Pop

I Want It That Way Chords

Backstreet Boys Beginner Key of A 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

Atap to play

F#mtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

A · F#m · D · E

I Want It That Way Chords – Guitar

The Backstreet Boys’ most iconic song features a timeless pop melody and simple chord progression. It’s one of the most singable pop songs ever written.

Pop Anthem (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming clean and bright. The F#m can be played as a barre chord (244222) or simplified. This song is all about the vocal melody, so keep the guitar supportive.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A F#m D

You are my fire, the one desire

E A F#m

Be-lieve when I say, I want it that way

A F#m D

But we are two worlds a-part

E

Can’t reach to your heart when you say

A F#m D E

That I want it that way

Chorus

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a heartache

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a mistake

D E F#m D

Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say

E A

I want it that way

Verse 2

A F#m D

Am I your fire? Your one desire

E A F#m

Yes I know it’s too late, but I want it that way

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Want It That Way"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, F#m, D and E.

Is "I Want It That Way" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Want It That Way" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Want It That Way"?

It was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and released in 1999.

Atap to play

F#mtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

A · F#m · D · E

I Want It That Way Chords – Ukulele

The Backstreet Boys’ most iconic song features a timeless pop melody and simple chord progression. It’s one of the most singable pop songs ever written.

Pop Anthem (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming clean and bright. The F#m can be played as a barre chord (244222) or simplified. This song is all about the vocal melody, so keep the guitar supportive.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A F#m D

You are my fire, the one desire

E A F#m

Be-lieve when I say, I want it that way

A F#m D

But we are two worlds a-part

E

Can’t reach to your heart when you say

A F#m D E

That I want it that way

Chorus

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a heartache

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a mistake

D E F#m D

Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say

E A

I want it that way

Verse 2

A F#m D

Am I your fire? Your one desire

E A F#m

Yes I know it’s too late, but I want it that way

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Want It That Way"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, F#m, D and E.

Is "I Want It That Way" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Want It That Way" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Want It That Way"?

It was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and released in 1999.

Atap to play

F#mtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

A · F#m · D · E

I Want It That Way Chords – Piano

The Backstreet Boys’ most iconic song features a timeless pop melody and simple chord progression. It’s one of the most singable pop songs ever written.

Pop Anthem (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming clean and bright. The F#m can be played as a barre chord (244222) or simplified. This song is all about the vocal melody, so keep the guitar supportive.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A F#m D

You are my fire, the one desire

E A F#m

Be-lieve when I say, I want it that way

A F#m D

But we are two worlds a-part

E

Can’t reach to your heart when you say

A F#m D E

That I want it that way

Chorus

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a heartache

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a mistake

D E F#m D

Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say

E A

I want it that way

Verse 2

A F#m D

Am I your fire? Your one desire

E A F#m

Yes I know it’s too late, but I want it that way

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Want It That Way"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, F#m, D and E.

Is "I Want It That Way" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Want It That Way" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Want It That Way"?

It was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and released in 1999.

Atap to play

F#mtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

A · F#m · D · E

I Want It That Way Chords – Banjo

The Backstreet Boys’ most iconic song features a timeless pop melody and simple chord progression. It’s one of the most singable pop songs ever written.

Pop Anthem (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming clean and bright. The F#m can be played as a barre chord (244222) or simplified. This song is all about the vocal melody, so keep the guitar supportive.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A F#m D

You are my fire, the one desire

E A F#m

Be-lieve when I say, I want it that way

A F#m D

But we are two worlds a-part

E

Can’t reach to your heart when you say

A F#m D E

That I want it that way

Chorus

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a heartache

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a mistake

D E F#m D

Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say

E A

I want it that way

Verse 2

A F#m D

Am I your fire? Your one desire

E A F#m

Yes I know it’s too late, but I want it that way

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Want It That Way"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, F#m, D and E.

Is "I Want It That Way" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Want It That Way" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Want It That Way"?

It was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and released in 1999.

Atap to play

F#mtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

A · F#m · D · E

I Want It That Way Chords – Mandolin

The Backstreet Boys’ most iconic song features a timeless pop melody and simple chord progression. It’s one of the most singable pop songs ever written.

Pop Anthem (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming clean and bright. The F#m can be played as a barre chord (244222) or simplified. This song is all about the vocal melody, so keep the guitar supportive.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A F#m D

You are my fire, the one desire

E A F#m

Be-lieve when I say, I want it that way

A F#m D

But we are two worlds a-part

E

Can’t reach to your heart when you say

A F#m D E

That I want it that way

Chorus

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a heartache

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a mistake

D E F#m D

Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say

E A

I want it that way

Verse 2

A F#m D

Am I your fire? Your one desire

E A F#m

Yes I know it’s too late, but I want it that way

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Want It That Way"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, F#m, D and E.

Is "I Want It That Way" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Want It That Way" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Want It That Way"?

It was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and released in 1999.

Atap to play

F#mtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

A · F#m · D · E

I Want It That Way Chords – Harmonica

The Backstreet Boys’ most iconic song features a timeless pop melody and simple chord progression. It’s one of the most singable pop songs ever written.

Pop Anthem (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Keep the strumming clean and bright. The F#m can be played as a barre chord (244222) or simplified. This song is all about the vocal melody, so keep the guitar supportive.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A F#m D

You are my fire, the one desire

E A F#m

Be-lieve when I say, I want it that way

A F#m D

But we are two worlds a-part

E

Can’t reach to your heart when you say

A F#m D E

That I want it that way

Chorus

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a heartache

D E A

Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a mistake

D E F#m D

Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say

E A

I want it that way

Verse 2

A F#m D

Am I your fire? Your one desire

E A F#m

Yes I know it’s too late, but I want it that way

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Want It That Way"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, F#m, D and E.

Is "I Want It That Way" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Want It That Way" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Want It That Way"?

It was written by Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson, and released in 1999.