Tearin' Up My Heart

"Tearin' Up My Heart" is a song by American boy band NSYNC, released as the second single from their self-titled debut album in Germany on February 10, 1997 and June 30, 1998 in the US and UK. It reached the top ten in several countries, including Germany and the UK, and is known for being one of their signature songs.

"Tearin' Up My Heart"
Artwork for the 1998 reissue, released in retail outside the US and as promo single in the US
Single by NSYNC
from the album 'N Sync
B-side
ReleasedFebruary 10, 1997
RecordedNovember – December 1996
StudioCheiron Studios
(Stockholm, Sweden)
GenreDance-pop[1]
Length3:30
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Lundin
NSYNC singles chronology
"I Want You Back"
(1996)		 "Tearin' Up My Heart"
(1997)		 "Here We Go"
(1997)
Music video
"Tearin' Up My Heart" on YouTube

Background

The song was originally pitched to the Backstreet Boys but was eventually given to NSYNC to record.[2] It was co-written by Max Martin and Kristian Lundin in a three day period after their debut single "I Want You Back" started appearing on several charts in Europe. Their label back then, BMG Ariola, wanted their next single to be similar but catered towards an American audience.[3]

In an interview with Idolator, Lundin discussed the song's recording session:[3]

I had been up all night finishing a rough track, got to bed around 7 a.m. and planned to sleep a couple of hours before recording. We only had that one day to get it all before they were to catch a flight to Germany the morning after. Unfortunately, after missing what must have been four alarms, several wake-up-calls and Denniz and Martin frantically banging on my door, I slept a good seven hours. The guys were outstanding, and in good shape despite flying in to Stockholm the night before. Luckily, Denniz and Martin took them sight-seeing in Stockholm while waiting, so they were still in good spirits. Needless to say, we didn’t take any breaks during the now very late session, which went on until 6 in the morning. We actually recorded the last takes with JC while the other guys were well on their way to the airport.

The band were excited to record the song, as Chasez felt that it would help with their concerts, since they could start and end the show with two hit songs.[4]

Composition

The song is based on 4
4 common time, the tempo is 110 BPM and is played in the key of A minor.[5]

Critical reception

In 2007, VH1 listed "Tearin' Up My Heart" as the 30th greatest song of the 1990s.[6] In Billboard's ranking of "The 100 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time", the song was ranked as number five, stating that although it was similar to "I Want You Back", the song's "higher energy and sharper hook" was made "more awe-inspiring" than the former. In addition, they wrote that "the harmonies provided by the rest of the group on the chorus make it about as quintessential as boy band songs come, with the rolling pop melody and funky pre-verse breakdown helping it really soar".[7]

Commercial performance

The song has reached the top 10 in several countries, including number three in Canada, number four in Germany and Austria, number six in Sweden, and number nine in the UK. It has also charted in top 20 in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.

In the US, "Tearin' Up My Heart" charted at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached the top 10 on the Mainstream Top 40.

It has since been certified Silver in the UK.

Music video

Background

The music video was directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky.[8][9] It depicts the band dancing, goofing off, and participating in a photo shoot. The dance routine shown in the video is similar to the choreography used during their concert and TV performances.[3] The video was released internationally on February 1997, as well as in the US on the debut episode of Total Request Live on September 14, 1998.[10] As of December 2019, the video has over 53 million views on YouTube.[11]

Synopsis

The video begins with several flash cuts of Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez posing in front of the camera. The remaining members join in as they perform several choreographed sequences, which constantly transition from the group wearing urban clothing and white tank tops and jackets. The first verse begins with Chasez sitting on a gym bench, while Chris Kirkpatrick is practicing on a punching bag. Both are then seen leaning on the rafters, as Timberlake is choosing clothes off a clothes rack. The group are then playing a basketball game, as they prepare for a photoshoot in front of a white backdrop. The chorus begins with the group, wearing white shirts and black pants, performing choreographed dance moves as the photographer takes various flash photos. Several members then perform stunts, such as backflips, midair splits and various parkour jumps.

