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 — Classic Piano Sheet Music
21 people have learned this song
Read "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys in classic piano notation — both hands, real chords + notes, in the published key of A. Engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML; click any note to jump there as the score follows along at 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”
- Is this the same engraved sheet music a piano teacher would print for "I Want It That Way"?
- Yes — the score is rendered server-side from the publisher MusicXML using Verovio (the same engine RISM and OpenScore use). Standard piano notation, treble + bass staves, real chord symbols, key signature A. Print-quality and identical to what you'd see in a printed piano book.
- 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 the same notation a piano teacher would hand me?
- Yes — "I Want It That Way" is rendered at engraver quality (the Verovio engine, the same toolkit RISM and OpenScore editions use) from the original publisher MusicXML. You get standard piano notation: treble + bass clefs, key signature A, time signature, beams, dynamics — everything a printed sheet music book would have. Great for piano students learning to read music properly.
- What's the difference between Sheet Music and the other modes here?
- Sheet Music is the "classic" view — the one your piano teacher uses. Other modes (Beginner, Fall Down, Simple Sheet, Lead Sheet) trade real notation for color-coded notes and falling shapes to help absolute beginners. Use Sheet Music once you're ready to read both hands at once from real notation.
- Can I practice from this view at my own pace?
- Yes — slow the tempo from 100 BPM down (or up) without changing the pitch. The score scrolls in time and the currently playing note is highlighted, so you can drill a tough bar at half speed and bump it up once it feels comfortable.
- Why can I click a note in the score?
- Every notehead is interactive. Click and the audio jumps to that moment so you can drill a specific phrase or bar instead of replaying from the top. The currently playing note is highlighted as the music advances so your eye never loses its place.
- Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?
- Yes — Sheet Music PDF is one of the download formats for this song. The engraved score prints page-perfect on A4 / Letter so you can practice from paper as well as on screen.
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