"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"
Single by Backstreet Boys
from the album Millennium
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 Boys singles 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
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Music video
"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" on YouTube

"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is a song by American boy band Backstreet Boys, taken from their third studio album, Millennium (1999). It was written by Max Martin and Herbie Crichlow, with production by Martin and Kristian Lundin.

Jive Records selected the track to be released as the third single from the album, on December 14, 1999. It received generally 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 of Britney 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 the UK Singles Chart and number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The music video for the track was released on New Year's Eve of 1999 and was directed by Stuart Gosling. It follows each of the band members in a separate dramatic history, with the band uniting for the video's end. The song also earned a Grammy award nomination during the 43rd Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Background and release

"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" was written by Max Martin and Herbie Crichlow, while Martin also produced it. On the November 27, 1999, issue of Billboard Magazine, it was reported that Jive Records selected "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" as Millennium's third single.[2] The song was sent to US radio on December 14, 1999,[3] and was released in the United Kingdom as a CD and cassette single on February 21, 2000.[4]

Composition

"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is a pop and R&B ballad,[1] with Latin pop influences. Lyrically, the song deals with heartbreak and how the protagonist is dealing with loneliness. "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. It is set in the key of F♯ minor[5] and G♯ minor.

Critical reception

The song received acclaim from most music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic picked 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 Taylor of Billboard named 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, writing that, "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-fine way to return the Boys to full glory."[1] Chuck Arnold from People Magazine said that it "captures the ache of 'something missing in my heart' with a Latin-tinged lushness."[8] Arion Berger of Rolling Stone commented 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

"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 the Billboard Hot 100 chart[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 other Billboard component charts, the song also succeeded, topping the Top 40 Mainstream chart and reaching number two on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks.[13] In Canada, the song topped the RPM Top 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

"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" was nominated for a Grammy award on the 43rd ceremony for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, but lost it to Steely Dan's "Cousin Dupree".[19] Emily Exton of VH1 placed 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 of The Celebrity Cafe also 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

Background

The music video for "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" was directed by Stuart Gosling in Los Angeles from December 11–12, 1999,[22] following the 1999 Billboard Music Awards. It follows each of the band members 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 Littrell had undergone open heart surgery the previous year for a defect he has had since birth. AJ McLean is 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 represents Kevin Richardson and 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 who Howie Dorough sees represents his sister, who died a year earlier of the disease lupus. Additionally, the bus that McLean rides is marked for "Denniz Street", and is driven by an actor who resembles Denniz PoP (who died in 1998 and produced some Backstreet Boys tracks, besides being the mentor of the song's producer Max Martin).[24] An alternate version of the video was dedicated in his honor.[25]

Synopsis

The video begins at a hospital, in which Brian Littrell watches doctors try to save a patient, also portrayed by Littrell, alluding to his open heart surgery he had. AJ McLean's scenes take place on a coach bus, which is driven by an actor who looks like Denniz Pop, while mourning the loss of a girlfriend whose photo he carries. He sees her appear on the bus, but she fades away. Kevin Richardson watches an old-age film of himself and his father in an apartment. Nick Carter walks down a city street in the rain and saves a woman from almost being hit by the bus that McLean is on. Howie Dorough drinks 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 a desaturated scheme in which only certain red elements were brightly colored, until the very end of the video when the band walks out of the city into a brightly colored field.[26]

Track listings

  • 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

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[71] Gold 35,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[72] Gold 30,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[73] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[74] Gold 40,000^
Sweden (GLF)[75] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[76] Silver 200,000^

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

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States December 14, 1999 Jive [3]
January 10, 2000 Adult contemporary radio [77]
United Kingdom February 21, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
 [4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Billboard Magazine - January 8, 2000". Billboard Magazine. January 8, 2000. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - November 27, 1999". Billboard Magazine. November 27, 1999. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1329. December 10, 1999. pp. 48, 55. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "New Releases – For Week Starting 21 February, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. February 19, 2000. p. 27. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  5. ↑ Max, Martin; Herbert, Crichlow; Boys, Backstreet (October 21, 1999). "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  6. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Millennium: Backstreet Boys". AllMusic. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  7. ↑ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen (October 23, 2001). "The Hits: Chapter One". AllMusic. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ Arnold, Chuck (August 11, 2017). "Everybody, Celebrate 20 Years of Backstreet Boys with Their 20 Best Songs". People. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  9. ↑ Berger, Arion (June 10, 1999). "Millennium". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - January 15, 2000". Billboard. January 15, 2000. p. 69. Retrieved April 6, 2014 – via Internet Archive. backstreet boys show me the meaning of being lonely billboard.
  11. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - March 18, 2000". Billboard Magazine. March 18, 2000. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - April 1, 2000". Billboard Magazine. April 2000. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  13. 1 2 "Backstreet Boys - Awards: Allmusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  14. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9979." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Backstreet Boys - Artist - Official Charts". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  17. 1 2 "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Steely Dan, Eminem, U2, Hill Score At 43rd Grammys". Billboard. February 22, 2001.
  20. ↑ Exton, Emily (August 2, 2013). "Everybody Groove To The Music: The 20 Best Backstreet Boys Songs". VH1. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  21. ↑ Sweeney, Danielle (June 20, 2013). "Top 10 Backstreet Boys Songs - The Celebrity Cafe". The Celebrity Cafe. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  22. ↑ Wild, David (January 20, 2000). "The Backstreet Boys: Winners Take All". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Backstreet Boys - Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely (Millennium 20 Edition)". YouTube. May 24, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely (Backstreet Boys) Easter Eggs". Eeggs. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  25. ↑ BackstreetBoysVEVO (May 24, 2019). "Backstreet Boys - Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely (Millennium 20 Edition)" – via YouTube.
  26. ↑ "Reviews -- January 14, 2000 - Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". Emptyv. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9773." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Hitparada radia - 8/2000" (in Czech). IFPI CR. Archived from the original on March 3, 2000. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 10. March 4, 2000. p. 13. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Billboard - February 19, 2000". Billboard. February 19, 2000. pp. 49. Retrieved April 6, 2014 – via Internet Archive. european.
  33. ↑ "Backstreet Boys: Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 8. February 19, 2000. p. 13. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (Vikuna 24.2. – 02.3. 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 25, 2000. p. 12. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  37. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 5, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  41. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". VG-lista. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  42. 1 2 Romanian peak
  43. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely" Canciones Top 50.
  45. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  50. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  51. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  52. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  53. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  54. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2000". ARIA. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2000" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Rapports annuels 2000" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Year in Focus: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 52. December 13, 2000. p. 9. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  58. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2000" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Top 100 of 2000". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  60. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2000". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  62. ↑ "End of Year Charts 2000". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  63. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 2000" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  64. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2000" (in German). Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  65. ↑ "Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100". Music Week. January 20, 2001. p. 25.
  66. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 2000". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  67. ↑ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53. December 30, 2000. p. YE-98. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 48.
  69. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 54.
  70. ↑ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 56.
  71. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  72. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  73. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Backstreet Boys; 'Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  74. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved November 14, 2018. Enter Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2000 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  75. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  76. ↑ "British single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  77. ↑ "AC: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1332. January 7, 2000. p. 82. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
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