Timberlake's verse begins with the group lying on the floor covered with instant photographs, then taking selfies while eating pizza on the couch. The next scene transitions to Timberlake lying on a bed, as he stretches his arms out. The group continue to perform their choreography during the chorus, however each member individually dances in front of the camera. The bridge plays as Chasez and Kirkpatrick pose in one room, while Lance Bass and Joey Fatone are briefly seen in another. Timberlake stretches around the bedroom during each alternating jump cut. The final chorus has the group dressed in all black clothing, along with scenes of Chasez playing on a guitar in the living room. The video ends with the group posing in a freeze-frame shot.

Accolades
Award Year Category Result Ref.
MTV Video Music Awards 1999 Best Pop Video Nominated [12]
Best Group Video Nominated [12]
Viewer's Choice Nominated [12]

Live performances

NSYNC performed the song on MTV's Fashionably Loud segment, as part of their Spring Break coverage on March 19, 1999.[13] At the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears and NSYNC performed a dual medley of their respective songs, "...Baby One More Time" and "Tearin' Up My Heart".[14] Initially, Spears performed "...Baby One More Time" as a classroom dance. Afterwards, she was joined by members of NSYNC for a dance routine, before launching into "Tearin' Up My Heart" to conclude their performance.[15][16]

On April 14, 2019, they performed the song at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with pop singer Ariana Grande, who headlined the event.[17] The group, minus Justin Timberlake, appeared as her surprise guests to sing the bridge of "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored", which sampled "It Makes Me Ill" from their second album No Strings Attached. They then performed "Tearin' Up My Heart", with Grande substituting for Timberlake's vocals in the second verse.[18]

"Tearin' Up My Heart" was used on NSYNC's episode of Becoming, an MTV program where fans recreate a music video initially shot by an artist.[19] The song was also given to the Massive Monkees on the fourth season of America's Best Dance Crew as part of the VMAs challenge in Week 6.[20]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Silver 200,000[51]

References
  1. Tortorici, Frank (May 3, 1999). "'N Sync's James Lance 'Lansten' Bass". MTV News. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. Rowley, Glenn (February 12, 2020). "Backstreet Boys Open Up About Competing With *NSYNC on 'Watch What Happens Live'". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  3. Daw, Robbie (March 22, 2013). "*NSYNC's Debut Album Turns 15: Backtracking". Idolator. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. Weatherby, Taylor (March 24, 2018). "*NSYNC Reflects on Making U.S. Debut & Competing With Backstreet Boys as Self-Titled Album Turns 20: 'It Was Us Against the World'". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  5. "Key & BPM for Tearin' Up My Heart by *NSYNC". Dave Tompkins :: Music Database. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  6. "Latest Music News - VH1 | 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". VH1. Archived from the original on December 20, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  7. Weatherby, Taylor (April 23, 2018). "The 100 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  8. "MOTELX Awards 2017: "Thursday Night" by Gonçalo Almeida receives the Méliès d'Argent/Award for Best Portuguese Horror Short Film; Stefan Ruzowitzky's "Cold Hell" wins the Méliès d'Argent/Award for Best European Horror Feature". MOTELx. October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  9. Northover, Kylie (May 9, 2008). "Hitler's forced helpers: Film". The Age. p. 6. ISSN 0312-6307.
  10. Anderson, Kyle (September 14, 2013). "On the 15th anniversary of the 'TRL' premiere, a look back at the first top 10". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  11. NSYNCVEVO. "*NSYNC - Tearin' Up My Heart (Official Video)". Retrieved September 15, 2019 – via YouTube.
  12. "1999 MTV Video Music Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  13. Palmieri, Lea (April 4, 2019). "WTF Was Even Going On With This *NSYNC Performance at MTV's Spring Break 1999?". Decider. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  14. "Britney performs '...Baby One More Time' at her first VMAs. (1999)". MTV Networks. June 9, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  15. Meyers, Laura Marie (August 23, 2014). "Let's All Relive Britney and *NSYNC's 1999 VMAs Performance". PopSugar. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  16. Reinstein, Mara (August 22, 2019). "Why the 1999 VMAs Were the Last Hurrah For Classic MTV". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  17. Havens, Lyndsey (April 15, 2019). "Ariana Grande Reunites *NSYNC, Brings Out Diddy & More During Her Epic Coachella Headlining Set". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  18. Belfiore, Emily (October 14, 2019). "*NSYNC Awards the Seattle Seahawks Best Touchdown Celebration After Epic "Bye Bye Bye" Dance". E! Online. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
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  51. https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/14879-1576-1
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