When 'N Sync usurped the Backstreet Boys' record of number of albums sold in a single week early in 2000, it had to hurt the Backstreets, since it was played in the press as if they had lost the teen pop throne. By the time the group released their third album, Black & Blue, Thanksgiving week 2000, 'N Sync was still popular, but the arc of No Strings Attached illustrated that they were weak where the Backstreets were strong -- namely, they couldn't really deliver the seductive mid-tempo pop tunes and ballads that were the backbone of the Boys' crossover success. Songs like "Shape of My Heart," which flows as gracefully as "I Want It That Way," prove that the Backstreet Boys do teen pop ballads better than anyone, but what's interesting about Black & Blue is how aggressively they protect their territory. Of course, it's relative protection, since they, like 'N Sync and Britney Spears, work with Max Martin, the man behind the biggest hits by all three artists. Consequently, it's not a coincidence that "Get Another Boyfriend" is a dead ringer for "It's Gonna Be Me" crossed with "Baby One More Time," but what gives Black & Blue character is that it's clear that the Backstreets want to remain kings of their world. So, the ballads are smoother than ever, and their dance numbers hit harder, all in an attempt to keep their throne. It works, even if it takes a couple spins before the singles stand out, since the Backstreets' material and voices are stronger than that of their peers, adding up to state of the art teen-pop. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Babyface (Guitar), Babyface (Keyboards), Babyface (Vocals (Background)), Babyface (Producer), Babyface (Drum Programming), Bob Brown (Engineer), Timmy Allen (Arranger), Timmy Allen (Producer), Tony Battaglia (Guitar (Acoustic)), Randy Bowland (Guitar), Jimmy Bralower (Drum Programming), Larry Campbell (Producer), Larry Campbell (Musician), Nathan East (Bass), Jon Gass (Mixing Engineer), Mick Guzauski (Mixing Engineer), Henrik Janson (Guitar), Henrik Janson (String Arrangements), Henrik Janson (String Conductor), Ulf Janson (Conductor), Ulf Janson (String Arrangements), Mike Thomson (Guitar), Chris Trevett (Mixing), Michael Tucker (Vocal Engineer), Rodney Jerkins (Producer), Rodney Jerkins (Musician), David Krueger (Arranger), David Krueger (Keyboards), David Krueger (Programming), David Krueger (Producer), David Krueger (Engineer), Backstreet Boys (Vocals (Background)), Backstreet Boys (Main Performer), Tom Coyne (Mastering), Jamie Allen (Assistant Engineer), George Spatta (Engineer), Charles McCrorey (Assistant Engineer), Paul Boutin (Engineer), Dexter Simmons (Mixing Engineer), Kyle Bess (Mixing Assistant), Nick Gamma (Art Direction), Max Martin (Guitar), Max Martin (Producer), Max Martin (Engineer), Max Martin (Mixing), Max Martin (Musician), Jackie Murphy (Art Direction), Esbjörn Öhrwall (Guitar (Acoustic)), Esbjörn Öhrwall (Guitar), Esbjörn Öhrwall (Guitar (Electric)), Flip Osman (Editing), Flip Osman (Mixing Assistant), Veit Renn (String Arrangements), Paul Foley (Engineer), Nick Carter (Vocals), Kevin Richardson (Vocals), Howie Dorough (Arranger), Howie Dorough (Vocals), Howie Dorough (Vocal Arrangement), Brian Littrell (Vocals), A.J. McLean (Vocals), Adam Barber (Engineer), Thomas Lindberg (Bass), Per Magnusson (Arranger), Per Magnusson (Keyboards), Per Magnusson (Programming), Per Magnusson (Producer), Per Magnusson (Engineer), Peter Svensson (Guitar), John Amatiello (Assistant Engineer), John Amatiello (Vocal Engineer), John Amatiello (Pro-Tools), Bernard Löhr (Mixing Engineer), Alan Armitage (Engineer), Keith B. Armstrong (Assistant Engineer), Kristian Lundin (Producer), Kristian Lundin (Engineer), Rami (Producer), Rami (Engineer), Rami (Mixing), Rami (Musician), Stefan Boman (Vocal Engineer), Gustave Lund (Percussion), Kyle Scholler (Assistant Engineer), Marcelo Zolessi (Assistant Engineer), Shane Stoneback (Assistant Engineer), Resig (Photography), Dona Kay Flint (String Contractor), Fraciz (Arranger), Fraciz (Producer), Chris Haggerty (Digital Editing), Dirk Woodruff (Engineer), Toby Dearborn (Assistant Engineer), Toby Dearborn (Assistant Vocal Engineer), LePont (Arranger), LePont (Producer), Bjorn Noren (String Engineer), Johan Gunnarsson (Engineer), Johan Gunnarsson (Mixing Assistant), Johan Gunnarsson (String Engineer), Scott McMahon (Make-Up), Scott McMahon (Hair Stylist)
Black & Blue is the follow-up album to the Backstreet Boys' 1999 studio release Millennium. It is their fourth album (but their third U.S. album release). In the United States, Black & Blue sold 1.6 million discs in its first week of release[3], making them the first group in Soundscan history to have million-plus first-week sales with back-to-back albums. The album recorded the best international sales in a week for album in history by selling over 5 million copies in it's first week of sales.The album was the eighth highest-selling album [4] in the US in 2000. The album achieved platinum status in over 30 countries and gold certification in 10 regions around the world during its first week of release. Despite the excellent sales, Black and Blue never matched up to the hype that their first two albums made. The first single off the album was "Shape of My Heart," followed by "The Call" and "More Than That." The band members co-wrote five of the songs and wrote two songs on this album, a departure from previous albums, which showcased less of their own song-writing. Black & Blue sold 24 million albums worldwide[5].
"How Did I Fall in Love With You" (Howie Dorough, Fromm, MacColl) – 4:08
Europe Version
"What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)" (Howie Dorough, Diamond, Carlsson) – 3:35 Lead vocals by Howie and Brian
"How Did I Fall in Love With You" (Howie Dorough, Fromm, MacColl) – 4:06
Japan & Australian Version
"What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)" (Howie Dorough, Diamond, Carlsson) – 3:35
"How Did I Fall in Love With You" (Howie Dorough, Fromm, MacColl) – 4:06
"All I Have to Give (A Capella)" (Full Force)- 3:48
Chart positions
Year
Chart
Position
2000
The Billboard 200
1
Album facts
To celebrate the release of Black & Blue, Backstreet Boys embarked on a 100-hour "Around the World" trek with stops in Europe (Stockholm), Asia (Tokyo), Australia (Sydney),South Africa (Cape Town), South America (Rio) before returning to North America (New York). At each stop along the tour, the group visited local landmarks, held press conferences, met fans, and performed brief a cappella versions of their hit single "Shape of My Heart".
Black & Blue featured production from the Cherion team (Max Martin, Kristian Lundin, Rami, Jake, Per Magnusson, David Kreuger); Babyface; Rodney Jerkins; Timmy Allen; Franciz & LePont; and Larry "Rock" Campbell.
In its first week of release, Black & Blue's first single "Shape of My Heart" received adds to 170 out of 171 of the Top 40 stations in the U.S. Meanwhile overseas, the song immediately jumped into the Top Five in Sweden (#1), Norway (#1), Canada (#1), Germany (#2), Switzerland (#4), Austria (#5), Australia (#5) and Holland (#5).
Backstreet Boys launched three U.S. tours in support of Black & Blue: The first leg kicked off January 22. The second leg began June 8 in the group's hometown of Orlando, FL, and was temporarily put on hold July 9, in order for group member A.J. McLean to seek treatment for clinical depression which led to anxiety attacks and the excessive consumption of alcohol. The tour resumed August 24 in Milwaukee, WI, and wrapped up October 19 in Las Vegas, NV.
