Written and led by Gary Barlow, it became a global sensation, reaching and remaining a defining anthem of 1990s pop. Key Facts and Background
: The lyrics center on themes of regret, longing, and second chances , with the narrator admitting mistakes and pleading for a lost love to return.
: Reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 , it was the group's only major US hit and made them the first British boy band of the '90s to reach the US top ten.
: Gary Barlow claims he wrote the song in just 15 minutes .