Other arrangements of I Want It That Way
Pick a learning view.
You are
my (D)fi (A)re, the one
de (D)si (A)re.
Be lieve (F#m)know
when (A)I say
that (F#m)I want it (E)that (A)way.
But we
are (D)two (A)worlds a part.
Can’t (D)reach (A)to your heart (F#m)know
when (A)you say
but (F#m)I want it (E)that (A)way.
But we (E)that (A)way.
Tell me (D)why.
Ain’t noth in’ but a (E)heart (F#m)ache.
Tell me (D)why.
Ain’t noth in’ but a (E)mis (F#m)take.
Tell me (D)why.
I nev er wan na (E)hear you (A)say
(F#m)I want it (E)that (A)way.
Am I (C#sus)that (C#)way.
(F#m)Now I can see that we’ve fall en a part from the (D)way that it used to be, yeah.
No (F#m)mat ter the dis tance, I (A)want you to know that (D)deep down in side of me
(E)you are
my (E)fi (F#m)re, the one
de (E)si (F#m)re.
You are, you are, you are, you (A)are.
Don’t wan na hear you (E)say...
noth in but a (F#)heart (G#m)ache.
(E)Ain’t noth in but a (F#)mis (G#m)take.
(E)I nev er wan na (F#)hear you (B)say
I
want it (F#)that (B)way.
Tell me (E)why.
Ain’t noth in’ but a (F#)heart (G#m)ache.
Tell me (E)why.
Ain’t noth in’ but a (F#)mis (G#m)take.
Tell me (E)why.
I nev er wan na (F#)hear you (B)say
(G#m)I want it (F#)that (B)way.
Tell me (E)why.
Ain’t noth in’ but a (F#)heart (G#m)ache.
Tell me (E)why.
Ain’t noth in’ but a (F#)mis (G#m)take.
Tell me (E)why.
I nev er wan na (F#)hear you (B)say
(G#m)I want it (F#)that (B)way.
Tell me (F#)that (B)way.
’Cause (G#m)I want it (F#)that (B)way.
I Want It That Way — Visual Piano Sheet Music
21 people have learned this song
"I Want It That Way" in visual bar notation — see every note as a colored bar on the staff. Easier to read than traditional sheet music. Scrolls automatically as you play. Key of A, 100 BPM.
This arrangement is a great way to build confidence with an oompah bass pattern in your left hand — that steady root-chord, root-chord pulse at 100 BPM gives the ballad its gentle drive, so keep it relaxed and even before you add anything on top.
Your biggest challenge will be the eleven chords, especially moving between C♯sus4 and C♯, and Esus4 to E — those sus4 resolves need to feel smooth, so isolate them and drill the finger swap slowly until it's automatic.
I'd suggest learning hands separately first, locking in the left-hand bass until it feels almost boring, then layering in the right-hand melody.
Watch the F♯m to G♯m transition; that whole-step shift up can catch you off guard mid-phrase.
Once it clicks, loop the chorus a few times at around 70 BPM and gradually bring it up to tempo.
This is the song that'll really solidify your sus4 resolutions and make them feel like second nature.
Try other practice modes:
About “I Want It That Way”
- Why does "I Want It That Way" show as colored bars instead of notation?
- Bar Notation replaces traditional noteheads with colored horizontal bars on a simplified staff — each bar's vertical position is the pitch and its length is the duration. Much easier to read than classic sheet music while still showing the full arrangement of "I Want It That Way".
- What key is "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys played in?
- I Want It That Way is arranged in the key of A on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
- What's the tempo (BPM) of "I Want It That Way"?
- The arrangement plays at 100 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
- Is "I Want It That Way" easy to play on piano?
- This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
- Can I download sheet music for "I Want It That Way"?
- Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
- Who composed "I Want It That Way"?
- "I Want It That Way" was originally performed by Backstreet Boys. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
- What chords are used in "I Want It That Way"?
- This arrangement uses 11 chords: A, B, Bm, C#, C#sus4, D, E, Esus4, +3 more.
- What other songs by Backstreet Boys can I play here?
- Try "NEVER GONE", "INCOMPLETE", "AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
- Is this real sheet music for "I Want It That Way"?
- It's a simplified visual notation using colored bars instead of traditional notes. Each bar's vertical position shows the pitch and its length shows duration — much easier to read for beginners while still showing the complete arrangement of "I Want It That Way".
- Can I see all the notes in "I Want It That Way"?
- Yes! The Bar Sheet shows every note in the arrangement as a colored bar. The sheet scrolls automatically during playback, or you can scroll manually to study any section. The song is in the key of A at 100 BPM.
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