Incomplete (Backstreet Boys song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Incomplete" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by The Backstreet Boys | ||
| from the album Never Gone | ||
| Released | 2005 | |
| Format | Digital download | |
| Genre | Pop/Rock/Power Ballad | |
| Length | 3:57 | |
| Label | Jive | |
| Writer(s) | Dan Muckala Jess Cates Lindy Robbins |
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| Producer(s) | Dan Muckala | |
| Certification | 2x Platinum | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| The Backstreet Boys singles chronology | ||
| "Drowning" (2001) |
"Incomplete" (2005) |
"Just Want You To Know" (2005) |
"Incomplete" is a power ballad & is the first single from the Backstreet Boys album Never Gone, released in June of 2005. The song is the group's first single in over four years, as the group did not record an album between 2001 and their 2005 comeback.
Although it did not reach the US Hot 100 Top Ten (it peaked at #13), the song debuted at #1 on the Australian ARIA charts, and has sold over 250,000 units worldwide, earning it gold status. "Incomplete" is the first Backstreet Boys single to ever reach #1 on the Australian charts. It has also reached #8 on the UK Singles Chart. It reached the top spot in the Philippines, China, Canada and Indonesia and was one of the most popular singles released in 2005.
[edit] Music video
Directed by Joseph Kahn, the Backstreet Boys brave all the elements in their "Incomplete" video, from rain and wind to fire and ice. The group shot the clip in Lancaster and Zuma Beach, California, racing from one location to another to take advantage of the fading sunlight. According to Kahn, there was no emulation in the video, which meant the look they were going for was contingent on the sun, like a logistical timing nightmare. In one sunset setup, they only had 15 minutes of light, so the crew lay on the ground so their shadows would not interfere. The approach was to simplify the video down to the bare bones so that it would be "a love letter to their fans," he said. "And the elements are sort of embracing their performance, so it feels like emotions."
Kahn used natural elements, including fire, snow, wind and rain, to symbolize the group's contrasting personalities. He decided that A.J. McLean embodies the band's rock and roll sensibilities, with his "fiery light and Hollywood cool", so he framed McLean by the sun as he drives a classic car down the highway.
Nick Carter is "very volatile at times, beautiful to look at, but dangerous if you get too close", so he is represented by fire. In the video, Carter torches McLean's '68 GTO (the original idea was to torch a barn, but the local fire marshal wouldn't give approval).
Howie Dorough, the "slick guy in the group," according to Kahn, became rain. He sits under an old Joshua tree as a gust of wind picks up and the downpour starts.
Kevin Richardson, "the most mature and reserved" Backstreet Boy, is "colder," so he became snow. He is seated at a white piano in the midst of a smoldering forest as a flurry starts and smoke rises from the ground.
And finally Brian Littrell, who Kahn describes as "this big ball of energy, you can't stop him," became the crashing waves of the ocean. He stands with his legs in the water as thunderclouds assemble above him.
At the end of the video, the gang reunites to walk through the desert at sunset, framed in a near-silhouette as the sun flares off the lens.
The song features on the compilation album The Best of 2005.
[edit] Lyrics
Empty spaces fill me up with holes
Distant faces with no place left to go
Without you within me I can't find no way
Where I’m going is anybody’s guess
I’ve tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete
Voices tell me I should carry on
But I am swimming in an ocean all alone
Baby, my baby
It’s written on your face
You still wonder if we made a big mistake
I’ve tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete
I don’t mean to drag it on
But I can’t seem to let you go
I don’t wanna make you face this world alone
I wanna let you go (alone)
I’ve tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete
Incomplete
| Preceded by "Don't Phunk With My Heart" by The Black Eyed Peas |
ARIA (Australia) number one single June 19, 2005 |
Succeeded by "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey |
Current members: Brian Littrell · AJ McLean · Nick Carter · Howie Dorough
Former member: Kevin Richardson
Studio albums: Backstreet Boys · Backstreet's Back · Millennium · Black & Blue · The Hits: Chapter One · Never Gone
Singles: "We've Got It Goin' On" · "Get Down (You're the One For Me)" · "Anywhere For You" · "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)"
"As Long As You Love Me" · "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" · "I'll Never Break Your Heart" · "All I Have to Give"
"I Want It That Way" · "Larger Than Life" · "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" · "The One" · "Shape of My Heart"
"The Call" · "More Than That" · "Drowning" · "Incomplete" · "Just Want You To Know"
"Crawling Back to You" · "I Still"
Related articles: Discography · Awards · Jive
