"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
The band standing in front of a purple background.
Single by Backstreet Boys
from the album Backstreet's Back and Backstreet Boys (US)
B-side
ReleasedJune 30, 1997 (1997-06-30)
Studio
GenreDance-pop
Length
  • 4:45 (extended version)
  • 3:45 (radio edit)
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Denniz Pop
  • Max Martin
Backstreet Boys singles chronology
"Anywhere for You"
(1997)		 "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
(1997)		 "As Long as You Love Me"
(1997)
Backstreet Boys US singles chronology
"As Long as You Love Me"
(1997)		 "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
(1998)		 "I'll Never Break Your Heart"
(1998)
Alternate cover
Music video
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" on YouTube

"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" is a song by American boy band Backstreet Boys, written and produced by Denniz Pop and Max Martin. It was released as the first single from the band's second international studio album Backstreet's Back in June 1997, and the third single from their self-titled debut US studio album on March 9, 1998, although the song was already being played by many American radio stations unofficially by importing the Canadian single.[1] The accompanying music video was directed by American director Joseph Kahn.

Background and release

Zomba chairman Clive Calder suggested that "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" should be released as a single, which was met with resistance from Jive Records president Barry Weiss, as he believed that it would be weird to have a song called "Backstreet's Back" on the Backstreet Boys' first US album. The band suggested it could just mean that they were back home. After Canadian markets began playing the song, US markets near the border began picking the song up. They met with Weiss and asked that the song be added to the US album after the first million units had already been produced.[2] There are two versions of the song. The international album features the album or 7-inch version, which is the standard recording. The US album features the extended version of the song which includes an extended breakdown section, but cuts the bridge. The music video for the song was cut to both versions of the song, with the extended video released to the US market, and the standard video released everywhere else.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard stated that "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" contained a "contagious dance/pop beat and catchy hook that perfectly showcases this talented group's voices".[3] British magazine Music Week rated the song four out of five, adding that "the boys turn up the power on a strutting, soulful anthem, which will be one of the summer's bigger successes."[4] Editor Alan Jones noted that Backstreet Boys "state the obvious" in the song, "but they do it with a certain amount of style. The mid-tempo piece is instantly assimilated and well-sung, primarily as a group effort. Another major hit is guaranteed."[5]

Commercial performance

Written and produced by Max Martin and Denniz Pop, "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" is one of the Backstreet Boys' most successful singles to date. It reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States—the band's second top-ten single in the country following "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)"—and spent 22 weeks on the chart, and number three on the UK Singles Chart. It is certified platinum in the US.

Music video

Background

The accompanying music video for "Everybody" was directed by Joseph Kahn, and filmed in Los Angeles, California from June 16–18, 1997. Kahn was contacted by Jive to direct a project with a "white Jodeci". Initially unaware who the Backstreet Boys were, he was shocked by the group's European sales figures after being given a cassette tape and publicity release about them. Initially a grunge and hip-hop director, he wanted to explore the pop genre, since he grew up listening to music from the 1980s.[6]

The haunted house aesthetic was based on a treatment Kahn envisioned for rapper Ice Cube a few months prior, and was inspired by the music video for Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Kahn and the group wanted Antonio Fargas to portray the bus driver, as they were fans of Starsky & Hutch. The video shoot lasted for 36 hours, with Nick Carter's mummy shot being filmed last. Jive did not get behind the concept of the band in costumes or the $1 million requirements, and did not believe MTV would respect the video. The band ultimately had to put up their own money to shoot the video and had to fight with the label to get reimbursed once it was successful.[6] The video premiered outside the United States in July 1997, although viewers with MuchMusic USA were able to see it as at the time it was still mostly a simulcast of the Canadian channel. In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Kahn stated that the video's impact broadened his view of pop culture, while creating a new scene in the US.[6]

Synopsis

The aesthetic of the haunted house was inspired by Michael Jackson's "Thriller" music video.[6]

The video is bookended by scenes framing the context. When the Backstreet Boys' bus breaks down, their bus driver (Antonio Fargas) insists that they spend a night at a nearby haunted mansion while he gets help. It then shows Brian Littrell preparing to sleep in one of the bedrooms. While he is in bed, he pulls out a scary animal from under his covers, making him scream in horror. The musical portion of the video then starts, playing as a dream sequence in which each band member appears as a different movie monster: Littrell as a werewolf; Howie Dorough as Dracula; Nick Carter as a mummy; AJ McLean as Erik, the Phantom of the Opera; and Kevin Richardson as both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in a half-transformed Two-Face-like state. Throughout the beginning and middle of the song, the band, as monsters, mainly appear in their own individual vignettes related to their character; during the final chorus, they collectively appear in the foyer of the mansion, performing a dance routine with a group of additional dancers. Supermodel Josie Maran appears as Dorough's companion in his vignette, presumably portraying Mina Harker. At the end of the video, Littrell wakes up realizing that all was a nightmare. He talks with the members about his dream, all of them stating they had similar dreams, while trying to leave the house. However, the driver shows up, now a Frankenstein-esque monster, making the boys scream in horror.

