I WANT IT THAT WAY

BACKSTREET BOYS
SONGWRITERS: ANDREAS CARLSSON & MAX MARTIN
COUNTRY: U. S. A.
ALBUM: MILLENNIUM
LABEL: JIVE RECORDS
GENRE: POP
YEAR: 1999
 
            Backstreet Boys (often abbreviated as BSB) is an American vocal group formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The group consists of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and cousins Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson.
     The group rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys (1996). In the following year, they released their second international álbum Backstreet's Back(1997) along with their self-titled U.S. debut album, Backstreet Boys(1997), which continued the group's success worldwide. They rose to superstardom with their third studio álbum Millennium(1999) and its follow-up album, Black & Blue(2000). They also released a greatest hits album, The Hits - Chapter One (2001), with their only single, "Drowning". After a two-year hiatus, they regrouped and released a comeback álbum Never Gone(2005). After the conclusion of the Never Gone Tour in 2006, Richardson left the group to pursue other interests. The group then released two albums as a quartet: Unbreakable(2007) and This Is Us(2009).
        In 2012, the group announced that Richardson had rejoined them permanently. In the following year, 2013, they celebrated their 20th anniversary and released their first independent album, In a World Like This(2013). Their álbum DNA(2019) debuted at number one, more than two decades after the group formed, and 19 years after they last topped in 2000. They also became the first boy band to top the U.S. album charts in three decades.
          The Backstreet Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling boy band of all time, and one of the world's best-selling music artists. They are the first group since Led Zeppelin to have their first ten albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and the only boy band to do so. The albums Backstreet Boys and Millennium were both certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America(RIAA), making them one of the few bands to have multiple diamond albums. The group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 22, 2013. The group also announced their residency show, Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life in Las Vegas from March 2017 to April 2019. The group also released their first documentary movie, titled Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of in January 2015.
          "I Want It That Way" is a song by American boy band the Backstreet Boys. It was released on April 12, 1999, as the lead single from their third studio album, Millennium. It was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson, while Martin and Kristian Lundin produced it. The pop ballad talks about a relationship strained by matters of emotional or physical distance.
     Critically, the song was met with positive reception, with many critics commending its catchiness, also calling it the pop ballad of the year. 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.
      "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 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 Top 40 Mainstream charts.
          The song has been widely covered and parodied by a range of artists, including other boy bands such as JLS and One Direction, while its music video, directed by Wayne Isham, received famous parodies, including Blink 182 on their music video for "All the Small Things", Big Time Rush on their music video for "Like Nobody's Around", their music video for 'Worldwide', and the Wanted on their video for "Walks Like Rihanna". The original music video received four VMA nominations, winning Viewer's Choice.
Yeah
You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way
 
But we are two worlds apart
Can't reach to your heart
When you say
That I want it that way
 
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
 
Am I your fire?
Your one desire?
Yes, I know, yeah, it's too late
But I want it that way
 
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
 
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
 
Don't wanna hear you say, yeah
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
(Don't wanna hear you say)
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way
 
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
(Don't 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 wanna hear you say
(Don't wanna hear you say it)
I want it that way
'Cause I want it that way.

THE SOUND OF MY TEARS

DEBORAH COX
SONGWRITERS: Keith Crouch & Kipper Jones
COUNTRY: CANADA
ALBUM: DEBORAH COX
LABEL: ARISTA RECORDS
GENRE: SOUL
YEAR: 1995
 
         Deborah Cox (born July 13, 1974) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Born and raised in Toronto, she began performing on television commercials at age 12, and entered various talent shows in her teenage years before becoming a professional backing vocalist for Celine Dion. In 1994, Cox relocated to the United States and was signed to Arista Records by Clive Davis, releasing her self-titled debut album the following year. Her second studio album, One Wish(1998), was certified platinum in the United States. It was marked by the commercial success of the pop crossover single "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here", which would become her most successful entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number two and remaining there for eight consecutive weeks. Cox signed with J Records for her third studio album The Morning After (2002), which saw moderate commercial success.
          Cox ventured into acting in the 2000s, making her film debut in the Canadian drama film Love Come Down (2000) and her stage debut in 2004, in the title role in the Broadway musical Aida. She has since appeared in smaller films and several musical productions, including the horror-drama Jekyll & Hyde, the biographical musical Josephine and the musical adaptation of The Bodyguard. Cox's most recent studio albums, Destination Moon(2007) and The Promise (2008), have been released through her own independent record label, Deco Recording Group. In 2017, her single "Let the World Be Ours Tonight" became her 13th number-one hit on Billboard's Dance Club Songs over the span of three consecutive decades. In 2016, Billboard listed Cox at 23rd on its list of the Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists. An eight-time Juno Award nominee, she has won four awards and is often cited as Canada's top R&B artist.
         "The Sound of My Tears" is a song by Canadian singer Deborah Cox. It was written by Keith Crouch and Kipper Jones for her self-titled debut studio album(1995), while production was helmed by Crouch. The song was released as the album's fourth single along with "It Could've Been You".
Always the life of the party
Always the clown of the class
All of my friends see me happy baby
But happy is only a mask
 
