Now or Never is the debut solo album by Nick Carter, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys, released on October 29, 2002 by Jive Records. The album debuted at #17 in its first week on the Billboard 200,[ allmusic.com - Now or Never > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums] selling some 70,000 copies during first week in U.S. It fell out of the top 50 in its second week, but sold well enough to be certified Gold by the RIAA in December 2002. Two singles were released from the album, neither of which had any impact on the US charts. The first single, "Help Me", reach number 9 on the Canadian Singles Chart.[ allmusic.com - Now or Never > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles] "I Got You" was a minor hit in Europe and Southeast Asia. A sneak preview of the album was attached to the end of the fourth album of Carter's younger brother Aaron, Another Earthquake.
Background In 2002, when the Backstreet Boys expressed a strong desire to leave their management company, The Firm, Carter chose to remain with them to manage his solo career. As the group began recording their new album without him, he started working on his first solo album. Now or Never was released on October 29, 2002. The album reached No. 17 on the Billboard 200; further, it was certified gold in both the United States and Canada. The lead single, "Help Me" achieved considerable worldwide success while the other single, "I Got You" was a minor hit in Europe while "Do I Have to Cry for You" became popular in the Philippines. The album made the charts in several other countries as well. Carter also launched a worldwide tour in support of the album.
Track listing
Personnel Credits for Now or Never adapted from AllMusic.
Per Aldeheim – engineer, guitar, guitar engineer, producer Alex G. – digital editing Dave Arch – string arrangements Keith B. Armstrong – mixing assistant Elan Bongiorno – make-up Martin Brammer – engineer, mixing, Pro Tools, producer, programming, vocals (background) Michael Brauer – mixing Nick Carter – illustrations, vocals (background) Alison Clark – vocals (background) Gary Clark – bass, engineer, guitar, keyboards, mixing, Pro Tools, producer, programming, vocals (background) Tom Coyne – mastering Michelle John Douglas – vocals (background) Geoff Dugmore – drums Rickard Evensand – drums Nick Friend – assistant Elisa Garcia – art direction, design Paul Gendler – guitar Matthew Gerrard – arranger, engineer, instrumentation, producer, programming, vocal arrangement Stefan Glaumann – mixing Steve Harvey – percussion Wayne Hector – vocals (background) Peter Kahm – bass Fridrik Karlsson – guitar Brian Kierulf – engineer Peter Kvint – guitar Chris Laws – drums, engineer Steve Lee – guitar (acoustic), vocals (background) Chris Lord-Alge – mixing Steve Lunt - A&R, composer Steve Mac – arranger, keyboards, mixing, producer Anthony Mandler – photography Max Martin – engineer, mixing, producer, vocal engineer, vocals (background) The Matrix – arranger, engineer, mixing, producer Pablo Munguia – vocal engineer Jackie Murphy – art direction Esbjörn Öhrwall – guitar Steve Pearce – bass Adam Phillips – guitar (electric) Daniel Pursey – assistant engineer, percussion Rami – engineer, mixing, producer Cesar Ramirez – assistant engineer, assistant vocal engineer Brandy St. John – stylist Christian Saint Val – assistant engineer Sank – engineer Andrew Scarth – engineer José Carlos Schwartz – bass, engineer, producer, vocals (background) Mark Taylor – engineer, mixing, producer Matt Tryggestad – vocal arrangement Michael Tucker – engineer Jeff Vereb – assistant engineer Jong Uk Yoon – assistant engineer
Charts +Chart performance for Now or NeverChart (2002)PeakpositionJapanese Albums (Oricon)4Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)25Swiss Albums (Swiss Hitparade)85UK Albums (OCC)91
Certifications
References