"Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)"
Single by Backstreet Boys
from the album Backstreet Boys (international and US)
B-side
  • "Lay Down Beside Me"
  • "Give Me Your Heart"
  • "Christmas Time"
  • "Anywhere for You"
  • "Don't Leave Me"
  • "Nobody but You"
  • "Backstreet Boys Present... (Album Medley)"
ReleasedOctober 14, 1996 (1996-10-14)
RecordedJune 1995[1]
August 1996 (re-recording)
StudioCheiron (Stockholm, Sweden), Battery (London, UK)[2]
Genre
Length3:52
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Backstreet Boys singles chronology
"Get Down (You're the One for Me)"
(1996)		 "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)"
(1996)		 "Anywhere for You"
(1997)
Backstreet Boys US singles chronology
"We've Got It Goin' On"
(1995)		 "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)"
(1997)		 "As Long as You Love Me"
(1997)
Alternate cover
Audio sample
A sample from "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)"
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" on YouTube

"Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" is a song by American boy band Backstreet Boys, released in October 1996 as the fourth single from their international debut album (1996). It reached No. 1 in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, and Switzerland, No. 2 in the United Kingdom, and No. 7 in the Netherlands. The song was later included on the band's debut US album and was released as its second single in June 1997, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that September, making it their most successful single on the chart. It sold 2 million copies in the US.[3] Rolling Stone ranked the song at No. 26 on their list of the "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time" in 2020.[4]

Background

Initially, Nick Carter, aged 15 at the time, was unable to sing on the recording of the song as he was undergoing puberty. The remaining band members were brought over to Stockholm for a week to record "We've Got It Goin' On" in late June 1995. They unexpectedly finished the song in just two days and decided to record "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" immediately afterwards.[5] The single was not the label's first choice to release for the group's US return, as they initially wanted to release the Mutt Lange-produced "If You Want It to Be Good Girl (Get Yourself a Bad Boy)", but the band argued against it, claiming that it was one of their worst songs.[5] Jive president Barry Weiss claimed that the other serious contenders included "Anywhere for You" and "All I Have to Give".[5] The group also wanted to reshoot the music video, but the label refused, arguing that they only planned to market towards radio, not video. The song ultimately succeeded without MTV support.[5] The background vocals in the song, besides McLean's self-harmonization on the bridge, consisted of Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson, who decided to finish the song while the other members were having lunch.[5]

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the "slick production adds luster to the singles "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me", making them as irresistible as teen pop can be."[6] Larry Flick from Billboard noted that the song "cruises at a sweet jeep/funk pace, leaving plenty of room for a romantic lead vocal and layers of smooth harmonies."[7] Can't Stop the Pop commented, "This is very much the archetypal Backstreet Boys mid-tempo, which laid the groundwork for many of their subsequent hits. [...] It expertly weaves together a distinctive guitar melody with shimmering ‘90s pop production (and a pseudo-R&B beat) to create a song that glistens with a halcyon sunniness from start to finish. Cheiron would refine and evolve the formula in the years that followed, but here we have it in its purest form. And it is terrific."[8]

Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune said that on "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long As You Love Me", "the boys embodied teen-dream vulnerability."[9] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song three out of five, viewing it as "a warm, mid-tempo, but somewhat unexceptional, R&B number. A fourth big UK hit beckons."[10] Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times described it as "bittersweet".[11] People Magazine called it a "peppy" ballad, noting that "despite a tinge of melancholy in the group's harmonies, one can't help smiling."[12] Bob Waliszewski of Plugged In said that on the song, "the singer longs to return to days before insensitivity and manipulation threatened to destroy the friendship."[13] Polish magazine Porcys listed it at number 96 in their ranking of "100 Singles 1990-1999", calling it a "clever" ballad.[14]

Variations

Original version

The original recording of the song features Brian Littrell singing both verses. This version was featured on the early release of their 1996 debut album and is featured on the 1997 debut US album.

Single version

A year and half after it was recorded, Max Martin was flown to London in August 1996 to re-record the second verse with Nick Carter at Battery Studios.[5] This version was added to the later pressings of their 1996 international debut album and on the 1998 re-release of the US debut album. This is the version that was released as a single.

Italian version

There is also an Italian version of this song, titled "Non Puoi Lasciarmi Così", included in the Italian release of the international debut album. The lead vocals of the first two verses are sung by Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough.

Modern Talking

"Don't Play with My Heart", a song from Modern Talking's 1998 album Back for Good, closely resembles this song.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" was filmed in Orlando, Florida on July 1, 1996.[15] It was directed by Kai Sehr, and shows the group dancing and singing on a deserted basketball court at night. Halfway in the video, it begins to rain. Then the boys' shirts are unbuttoned, showing their bare upper bodies as they continues to perform wet in the rain.

