listen. A lot of modern music is all about the sound. The Boys have an awesome sound, but they also bring the feels.

Alfo: "I want it that way" don't make sense! Me: Tell me why?

This song always made perfect sense to me. Back when it came out, I was in a relationship that was summed up entirely by these lyrics. She truly was my fire, my one desire. But by the time she had completely become my fire and one desire, I was no longer hers, and I could no longer reach her heart. I wanted it my way, she wanted it her way - I adored her but she was lukewarm about me - and we were two worlds apart. So it all fell apart, I realized it was too late, and in the end it was nothing but a heartache and very definitely a mistake. The song spoke directly to my condition, and even though she is long since married and has a child and is otherwise out of my life for good, it still touches my heart today. It basically sums up eight years of my life in three and a half minutes.

The way he wants it: “You are my fire The one desire..” But he can’t reach her heart when she’s wanting it to be the way of them being two worlds apart. The way she wants it: “..two worlds apart” “But we are two worlds apart Can't reach to your heart When you say That I want it that way”

Fun fact: this song is dedicated to their manager who they sued because they never got paid for the time they worked for him and he used their money to create NSYNC who also sued him for the same reason. After the lawsuits were settled. Backstreet Boys released "I Want It That Way" and NSYNC released "Bye Bye Bye" respectively with both songs being dedicated to their former manager.

There's no girl. Brian is singing to Nick. Simple.

When I become a teacher, I'm making my students do an analysis paper on this song.

I'll translate the song meaning for you all. It's the song about longing for someone that wants to keep you at a distance or friendship after the relationship not working out. You want to get back together, they want to stay broken up. This can also be about a relationship that is falling apart where she thinks it might be for the best if they do break up, but he doesn't want that to happen and downright refuses to consider it. You need to understand both perspectives(in the first two verses) and then the song makes complete sense. His "I want it that way" is being back together with her, like it used to be. Her "I want it that way" is them being broken up and kept at a distance(like friends, or such but not being a couple anymore). Think of it like a conversation like this. Her: Why do you love me and want me back and for me to love you like I used to when we were together? Him: Because that's how I wish it still was, and how I still want it to be. Why do you keep me at a distance where we won't ever be together again? Her: Because that's how I want it to be. Him: I really wish it wasn't that way. Her: But it is. Him: It still hurts whenever you say it. So think of it from that perspective and now all the lyrics make sense, you just need to understand both sides of "I want it that way" coming from the both of them. I'll spell it out more so. Lyrics: [Brian:] You are my fire The one desire Believe when I say I want it that way Translation: Straightforward, she is still his love, and he wants her back. Thats how he "wants it". Them together. [Nick:] But we are two worlds apart Can’t reach to your heart When you say That I want it that way Translation: They have broken up and no longer together. Now the part that holds people up is "When you say, that I want it that way.". When she says "I want it that way", its referring to them being "two worlds apart" where he "cant reach to" her heart. So now we have the first verse and second first translations. First verse is him telling her, how he loves her and wants her back. That's how he wants it. Second verse is him acknowledging how apart they are and not getting back together. Thats how SHE wants it. The first verse is what he "wants", the second verse is how she wants to keep it. [Chorus:] Tell me why Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache Tell me why Ain’t nothin’ but a mistake Tell me why I never wanna hear you say I want it that way Translation: Straightforward when you understand the first two verses now. He's asking her, why their relationship was nothing but heartache, and why she considers them having been together a mistake which is why she won't take him back(as those parts are her answers to his 'Tell me why'. She's either answering him, or he's recounting her words whenever it comes up). He's basically asking her why she feels that way and she is answering. He ends it with saying he never wants to hear her say that's how she wants it. Because as we know, her "way she wants" is them remaining apart. So you can understand why he "never" wants to hear her say that. [AJ:] Am I your fire Your one desire Yes I know it’s too late But I want it that way Translation: He's asking her if she still has feelings for him. He now acknowledges that he knows they won't be back together. But he still asks in vain because he wants her answer to be yes, that he still is her true love. He asks, eventhough he knows its fruitless. But he does it because it's the one thing he wants. [Kevin:] Now I can see that we’re falling apart From the way that it used to be, yeah No matter the distance I want you to know That deep down inside of me… [Howie:] You are my fire The one desire You are You are, you are, you are Translation: He is acknowledging that their relationship is different and can never go back to the way it was before. But he's saying that no matter if they won't get back together, or nor how they'll drift apart, deep down in his heart, he will always love her and she will always be his one/first true love. [Chorus:] Don’t wanna hear you say Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache Ain’t nothin’ but a mistake (don’t wanna hear you say) I never wanna hear you say (oh, yeah) I want it that way Translation: Same as the chorus prior. He never wants to hear her say that being apart is the way she wants it. Because it means they are truly through. That again, is why he "never wants to hear" her say that she "wants it that way" as in, the distance they currently are, ie: not together. [Chorus:] Tell me why Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache Ain’t nothin’ but a mistake Tell me why I never wanna hear you say (never wanna hear you say) I want it that way ‘Cause I want it that way Translation: Self explanatory to the above. He ends it with "Cause I want it that way", essentially him saying, the reason he never wants to hear her say that she prefers it when they're apart, is because he wants them to get back together. That is the gist of the song, which you probably get right now. SO THERE YOU GO!! The song that so many people have claimed "makes no sense" has been translated, and it all starts with understanding that the second verse is what SHE wants, which is why he DOESN'T want that, given all she means to him in the first verse. You're welcome!! XD

