We just can’t seem to shake off the era of boy bands. But do we really want to? This former Backstreet Boy groupie would be just fine if boy bands never went away.

The phenomenon which boomed in the late 80s with New Kids on the Block. Further carried on with groups like One Direction. And even further along now by BTS. It’s the world-wide pandemonium of teenage girls swooning over a pack of young men who sing (and sometimes serenade) hit songs that never seem to get old or tired.

You have a group like BTS, who actually have been around for over a decade, took a short hiatus to serve for the South Korean military, and are back with a vengeance. If you’re unsure of how big the BTS phenomenon is, just check out Lisa’s recent post on her ultra-amazing concert going experience. Two nights worth, and a whole lot of preparations for the big weekend. The real deal.

Then you have the hot boy bands from the late 80s and early 90s that keep producing new music and going on new tours. New Kids? They’re still a thing. Backstreet Boys? Also still a thing. New Kids and Backstreet Boys joining forces? Say it ain’t so. But it was. I was fortunate enough to experience NKOTBSB in Vegas years ago with my bestie. And in no way shape or form did this experience disappoint. You know you’re old when you see girls at the show who weren’t even born when these groups became famous. Ugh!! But that goes to show the power of boy bands. Let’s check out some of the hits and some of the fun:

New Kids on the Block

If you aren’t totally familiar with New Kids on the Block, that’s ok. You then might be familiar with Donnie Wahlberg? Marky Mark’s brother and co-star of the hit show, Blue Bloods. Donnie was one of five who made up the New Kids on the Block in 1984. They had hits such as “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” and “Step By Step.”

(I remember having a neighbor who had the entire NKOTB bedroom set!)

New Kids on the Block paved the way for more bands to successfully join this new era of pop music.

Backstreet Boys

Still performing today, the Backstreet Boys were formed in 1993.

The Backstreet Boys definitely blew up this new boy band phenomenon, capturing the young hearts of girls around the world. Winning multiple music and video awards, selling tons of merch, and even partnering with Burger King at one point to release an action figure collection and special CDs! Multiple behind the scenes video collections, decades of touring worldwide, and still going strong.

NSYNC

Some could say NSYNC is the Temu Backstreet Boys. “Some” being diehard BSB fans!! But really, the backstory to NSYNC aligns with this notion. Band manager, Lou Pearlman had become infatuated with the success of New Kids on the Block. He got involved with the Backstreet Boys from the beginning. After some trials and tribulations during the Backstreet Boys’ rise to stardom, and being fired by the band, Pearlman joined forces with NSYNC, who had formed in 1995. Therefore… Temu Backstreet Boys. Biased? You bet I am!

Now that the days of Team BSB and Team NSYNC high school battles are over, I will admit, they have some catchy tunes.

98° 

Then comes along pop group, 98 Degrees. Formed in 1996, and probably turned out more reality television hits than hit singles. Remember the days of Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, on MTV? No? How about the viral moment when Jessica Simpson asks Nick Lachey if the tuna fish she’s eating is “chicken or fish because it says ‘chicken’ on the can?” Yep, that Nick Lachey, of the boy band, 98 Degrees.

O-Town

Probably not as mainstream as their predecessors, but slightly more unique. O-Town was actually formed in 2000 on the first season of reality TV show, Making the Band. I feel like their songs were played a lot during school dances. They just have that vibe. But like NKOTB and BSB, these guys still tour.

With these particular boy bands still either performing today, or even just staying relevant in healthy ways, newer generations of boy band groupies are loving every minute of it. Then you throw in the whole K-Pop genre and even more momentum for the whole boy band phenomenon. It’s safe to say boy bands aren’t going anywhere soon. So probably best to just embrace it.