Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)
Encyclopedia
"Quit Playing Games" is the fourth single from the Backstreet Boys
' international album
. It was recorded in June 1995 in Stockholm
, Sweden
and released in 1996. It reached #1 in Switzerland
and Austria
, #2 in the United Kingdom
, and #7 in the Netherlands. It was subsequently included on the band's debut US album
, and was released as the first single in the summer of 1997. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart, making it their most successful single on the chart. It sold 2 million copies in the US.
first choice as single from the US debut. They initially wanted to release the Mutt Lange
-produced "If You Want It (To Be Good Girl)", but the band argued against it, claiming it to be one of their worst songs. Jive president Barry Weiss claims that the serious contenders as first single also included "Anywhere for You
" and "All I Have to Give
". The band wanted to redo the music video, but the label refused, arguing that they planned to market to radio, and not video. The song ultimately succeeded without MTV
support. The original recording of the song features Brian Littrell
singing both verses, with A. J. McLean singing the bridge. This version was featured on the early release of the their 1995 debut album and is featured on the 1997 debut US album. Nick Carter
had subsequently emerged as a popular member of the band, so before the song was released as a single, a year after it was recorded, Max Martin was flown to London in September 1996 to re-record the second verse with Nick at Battery Studios. This version was later added to their 1996 debut album as a re-release and it was used for radio and the music video. It was also included on the re-release of the US album. All of the background vocals on the song, other than McLean's singing harmony with himself on the bridge, are those of Littrell and Kevin Richardson
, who decided to finish up the song while the other members were having lunch. The song was unexpectedly offered to the band while recording "We've Got It Goin' On
" in June 1995 in Stockholm
, Sweden
. They accepted the offer when they completed that recording in only two days of their planned week-long session. There is also an Italian
version of this song, titled "Non puoi lasciarmi così", sung by the Backstreet Boys for their fans in Italy. The lead vocals of the first two verses are sung by Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough. There is also rumoured to be a version done by the Craig Murray with the British symphony orchestra with an appearance by Nick Carter in 2007.
CD1
CD2
CD1
CD2
Cassette
, Florida
. It was directed by Kai Sehr, and shows the Boys dancing and singing on a deserted basketball court at night. Halfway through the video, it begins to rain. The boys dance in the rain, some of them have their shirts unbuttoned in the later half of the music video.
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
' international album
Backstreet Boys (International)
Backstreet Boys is the self-titled international debut album from the pop group Backstreet Boys. The album was released around Europe, Asia, Canada and in a few other markets. It was a success, becoming one of the biggest debut albums ever and contains a number of the band's most memorable singles...
. It was recorded in June 1995 in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and released in 1996. It reached #1 in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, #2 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and #7 in the Netherlands. It was subsequently included on the band's debut US album
Backstreet Boys (US)
Backstreet Boys is the second but debut U.S. self-titled album by the vocal-pop group Backstreet Boys. The first was their 1996 Backstreet Boys, which was not released in the United States. This second self-titled album was released in 1997 and was their debut album in the country. It became one...
, and was released as the first single in the summer of 1997. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, making it their most successful single on the chart. It sold 2 million copies in the US.
Background
The single was not the label'sJive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
first choice as single from the US debut. They initially wanted to release the Mutt Lange
Robert Lange
Robert John "Mutt" Lange is a Zambian-born British record producer and songwriter, usually known by his nickname "Mutt". Lange is one of the most successful producers in rock history. He has produced albums for artists such as AC/DC, Nickelback, Def Leppard, Outlaws, Foreigner, The Cars, Bryan...
-produced "If You Want It (To Be Good Girl)", but the band argued against it, claiming it to be one of their worst songs. Jive president Barry Weiss claims that the serious contenders as first single also included "Anywhere for You
Anywhere for You
"Anywhere for You" is the fifth single released by vocal group Backstreet Boys in 1997 from their international self-titled debut album. It was later included on their debut US album as well. This is one of the earlier recordings on their 1996 debut album. The song was written by Wayne Perry and...
" and "All I Have to Give
All I Have To Give
"All I Have to Give" is a song by American pop group, The Backstreet Boys, produced and written by Full Force, released as the sixth and final single from their album Backstreet's Back and the seventh and final single from their US debut album. The single debuted at number 2 at the UK Singles Chart...