Sounds like a Swedish dude trying to comprehend American pop after being exposed to it over the span of six years, and then having enough confidence as a songwriter to forge a career in said pop music. That's because it is all of those things. "It's Gonna Be Me", which I'm guessing was written by that same dude in a bet to see if he could do it again a second time, also has that vocal layering in the bridge and key change. Edit: I spoke too soon.

So when they are saying "I want it that way" it's referring to the fire and desire part meaning they want to keep loving the girl in the way that they do and want her to remain their fire and desire. Anytime they say I want it that way they are referring to this when they say it in first person. When the girl says it she is referring to verse 2 when he says they are worlds apart and can't reach her heart because she's happy she is no longer in love with them and wants the distance between them to remain the same so anytime they say You say "I want it that way" they are referring to this. With this logic the song makes sense throughout to me at least.

I did not wake up today expecting to hear someone ask if Nick from the Backstreet Boys is gaslighting Marge Simpson. Perfect video 10/10

He is wooing her back but she doesn’t want to anymore.

As a songwriter I can only aspire to be this convoluted yet so infectious

“He,” loves her, and wants it that way. “She,” wants to leave, that’s the way she wants Makes sense to me lol

"are you gaslighting marge simpson right now?!" dead

You listen to the lyrics like I listen to people talk. I hate it when things don't make sense. I'm always asking questions and asking for clarification and thank you so much for making this 😂

The song is about one-sided love. Simple.

They’re talking about a break up. The girl is trying to break up with the boy. And he doesn’t want that. Edit: this is my first commented that had over 100 likes I’m shook thanks yall ✨ subscribe to ya girl 😂

Little Mix wrote Sweet Melody based on this song.... "I wasn't crazy about the words but the melody was sweet" 🙃

To me it’s clear. To me, it’s a song about a couple during a break up. He still wants to be with her, but she wants to leave him. He knows it’s too far gone, and she’s decided she wants to keep it like that. The “Tell me why”s are him asking what went wrong, and the other two lines are him saying he knows they’re are both hurting and that there were mistakes in the past. The “I never wanna hear you say, That I want it that way” is him saying he doesn’t want to hear that she’s leaving him. In short, she’s leaving him, he wants to know why she’s leaving and is try to change her mind from leaving to staying

LMFAO. The video, the topic, the begrudging snark of a real fan in the delivery. This video is a next level gem of video essay where the topic collides with the perfect combination external forces, and is very entertaining because of those happy accidents; both for the song and the video.

When I wasn't fluent in English I thought these songs didn't make sense cause my English was bad, now I know that they don't make sense regardless how bad my English is

This is pop perfection 101: No sense just vibes OR just rhymes no reason

I watched a few videos of yours. At Marge here I paused the video, liked and activated the bell. I really laughed out loud by myself. Thanks dude

This is the best yet explaining video i have ever seen.

So when they released the sense-making version the audience really said "nah, we want it that way"

He wants commitment, she doesn't want relationship. Guys are singing from the perspective of the same guy

This is the first video I've ever seen from you and I immediately subbed lol. Had a great time listening to this while I was drawing xD

For years I've asked this question which is the reason I clicked. Great video

Its a breakup song. He wants to stay in it, she doesn't. When she says "i want it that way" means she wants to break up. Honestly, its simple.

How my essay is on my mind: No Goodbyes What I actually wrote: I Want It That Way

I thought about this video while I was at work today, and it so happened to be on my home feed.

Great video. That was the most intelligent discussion of any cute boy pop music group 'stuff' I've ever heard! I always thought it was just the slick pop music producers throwing together the most catchy hooks they could to draw in as many teenage girls, who ate this music up back in the 90's, but you put together some thought-provoking ideas behind the song and brought in more depth to this whole thing.

