Background
The single was not the label's 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", dedicated to their fans in Italy. The lead vocals of the first two verses are sung by Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough. There is also an alternate version done by Craig Murray with the British symphony orchestra with an appearance by Nick Carter in 2007.
Read more about this topic: Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)
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