"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 Written by Andreas Carlsson, Rami and Linda Thompson and produced by Rami and Kristian Lundin, the song "Drowning" was initially recorded for the Backstreet Boys' 2000 Black & Blue album but was excluded due to the limited track listings left. 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. In Finland, "Drowning" was compared to the 1995 song "Älä sano huomisesta" by Hausmylly.
Country remixes of the song were also recorded, produced by Dann Huff.
Chart performance The song peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 13, 2001. It reached the top ten in several European countries, reaching number three in Sweden, number four in the UK, and number five in Norway.
Music videos Official version
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."
Unreleased version 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.
It features the band members dressed in black outfits, as seen in the photograph on the single cover of the CD. 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.
Track listings
UK CD1 "Drowning" (short radio edit) – 4:10 "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (Sharp London vocal mix) – 7:58 "I Want It That Way" (Morales club version) – 7:25
UK CD2 "Drowning" (radio edit) – 4:13 "Drowning" (Dezrok radio mix) – 4:04 "Drowning" (Rizzo & Harris radio mix) – 4:02 "Drowning" (video) – 4:32
UK cassette single "Drowning" (radio edit) – 4:13 "As Long as You Love Me" (Jason Nevins radio mix) – 3:38 "All I Have to Give" (Soul Solution club mix) – 7:36
European CD single "Drowning" – 4:25 "Back to Your Heart" – 4:21
Australian CD single "Drowning" – 4:25 "Back to Your Heart" – 4:21 "Shape of My Heart" (video) – 3:50
Japanese CD single "Drowning" (album version) "The One" (album version) "Drowning" (TV track) "The One" (instrumental)
Personnel 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
Weekly charts +Chart (2001–2002)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)11Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)5Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)12Europe (European Hit Radio)7Finland Airplay (Radiosoittolista)10 Airplay (Music & Media)1Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Backstreet Boys".15Latvia (Latvijas Top 30)20Netherlands Airplay (Music & Media)13Nicaragua (Notimex)1Portugal (AFP)3Romania (Romanian Top 100)10 Airplay (Music & Media)1Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio)4UK Airplay (Music Week)38
Year-end charts +Chart (2001)PositionBrazil (Crowley)83Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)158Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)71Netherlands (Single Top 100)77Romania (Romanian Top 100)87Sweden (Hitlistan)27Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)94Taiwan (Hito Radio)39US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)90
+Chart (2002)PositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)141Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)42US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)18
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesSeptember 25, 2001JiveAustraliaNovember 5, 2001CDUnited KingdomDecember 31, 2001JapanOctober 23, 2002CD
In popular culture "Drowning" and another Backstreet Boys 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.Anime News Network
References