Incomplete (Backstreet Boys song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Incomplete" | ||
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| Single by The Backstreet Boys | ||
| from the album Never Gone | ||
| Released | 2005 | |
| Format | Digital download | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Length | 3:57 | |
| Label | Jive | |
| Writer(s) | Dan Muckala Jess Cates Lindy Robbins |
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| Producer(s) | Dan Muckala | |
| Certification | 2x Platinum | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| The Backstreet Boys singles chronology | ||
| "Drowning" (2001) |
"Incomplete" (2005) |
"Just Want You To Know" (2005) |
"Incomplete" is a power ballad & is the first single from the Backstreet Boys album Never Gone, released in June of 2005. The song is the group's first single in over four years, as the group did not record an album between 2001 and their 2005 comeback.
Although it did not reach the US Hot 100 Top Ten (it peaked at #13), the song debuted at #1 on the Australian ARIA charts, and has sold over 250,000 units worldwide, earning it gold status. "Incomplete" is the first Backstreet Boys single to ever reach #1 on the Australian charts. It has also reached #8 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached the top spot in the Philippines.
[edit] Music video
Directed by Joseph Kahn, the Backstreet Boys brave all the elements in their "Incomplete" video, from rain and wind to fire and ice. The group shot the clip in Lancaster and Zuma Beach, California, racing from one location to another to take advantage of the fading sunlight. According to Kahn, there was no emulation in the video, which meant the look they were going for was contingent on the sun, like a logistical timing nightmare. In one sunset setup, they only had 15 minutes of light, so the crew lied on the ground so their shadows would not interfere. The approach was to simplify the video down to the bare bones so that it would be "a love letter to their fans," he said. "And the elements are sort of embracing their performance, so it feels like emotions."
Kahn used natural elements, including fire, snow, wind and rain, to symbolize the group's contrasting personalities. He decided that A.J. McLean embodies the band's rock and roll sensibilities, with his "fiery light and Hollywood cool", so he framed McLean by the sun as he drives a classic car down the highway.
Nick Carter is "very volatile at times, beautiful to look at, but dangerous if you get too close", so he is represented by fire. In the video, Carter torches McLean's '68 GTO (the original idea was to torch a barn, but the local fire marshal wouldn't give approval).
Howie Dorough, the "slick guy in the group," according to Kahn, became rain. He sits under an old Joshua tree as a gust of wind picks up and the downpour starts.
Kevin Richardson, "the most mature and reserved" Backstreet Boy, is "colder," so he became snow. He is seated at a white piano in the midst of a smoldering forest as a flurry starts and smoke rises from the ground.
And finally Brian Littrell, who Kahn describes as "this big ball of energy, you can't stop him," became the crashing waves of the ocean. He stands with his legs in the water as thunderclouds assemble above him.
At the end of the video, the gang reunites to walk through the desert at sunset, framed in a near-silhouette as the sun flares off the lens.
The song features on the compilation album The Best of 2005.
| Preceded by "Don't Phunk With My Heart" by The Black Eyed Peas |
ARIA (Australia) number one single June 19, 2005 |
Succeeded by "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey |
