Backstreet Boys Songs Decoded, 15 Years Later

It's been fifteen years since Backstreet Boys released their album Millennium, forever solidifying their place in the cannon of timeless boy bands and creating a new standard in outfit matching-ness. And can we talk about those outfits? Even though they often got lumped in with rival boy band N*Sync because they did all kind of look the same, the Backstreet Boys were unique in that they took the whole Y2K collective anxiety and futuristic, millennium-themed aesthetic and just kind ran with it, creating an album that doubles as a time capsule of a very specific moment in time.

The Backstreet Boys are all married with kids now, but let's not forget that BSB was at the forefront of the boyband craze, and one of the most popular all-dude groups all all time. They were a staple on TRL, and Millennium gave us what is quite possibly what is arguably the best turn-of-the-millenium pop song, "I Want It That Way".

Even though Millennium came out fifteen years ago, the songs are lyrics are definitely still relevant. Some of us might have been too young to understand the real meaning behind the songs when the album was first released, so we've gone ahead and decoded what the song lyrics of Millennium really mean:

"Larger Than Life"

Lyrics: I may run and hide/When you're screamin' my name, alright/But let me tell you now/There are prices to fame, alright/ All of our time spent in flashes of light

Translation: Fame isn't always what it's cracked up to be, what with all the screaming fans and blinding UV light of the tanning bed. We spend a lot of time there.

"I Want It That Way"

Lyrics: Am I your fire/Your one desire/Yes I know it's too late/But I want it that way

Translation: The new barista at Starbucks is really cute, but she always gets my order wrong.

"Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely"

Lyrics: Show me the meaning of being lonely/Is this the feeling I need to walk with/Tell me why I can't be there where you are/There's something missing in my heart

Translation: Someone stole my lunch from the fridge in the break room. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD LUNCH.

"It's Gotta Be You"

Lyrics: I can't control it anymore/I've never felt like this before/Mmm, you really make me lose my head/My hungry heart must be fed

Translation: I just ordered a pizza and it needs to get here NOW.

"I Need You Tonight"

Lyrics: I need you tonight/I need you right now/ I know deep within my heart/It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right

Translation: U up?

"Don't Want You Back"

Lyrics: And you were more than just a pretty face/But how you fooled me, I'm still amazed

Translation: She looks NOTHING like she does on Tinder.

"Don't Wanna Lose You Now"

Lyrics: Don't wanna lose you now/I know we can win this

Translation: When you made reservations for brunch at a packed restaurant and your friend is late and if they don't get there in fifteen minutes they're giving the table away. WE CAN WIN THIS.

"The One"

Lyrics: There you are/ Wild and free/Reachin' out like you needed me

Translation: A helping hand to make it right/ I'll be holding you all through the night

OMG I JUST SAW THE CUTEST DOG.

"Back To Your Heart"

Lyrics: It's not that I can't live without you/It's just that I don't even want to try/Every night I dream about you/Ever since the day we said goodbye/If I wasn't such a fool/Right now I'd be holding you/There's nothin' that I wouldn't do/Baby if I only knew

Tranlsation: Juice cleanse, day one: I miss donuts.

"Spanish Eyes"

Lyrics: When I look into your Spanish eyes/ I know the reason why I'm alive

Translation: My high school Spanish teacher was SUPER hot.

"No One Else Comes Close"

Lyrics: No one else comes close to you/ No one makes me feel the way you do/ You're so special, girl, to me/ And you'll always be eternally

Translation: I still have feelings for my high school spanish teacher.

"The Perfect Fan"

Lyrics: Cuz mom you always were/ The perfect fan

Translation: Our moms really likes Oprah.

Images: Hypable.com