Inherently reassuring, immediately familiar, “I Want It That Way” never sounded so sweet. With the passage of time and the guidance of love, William Prince transforms the Backstreet Boys' original bad boy/good boy pop pleader into a floaty new Americana ballad.

You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way

With years come experiences; with experiences comes the wisdom to change - just enough to maintain the things that matter and to make space for growth. While keeping the original’s melody line on acoustic guitar, Prince’s version leads with a sturdy piano, lending the cover a sophisticated, expanded feel, almost like the grown-up version of the original reflecting on its youth. Confident and relaxed, Prince’s delivery is comfortable and easy, his lone baritone satisfyingly soothing, hypnotic. Instead of asking any rhetorical questions (“Tell me why?”), William creates an ascending vocal bridge that feels as fresh as a flower blooming, shifting the tone of the song from uncertain to assured.

Lyrically, “I Want It That Way” is a fitting choice for Prince to adapt, with lines like, “No matter the distance, I want you to know/That deep down inside of me/You are my fire”, reminiscent of his own writing in songs like “Breathless” or “The Spark.” When Prince suits up to sing a pop song, he relates to the theme so deeply, his conviction could have us believing this song is one we haven’t heard yet.

Believe when
I say I want it that way

Tinged with popular nostalgia but softened by new Americana edges, William Prince’s “I Want It That Way” comes from a man who says what he means and means what he says.