Nobody knows when I'm alone inside my room
I sing another tune
 
[Chorus:]
I'm goin' down
When I hear the sound
The sound of my tears
When you're not around
It's all I can do
When I listen to
The sound of my tears baby when I'm missing you
 
Don't mind the sounds of the city baby
Don't mind the noise of the crowd
Just when I'm lonely with my thoughts of you
The silence is always too loud
 
Pay it no mind
You know the truth behind the smile
It's only just a lie
 
[Chorus x 2]
Pay it no mind
You know the truth behind the smile
It's only just a lie
 
[Repeat chorus to fade]

NOTHING’S GONNA CHANGE MY LOVE FOR YOU

GEORGE BENSON
SONGWRITERS: GERRY GOFFIN & MICHAEL MASSER
COUNTRY: U. S. A.
ALBUM: 20/20
LABEL: WARNER BROS RECORDS
GENRE: SOUL
YEAR: 1985
 
           George Washington Benson(born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist.
       A former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, playing soul jazz with Jack McDuff and others. He then launched a successful solo career, alternating between jazz, pop, R&B singing, and scat singing. His álbum Breezin' was certified triple-platinum, hitting nº 1 on the Billboard album chart in 1976. His concerts were well attended through the 1980s, and he still has a large following. Benson has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
        "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" is a song written by composers Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin. It was originally recorded by American singer and guitarist George Benson for his studio album 20/20, released by Warner Bros. Records. This original version was produced by co-writer Masser, and was released as a single in Europe only in 1985. Two years later, in 1987, Hawaiian singer Glenn Medeiros sang his cover version, which became a worldwide success.

If I had to live my life without you near me
The days would all be empty
The nights would seem so long
With you I see forever, oh so clearly
I might have been in love before
But never felt this strong
Our dreams are young and we both know
They'll take us where we want to go
Hold me now, touch me now
I don't want to live without you
 
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing's gonna change my love for you
 
If the road ahead is not so easy
Our love will lead a way for us
Like a guiding star
I'll be there for you if you should need me
You don't have to change a thing
I love you just the way you are
So come with me and share the view
I'll help you see forever too
Hold me now, touch me now
I don't want to live without you
 
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing's gonna change my love for you.

DRIVE
THE CARS
SONGWRITER: RIC OCASEK
COUNTRY: U. S. A.
ALBUM: HEARTBEAT CITY
LABEL: ELEKTRA
GENRE: BLUE-EYED SOUL
YEAR: 1983
 
       "Drive" is a song by American rock band the Cars from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City(1984). It was released on July 23, 1984, as the album's third single. Written by Ric Ocasek, the track was sung by bassist Benjamin Orr and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange with the band. Upon its release, "Drive" became the Cars' highest-charting single in most territories. In the United States, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart. It reached number five (number four on re-entry in 1985) in the United Kingdom, number four in West Germany, number six in Canada and number three (number five on re-entry in 1985) in Ireland.
     The song is most associated with the July 1985 Live Aid event, where it was performed by Benjamin Orr during the Philadelphia event; the song was also used as the background music to a montage of clips depicting the contemporaneous Ethiopian famine during the London event, which was introduced by English musician David Bowie. Following the concert, it re-entered the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number four in August 1985. Proceeds from the sales of the re-released song raised nearly £160,000 for the Band Aid Trust; Ocasek presented the charity's trustee Midge Ure with a cheque for the amount while he was in London in November 1986 promoting his solo album This Side of Paradise.
        In a retrospective review of the single, AllMusic journalist Donald A. Guarisco praised the song for being "a gorgeous ballad that matches heartfelt songwriting to an alluring electronic soundscape. The music reflects the lyrical tone with a lovely melody that rises and falls in a soothing yet sad fashion."

Who's gonna tell you when
It's too late?
Who's gonna tell you things
Aren't so great?
 
You cant go on, thinkin'
Nothings' wrong, but bye
Who's gonna drive you home
Tonight?
 
Who's gonna pick you up
When you fall?
Who's gonna hang it up
When you call?
 
Who's gonna pay attention
To your dreams?
And who's gonna plug their ears
When you scream?
 
You can't go on, thinkin'
Nothings wrong, but bye
Who's gonna drive you home, tonight?
 
Who's gonna hold you down
When you shake?
Who's gonna come around
When you break?
 
You can't go on, thinkin'
Nothin's wrong, but bye
Who's gonna drive you home, tonight?
 
Oh, you know you can't go on, thinkin'
Nothin's wrong
Who's gonna drive you home, tonight?