Chances (Backstreet Boys song)

"Chances" is a song by American boy band Backstreet Boys. It was released on November 9, 2018, as the second single from DNA, their ninth album (eighth in the US). The song was written by Ryan Tedder, Zach Skelton, Shawn Mendes, Fiona Bevan, Casey Smith, Geoff Warburton, and Scott Harris, while also produced by the former two musicians. It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and number 19 on the Adult Top 40. An accompanying music video was directed by McLean and René Elizondo Jr., and depicts two dancers performing inside Union Station.

"Chances"
Single by Backstreet Boys
from the album DNA
ReleasedNovember 9, 2018
Recorded2018
Studio
  • Patriot, Los Angeles, U.S.
  • Westlake, Los Angeles, U.S.
GenrePop
Length2:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Tedder
  • Skelton
Backstreet Boys singles chronology
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart"
(2018)		 "Chances"
(2018)		 "No Place"
(2019)
Music video
"Chances" on YouTube

Background and release

AJ McLean first met Ryan Tedder in 2003, where they worked together on the Backstreet Boys' 2009 studio album This Is Us and the former's debut studio album Have It All (2010).[1] After several years, McLean suggested Tedder to send several of his written songs to the Backstreet Boys. One of the songs included "Chances", which the band immediately gravitated towards.[2] It was written by Tedder, Zach Skelton, Shawn Mendes, Fiona Bevan, Casey Smith, Geoff Warburton, and Scott Harris, and produced by the former two musicians.[3] The single and accompanying music video were simultaneously released on November 9, 2018, following the announcement of the DNA World Tour.[4][5]

Composition and lyrics

"Chances" is a pop song. Fist-pumping synthesizers are used throughout the song, as the band ponder over the chorus, "What are the chances that we'd end up dancing? Like 2 in a million, like once in a life".[6]

In an interview with Billboard, McLean explained that it was similar to their previous single "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (2018), but acknowledged that it also felt distinct. He described the lyrics as "more of that realistic love story about chance, to find that person in the most precarious of scenarios. It's a really beautiful love song".[2] However, Brian Littrell stated that "both songs are completely different" in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating that the Backstreet Boys were "either known for dance songs or something that tugs on your heartstrings".[7]

Critical reception

Mike Wass of Idolator described "Chances" as "another irresistible, vaguely retro pop-anthem" containing perfect vocal harmonies.[6] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic praised "Chances" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", stating that both songs are "some of Backstreet's finest, familiar in their delivery yet with a finger on the mainstream pulse of 2019".[8] Writing for Rolling Stone, Jon Dolan stated that the song was "plaintively throbbing".[9] Josh Hurst of Flood Magazine referred to "Chances" as "slightly anthemic", but not jarring.[10]

Commercial performance

"Chances" peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 on November 24, 2018.[11] The song also reached number nine on the US Dance Club Songs on the chart dated March 9, 2019,[12] as well as number 19 on the Adult Top 40 chart dated January 26, 2019.[13] "Chances" peaked on the Canadian Hot 100 at number 55,[14] and was certified gold by Music Canada (MC) for selling over 40,000 equivalent-sales units.[15] The single charted at number 63 on the Official German Charts,[16] and at number 82 on the Schweizer Hitparade in Switzerland.[17]

Music video

Background
The music video was shot in Union Station, where the dancers performed in the ticket lobby.

The music video was released simultaneously with the digital release of the song on November 9, 2018.[18][19] It was co-directed by McLean and René Elizondo Jr., which was the first video McLean directed for the Backstreet Boys.[2][4] The music video was filmed inside Union Station while it was still open to the public,[20] and was the first time all five members wore suits during a music video.[2] Elizondo wanted the video to be cinematic and showcase elements of film noir.[20]

Shooting lasted from 2:00pm to 4:00am on September 4, 2019. The dancers featured in the video are Madison Vomastek and Jake Tribus, both students from the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at the University of Southern California.[21] They were filmed from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, while the Backstreet Boys were designated inside of the train carriage at 3:00am.[20] Both Vomastek and Tribus performed an uninterrupted choreographed sequence that was praised by both the band, their label, and management.[2] As of December 2019, it has over 28 million views on YouTube.[22]

Synopsis

The video begins as a woman runs down the steps of a train station in a Steadicam shot. She helps another woman pick up a bag that she dropped, as a man in front of her misses the train. As she continues to walk by, the man follows her throughout the station until they sit opposite each other on the station seats. The duo perform a dance in the ticket lobby, which they end with a kiss. The video ends as the two sit away from each other on the station seats; the dance sequence was figurative.

The Backstreet Boys appear throughout the video as the events occur. The two people in the station are unaware of their presence, as they are seen behind a pole, inside the moving train, and sitting on the seats adjacent from the two.

