Wikipedia

Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely

"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"is a song by Americanboy bandBackstreet Boys,taken from their third studio album,Millennium(1999). It was written byMax MartinandHerbie Crichlow,with production by Martin andKristian Lundin.

"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"
SinglebyBackstreet Boys
from the albumMillennium
B-side
  • "I'll Be There for You"
  • "You Wrote the Book on Love"
ReleasedDecember 14, 1999(1999-12-14)
StudioCheiron,Polar(Stockholm,Sweden)
Genre
Length3:54
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Backstreet Boyssingles chronology
"Larger than Life"
(1999) 		"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"
(1999) 		"The One"
(2000)
Audio sample
A sample from "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" by Backstreet Boys
Music video
"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"onYouTube

Jive Recordsselected the track to be released as the third single from the album on December 14, 1999. It received favorable reviews from music critics, who commended the lush orchestration, its melody, and the group's vocal performance. The song was one of 3 tracks to be previewed at the end ofBritney Spears' debut album,...Baby One More Time.It has also experienced success on the charts, reaching the top 10 in most countries it charted, also peaking at number three on theUK Singles Chartand number six on theUSBillboardHot 100chart.

The music video for the track was released onNew Year's Eveof 1999 and was directed by Stuart Gosling. It follows each band member in a separate dramatic history, with the band uniting for the video's end. The song also earned aGrammy awardnomination during the43rd Grammy AwardsforBest Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Background and release

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"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" was written byMax MartinandHerbie Crichlow,while Martin also produced it. On the November 27, 1999, issue ofBillboardMagazine,it was reported thatJive Recordsselected "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" asMillennium's third single.[2]The song was sent to US radio on December 14, 1999,[3]and was released in the United Kingdom as aCDandcassette singleon February 21, 2000.[4]

Composition

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"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is apopandR&Bballad,[1]withLatin popinfluences. Lyrically, the song deals withheartbreakand how the protagonist is dealing withloneliness."Show me the meaning of being lonely/Is this the feeling I need to walk with/Tell me why I can't be there where you are/There's something missing in my heart," they sing in the chorus.[citation needed]It is set in the key ofF♯ minor[5]andG♯ minor.

Critical reception

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The song received acclaim from mostmusic critics.Stephen Thomas ErlewineofAllMusicpicked it as a standout track on the album.[6]While reviewing their compilation,The Hits: Chapter One(2001), Erlewine wrote that "the rest of the singles that fill out the compilation aren't quite as good as" I Want It That Way, "" As Long as You Love Me "," Quit Playing Games (with My Heart) "," Everybody (Backstreet's Back) "and" Larger than Life "(although" Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely "is)."[7]Chuck TaylorofBillboardnamed it a "keepsake ballad that will have the quintet's loyal legions panting over their loss and loneliness." Taylor also called it "a beautifully produced anthem" and praised its melody, saying, "It will instantly lock itself into the pop culture consciousness." Taylor finished his review, writing that the single is "the best ballad of the season and a sure-fire way to return the Boys to full glory."[1]Chuck Arnold fromPeople Magazinesaid that it "captures the ache of 'something missing in my heart' with a Latin-tinged lushness."[8]Arion Berger ofRolling Stonecommented that the song "digs its melodic claws into your skull on the first listen—it's the swooniest blending of the five vocalists' timbres to date, and mighty pretty besides."[9]

Commercial performance

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"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" was a success on the charts, reaching the top ten in most countries it charted. In the United States, the song debuted at number 74 on theBillboardHot 100chart[10]while on the issue of March 18, 2000, the song peaked at number six,[11]remaining at the peak position for two further weeks.[12]In otherBillboardcomponent charts, the song also succeeded, topping theTop 40 Mainstreamchart and reaching number two on theHot Adult Contemporary Tracks.[13]In Canada, the song topped theRPMTop Singles chart for two weeks.[14]

In the United Kingdom, "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" peaked at number three, becoming their last single to reach the top three and eleventh top-ten single.[15]The song became a success in countries like the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland, reaching number two.[16]It also reached the top-ten in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Norway.[17]It only performed moderately in Australia, where it reached number 19, becoming their lowest charting-single since "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)"in 1997.[18]

Accolades

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"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" was nominated for aGrammy awardon the43rd ceremonyforBest Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals,but lost it toSteely Dan's "Cousin Dupree."[19]Emily Exton ofVH1placed the song at number seven on their "20 Backstreet Boys Songs" list, writing that the song is "a more mature sound that showcased Kevin’s vocals instead of mostly his dark and mysterious looks. Here, the Boys tackle grief surprisingly well, without pouring on too much schmaltz or over-complicating things."[20]Danielle Sweeney ofThe Celebrity Cafealso placed it at number seven on her "Top 10 Backstreet Boys Songs", writing that, "it's their most emotional song, containing the lyrics, 'how can it be you’re asking me to feel the things you never show?'. Deep, guys."[21]

Music video

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Background

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The music video for "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" was directed by Stuart Gosling inLos Angelesfrom December 11–12, 1999,[22]following the 1999BillboardMusic Awards.It follows each band member separately in a sad story until they unite during the instrumental break and final choruses. The video, somewhat darker in tone than any of the band's previous releases, touches on several of the band's real-life issues.Brian Littrellhad undergoneopen heart surgerythe previous year for a defect he has had since birth.AJ McLeanis shown holding a picture of a girlfriend, which is dedicated to a dear friend of his who died in a car accident.[23]The video also uses footage that representsKevin Richardsonand his deceased father.Nick Carter's scene sees him save a woman to represent the fan who almost got run over by a bus. The woman whoHowie Doroughsees represents his sister, who died a year earlier of the diseaselupus.Additionally, the bus that McLean rides is marked for "Denniz Street," and is driven by an actor who resemblesDenniz PoP(who died in 1998 and produced someBackstreet Boystracks, besides being the mentor of the song's producerMax Martin).[24]An alternate version of the video was dedicated in his honor.[25]

Synopsis

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The video opens with a dedication to Denniz Pop and everyone who lost a loved one. Then, it begins at a hospital, in whichBrian Littrellwatches doctors try to save a patient, also portrayed by Littrell, alluding to his openheart surgeryhe had.AJ McLean's scenes take place on acoach bus,which is driven by an actor who looks likeDenniz Popwhile mourning the loss of a girlfriend whose photo he carries. He sees her appear on the bus, but she fades away.Kevin Richardsonwatches an old-age film of himself and his father in an apartment.Nick Carterwalks down a city street in the rain and saves a woman from almost being hit by the bus that McLean is on.Howie Doroughdrinks from a teacup at an old-style bar as a woman in red runs towards him but fades away before she reaches him. Richardson arrives to meet Dorough, and they leave the building together. McLean's bus arrives, and Littrell exits the hospital. While the woman lights the memorial candles for the deceased, the five band members congregate and begin walking down the street together. Most of the video is shot in adesaturatedscheme. Only certain red elements are brightly colored until the end when the band walks out of the city into a brightly colored field.[26]

Track listings

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  • UK CD single
  1. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" – 3:54
  2. "I'll Be There for You" – 4:34
  3. "You Wrote the Book on Love" – 4:38
  • US 2×12-inch vinyl
  1. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (Soul Solution House of Loneliness Vocal) – 7:22
  2. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (Jason Nevins Crossover Instrumental) – 3:57 [track only, no vocals]
  3. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (Soul Solution Mix Show Version) – 4:12
  4. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (LP Version) – 3:54
  5. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (Jason Nevins Crossover Remix) – 3:55
  6. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (Remix Acapella) – 3:55 [vocals only, no track]
  7. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (Soul Solution House of Loneliness Dub) – 6:50 [track only, no vocals]
  8. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (Bonus Beats) – 2:55 [track only, no vocals]

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[76] Gold 35,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[77] Gold 30,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[78] Platinum 80,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[79] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[80] Gold 40,000^
Sweden (GLF)[81] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[82] Silver 200,000^

^Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States December 14, 1999
Jive [3]
January 10, 2000 Adult contemporary radio [83]
United Kingdom February 21, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
 [4]

See also

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References

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