From what it sounds to me, it sounds like the boys want to be in a relationship and Marge wants to keep their worlds apart. As in she doesn't want to be in a relationship with them. Verse 2 is that the boys pleading with her, asking if deep down she does really love them, but unfortunately it's too late for them to be in a relationship-- as in, she's already found someone else, but the boys "want it that way" meaning that they want to be her desire. Still is a confusing song tho

To me it just sound like he “desires” a girl that’s not into him. He’s trying get her but she isn’t interested.

It's a one-sided relationship. 1st part of song: Boy fell in love with girl. Girl ain't feeling the same way as the boy. Chorus: Boy kept on asking why but couldn't get an answer, and then asked again "why" but got trolled by his bros. 2nd part of song: verified the one-sided love affair stated on the 1st. Rest of the song: Concludes the guy being so pathetic, still loving and believing it will stay the way he wants it. That's why he "want it that way"

this video is so chaotically calm. i love it

This song was (back)streets ahead

Simple. "I want it that way" makes no sense because it's a love song. So its a paradox because love itself makes no sense

This was great. Thank you.

Besides the ambiguity of “that,” I always thought the song made sense. Or maybe I tried to make sense of it. My interpretation: At the beginning of a relationship, it’s hot, passionate and full of desire. It’s more lust than love. And it’s fun. It’s exciting and he wants to keep it that way. But as the relationship continues, he spots an obvious barrier or distance between them. A barrier he can’t overcome. And despite his love for her, he is afraid she will leave him, that she will want it THAT way. But in the end it doesn’t matter. In spite of wanting the relationship to last, it is obvious that it won’t. And in the end, It finally ended THAT way. And even though the word “that” has so much controversy, I think it works because of the double meaning.

The boys have said that the lyrics are supposed to be mysterious and abstract. Its one of those songs that's subjective, so its meaning comes from how you feel or interpret it. Originally they had Andreas Carlsson and Max Martin rewrite the song to have it make more sense, but they feel it lost its "magic." So they went back to the original, this version. This is a song about loss, a loss that occurred because the 2 people wanted things their way. But what they each wanted is polarized.

Personally, I think this is what the song is meant to convey: The boy (the backstreet boy(s), if you will) is singing to the girl that he loves her a tonne. However, the girl is able to see that their relationship is deteriorating and is trying to convince him to give up on her. However he doesn’t listen to her and is still convinced they are going strong. As the song continues he realises they ARE drifting apart like she said, but instead of giving up, he reinforces his love for her and tries to convince her that they can make it work

Nice one. I can’t believe I have never even thought to think about what this song is about.

"are we human or are we dancer" i dont understand it. But i FEEL it

Same thing happened with other massively hit songs: Bohemian Rhapsody Stairway to Heaven Smells like teen spirit All along the watchtower

'I want it that way': exists. Everyone: tell me whyyyyy??

That “I’m lost” part always got me!😂😂🤣

Thank you, this song has always baffled me.

This is my favorite type of content from you. It's such a roller-coaster 😂😂🤣🤣

It’s easy, they’re singing to each other because they’re all in a gay polyamorous relationship

This was hilarious! 😂❤❤❤

Chills. Literal chills.

When he says" I want it that way" hes saying the way that it used to be. When the girl says it. She means she wants it a different way. Explains the whole song ."now I can see that we're falling apart from the way that it used to be" and just before the last course he sings "don't want to hear you say" "ain't nothing but a mistake". He's saying that he made a mistake but he wants her back but the girl says she wants it a different way. There's more than one way that's just a fact. The same person who says Marge Simpson was the hottest girl in the 90s.now I think that the guy who wrote the lyrics to the song is making more sense to me than you are.

Alfo's my boi. The in-depth look at music that most other music RU-vidr's that I watch sets him apart. Keep it up 🤙🏽

omg..this was the best and was so funny ...made me laugh which I appreciate...loved it

This channel is a gem 🤣

duuuude AJs run on the word “desire”. i thought i was the only one who fully appreciated that little run 💜

I feel like yall have no imagination if this song makes no sense. Lemme break it down. “Yeah You are my fire The one desire Believe when I say I want it that way” He loves her, shes the one for him, and thats how he wants it “But we are two worlds apart Can't reach to your heart When you say That I want it that way” Its a fight/disagreement/breakup. They are on different pages about something. And SHE is giving him the cold shoulder (cant reach to your heart) and SHE wants its that way (different than what he wants/them to be over or something) “Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a heartache Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a mistake Tell me why I never wanna hear you say I want it that way” The lines after “tell me why” are not answers, theyre apart of the question. Tell me why this is nothing but hearthache. Tell me why this is a mistake. I dont want to hear you say you want it that way (being over) “Am I your fire? Your one desire Yes I know it's too late But I want it that way” Hes not taking the breakup well. Arent I your fire? The one you want? I know youre trying to say its over, but *I* (the boys) want it to be like that again. “Now I can see that we've fallen apart From the way that it used to be, yeah No matter the distance I want you to know That deep down inside of me You are my fire The one desire You are (You are, you are, you are)” Alright, the boy can see that its over. But he will always love her. “Don't wanna hear you say Ain't nothin' but a heartache Ain't nothin' but a mistake (Don't wanna hear you say) I never wanna hear you say (Oh, yeah) I want it that way” Boy hates hearing that its just heartache and mistakes for her. Hates hearing she wants to be over. “Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a heartache Tell me why Ain't nothing but a mistake Tell me why I never want to hear you say (Never wanna hear you say) I want it that way Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a heartache Ain't nothin' but a mistake Tell me why I never want to hear you say (Don't want to hear you say) I want it that way 'Cause I want it that way” Same as before, why is it heartache, why was a mistake? I dont want to hear you say you want it that way (being over) because I want it the way it was. Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk

I f***ing love this video ❤

The "are we human or are we dancers" made me sleepless for 10 years

Twist: The Backstreet Boys ARE one super-human being.

“are you gaslighting marge simpson rn”

Lol! You soo deserved my subscription with this!^^

Great breakdown dude

I think what they "want" are all different things hence why there's so much conflict and turmoil. But in the end they still love each other.

My interpretation of the original TLDR: it is a song about the process of a breakup with the guy still clinging Verse 1: Guy says that the girl is perfect for him Verse 2: Girl points out that they are different people interested in different things and thus does not understand(can’t reach into your heart) why he wants their relationship to be that way Chorus Guy: Tell me why (do you want to breakup) Girl: (our relationship) ain’t nothing but a heartache (she doesn’t feel the love but only the pain of loving someone she doesn’t know how to love) Girl: ain’t nothing but a mistake (whole relationship is a mistake) Girl: I never want to here you(guy) say “I want it that way” (she doesn’t agree that their relationship is as perfect as the guy thinks it is) Verse 3 (starting to lose interest) Guy(still in denial) ask if the girl loves him as much as he does, knowing the girl is already losing interest in him, as he wants to try to salvage their relationship Chorus (same thing) Verse 4 (They have broken up) Guy accepts that they are not a couple anymore but still loves her deeply Mayb post breakup when they meet again? Guy: don’t want to hear the girl say that their relationship is a heartache or a mistake, and that she wants it that way (now that way refers to the break up, when originally refers to their relationship when they were together) Chorus (I don’t want to hear you say I want it that way is now spoken by the guy) (Essentially the guy whining) The girl ignores his whining and just simply says “cause I want it that way” (now the girl has the perfect ending whereas the guy disagrees)

This was hilarious, loved it

I felt that in the second part of the first verse he’s saying that they’re two worlds apart (not on the same page or just completely different) , and she’s accusing him of wanting to keep it like that (probably doesn’t see him as making an effort to getting any closer or understand her) and because of that he finds it hard to connect.

I love, Love, LOVE that ppl preferred the nonsensical version to the revised version. That's why songs from BTS or German artists or any other language get to be hits: it's not about the words but the feelings and sounds.

"What does that even mean?" "No one knows what it means, it's provocative....it gets the crowd going"

Missed the chance to call it, "I Want It That Way Makes NO SENSE (and we like it that way)".

There’s a pretty clear story line and argument. At least to my clusterfuck of a mind. He’s in love with this girl who doesn’t see the work he puts into the relationship and it distances them. The relationship becomes toxic and he knows it’s too late to fix it and starts to doubt if they should have ever even been together. But even through all of this, he still loves her.

Would love for you to do a video exactly like this but on mid-late 2000s Fall Out Boy

I literally understood this at 10 yrs old and I still understand it now.... It's literally not confusing at all.

I love that you made such a strong effort assuming that there is meaning in the lyrics.

This video about the lyrics of 'I Want It That Way' from BSB is what I needed.

Weird Al’s “eBay” is a lot more narratively coherent.

I didn't speak English yet when this song came out so it was a given that it would make no sense to me. So when I finally learned English, I re-visited a lot of old favorites to finally know their meaning. Imagine my surprise when this song still doesn't make any sense. Still love it though. Lol! Edit: Candy Shop by 50Cent shocked the shit out of me. Lmao

*This does put a smile on my face*

You made me smile