"Incomplete" is a song by American vocal group Backstreet Boys from their fifth studio album, Never Gone (2005). The power ballad was released on April 11, 2005, as the group's first single since they decided to reunite after a two-year hiatus. It was written by Dan Muckala, Lindy Robbins, and Jess Cates, and it was produced by Muckala with Kevin Richardson on piano. According to Billboard magazine's Chuck Taylor, the song is an "emotion-packed, grown-up tome about relationship struggle and strife."
"Incomplete" marked a stylistic change for the band, with member AJ McLean saying that the band wanted to break away from the image they had attained during the 1990s and early 2000s. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold certification for selling over half a million copies in the US. It also reached the top 10 in several European countries. In Australia, it debuted at number one, giving the group their only number-one hit there, and received a double-platinum sales certification.
Critical reception Chuck Taylor from Billboard magazine compared the Backstreet Boys' vocals to those of Bryan Adams and Blessid Union of Souls, going on to say that the song would be refreshing to hear on the radio "like crisp white sheets." British columnist James Masterton wrote that "Incomplete" proved that the band had not lost their talent following their hiatus, going on to call the track's production "bombastic."
Music video The official music video for "Incomplete" was directed by Joseph Kahn.
Track listings
UK CD1 "Incomplete" – 3:59 "Incomplete" (instrumental) – 3:59
UK CD2; European and Australian maxi-CD single "Incomplete" – 3:59 "My Beautiful Woman" – 3:36 "Movin' On" – 3:30 "Incomplete" (video)
European CD single "Incomplete" – 3:59 "Movin' On" – 3:30
Japanese CD single "Incomplete" (album version) – 3:59 "Incomplete" (instrumental) – 3:59 "My Beautiful Woman" (album version) – 3:36 "My Beautiful Woman" (instrumental) – 3:36
Personnel Personnel are lifted from the Never Gone liner notes.
Dan Muckala – writing, additional keyboards, string arrangement, production, recording Lindy Robbins – writing Jess Cates – writing Brandon Heath – acoustic guitar Alex Nifong – electric guitar Chris McMurtry – electric guitar Brent Milligan – bass guitar Kevin Richardson – piano Joe Porter – drums David Dillbeck – recording F. Reid Shippen – additional engineering Skye McCaskey – additional engineering Lee Bridges – additional engineering assistance Aaron Fessel – additional engineering assistance Chris Lord-Alge – mixing Tom Coyne – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2005–2006)PeakpositionCanada AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)1Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)3Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)4Czech Republic (IFPI)1Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)6Europe (European Hit Radio)10Finland Airplay (Radiosoittolista)4Greece (IFPI) See Best Position column.11Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Backstreet Boys".1Japan (Oricon)16Latvia (Latvijas Top 50)12Poland (Nielsen Music Control)3Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio)7Switzerland Airplay (Swiss Hitparade)6US Pop 100 (Billboard)6
Year-end charts Chart (2005)PositionAustralia (ARIA)25Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)48Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)64Brazil (Crowley)23CIS Airplay (TopHit) 18Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)64Europe (European Hit Radio)26Germany (Media Control GfK)59Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)27Italy (FIMI) Click on Scarica l'allegato.12Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)82Netherlands (Single Top 100)78Romania (Romanian Top 100)24Russia Airplay (TopHit)15Sweden (Hitlistan)73Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)22Taiwan (Hito Radio)63UK Singles (OCC)172US Billboard Hot 10064US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)12US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)60US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)45
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesApril 11, 2005Contemporary hit radioJiveMay 2, 2005Hot adult contemporary radioJapanMay 25, 2005CDDenmarkMay 30, 2005AustraliaJune 13, 2005United KingdomJune 27, 2005
Cover versions In 2017, international symphonic metal supergroup Exit Eden covered "Incomplete" as the 3rd track of their debut album entitled Rhapsodies in Black.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine:
References