Format Digital download Length 3:44 | Genre Pop Label BMG
K-BAHN | |
Released November 18, 2013 (2013-11-18) Recorded MTR Studios, Hollywood, California
Chalice Recording Studios, Hollywood, California | ||
"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. The song was written by Morgan Taylor Reid, Mika Guillory, and Backstreet Boys members AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson.
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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 Saphirblau soundtrack.
Background and recording
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. 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.
Richardson got the inspiration for the title of the song from his late father's words. The song was co-written by band mate AJ McLean and is meant to be a pep talk for their children, and also as a positive reinforcement for the world in general. "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
A music video for the song, directed by Jon Vulpine, was filmed in Miami, Florida on October 24, 2013. It was premiered on November 19, 2013 on the group's official Facebook page and then released on Vevo a day later.
The video takes on a minimalistic approach, showing individual shots of each band member against a black background. McLean and Brian Littrell were shirtless as they were going by the song theme and show something important for them personally—a tattoo dedicated to his daughter for McLean and a heart surgery scar for Littrell. Littrell had an open heart surgery in 1998 to correct a birth defect and hadn't been seen shirtless publicly ever since.
- "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of)" – 3:44
- "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Ash Howes Radio Mix)" – 3:44
- "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Album Version)" – 3:47
- "Show 'Em (What You're Made Of) (Morgan Taylor Reid Mix)" – 3:41