Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart) Japan First Press CD (CD Extra)

Japanese exclusive pressing Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart).

Single Comment:

The other day, I wrote an article for a magazine about former New Kids on the Block member Donnie Wahlberg. I was pleased to see his strong performance in the movie Ransom, and that inspired me to write about him again after quite some time. While writing, however, I noticed something interesting when comparing New Kids on the Block with Backstreet Boys.

Both groups share a major similarity: they are made up of young white men whose music centers on vocal harmonies inspired by Black music. However, New Kids on the Block was a group created by producer Maurice Starr, the man who first introduced New Edition to the world. It was almost as if he wanted to realize the dream of creating a second New Edition.

I do not believe that the members of New Kids were forced to perform R&B music. However, it is probably true that once they became exhausted from following a path laid out for them by adults, disbandment became their only option.

Backstreet Boys, on the other hand, followed a different process. They were inspired by Black music through their own experiences, including attending church, and that inspiration naturally developed into the style they have today.

Although both groups perform music with similar roots, one was a group burdened with the destiny of becoming a replacement for New Edition, while the other—of course, Backstreet Boys—was a group that looked to New Edition as a goal. (In fact, Kevin has publicly stated that he wanted Backstreet Boys to become a group like New Edition.) That near-fateful difference between the two groups is fascinating.

Supported by their stage mothers, these young entertainers gradually developed a self-motivated awareness of what it meant to be stars. Perhaps this difference in starting point is one reason why they have steadily built their careers from Europe to Asia and Canada, eventually reaching where they are today.

Now then, six months have passed since the landmark first album, Backstreet Boys, was released in Japan. During that time, the Backstreet Boys have continued their remarkable rise.

In Canada, neighboring their home country of the United States, they successfully maintained the No. 1 position ahead of artists such as No Doubt (No. 2) and Celine Dion (No. 3). They are steadily building momentum toward their next objective: conquering their homeland.

To date, “We've Got It Goin' On” has surpassed 750,000 copies sold across Europe and Canada. “Get Down” has exceeded 600,000 copies, “I'll Never Break Your Heart” has surpassed 550,000 copies, and “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” has broken the one-million mark.

As for the album Backstreet Boys, it has sold more than 2.3 million copies. Combined, these releases have surpassed 5.7 million units, demonstrating just how extraordinary the group's popularity has become.

Particularly noteworthy is their explosive success in Canada this year. Much of that momentum was built through the New Year tour they conducted there.

The Canadian tour was completely sold out, and the group performed in massive ice hockey arenas despite temperatures reaching minus 35 degrees Celsius. There was even an amusing incident: the extreme cold actually caused the brakes on their tour bus to freeze.

The tours in Canada and Germany were jokingly referred to by the group as the “Lost Luggage Tour.” AJ lost every suitcase containing his important belongings. Howie D lost his toiletries (though those could probably be replaced at a drugstore or hotel). Nick lost his suitcase while returning to Miami, although it reportedly turned up on the very day he left for New York to begin recording.

As anyone spending nearly an entire year traveling for tours and promotional activities would understand, these kinds of mishaps become almost routine. Even I tend to forget something whenever I travel abroad for interviews, so I can certainly sympathize. For a group constantly traveling around the world like Backstreet Boys, situations like these are probably quite common.

Now, what fans and listeners are most interested in is the official release of a Backstreet Boys album in the United States.

Under normal circumstances, it would seem that the album should already be available. Unfortunately, however, a release date has not yet been finalized.

The reasons remain speculative, but I suspect it is because they are still refining the concept and song selection to create the perfect album—one that differs substantially from the previously released European version.

It is well known that the group recorded “Say What's In My Heart” by hitmaker and producer Babyface, who recently won numerous awards at the Grammy Awards. (Though information about that song has become increasingly scarce lately.) There are undoubtedly other surprising plans being developed as part of their return to the American market.

Given that they have already achieved definitive success in a major market like Canada, it seems almost certain that they will succeed once they release a CD in the United States. However, having come this far, establishing a perfect foundation is probably essential.

At the moment, the highly anticipated album is expected sometime around the summer. That album will then serve as the basis for what is planned to become the group's second album for the European market.

And of course, another thing fans eagerly await is the opportunity to see their flawless live performance.

I sincerely hope they will perform live in Japan before the end of the year.

This EP is built around “Quit Playing Games,” already a million-selling hit in Europe and the group's third Japanese single. It also includes the non-album track “Don't Leave Me,” making it a must-have release.

Combining the appeal of a collector's item with the commercial strengths of the Boys themselves, this is a highly satisfying release that fans should not miss.

(1) Quit Playing Games (Video Version)
A new single that has already become a smash hit throughout Europe, including the United Kingdom. It is still fresh in memory that last year the song reached No. 1 in countries such as Germany, Australia, and Switzerland. As a result, it easily surpassed one million copies sold.
Unlike the group's previous singles, which were either funk-influenced dance tracks or exquisite ballads, this is a more human and emotional love song. It portrays the pain of a broken heart and the longing that follows, creating a situation that may be a little painful for dreamy lovers, yet perfectly suited to the Boys' image.
Producer Max Martin, together with Denniz Pop, had also worked on the earlier hit “We've Got It Goin' On,” making him one of the indispensable figures behind the Backstreet Boys' sound.
Alongside Denniz Pop, Max Martin established himself as one of Sweden's leading producers through the success of Ace of Base's album The Bridge.
This Video Version is the same standard version that appeared on the European single release and is essentially the same recording found on the album.

(2) Quit Playing Games (Acoustic Version)
This is a completely different version from Track 1.
Given the Boys' reputation for strong a cappella performances, one might expect a stripped-down arrangement with minimal accompaniment. However, this version still features a full musical backing, with acoustic guitar taking center stage throughout.
Another interesting feature is the opening, which creates the atmosphere of being present in the recording studio itself, adding a sense of realism and intimacy to the performance.

(3) Anywhere For You
Alongside “I'll Never Break Your Heart,” this is one of the signature songs representing the Backstreet Boys' beautiful ballad style.
The song expresses the idea that when you're in love, you're willing to do anything. Love can sometimes unlock unknown powers within people, and this song tells the story of a man passionately confessing his feelings, empowered by that very force of love.
Beginning with Kevin's spoken introduction, the song moves through solo sections by AJ and Brian before building toward a soulful finale performed by all five members together.
It is an extremely dramatic and memorable masterpiece.

(4) Don't Leave Me
This valuable track makes its Japanese debut on this CD.
In the UK and other European Union territories, it was previously featured on the Special Edition of the first album, Backstreet Boys, making it a particularly sought-after song.
Lyrically, it is a love song expressing the very Backstreet Boys-like sentiment of pleading with someone to stay.
The track was produced by Mookie, who also produced “Let's Have A Party” from the album. He appears to have worked closely with Timmy Allen, who co-produced that track as well.
Beyond his work with the Boys, Mookie has also contributed to projects involving Donnell Jones from the LaFace Records roster. The song also contains samples from two notable recordings: Please Don't Go by KC and the Sunshine Band, one of the defining acts of the disco era of the 1970s. Flava In Ya Ear by Craig Mack, which involved the participation of Sean 'Puffy' Combs, one of the most successful figures associated with Bad Boy Entertainment and known for his work with artists such as Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige.

February 28, 1997
Yuji Muraoka / YUJIN