Never Gone is the fifth studio album (fourth in the United States) by American vocal group Backstreet Boys. It was released by Jive Records on June 14, 2005, as the successor to their fourth studio album Black & Blue (2000), after a short hiatus. The album differs musically from their previous albums, shifting from teen pop into pop rock tendencies. Unlike previous albums, it featured only live instruments. The album's title track is inspired by the death of Kevin Richardson's father, Jerald, who was also Brian Littrell's uncle.