During the video shoot, Nick Carter lip-synced over Brian Littrell's vocals, as he didn't record his vocals until August that year.[16] Initially, MTV was hesitant to air the video due to the boys taking their shirts off in the rain, but reluctantly embraced it after TRL viewership caught on with audiences.[16] The music video premiered in October 1996 in Germany and in the week of June 15–22, 1997 in the U.S..[17]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[67] Gold 35,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[68] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[69] Platinum 500,000^
Poland (ZPAV)[70] Gold 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[72] Platinum 1,200,000[73]

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

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Europe October 14, 1996
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 Jive [26]
United Kingdom January 6, 1997
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [74]
United States April 15, 1997 Contemporary hit radio [75]
Japan April 23, 1997 CD [76]
United States June 10, 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [77]

References

  1. ↑ Golden, Anna Louise (September 15, 2015). Backstreet Boys: They've Got It Goin' On!. St. Martin's Publishing. ISBN 9781250098207.
  2. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) (1997, CD)". Discogs. August 29, 1997.
  3. ↑ "Backstreet Boys - Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  4. ↑ "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Interview with Backstreet Boys, management, and others from Entertainment Weekly 10th Anniversary Issue.
  6. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Backstreet Boys - Backstreet's Back". AllMusic. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  7. ↑ Flick, Larry (June 14, 1997). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 74. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)". Can't Stop the Pop. January 4, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ Kot, Greg (May 21, 1999). "Backstreet Boys pick up where ABBA left off". The Day. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. December 28, 1996. p. 17. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  11. ↑ Martinez, Gerald (January 18, 1998). "Bryan Adams — unplugged wonder". New Sunday Times. p. 17. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Backstreet Boys". People. September 15, 1997. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  13. ↑ Waliszewski, Bob. "Backstreet Boys". Plugged In. Focus on the Family. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  14. ↑ "100 Singli 1990-1999". Porcys (in Polish). August 20, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Backstreet boys 01.07,1996 High Resolution Stock Photography and Images".
  16. 1 2 Weatherby, Taylor (August 10, 2017). "'It's What America Needed at That Time': Backstreet Boys Look Back on Their U.S. Debut, 20 Years Later". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Billboard". July 5, 1997.
  18. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3355." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. January 18, 1997. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 1–3. January 18, 1997. p. 23. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  25. ↑ Billboard - Google Books. December 7, 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2014 – via Google Books.
  26. 1 2 "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 208 Vikuna 13.2. '97 - 19.2. '97" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir. February 14, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  28. ↑ "QUIT PLAYIN' GAMES (WITH MY HEART)". The Irish Charts. "Search for "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" in the search bar.". Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  29. ↑ "M-1 TOP 40". M-1.fm. November 17, 1996. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Backstreet Boys" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)". VG-lista. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Major Market Airplay - Week 49/1996" (PDF). Music & Media. December 7, 1996. p. 23. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  42. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Backstreet Boys: Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  45. ↑ 1996 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved April 20, 2010)
  46. ↑ 1996 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived October 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved April 20, 2010)
  47. ↑ 1996 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived June 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved April 20, 2010)
  48. ↑ Billboard - Google Books. January 1, 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2014 – via Google Books.
  49. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1996". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  51. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  52. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  53. ↑ 1997 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved April 20, 2010)
  54. ↑ 1997 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived June 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved April 20, 2010)
  55. ↑ "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  56. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  57. ↑ 1997 UK Singles Chart [www.officialcharts.com] (Retrieved April 20, 2010)
  58. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1997". Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  59. ↑ "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-82. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  60. ↑ "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-45. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  61. ↑ "Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 26, 1997. p. 42.
  62. ↑ "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 26, 1997. p. 38.
  63. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  64. ↑ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-95. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  65. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 55.
  66. ↑ Geoff Mayfield (December 25, 1999). 1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade - The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s. Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  67. ↑ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2020 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  68. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  69. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Backstreet Boys; 'Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  70. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 1999 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  71. ↑ "British single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  72. ↑ "American single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)". Recording Industry Association of America.
  73. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 5. BPI Communications Inc. January 31, 1998. p. 76. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  74. ↑ "Reviews – Records Out on January 6/13 1997". Music Week. December 28, 1996. p. 17.
  75. ↑ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1192. April 11, 1997. p. 33.
  76. ↑ "クイット・プレイング・ゲームズ | バックストリート・ボーイズ" [Quit Playing Games | Backstreet Boys] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  77. ↑ Reece, Doug (July 19, 1997). "Backstreet Boys Move onto Main". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 29. p. 16. ['Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)'], which was released June 10...
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