Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)

This article is about the song. For the film, see Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of.
"Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)"
Single by Backstreet Boys
from the album In a World Like This
Released November 18, 2013
Format Digital download
Recorded MTR Studios, Hollywood, California
Chalice Recording Studios, Hollywood, California
Genre Pop
Length 3:44
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Morgan Taylor Reid
Backstreet Boys singles chronology
"Madeleine"
(2013)		 "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)"
(2013)
Promo cover
Music video
"Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" on YouTube

"Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" is a song by American pop group Backstreet Boys from their eighth studio album In a World Like This. It was released as the second single from the album on November 18, 2013.[1] The song was written by Morgan Taylor Reid, Mika Guillory, and Backstreet Boys members AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson.[2] It is also the theme song of documentary film Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of.

Background and recording

My dad right before I was getting ready to go to football practice, he would say, ‘Show ‘em what you’re made of bud!’ That’s kind of how that song got inspired.[3] Another inspiration for A.J. and I writing this song was our children. The innocence and wonder in their eyes is so precious. I want them to keep it forever and I want to rediscover it within myself. No limits, no fear.[4]
—Kevin Richardson

Richardson got the inspiration for the title of the song from his late father's words.[3] The song was co-written by band mate AJ McLean and is meant to be a pep talk for their children,[2][3] and also as a positive reinforcement for the world in general.[5] "This is as a positive reinforcement-type song because there’s so much negativity out there. The world needs positivity! The song turned out beyond what we ever expected. It became this huge emotional record," McLean said.

Music video

A music video for the song, directed by Jon Vulpine, was filmed in Miami, Florida on October 24, 2013.[6] It was premiered on November 19, 2013 on the group's official Facebook page and then released on Vevo a day later.[7][8][9]

The video takes on a minimalistic approach, showing individual shots of each band member against a black background. McLean and Brian Littrell were shirtless as they were going by the song theme and show something important for them personally—a tattoo dedicated to his daughter for McLean and a heart surgery scar for Littrell.[10] Littrell had an open heart surgery in 1998 to correct a birth defect and hadn't been seen shirtless publicly ever since.[11]

Track listing

  1. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" – 3:44
  1. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Ash Howes Radio Mix)" – 3:44
  2. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Album Version)" – 3:47
  3. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Morgan Taylor Reid Mix)" – 3:41

Charts

Charts (2014) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] 17
UK Indie (Official Chart Company) 37
UK Singles (Official Chart Company) 55

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Netherlands[12] November 18, 2013 Digital download
Austria[15] November 22, 2013
Germany[16]
Switzerland[17]
Ireland[18] December 15, 2013
United Kingdom[19]

References

  1. ↑ "The Backstreet Boys' 'Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) Video: A Noir Fantasia Of Boy Band Facial Expressions". MTV. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Baltin, Steve (July 25, 2013). "Backstreet Boys 'Grow Up' on New Album and Reflect on 20 Years of Pop". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Kevin Richardson Says BSB Song Was Inspired by His Dad’s Wisdom". Ryan Seacrest. August 2, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Backstreet Boys 'Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)' music video features shirtless Brian, AJ". EW. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ McQuiston, James (November 19, 2013). "BACKSTREET BOYS RELEASE OFFICIAL SHOW ‘EM VIDEO". NeuFutur Magazine. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  6. ↑ Lang-Einczig, Yvette (October 22, 2013). "Backstreet Boys "Show Em (What You're Made Of)" (Jon Vulpine, dir.)". videostatic.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  7. ↑ Grossman, Samantha (November 19, 2013). "This New Backstreet Boys Video Probably Caused an International Hair Gel Shortage". Time. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Backstreet Boys Go Shirtless, Unveil Fit Bodies in "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" Music Video—Watch Now!". E! Online. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Backstreet Boys "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)"".
  10. ↑ Weigle, Lauren (December 12, 2013). "Backstreet Boys Serenade the Women on ‘The View’". Heavy. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Backstreet Boys release 'Show Em What You're Made Of' music video with simple, dramatic theme for second 'In A World Like This' single [WATCH]". Mstarz. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/show-em-what-youre-made-single/id756964915
  13. ↑ Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Media notes). Backstreet Boys. BMG. 2013. PROMOBMG1029.
  14. ↑ http://www.top40.nl/backstreet-boys-2/backstreet-boys-show-em-what-you-re-made-of_24483
  15. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/at/album/show-em-what-youre-made-single/id756964915
  16. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/show-em-what-youre-made-single/id756964915
  17. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/ch/album/show-em-what-youre-made-single/id756964915
  18. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/show-em-what-youre-made-single/id763773120
  19. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/show-em-what-youre-made-single/id763773120