Interpretation lyrical [adjust] Numerous commentators have questioned the song's lyrical significance throughout the years, particularly the phrase "I want it that way." According to Ben Westhoff of LA Weekly, the song's lyrical substance "makes no sense." According to Westhoff, "the primary difficulty is the definition of 'that.'" Westhoff discerned that, upon evaluating the lyrics, "None of the chorus's thoughts seem to correspond to any of the others. Worse still, no more explanation is provided for 'that.'" According to the reviewer, the song is about "someone who just does not like it when his sweetheart expresses preferences, never wanting to hear when his lady expresses specific desires." [10]
