Drowning (Backstreet Boys song)

2001 single by Backstreet Boys

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"Drowning"

Single by Backstreet Boys
from the album  The Hits – Chapter One
B-side| "Back to Your Heart"
Released| September 25, 2001 (2001-09-25)
Recorded| July 1[1] – September 2000[2]
Studio| Polar, Cherion (Stockholm, Sweden)
Genre| Pop
Length| 4:28
Label| Jive
Songwriter(s)|

* Andreas Carlsson
* Linda Thompson
* Rami

Producer(s)|

* Kristian Lundin
* Rami

Backstreet Boys singles chronology
| "What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful)"
(2001)  | "Drowning"
(2001)  | "Incomplete"
(2005)

|
|

Music video
"Drowning" on YouTube

"Drowning" is a song by American boy band Backstreet Boys, released on September 25, 2001, as the only single from their compilation album, The Hits – Chapter One.

## Background

[edit]

Written by Andreas Carlsson, Rami and Linda Thompson and produced by Rami and Kristian Lundin, the song was initially recorded for the Black & Blue album but was excluded due to the limited track listings left.[citation needed] Several elements of the song, such as the piano intro and the chorus, are very similar to "Långsamt farväl" released by the Swedish artist Mauro Scocco in 1997. Andreas Carlsson, co-writer of "Drowning," sang backing vocals on Lisa Nilsson's version of "Långsamt farväl," released in 2003.[3] In Finland, "Drowning" was compared to the 1995 song "Älä sano huomisesta" by Hausmylly.[4]

Country remixes of the song were also recorded, produced by Dann Huff.[5]

## Chart performance

[edit]

The song peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 13, 2001. It peaked within the top ten in 11 European countries, reaching #3 in Portugal and Sweden, #4 in Denmark and the UK, #5 in Norway and Spain, #9 in Austria, and #10 in Finland, Ireland, Italy, and Romania. Released in the UK in October 2001, the single failed to chart initially although later entered the Top 40 at no.4 in January 2002.[6]

## Music videos

[edit]

### Official version

[edit]

The official music video was directed by Nigel Dick, who directed their music videos for "As Long as You Love Me" and "All I Have to Give."[7] Filmed in Los Angeles,[citation needed] it featured the band gathered around monuments and an old building resembling a church.

The video is notable for its frequent use of the contre-jour technique, which puts the subject directly against the light source, thus giving a clear, dark outline of the figure. In the video, the group is often seen as silhouette moving and singing against the background.

### Unreleased version

[edit]

Before the final video was produced, a different concept was in production. The concept was eventually abandoned, and the official video was produced instead. One of the preliminary cuts of this original video was leaked to the public. This video was done, then canceled and replaced by the end of the month.[citation needed]

It features the band members dressed in black outfits, as seen in the photograph on the single cover of the CD.[citation needed] The video was shot mainly using green screen to place the band on an arid salt flat. The sun is initially shining, but dark clouds quickly fill the sky in the first chorus, and it begins to rain in the second verse. A flood of water fills the area, and the storm worsens. At the key change and the song's end, the band members are hit with a large wave. They sing at shallow water depth throughout the rest of the video.[citation needed]

## Track listings

[edit]

UK CD1[8]

1. "Drowning" (short radio edit) – 4:10
2. "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (Sharp London vocal mix) – 7:58
3. "I Want It That Way" (Morales club version) – 7:25

UK CD2[9]

1. "Drowning" (radio edit) – 4:13
2. "Drowning" (Dezrok radio mix) – 4:04
3. "Drowning" (Rizzo & Harris radio mix) – 4:02
4. "Drowning" (video) – 4:32

UK cassette single[10]

1. "Drowning" (radio edit) – 4:13
2. "As Long as You Love Me" (Jason Nevins radio mix) – 3:38
3. "All I Have to Give" (Soul Solution club mix) – 7:36

European CD single[11]

1. "Drowning" – 4:25
2. "Back to Your Heart" – 4:21

Australian CD single[12]

1. "Drowning" – 4:25
2. "Back to Your Heart" – 4:21
3. "Shape of My Heart" (video) – 3:50

Japanese CD single[13]

1. "Drowning" (album version)
2. "The One" (album version)
3. "Drowning" (TV track)
4. "The One" (instrumental)

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## Personnel

[edit]

* Kristian Lundin – producer, recording engineer, mix engineer
* Rami – producer, recording engineer, mix engineer
* John Amatiello – assistant recording engineer, Pro Tools engineer
* Thomas Lindberg – bass
* Esbjörn Öhrwall – guitar
* Jonathan Lindström – pedal steel guitar
* Tom Coyne – mastering

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Drowning"  | Chart (2001–2002)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[14] | 49
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15] | 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] | 20
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[17] | 4
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[18] | 11
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[19] | 5
Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] | 4
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[21] | 12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] | 10
Germany (GfK)[23] | 11
Ireland (IRMA)[24] | 10
Italy (FIMI)[25] | 10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] | 18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] | 13
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[28] | 27
Nicaragua (Notimex)[29] | 1
Norway (VG-lista)[30] | 5
Portugal (AFP)[31] | 3
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[32] | 10
Scotland (OCC)[33] | 8
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[34] | 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[35] | 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] | 13
UK Singles (OCC)[37] | 4
UK Indie (OCC)[38] | 1
US Billboard Hot 100[39] | 28
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[40] | 6
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] | 40
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[42] | 12

