# I Want You Back (NSYNC song)

"I Want You Back" is a song by American boy band NSYNC, from their debut studio album, NSYNC (1997). It was released in Germany on October 15, 1996, as the band's debut single. The dance-pop and pop song was later released in the United States on February 17, 1998, and in the United Kingdom on February 15, 1999. It was written and produced by Max Martin and Denniz Pop. In its initial release, "I Want You Back" peaked at number ten in Germany. After releasing internationally, the song charted at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and at number five on the UK Singles Chart. Two music videos for "I Want You Back" were released for the song's initial release and global re-release, which were directed by Alan Calzatti, and Jesse Vaughan and Douglas Biro respectively.

## Background and composition

"I Want You Back" was written and produced by Max Martin and his then-mentor Denniz Pop. NSYNC were flown over to Stockholm to record the song in 1996. In a 2018 interview with Billboard, band member Joey Fatone described the song as "edgy for pop" and was apprehensive about its reception with listeners. "I Want You Back" was released as a CD single in Germany on October 4, 1996, and eventually in the United States on February 17, 1998. The song was also distributed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 1999. "I Want You Back" was sent out to American CHR stations on December 29, 1997, prior to the song's release as a CD single in the US.
Musically, "I Want You Back" is a dance-pop and pop song. According to the sheet music that was published on Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, the song is set in the time signature of $^4$ $_4$ common time, with a tempo of 110 beats per minute, while composed in the key of G♯ minor. NSYNC's vocals on the track ranges from the low note of E$_4$ to the high note of G♯$_5$, while the song is constructed in verse–chorus form.

## Commercial performance

"I Want You Back" peaked in the top 10 in Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada. The song also topped the chart in the Netherlands. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified gold in the United States, Germany, and Australia.

## Music videos

Two versions of the music video for "I Want You Back" were released: one for the song's original release, and the other for its global re-release.

### Original version

The first video was shot in Stockholm, Sweden from August 15–16, 1996 by Alan Calzatti. It was released with the original German release of the song in October 1996. It depicts the NSYNC members in a space station, with many high-tech effects playing out around them. The video was filmed using a green screen, as each member walked on treadmills. The band attempt to contact a girl through a computer, in order to bring her onto the ship, while they are dancing throughout the video.

### Alternate version

The second video accompanied the British and US release of the song in 1998 and was directed by Jesse Vaughan and Douglas Biro in America. The video was partially shot in grayscale, and depicts NSYNC performing in a warehouse, playing pool, riding jet-skis, and driving around the neighborhood with a girl in a Cadillac. JC Chasez opined that this version was the moment where "we just made a real music video".

## Certifications

Certifications and sales for "I Want You Back" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 35,000$^^$ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 40,000$^‡$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 250,000$^^$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000$^‡$ |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 600,000 |
| $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "I Want You Back" :
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label |
| Germany | October 4, 1996 | CD single | Sony |
| Japan | November 1, 1997 | CD single | Ariola Japan |
| United States | December 29, 1997 | Contemporary hit radiorhythmic contemporary radio | Jive |
| United States | February 17, 1998 | CD single | Jive |
| United Kingdom | February 15, 1999 | CD singlecassette single | Northwestside |