The 20 best songs by boy bands

The Jackson 5’s claim to national success came in 1969 with their first No.1 single, “I Want You Back.” The song helped push the band into stardom after they performed it on The Ed Sullivan Show. The track highlights the theme of a lover who wants to get his relationship back. 

In 1997, Backstreet Boys released their sophomore album Backstreet’s Back, led by the hit single “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” Written and produced by Max Martin and Denniz Pop, the upbeat tune is not only a fan favorite, it’s one of the group’s most iconic videos and dance routines. 

Songwriting and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis created the romantic New Edition ballad “Can You Stand The Rain.” On the track, the band reflects on being in a relationship but wondering if their significant other will stick beside them when times are hard. 

In 2000, NSNYC released their sophomore album No Strings Attached, led by the single “Bye Bye Bye.” The track is all about reflecting on the end of a relationship. In pure boy-band form, the music video features choreography that a lot of fans love to emulate. 

Over 30 years since their debut and Boyz II Men still holds the title as the best-selling R&B group of all time. Their massive success prompted executives to try to copy their style with other bands, but no boy-band playlist is complete without mentioning Boyz II Men. Babyface wrote and produced the group’s 1994 single “I’ll Make Love To You.” The song spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Maurice Starr founded New Kids on the Block, and he also wrote and produced the band’s 1988 single “You Got It (The Right Stuff).” On the track, the band sings the praises of a significant other who has everything they’ve been looking for. “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” became a top-five single on the Billboard Hot 100. 

When New Edition decided to pursue other endeavors outside of the group, members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe formed the trio Bell Biv DeVoe. Their 1990 hit single “Poison” is one of their most iconic records and features elements of R&B, hip-hop, and new jack swing.

In 1999, LFO released their debut single “Summer Girls.” As they sing on the hook, “I like girls that wear Abercrombie & Fitch / I’d take her if I had one wish / But she’s been gone since that summer, since that summer.” The song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2001, B2K came onto the scene with their debut hit single “Uh Huh.” On the track, group members Omarion, Lil Fizz, J Boog, and Raz B reflect on being privy to a potential lover's interest and then actually pursuing them. 

Brother trio Hanson came onto the scene in 1997 with their lead hit single “MMMBop.” The song was such a hit, it ended up selling 10 million copies. 

Hi-Five has Teddy Riley to thank for their big hit single “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game).” The bubblegum pop single finds the band reflecting on their feelings of infatuation and how a lover makes them feel. The song reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot R&B and Hot 100 charts. 

In 2011, One Direction released their debut album Up All Night, led by the hit single “What Makes You Beautiful.” On the track, the band emphasizes to a significant other how beautiful they are, but they don’t seem to realize it for themselves. As they say on the hook, “Baby you light up my world like nobody else / The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed / But when you smile at the ground, it ain’t hard to tell / You don’t know oh-oh, you don’t know you’re beautiful.” 

In 1991, Jodeci released their second single “Forever My Lady.” Written and produced by group member DeVante Swing and Al B. Sure!, the track tells the story of a man who finds out that his partner is having a baby, and how it’s the start of forever in their lives. As they sing on the second verse, “If I ever lose you / Tell me where would I go / Life would have no meaning / And I pray that you would always stay with me, yeah.” 

In 1968, The Monkees released their fifth album The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees, led by the hit song “Daydream Believer.” The song was a top-20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2001, O-Town released their self-titled debut album, which featured their hit ballad “All or Nothing.” On the track, the band reflects on how they want their significant other to be down for them 100 percent of the time, otherwise, the relationship simply won’t work out. As they sing on the track, “‘Cause you and I could lose it all if you’ve got no room / Nowhere, inside, for me in your life / ‘Cause I want it all or nothing at all.” 

In 1991, Mint Condition released their debut album Meant to Be Mint, which featured their hit single “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes).” On the track, the protagonist is convinced that a potential lover has strong feelings for him, but feels they may be in denial of their feelings.

In 1997, *NSYNC came onto the scene with their hit debut single “I Want You Back.” The track was written and produced by Max Martin and Denniz Pop, who also was known for working with rival group The Backstreet Boys. On “I Want You Back,” it tells the perspective of someone who knows they messed up in their relationship and is now pouring their heart out for a second chance. 

After a six-year hiatus, the Jonas Brothers came together to release their hit single “Sucker.” On the track, the band reflects on being infatuated with a lover and are willing to do anything to show their love. As they sing on the hook, “I’m a sucker for you / You say the word and I’ll go anywhere blindly / I’m a sucker for you, yeah / And on the road that you take, you know that you’ll find me.”

In 1994, All-4-One released their self-titled debut album which featured the hit single “I Swear.” It’s actually a cover song that was originally sung by John Michael Montgomery a year prior. On the track, it tells the theme of the narrator promising to always love his significant other. 

The Beatles still hold the title of the best-selling group of all time. In 1963, the released their hit single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” which helped push their stardom on a global scale.