There are two cuts of the video; one for the US market, and one for the international market, each of which features the edit of the song released on the album for that market. The international video cuts from the opening bookend to the first verse. The bridge of the song is intact and the first half of the dance routine, a ballroom dance portion, is intercut with the vignettes under it. This leads into the second half of the dance portion during the final choruses of the song which are not intercut with the vignettes. In the US cut, the ballroom half of the dance routine and the beginning of the second half are used at the start of the song during the first rhythm-only breakdown, and is not intercut with the vignettes. The second breakdown, which replaces the bridge, is accompanied only by shots from the vignettes, along with some shots of Littrell tumbling in the foyer and in the various vignettes. When the final chorus begins, the second half of the dance routine is shown again from the start, but is intercut with vignette scenes. Most of the remainder of the video is cut identically, other than several minor instances of alternate scenes or takes being used. The dance floor in the video was painted.

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
MTV Video Music Awards 1998 Best Group Video Won [7]
Best Dance Video Nominated [8]
MuchMusic Video Awards 1998 Peoples Choice Favorite International Group Won
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 1999 Favorite Song Won [7]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[65] 4× Platinum 280,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[66] Gold 25,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[67] Platinum 60,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[68] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[69] Silver 125,000*
Germany (BVMI)[70] Platinum 500,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[71] Gold 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[72] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[73] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[75] Platinum 1,200,000[76]

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

References

  1. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (PDF). R&R. March 6, 1998. p. 43. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ Interview with Backstreet Boys, management, and others from Entertainment Weekly 10th Anniversary Issue.
  3. ↑ Flick, Larry (April 4, 1998). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 65. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 5, 1997. p. 30. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  5. ↑ Jones, Alan (June 28, 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 20. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Tailor, Leena (July 14, 2017). "How 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' Director Joseph Kahn Pushed Racial Boundaries & Brought a Backstreet Boy to Tears". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Singh, Olivia. "The top boy band song from the year you were born". Insider. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  8. ↑ "1998 Video Music Awards". MTV.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2023. Note: Scroll down to Best Dance Video and tap/click on "View all nominees" to see nomination.
  9. ↑ Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (US enhanced CD single liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records. 1998. 01241-42510-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (US enhanced maxi-single liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records. 1998. 01241-42515-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (US 12-inch single sleeve). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records. 1998. 01241-42515-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (Canadian CD single liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records, BMG Music Canada. 1997. 74321-50997-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (UK & European CD single liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records, Trans Continental Records. 1997. JIVE CD 426, 0516922.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (UK CD single digipak liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records. 1997. JIVE RCD 426, 0517022.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  19. 1 2 "Billboard 16 Aug 1997". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 33. August 16, 1997. pp. 42–43. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3321." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3349." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3344." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Domina listas de popularidad". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). July 15, 1998. p. 45. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Backstreet Boys: Everybody" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 32. August 9, 1997. p. 14. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 239 Vikuna 18.9. '97 - 25.9. '97" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir. September 19, 1997. p. 22. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  30. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Backstreet Boys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 40. October 4, 1997. p. 15. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Backstreet Boys" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". VG-lista. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  36. 1 2 "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1997" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on September 22, 2005.
  37. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  38. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  39. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Backstreet Boys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  46. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1997" (in German). Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Rapports annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  50. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved November 27, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  51. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved November 27, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
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  53. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1997" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  54. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  55. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  57. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  58. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  59. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1997" (in German). Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. January 17, 1998. p. 27.
  61. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  62. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1998" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 45. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  63. ↑ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-54.
  64. ↑ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1998" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 46. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  65. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  66. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1997". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  68. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  69. ↑ "French single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Everybody" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 2012-09-26. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  70. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Backstreet Boys; 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  71. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  72. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". Recorded Music NZ.
  73. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  74. ↑ "British single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet's Back)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  75. ↑ "American single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Everybody(Backstreet's Back)". Recording Industry Association of America.
  76. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1998". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 5. BPI Communications Inc. January 30, 1999. p. 75. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
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