Live performances

The Backstreet Boys performed "Chances" on the 15th season of The Voice on November 13, 2018.[23][24] They also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in chicken costumes on January 24, 2019 while they performed "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" on the Manhattan streets and Rockefeller sidewalks,[25][26][27] before performing "Chances" in matching black and gray outfits.[28] The song was also included on the setlist of the DNA World Tour, which supported their studio album DNA.[29]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of DNA.[3]

  • Backstreet Boys – vocals
  • Ryan Tedder – producer, songwriting, programming
  • Zach Skelton – producer, songwriting, drums, guitar, keyboard, programming
  • Shawn Mendes – songwriting
  • Fiona Bevan – songwriting
  • Casey Smith – songwriting, background vocals
  • Geoff Warburton – songwriting
  • Scott Harris – songwriting
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • John Hanes – mix engineer
  • Scott Kelly – assistant engineer
  • Rich Rich – engineer
  • Simone Torres – engineer
  • Kuk Harrell – vocal producer

Charts
Chart performance for "Chances"
Chart (2018–2019) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 55
Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 63
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 82
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[11] 7
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[32] 27
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[13] 19
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[12] 9

Certifications
Certifications and sales for "Chances"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[15] Gold 40,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Chances"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
Various November 9, 2018
Original
[4]
Australia Contemporary hit radio [33]
Various December 21, 2018
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Mark Ralph Remix [31]
United States January 8, 2019 Contemporary hit radio Original RCA [34]
Various January 14, 2019
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Remixes
  • RCA
  • SME
 [30]

References
  1. Vena, Jocelyn (January 13, 2010). "A.J. McLean Solo Debut Features Song By 'NSYNC's JC Chasez". MTV News. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  2. Weatherby, Taylor (November 9, 2018). "AJ McLean Explains Why Backstreet Boys' Upcoming LP 'DNA' Is 'One of Our Best Bodies of Work'". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  3. DNA (booklet). K-BAHN, RCA Records. 2019.
  4. Billboard Staff (November 9, 2018). "Backstreet Boys Announce New Album 'DNA,' Tour and Drop Cinematic Music Video for 'Chances': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  5. Longmire, Becca (November 9, 2018). "Backstreet Boys Release New Single 'Chances' Written By Shawn Mendes, Ryan Tedder, Announce Biggest Arena Tour In 18 Years". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  6. Wass, Mike (November 9, 2018). "Backstreet Boys Announce 9th LP 'DNA,' Roll Out New Single "Chances"". Idolator. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  7. Highfill, Samantha (January 21, 2019). "The Backstreet Boys preview a return to form with new album DNA". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  8. Yeung, Neil Z. "DNA - Backstreet Boys". AllMusic. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  9. Dolan, Jon (February 7, 2019). "Review: Backstreet's Back With Contemporary-Pop Magic on 'DNA'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  10. Hurst, Josh (February 5, 2019). "Backstreet Boys, "DNA"". Flood Magazine. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  11. "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  12. "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  13. "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  14. "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  15. "Canadian single certifications – Backstreet Boys – Chances". Music Canada.
  16. "Offiziellecharts.de – Backstreet Boys – Chances". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  17. "Swisscharts.com – Backstreet Boys – Chances". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  18. Romano, Nick (November 9, 2018). "Backstreet's back with new Backstreet Boys album and world tour". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  19. Bowsher, Allison (November 9, 2018). "Backstreet Boys Release Shawn Mendes-Written Track 'Chances' And Announce Huge Tour". Much. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  20. "Shooting the music video for Backstreet Boys' 'Chances'". Lenspire Cinematography. September 4, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  21. "Student Blog: Starring in Backstreet Boys' "Chances" video". USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  22. BackstreetBoysVEVO (November 8, 2018). "Backstreet Boys - Chances (Official Video)" – via YouTube.
  23. Ding, Sophie (November 12, 2018). "Backstreet Boys to Perform 'Chances' on 'The Voice': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  24. Matthews, Colleen (November 14, 2018). "Backstreet Boys Perform New Single "Chances" on The Voice [WATCH]". One Country. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  25. Kreps, Daniel (January 25, 2019). "Watch Backstreet Boys, Jimmy Fallon Cluck 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)' Dressed as Chickens". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  26. Murphy, Sarah (January 25, 2019). "Watch the Backstreet Boys and Jimmy Fallon Dress Up as Chickens and Perform "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"". Exclaim!. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  27. Calvario, Liz (January 24, 2019). "Backstreet Boys & Jimmy Fallon Perform All-Clucking Rendition of 'Everybody' -- See the Wacky Performance". E! Online. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  28. Acevedo, Angelica (January 25, 2019). "Backstreet Boys Wear Chicken Costumes, Perform 'Chances' On 'Tonight Show': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  29. Leimkuehler, Matthew (August 27, 2019). "Here's what we saw at the Backstreet Boys concert in Nashville". The Tennessean. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  30. Releases for the Remixes:
  31. Releases for the Mark Ralph Remix:
  32. "Backstreet Boys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  33. "Singles To Radio". The Music Network. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  34. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
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