Backstreet Boys - Black and Blue

A little more than a year after their very successful album "Millennium", Backstreet Boys returned for their album "Black and Blue" with hopes of maintaining their success, and even gone a world trip in advance to promote the album.

"Black and Blue" was lee by the midtempo ballad "Shape of My Heart", which used the same percussion but slower than their biggest hit "I Want It That Way". The song became a global hit though not as huge as "I Want It That Way". It went to number 9 in Billboard Hot 100, and 8 in US Mainstream chart. In UK, it was bigger at number 4 (Silver Record), while number 1 in European Hot 100 Singles.

The second single has been "The Call" following the pattern of "Millennium" by releasing an upbeat track. A remix version was also released with The Neptunes which has R&B and hip-hop elements. The song was a moderate success though reaching number 52 in Billboard Hot 100, and a bigger success in US Mainstream chart reaching number 19. It became a number 8 in UK Singles Chart.

The final single was again a ballad which was "More Than That" which had moderate charting success too. It peaked at number 27 and 14 in Billboard Hot 100 and US Mainstream chart respectively. It charted at number 12 in UK, while lower in Europe at number 22.

"Black and Blue" may not have lived up with the hype and to the success of "Millennium", but it was still considered a big seller. It debuted at number 1 in the US with huge first week sales of 1.5 million, with total of 8 million. It only reached number 13 in UK though, with Gold Record certification. There are global sales estimate at 15 million copies.