Today marks the anniversary of the release of “I Want It That Way,” the era-defining ballad by the Backstreet Boys that turned 90s pop into a global phenomenon. But this year, as fans reminisce about one of the greatest boyband anthems of all time, there’s another moment that deserves to be celebrated — the iconic Westlife x Backstreet Boys WeChat virtual concert of 2025.
It wasn’t just a performance. It was history in the making — two of the most beloved boybands in pop music coming together in a digital spectacle that blended nostalgia, emotion, and pure star power. And at the heart of it all? A goosebump-inducing mashup of “I Want It That Way” and “My Love” that united millions of fans across continents and generations.
A Virtual Dream Come True
The announcement in early 2025 sent shockwaves through the fandom universe. Westlife and the Backstreet Boys — two groups whose careers had spanned decades and charted a parallel rise in the global pop scene — were collaborating for a special WeChat virtual concert. The event, designed as an immersive digital experience, was more than just a streamed performance. It was a fusion of cutting-edge technology and old-school pop magic, connecting fans in Asia, Europe, and beyond in real time.
When the concert aired, it surpassed even the highest expectations. With holographic visuals, dynamic stage transitions, and rich, concert-quality audio, it was proof that virtual performances could be every bit as powerful — and even more creative — than traditional live shows.
But it was the duet of “I Want It That Way” and “My Love” that stole the show.
Two Anthems, One Emotional Journey
Both songs hold iconic status in their respective catalogs. “I Want It That Way”, released in 1999, became an instant classic and remains one of the most recognizable boyband songs of all time. Its plaintive lyrics, soaring chorus, and emotional pull have stood the test of time. “My Love,” released by Westlife in 2000, is a heartfelt ballad of longing and return — one of the group’s most loved and enduring hits.
In the virtual concert, the medley began with soft piano chords from “My Love”, as Westlife’s Shane Filan and Mark Feehily opened with their signature harmonies. The screen then split in a dramatic visual reveal, and the Backstreet Boys appeared, seamlessly taking over with the opening lines of “I Want It That Way” — “You are… my fire…”
From that moment on, it was pure alchemy.
The performance traded verses between the bands with flawless synergy, building to a spine-tingling dual chorus that merged the two melodies in breathtaking harmony. It wasn’t just two songs blended together — it was a conversation, a reflection of two musical journeys that had run in parallel, finally intersecting in one unforgettable crescendo.
Why It Mattered
The Westlife x Backstreet Boys collaboration wasn’t just a clever concert gimmick. It represented something deeper: a celebration of legacy, friendship, and the enduring power of pop music.
These were two groups who had conquered charts, endured lineup changes, weathered changing tastes, and still remained relevant — not through gimmicks, but through consistency, connection with fans, and an unshakable belief in the beauty of a well-sung love song.
The collaboration also highlighted how music — even in the digital age — can still bring people together. At a time when the world was shifting into hybrid entertainment formats, this performance became a blueprint for how to do it right: preserving the intimacy of live music while embracing the creativity of virtual production.
A Fan Moment That Lives On
Fans still talk about that night. The chat streams flooded with crying emojis, all-caps excitement, and heartfelt stories of how those songs shaped their youth. The hashtags #WeststreetBoys and #MyLoveThatWay trended for days. Fan edits, reaction videos, and acoustic covers flooded TikTok and YouTube. For many, it wasn’t just a performance — it was a long-held dream realized.
And as “I Want It That Way” celebrates yet another year of defining pop culture, what better time to revisit this once-in-a-lifetime moment? To remember the exact note where Brian Littrell and Mark Feehily’s voices intertwined. To relive the image of both bands standing side by side, arms around each other, singing “My love, I’ll never find someone like you…” to a global audience of millions.
So… What Was Your Favorite Moment?
Was it Nick Carter’s soft-spoken delivery of the bridge? Was it Nicky Byrne and Howie D sharing a mic for the final harmonies? Or maybe it was just the sight of both bands — once competitors in the great boyband boom — now collaborators, peers, and friends.
Whatever it was, the 2025 Westlife x Backstreet Boys WeChat concert gave us something rare: a performance that lived up to the hype and reminded us why we fell in love with pop music in the first place.
And today, as “I Want It That Way” rings out again across speakers around the world, we can’t help but smile — and hit play on that mashup one more time.
