Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)

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This article is about the song. For the film, see Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of.
"Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)"
Single by Backstreet Boys
from the album In a World Like This
ReleasedNovember 18, 2013 (2013-11-18)
Recorded2012-2013
StudioMTR Studios, Hollywood, California
Chalice Recording Studios, Hollywood, California
GenrePop
Length3:44
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Morgan Taylor Reid
Backstreet Boys singles chronology
"In a World like This"
(2013) 		"Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)"
(2013) 		"God, Your Mama, and Me"
(2017)
Promo cover
Music video
"Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" on YouTube

"Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" is a song by American pop group Backstreet Boys from their eighth studio album In a World Like This. It was released as the second single from the album on November 18, 2013.[1] The song was written by Morgan Taylor Reid, Mika Guillory, and Backstreet Boys members AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson.[2]

It is also the theme song of the documentary film Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of, and was featured in the German movie Sapphire Blue soundtrack.[3]

Background and recording[edit]

My dad right before I was getting ready to go to football practice, he would say, ‘Show ‘em what you’re made of bud!’ That’s kind of how that song got inspired.[4] Another inspiration for A.J. and I writing this song was our children. The innocence and wonder in their eyes is so precious. I want them to keep it forever and I want to rediscover it within myself. No limits, no fear.[5]

— Kevin Richardson

Richardson got the inspiration for the title of the song from his late father's words.[4] The song was co-written by bandmate AJ McLean and is meant to be a pep talk for their children,[2][4] and also as a positive reinforcement for the world in general.[6] "This is as a positive reinforcement-type song because there’s so much negativity out there. The world needs positivity! The song turned out beyond what we ever expected. It became this huge emotional record," McLean said.

Music video[edit]

A music video for the song, directed by Jon Vulpine, was filmed in Miami, Florida.[7] It was premiered on the group's official Facebook page and then released on Vevo a day later.[8][9][10]

The video takes on a minimalistic approach, showing individual shots of each band member against a black background. AJ McLean and Brian Littrell appear shirtless, coinciding with the song's message.[11] Littrell had an open heart surgery in 1998 to correct a birth defect and hadn't been seen shirtless publicly ever since.[12]

Track listing[edit]

  • Digital download[13]
  1. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" – 3:44
  • UK Promo CD single[14]
  1. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Ash Howes Radio Mix)" – 3:44
  2. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Album Version)" – 3:47
  3. "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Morgan Taylor Reid Mix)" – 3:41

Charts[edit]

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[15] 17
UK Indie Chart (Official Charts Company) 3

Release history[edit]

Country Date Format Label
Netherlands[13] November 18, 2013 Digital download
Austria[16] November 22, 2013
Germany[17]
Switzerland[18]
Ireland[19] December 15, 2013
United Kingdom[20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Backstreet Boys' 'Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) Video: A Noir Fantasia Of Boy Band Facial Expressions". MTV. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Baltin, Steve (July 25, 2013). "Backstreet Boys 'Grow Up' on New Album and Reflect on 20 Years of Pop". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  3. ^ "Saphirblau [Original Soundtrack] - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  4. ^ a b c "Kevin Richardson Says BSB Song Was Inspired by His Dad's Wisdom". Ryan Seacrest. August 2, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  5. ^ "Backstreet Boys 'Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)' music video features shirtless Brian, AJ". Entertainment Weekly. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  6. ^ McQuiston, James (November 19, 2013). "BACKSTREET BOYS RELEASE OFFICIAL SHOW 'EM VIDEO". NeuFutur Magazine. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  7. ^ Lang-Einczig, Yvette (October 22, 2013). "Backstreet Boys "Show Em (What You're Made Of)" (Jon Vulpine, dir.)". videostatic.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  8. ^ Grossman, Samantha (November 19, 2013). "This New Backstreet Boys Video Probably Caused an International Hair Gel Shortage". Time. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  9. ^ "Backstreet Boys Go Shirtless, Unveil Fit Bodies in "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" Music Video—Watch Now!". E! Online. November 19, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  10. ^ "Backstreet Boys "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)"". YouTube.
  11. ^ Weigle, Lauren (December 12, 2013). "Backstreet Boys Serenade the Women on 'The View'". Heavy. Retrieved December 15, 2013. [permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Backstreet Boys release 'Show Em What You're Made Of' music video with simple, dramatic theme for second 'In A World Like This' single [WATCH]". Mstarz. November 19, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "ITunes - Muziek - 'Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) - Single' van Backstreet Boys". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2014-04-11. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  14. ^ Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Media notes). Backstreet Boys. BMG. 2013. PROMOBMG1029.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 49, 2013" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  16. ^ "Verbindung zum iTunes Store wird hergestellt". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2014-04-11. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  17. ^ "Verbindung zum iTunes Store wird hergestellt". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2014-04-11. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  18. ^ "Verbindung zum iTunes Store wird hergestellt". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2014-04-11. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  19. ^ "Show 'em (What You're Made Of) - Single by Backstreet Boys". iTunes. 15 December 2013.
  20. ^ "Show 'em (What You're Made Of) - Single by Backstreet Boys". iTunes. 15 December 2013.
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