Greatest Hits - Chapter One Japan First Press/Promo CD (Sample)

The initial release of Greatest Hits - Chapter One Promo Sample released on 10/24/2001, 6 days before global release. First press benefit is an original sticker.

Album Comment:

The Backstreet Boys made their debut in 1995 with “We’ve Got It Goin’ On.” At that time, their home country, America, showed little interest in this group that would become a global sensation only a few years later. The single, which came with five types of trading cards and was ambitiously promoted with slogans like “A whirlwind in the pop scene!” and “The second New Kids on the Block!”, reached only No. 69 on the U.S. charts — a rather cool reception.

However, in the U.K. and across Europe — where new pop idols continued to emerge and dominate the charts — the situation was very different. While rumors of Take That’s breakup filled the air, Boyzone, a vocal group from Ireland, made a sensational debut. Meanwhile, PJ & Duncan, who came from TV, were producing hit after hit by blending hip-hop energy with pop songs. The European pop scene remained lively as ever.

It was only natural that the Backstreet Boys’ then-manager turned his eyes toward that thriving European scene. The group first broke through in Germany, where “We’ve Got It Goin’ On” and “Get Down” (their debut song in Japan) became hits. Their popularity solidified with the mid-tempo “Anywhere For You”, and finally, with “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)”, they reached No. 1 on the European charts.

The success of “Anywhere For You” and “Quit Playing Games” not only boosted their popularity but also gave the five members great confidence in continuing as the Backstreet Boys. When they first debuted, their youth and energy naturally placed them in the teen pop world, but the group had always admired vocal harmony groups like Boyz II Men, Shai, All-4-One, and Color Me Badd. Their true goal was to become a harmony-driven vocal group. The success of those two songs firmly guided them toward that direction. “Anywhere For You,” written by Gary Baker, the composer of All-4-One’s hit “I Swear,” was a deliberate choice by the members themselves.

Their time in Europe was not only crucial in defining their musical direction but also strengthened their unity as a group. The older members — Brian, Howie D., and Kevin, already in their twenties — skillfully guided the younger ones, A.J. (18) and Nick (15), nurturing their delicate hearts with care. This period became the foundation for their strong brotherly bond. Back then, Nick said, “The people I respect most are the four members. They’re like real brothers who always support me.”

That relationship hasn’t changed at all, even now that they’ve achieved worldwide success. Whether it was Brian’s heart surgery, the death of their mentor-producer Denniz Pop, Howie’s sister’s passing, A.J.’s battle with alcoholism and rehab, or losing members of their tour crew during the 9/11 tragedy — they’ve always respected each other’s hearts and found answers together as a group. The reason the Backstreet Boys have been able to keep that attitude must surely go back to the solid foundation they built during 1995–1996.

Their popularity, which had soared to No.1 in Europe, spread to Canada, and soon after, the first wave of Backstreet Boys mania was born in Japan. Fans who attended their first showcase live in Japan — captivated by their playful, charming personalities — have continued ever since to long for their return.

In 1997, two years after their debut, the Backstreet Boys made their triumphant return to America. Inspired by their overseas success, a new generation of U.S. teen pop fans awoke, and “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart. A.J. said with excitement, “I’m so happy. There’s absolutely nothing to complain about!”

Then came their second album, “Backstreet’s Back.” The music video for “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”, which felt like a 1990s remake of The Goonies meets Michael Jackson’s Thriller, expanded their entertainment appeal even further. Their live shows during this period were spectacularly staged, thanks in part to the creative energy that went into making that video. Their “As Long As You Love Me” chair performance on Saturday Night Live was also unforgettable. The album also produced the hit “All I Have to Give.” The success of these songs, along with “I’ll Never Break Your Heart” from their debut, pushed them higher on the American charts — leading into their third album, “Millennium.”

As you know, Millennium broke countless records, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. The vocals and melody of “I Want It That Way” are still deeply moving every time you hear them. I still remember being in Orlando, their hometown, when I first listened to the finished track — it was so beautiful that it brought me to tears. It’s no wonder that many fans say this was the song that made them love the Backstreet Boys. Interestingly, the lyrics on the final CD were slightly different from the version I first heard; they had been refined to be simpler and more memorable. I was once again amazed by how meticulously the Backstreet Boys and their team crafted every detail of their music.

In addition to “I Want It That Way,” 1999 saw hits like “The One,” the fan-dedicated message song “Larger Than Life,” and “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,” whose video carried a tribute to the late Denniz Pop. That year, their efforts were rewarded with five Grammy nominations, a great honor — and four years after debuting, the Backstreet Boys stood at the top of the world.

In 2000, they released “Black & Blue,” an album filled with new warmth and charm, featuring two songs written entirely by the five members: “Time” and “The Answer to Our Lives.” The singles “Shape of My Heart” and “More Than That” carried that signature Backstreet emotional melody that tugs at your heart, while “The Call” surprised fans as their first song about infidelity. Black & Blue revealed a new depth in their music. When I interviewed Kevin in New York, he said, “This time, we want our live shows to reflect the album — not a manufactured spectacle, but something that connects us with fans heart-to-heart.”

The Black & Blue Tour was designed just like that — toning down the circus-style showmanship to let audiences feel the meaning of each song. It was the kind of concert that left you deeply moved. Last year, though only for a few hours, they managed to visit Japan again for promotion — almost a year ago now. For years, they had repeatedly told me, “We’ll definitely come back to Japan next time,” but it never came true… until now. Their long-awaited Japan tour is finally at hand. How will the Backstreet Boys appear before their Japanese fans who have been waiting so patiently?

Thanks to the foundation they built, many pop vocal groups and singers today have succeeded by following the path the Backstreet Boys laid down. Every time I interview such artists, I realize something: the Backstreet Boys haven’t changed at all since the day I met them. Even as top stars surrounded by changing circumstances and staff, their way of treating people, their warmth, and their sincerity in every interview — none of it has changed.

They remain sensitive, fragile, and deeply empathetic — and because of that, they have a special ability to understand the pain and struggles of others. It was the four members who best understood and supported A.J. through his hardest times, and they quietly waited for his full recovery. With that same purity, they’ve continued their charity work, transforming their personal experiences into compassion in action.

Kevin, who lost his father to cancer, supports education for cancer researchers and works on environmental issues. A.J., who lost someone close to diabetes, now helps children with diabetes and funds education for young aspiring artists. Brian, who suffered from heart disease, assists children needing heart surgery. Howie, who lost his sister to lupus, runs a lupus foundation. Nick, who loves nature, works on ocean conservation. They do these things not out of obligation but as a mission — because they feel blessed and want to give back. Don’t you feel genuine love in their charity work? Doesn’t it reflect who they truly are?

Their “Greatest Hits – Chapter One” is both a tribute and a thank-you — a testament to the Backstreet Boys’ achievements so far and a step toward Chapter Two. Each song is filled not only with the members’ memories but also with yours — tears, joy, heartbreak, friendship. Surely, the new song “Drowning” will become one of those precious memories too. It’s also wonderful that the Japanese edition includes “The Perfect Fan,” Brian’s heartfelt song for his mother.

Every story behind their songs is a cherished memory shared only between the Backstreet Boys and their fans — forever engraved in this album. Their messages of kindness, compassion, and peace will continue to reach the hearts of people all over the world.

— Keiko “Snoopy” Imaizumi, September 2001