". The band wanted to redo the music video, but the label refused, arguing that they planned to market to radio, and not video. The song ultimately succeeded without MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
support. The original recording of the song features Brian Littrell
Brian Littrell
Brian Thomas Littrell is an American singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys. He is also a contemporary Christian recording artist and released a solo album, Welcome Home, in 2006...
singing both verses, with A. J. McLean singing the bridge. This version was featured on the early release of the their 1995 debut album and is featured on the 1997 debut US album. Nick Carter
Nick Carter (musician)
Nickolas Gene "Nick" Carter is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, entertainer and actor. He is best known as a member of the pop group, Backstreet Boys. He went on to release a solo album called Now Or Never during their hiatus. He has made occasional television appearances and...
had subsequently emerged as a popular member of the band, so before the song was released as a single, a year after it was recorded, Max Martin was flown to London in September 1996 to re-record the second verse with Nick at Battery Studios. This version was later added to their 1996 debut album as a re-release and it was used for radio and the music video. It was also included on the re-release of the US album. All of the background vocals on the song, other than McLean's singing harmony with himself on the bridge, are those of Littrell and Kevin Richardson
Kevin Richardson (musician)
Kevin Scott Richardson is an American singer and a former member of the Backstreet Boys, model, actor, and composer. He was the oldest member of the band during his tenure.- Early years :...
, who decided to finish up the song while the other members were having lunch. The song was unexpectedly offered to the band while recording "We've Got It Goin' On
We've Got It Goin' On
"We've Got It Goin' On" was the first single released by the Backstreet Boys from their self titled debut album in September 1995; it was also their first single ever released. It was later included in the U.S. album and achieved success worldwide.-Recording:...
" in June 1995 in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. They accepted the offer when they completed that recording in only two days of their planned week-long session. There is also an Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
version of this song, titled "Non puoi lasciarmi così", sung by the Backstreet Boys for their fans in Italy. The lead vocals of the first two verses are sung by Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough. There is also rumoured to be a version done by the Craig Murray with the British symphony orchestra with an appearance by Nick Carter in 2007.
Track listing
- America
CD1
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (LP Version) - 3:49
- "Backstreet Boys Present... (Album Medley)" - 6:57
- "Lay Down Beside Me" - 5:30
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Video Version) - 3:52
CD2
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (LP Version)
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (E-SMOOVE Vocal Mix)
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Jazzy Jim's Mixxshoww Slamma)
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Maurice Joshua Club Mix)
- Europe
CD1
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Video Version) - 3:52
- "Nobody But You" (Long Version) - 6:07
- "Give Me Your Heart" - 5:06
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Acoustic Version) - 4:02
CD2
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Christmas Version) - 4:15
- "Don't Leave Me" - 4:18
- "Christmas Time" - 4:15
- "Lay Down Beside Me" - 5:30
- UK
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Video Version) - 3:52
- "Nobody But You" (Long Version) - 6:07
- "Give Me Your Heart" - 5:06
- "Lay Down Beside Me" - 5:30
Cassette
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Video Version) - 3:52
- "Lay Down Beside Me" - 5:30
- Japan
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Video Version) - 3:52
- "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" (Acoustic Version) - 4:02
- "Anywhere For You" - 4:40
- "Don't Leave Me" - 4:18
Music video
The music video, was filmed on October 17, 1996 at Howard Middle School in OrlandoOrlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It was directed by Kai Sehr, and shows the Boys dancing and singing on a deserted basketball court at night. Halfway through the video, it begins to rain. The boys dance in the rain, some of them have their shirts unbuttoned in the later half of the music video.
Release history
| Country | Release Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | CD Single | |
| Europe | Radio | |
| United States | Radio | |
| United States | CD Single |
Peak positions
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Begium (Flanders Flanders Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp... ) Singles chart |
8 |
| Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... (Walonia) Singles chart |
5 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 7 |
| European Hot 100 Singles | 1 |
| German Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 15 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 1 |
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
| Australian ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... Singles Chart |
27 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
3 |
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
18 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
10 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart | 27 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 10 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs Hot Latin Songs Hot Latin Songs is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. It is often recognized as the most important music chart for Spanish language Latin music in the American music market. It was established by the magazine on September 6, 1986 with La Guirnalda by Rocío Dúrcal being the first song... |
12 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
2 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 11 |
| End of year chart (1998) | Position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 62 |
End of decade charts
| Chart (1990–1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 86 |