Backstreet Boys - Straight Through My Heart
Post categories: Reviews
| 09:23 UK time, Sunday, 27 September 2009
Here's a brief summary of my relationship with the Backstreet Boys (cue epic learning music from the history channel): Age 11, I get a free VHS with Smash Hits which features 'Get Down'. I feel love for the first time. Age 12, me and my best friend find tickets in our Christmas crackers for a BSB concert. Age 12-and-a-half, I learn how to sing 'Quit Playing Games' in Spanish. Age 12-and-three-quarters, I see BSB in concert and swear that Nick Carter looked straight at me, even though it was at Wembley Arena and I was in the furthest corner possible. Age 13: I call my local radio station and am put live on air requesting 'I Want It That Way'. Age 14: ...and my obsession continues to grow...
And this, people, is why I am so unbelievably disappointed at their awful comeback effort. As in, I could actually cry. CRY!
( - this only adds to my immense disappointment, and I'm not just talking about AJ's baldness. It starts off as if it's going to be 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' part two. To clarify: it is not).
Let's start with what's most disappointing about the song: and that is the chorus. The verses are a bit of a non-thing, a little on the generic side (not to mention a little cringe with the whole echo-effect thing), but they're not offensive. Anyway, when it comes to the Backstreet Boys, you expect that from a verse because they always have that killer chorus which makes up for EVERYTHING.
Here though, the killer chorus just leaves me feeling a little bit dead inside from listening to it.
Yes, I know 90's euro pop is a big trend at the moment (see: Little Boots, Sugababes, JLS etc for more on that), but guys - not like this. It's awful and sounds like a flipping Westlife song put to an Aqua beat. There's no imagination and no charm. It's a poor man's version of both JLS 'Beat Again' and Akon/David Guetta's 'Sexy Chick' that feels dated and irrelevant.
However, there is a little ray of hope. Grant ChartBlog just pointed out, while the lyrics leave little to be desired, at least they work on two levels - on the surface it seems that this song is about being heartbroken, but underneath it all the lyrics "straight through my heart" and "solider down (my heart)" take on a whole different meaning when you recall that Brian BSB had a hole in his heart. Really.
The real saving grace with the song comes midway through the chorus - the blend of the voices and that familiar BSB melody reawakens the raw undying love I have for them and reminds me of my childhood.
So while I'll probably be down the front at the gig next year (because first love never dies), one thing is for sure: I certainly won't be learning the words to this one in Spanish.
Download: Out now
CD Released: September 28th
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Music page
(Vicki Lutas)
Ps. Nick really did look at me during the gig, by the way. Just so we're clear.
Comment number 1.
At 27th Sep 2009, flatknees wrote:hahahaahahahaha.. the the song combined with the video is hilarious.. 'vampires - dark nasty things but are also kinda hot as they are really brooding and passionate and stuff...' and then the song starts up and its pretty happy clappy really..
watch 'Blade' if you want to see how a vampire club should be done lol
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Comment number 2.
At 27th Sep 2009, RandomEnigma wrote:Didn't the Backstreet Boys make a comeback a few years ago? Except they went for a more mature pop rock sound? Why go back to the cheesy pop? It's disgusting!
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Comment number 3.
At 27th Sep 2009, kingshleppy wrote:Really hit a bum note with this one guys!!!!HA!!!
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Comment number 4.
At 28th Sep 2009, angelDesi_gal wrote:OMGEE . dont diss the BSB!! yeaa i'll admit the video is kinda unvelevant buh this tune is hott! kinda reminds me of enriques song 'Takin back my love' ft ciara. So glad backstreet boys came back. they're gna be GREAT ;)
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Comment number 5.
At 29th Sep 2009, amarkullar wrote:I expected backstreet boys to make it big in this comeback but this seems to be wierd.. Please do something guys else it is tough
Amarjit Singh Kullar
www.amarjitsinghkullar.biz
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Comment number 6.
At 29th Sep 2009, flatknees wrote:dont EVER compare BSB to enrique! he is a god! BSB are mere galley slaves compared to el diablo.
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Comment number 7.
At 30th Sep 2009, i_amLizCarter wrote:It's crazy but I can relate to every word in your review (apart from Nick looking at you in the gig, I swear Brian was looking at me). When I came across the Westlife and Aqua comment, I was so shocked because that's exactly what I thought when I heard the song for the first time. Like you, my first love never dies and so I will be buying all their albums and going to all their gigs in hope that we can fall in love with them (more) once again.
Looking forward to reading your review for the album that's coming out soon :)
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Comment number 8.
At 1st Oct 2009, Plumstead17 wrote:I think the Backstreet Boys have made a great comeback, i am pleading with the dj's to give this song a chance and give it the airplay it deserves! Gurantee it would be a hit!
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Comment number 9.
At 1st Oct 2009, spirit wrote:I feel your passion plum . It would appear to me , that in todays current climate this song does not sound contemporary enough or have a big enough chorus hook , to get blanket radio play and be a top ten hit . I think this song will struggle to be a big hit . The boys look good and sing well but they are let down by an unremarkable song and a dated production . This will not be a top ten hit .
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Comment number 10.
At 2nd Oct 2009, i_amLizCarter wrote:Although I have to agree with you that this song is a bit of a disappoint...I just managed to get a hold of the album, and it's brilliant. Very contemporary, and the boys vocals have improved too. Most of the songs are potential hits. Please write a review of the album soon!
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Comment number 11.
At 3rd Oct 2009, thranjax wrote:"I feel your passion plum"
Some people would call that harrassment Spirit :)
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Comment number 12.
At 4th Oct 2009, kookie25 wrote:hmmm, yes, as a fellow BSB obsessive who's obsession with never die, i too agree that BSB's album is not going to lighting any charts on fire. Die hard fans will buy it, but possibly thats it unfort.
I was listening to the whole album streaming on a website, and i think it is probably the best song the album, I do like it, and did when i first heard it, but its nothing ground breaking. They say they do 'pop r'n'b' but bless them, i dont think that's ever been true.... Unfort. their most popular songs are usually ballads and i dont think theres a 'shape of my heart' or 'incomplete' on here...
and yeah the vid director has been wathcing too much Blade.
i'll prob buy the album because its BSB, not cos i love it...
clearly, Kevin was the best (as he was) and that's why things havnt been the same :P :P
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Comment number 13.
At 5th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:Just to stress my point at 9 , that this song does not have a "NOW " feel or a strong enough chorus to be a hit.
This song currently in the UK singles chart , was a new entry at...................................................................................................
NUMBER 72 !
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Comment number 14.
At 5th Oct 2009, kookie25 wrote:I didn't even know it had been released....
speaking of low entries, i've off to find out if Nat Imbruglias single flopped :-(
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Comment number 15.
At 5th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:I know !
One daily newspaper said two months ago that "Want " would be a top 5 hit .
Where is it ?
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Comment number 16.
At 5th Oct 2009, kookie25 wrote:sorry to go off topic....... but nat ended up at 88! lower than BSB!
she did loads of promo - and i love the song.. whats up!
on topic - anyone want to give me a ticket to see BSB? :-)
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Comment number 17.
At 9th Oct 2009, BLING-BWOY wrote:I'm disappointed to hear this Euro-beat sound being used a lot by American artists who used to make R&B/pop. The chorus sounds like a eurovision song from norway or holland. Boring.
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Comment number 18.
At 12th Oct 2009, angelDesi_gal wrote:Enrique aint THAT good :/ buh heyy everyone can have an opinion :)
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