I Want You Back (Mel B song) explained

I Want You Back
Cover:	I Want You Back (Melanie B single).jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Melanie B featuring Missy Elliott
Recorded:	21–24 June 1998^[1]
Genre:	R&B hip hop
Length:	3:26 (radio edit) 3:51 (soundtrack version)
Label:	Virgin
Producer:	Missy Elliott
Chronology:	Melanie B
Next Title:	Word Up!
Next Year:	1999

"I Want You Back" is the debut solo single of British singer Melanie B, featuring American rapper Missy Elliott. It was released as a single from the soundtrack to the 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall in Love. After two years, the song was also included on Melanie B's debut album, Hot (2000). "I Want You Back" topped the UK Singles Chart on 20 September 1998.

Background

Melanie B recalled, "This was the first time I'd even considered doing anything by myself. I was on tour with the Spice Girls when Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott called me up and said 'Melanie, I've got a song for you, will you come and record it with me?' I checked it with the girls and within a month I was out there, I recorded it in a day, did the video, then came back. She's a genius!"

Music video

The video was directed by Hype Williams.^[2] The video uses the radio edit version of the song and the cover for the single is a still from the music video. The entire video is show with a green hue on screen with occasional use of red and blue, the video starts with Melanie and Missy singing the intro and as the first verse starts, Melanie is seen with her then-fiancée, Jimmy Gulzar,^[3] as she smacks, hits and teases him. Melanie is pregnant in the video. In the second verse Melanie is seen crawling on a table to meet Jimmy at the end for more teasing, wearing Gene Simmons-esque make-up. As the bridge comes on, Melanie is seen in a cage with Jimmy high in the air. Shots of Melanie, Missy, and back up dancers in cowboy hats are seen dancing as the video ends.

Track listings

UK CD and cassette single; Australian CD single^{[4] [5]}

1. "I Want You Back" – 3:25
2. "I Want You Back" – 3:51
3. "I Want You Back" – 8:22

UK 12-inch single^[6]

A1. "I Want You Back" – 8:22

B1. "I Want You Back" – 8:17

B2. "I Want You Back" – 3:51

European CD single^[7]

1. "I Want You Back" – 3:25
2. "I Want You Back" – 3:52

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1998)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[9]	87
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[10]	72
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[11]	75
UK Singles (OCC)^[12]	82

Certifications

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Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	21 July 1998	Rhythmic contemporary radio	Virgin	^[13]
United Kingdom	14 September 1998			^[14]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Spice in the News.
2. Web site: Spice in the News.
3. Web site: For richer not poorer . . 23 March 2017 .
4. I Want You Back. Melanie B. 1998. UK & Australian CD single liner notes. Virgin Records. VSCDT 1716, 7243 8 95397 21.
5. I Want You Back. Melanie B. 1998. UK cassette single sleeve. Virgin Records. VSC 1716, 7243 8 95397 4 5.
6. I Want You Back. Melanie B. 1998. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Virgin Records. VST 1716, 7243 8 95397 69.
7. I Want You Back. Melanie B. 1998. European CD single liner notes. Virgin Records. VSCDE 1716, 7243 8 95370 2 4.
8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 15. 40. 13. 3 October 1998. 13 September 2020.
9. Web site: Rapports Annuels 1998. Ultratop. fr. 8 March 2020.
10. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998. Dutch Top 40. 8 March 2020.
11. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998. MegaCharts. nl. 8 March 2020.
12. Best Sellers of 1998 – Singles Top 100. Music Week. 7. 16 January 1999.
13. New Releases. Radio & Records. 1257. 86. 17 July 1998. Misprinted as 14 July on source.
14. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 45. 12 September 1998. 11 July 2021.