Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely

by Backstreet Boys

A lushly orchestrated pop ballad steeped in melancholy, evoking a vivid image of solitary heartache under a crimson sun.
Release Date May 18, 1999
Duration 03:54
Album Millennium
Language EN

Emotions

anger
bittersweet
calm
excitement
fear
hope
joy
longing
love
nostalgia
sadness
sensual
tension
triumph

Mood

positive
negative
neutral
mixed

Song Analysis for Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely

"Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is a powerful ballad that delves into themes of heartbreak, loss, and the profound feeling of isolation that follows a separation or the death of a loved one. Lyrically, the song is a direct and emotional plea from the protagonist to a person who is no longer present, asking them to explain the deep, aching feeling of loneliness they are experiencing. The song questions the very nature of this sorrow, wondering if it's a burden they must now carry forever. The repeated phrase, 'There's something missing in my heart,' serves as the core message, encapsulating the sense of void and incompleteness left by the absence of a significant person.

While the lyrics can be interpreted as a standard post-breakup song, the song's true depth and meaning are amplified by the personal tragedies the band members were experiencing around the time of its creation. The accompanying music video makes these connections explicit, transforming the song into a tribute to their real-life struggles. Each member's vignette represents a personal loss or hardship: Brian Littrell's open-heart surgery, Kevin Richardson grieving his late father, Howie Dorough mourning his sister who died from lupus, and AJ McLean lamenting a lost love. The song also serves as a tribute to their producer and mentor Denniz PoP, who had died of cancer in 1998. Therefore, the 'meaning of being lonely' extends beyond romantic heartbreak to encompass grief, mortality, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of immense personal pain.

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Most Frequently Used Words in This Song

heart tell show lonely missin walk meaning feeling need somethin love never hard feel every wish done endless many words broken see crimson breathe maybe nights light soon become wild

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this song

Song Discussion - Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely by Backstreet Boys

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