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Year-end chart performance for "Drowning"  | Chart (2001)  | Position

|

Brazil (Crowley)[43] | 83
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[44] | 158
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)[45] | 71
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[46] | 77
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[32] | 87
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[47] | 27
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[48] | 94
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[49] | 90
Chart (2002)  | Position

|

Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[50] | 141
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)[51] | 42
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[52] | 18

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications and sales for "Drowning"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[53] | Gold  | 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[54] | Gold  | 30,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[55] | Gold  | 4,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[56] | Gold  |

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

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Drowning"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label(s)  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | September 25, 2001  |

* Contemporary hit
* rhythmic contemporary radio

| Jive | [57]
Australia  | November 5, 2001  | CD  | [58]
United Kingdom  | December 31, 2001  |

* CD
* cassette

| [59]
Japan  | October 23, 2002  | CD  | [60]

## In popular culture

[edit]

"Drowning" and their other single "The One" were both licensed and used in the 2002–2003 anime television series Hanada Shōnen Shi. "Drowning" was used for the ending theme, while "The One" was the opening theme.[61]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Manning, Kara (June 30, 2000). "Howie D. Chats About Candid BSB Photo Book". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 20, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
2. ^ MTV News Staff (September 19, 2000). "Backstreet Boys To Get "Black And Blue" On New LP". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 3, 2001. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
3. ^ "Personlig tillbakablick" [Personal Retrospective] (PDF). Groove (in Swedish). No. 2\. 2003. p. 14. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
4. ^ "Plagioiko Backstreet Boys Hausmyllyä?" [Did the Backstreet Boys Plagiarize Hausmylly?]. Findance.com (in Finnish). September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
5. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning (Dann Huff Remixes)". Discogs. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
6. ^ "Drowning - Backstreet Boys". officialcharts.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
7. ^ Dick, Nigel. "Details of Backstreet Boys Videos".
8. ^ Drowning (UK CD1 liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records, Trans Continental Records. 2001. 9252862.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. ^ Drowning (UK CD2 liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records, Trans Continental Records. 2001. 9253082.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. ^ Drowning (UK cassette single sleeve). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records, Trans Continental Records. 2001. 9252864.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
11. ^ Drowning (European CD single liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records, Trans Continental Records. 2001. 9252769.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. ^ Drowning (Australian CD single liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records. 2001. 9252762.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
13. ^ Drowning (Japanese CD single liner notes). Backstreet Boys. Jive Records. 2001. ZJCI-30022.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
15. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
16. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
17. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
18. ^ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
19. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 2001" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
20. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning". Tracklisten. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
21. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". November 10, 2001. Retrieved February 26, 2014 - via Google Books.
22. ^ "Backstreet Boys: Drowning" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
23. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
24. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Drowning". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
25. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning". Top Digital Download. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
26. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
27. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
28. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
29. ^ "Encabezan Luis Miguel y Westlife listas de popularidad en CA" (in Spanish). El Universal (Mexico). February 2, 2002. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
30. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning". VG-lista. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
31. ^ Billboard – Google Books. December 8, 2001. Retrieved February 14, 2012 - via Google Books.
32. ^ a b "Top of the Year 2001" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on December 9, 2002. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
33. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
34. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning" Canciones Top 50.
35. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
36. ^ "Backstreet Boys – Drowning". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
37. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
38. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
39. ^ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
40. ^ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
41. ^ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
42. ^ "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
43. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2001". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
44. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
45. ^ "BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
46. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
47. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2001" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
48. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2001" (in German). Retrieved May 3, 2020.
49. ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51\. December 21, 2001. p. 60.
50. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002 (Part 2)". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004.
51. ^ "Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
52. ^ "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52\. December 28, 2002. p. YE-96. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
53. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
54. ^ "Brazilian single certifications" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
55. ^ "Single Top-20 Uge 50, 2001". Hitlisten. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
56. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
57. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1420\. September 21, 2001. pp. 46, 48. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
58. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 05 Nov 2001" (PDF). ARIA. November 5, 2001. p. 25\. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
59. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. December 22, 2001. p. 26. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
60. ^ "ドゥラウニング～なんでこんなに好きなんだろう | バックストリート・ボーイズ" [Drowning~Why Do I like It So Much? | Backstreet Boys] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
61. ^ Anime News Network

* v
* t
* e

Backstreet Boys singles

* Discography

1990s|

* "We've Got It Goin' On"
* "I'll Never Break Your Heart"
* "Get Down (You're the One for Me)"
* "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)"
* "Anywhere for You"
* "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
* "As Long as You Love Me"
* "All I Have to Give"
* "I Want It That Way"
* "Larger than Life"
* "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"

2000s|

* "The One"
* "Shape of My Heart"
* "The Call"
* "More than That"
* "Drowning"
* "Incomplete"
* "Just Want You to Know"
* "Crawling Back to You"
* "I Still..."
* "Inconsolable"
* "Helpless When She Smiles"
* "Straight Through My Heart"
* "Bigger"

2010s|

* "Don't Turn Out the Lights"
* "It's Christmas Time Again"
* "In a World like This"
* "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)"
* "Don't Go Breaking My Heart"
* "Chances"
* "No Place"

2020s|

* "Last Christmas"

Other|

* "Christmas Time"
* "God, Your Mama, and Me"
* "Matches"

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work
* MusicBrainz release group

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