# We've Got It Goin' On

"We've Got It Goin' On" is the debut single by American boy band Backstreet Boys. It was released on September 11, 1995 by Jive Records, as the lead single from their self-titled debut album (1996). The song was recorded at Cheiron Studios in Sweden during a week in June 1995. It was written and produced by Max Martin and his then-mentor Denniz Pop, with extra writing from Herbert Crichlow and was later included in the US album and achieved success worldwide. The single peaked at number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent 20 weeks on the chart. It was released across Europe, where it reached the top five in several countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached number five. The accompanying music video was directed by Lionel C. Martin and filmed in Orlando, Florida.

## Background

The group was brought over to Stockholm for a week to record the song in June 1995. However, they finished unexpectedly in just two days, which producers Max Martin and Denniz Pop then suggested recording "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" immediately afterwards.

## Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Photogenic young male quintet looks ready to jump into the void long left open by the now-absent New Kids On The Block. They harmonize, grunt, and chant with faux-street authority over a Euro-savvy pop/jeep groove. Odds are good that they will go home winners." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report noted that ranging in age from 15 to 22, "this Orlando-based quintet counts acts like Boyz II Men, Shai and Jodeci among their influences. The approach though is very much their own and the music fills a void on Top 40 right now. They shouldn't have to wait long to go on playlists." Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian commented in her review of the album, "However, they muster an unexpected guttural naughtiness on 'We've Got It Goin' On' that keeps things from hitting Boyzone-like depths of sickliness."
Pan-European magazine Music & Media said, "The two cousins from Kentucky and their three Florida friends are no strangers to Boyz II Men's brand of soulful spine-chilling harmonizing, and they do it with style." They also described the song as both "up-tempo" and "infectious". Music Week gave it four out of five, adding, "They're America's New Kids but Backstreet Boys' first single sounds more like MN8. It's powerful, dirty, soulful and commercial enough to catch on in the UK." Gavin Reeve from Smash Hits gave it a top score of five out of five and named it Best New Single, writing, "This, their debut single is a funky cros between MN8 'I've Got a Little Something for You' and the "Mr So-oft" chewy mint ads and it's catchier than the fearsome cold that's going round our office. So clear some space on your walls, practise saying "Take Who?" and get ready to fall in love. There is no escape!"

## Chart performance

"We've Got It Goin' On" entered the top 10 in Austria (#3), Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), France, Germany (#4), the Netherlands, Switzerland (#3) and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it reached number five in March 1996. In the UK, the single peaked at number three during its second run on the UK Singles Chart, on August 18, 1996. Additionally, "We've Got It Goin' On" was a top-20 hit in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, and Sweden. Outside Europe, it reached number 11 on the Canadian Singles Chart, number 36 in New Zealand, number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 74 in Australia. The single received a gold record in Austria (25,000), Belgium (25,000) and Germany (250,000).

## Music video

The band's first music video, which was for "We've Got It Goin' On", was filmed on August 19, 1995, in Orlando, Florida was directed by American director and VJ Lionel C. Martin, and is prefaced by a radio interview with the now-former on-air staffer “Hildi” on XL 106.7 (WXXL). The video itself shows the band singing at a gym, outdoors at a park area, and in a studio space, as well as dancing onstage at a club, and playing at an arcade pool hall. In an episode, Brian Littrell deserts his girlfriend washing a Jeep Grand Cherokee to play basketball, for which she takes revenge by soaking him. The scene featured Brian's actual then-girlfriend Samantha Stonebraker and her brother Steven, while AJ McLean's then girlfriend Marissa Jackson appears as the money collector during the Pool game in the video. There is also a brief cameo by Lou Pearlman.

## Credits and personnel

* Written by Denniz Pop, Herbert Crichlow and Max Martin
* Produced by Denniz Pop and Max Martin
* Recorded and mixed at Cheiron Studios, Stockholm, Sweden

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 25,000$^*$ |
| Belgium (BEA) | Gold | 25,000$^*$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 250,000$^^$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
| Europe | September 11, 1995 | CD | Jive |
| United States | September 19, 1995 | Contemporary hit radiorhythmic contemporary radio | Jive |
| United Kingdom | October 9, 1995 | 12-inch vinylCDcassette | Jive |
| United Kingdom (re-release) | August 12, 1996 | CDcassette | Jive |
| Japan | January 22, 1997 | CD | Jive |