One Direction just celebrated their 10th anniversary and it reminded music lovers that boy bands were all the rave back in the day. While former members, like Harry Styles and Zayn Malik, have gone solo, their success in making it to the top music charts implies that the appeal of the boy band is not completely lost. That is because they not only symbolize desirable masculinity, but they also represent youthful freedom.
Here are some of the greatest boy bands that will certainly nudge some nostalgia strings of fans.
Boyz II Men
Starting off with the list is a group that is more known more for their soulful a cappella style and ballads. This style is what makes them unique compared to other boy groups who focuses more on pop and dance music. Michael McCary, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Marc Nelson, and Shawn Stockman comprises one of the most successful R&B groups of all time.
They are most known for the song "One Sweet Day" with Mariah Carey. Their other songs that made it to the top charts are "Motownphilly" and "It's Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday." Their most recent work was Under the Streetlight in 2017, which means their return is not that impossible.
Boyzone
Another boyband that took the world by storm was the Irish boy group composed of Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch. Some of the songs to ignite any fans' love for Boyzone are "No Matter What," "All That I Need," and "I Love the Way You Love Me." On 2009, Gately died but the four continued making music and made four studio albums. There are rumors going about their return for their 30th anniversary on 2024.
Westlife
One Direction was not the only group formed by Simon Cowell. He also signed four Irish gentlemen Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, and Brian McFadden to start one of the most successful boy bands. Their songs "Swear it Again," "If I Let You Go," "Flying Without Wings" and many others made it to the top of the charts across the world. As for their recent efforts, they released an album called Spectrum last November 2019.
'NSync
Lansten "Lance" Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Justin Timberlake formed the boy band's name by combining the last letters of their first names. They have been successful ever since they launched their album No Strings Attached in 2000. Even though they ended in 2006, they appeared in the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and recently performed with Ariana Grande in 2019 Coachella festival.
Backstreet Boys
Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, and Kevin Richardson are considered the most successful boyband to date with over 100 million claimed sales. In 2013, they were awarded a star in on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Aside from being the most successful, they are also the ones who laster longer than any other group. They are still considered active, having released their ninth album DNA last January 2019 and with plans to go on tour in 2021.
