Top 10 Best Boy Bands of the 1990s

Long-time fans of Hanson may feel inclined to argue against their inclusion on a list such as this one. This is primarily down to the fact that this trio of siblings are genuine musicians and songwriters, and don’t quite fit the typical meaning of “boy band” as we’ve come to know the term today. However, this band dynamic isn’t one that’s limited only to the 1990s, with groups like The Cowsills, The Jackson 5 and The Osmonds taking this formula back decades. So, we feel that Hanson deserves a spot on this list because of their talent, and because these catchy earworms were composed by the brothers themselves. This is no mean feat, after all, and it’s helped the music of Hanson both endure and mature.

The origins of Bell Biv DeVoe actually date back to the incarnation of another vocal group, New Edition. That group’s success occurred primarily during the 1980s, but ex-members Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe would go on to enjoy success of their own into the ‘90s. The legacy of Bell Biv DeVoe is probably most closely associated with the hit single “Poison,” as well as the group’s keen fashion sense. This combination of style and substance allowed Bell Biv Devoe to retain artistic credibility, while also possessing enough visual flair to appeal to the youth market as a “boy band.”

The United States wasn’t the only country to obtain a lock on the boy band industry. Britain possesses a long and storied history of mop top lads coming across the pond to invade and captivate the hearts of young fans. 5ive was simply an updated take on this sort of approach, a preened and polished group that held managerial connections to The Spice Girls. Their American success may not be comparable to either these ladies or that ‘60s British Invasion, but 5ive still managed to hit it big at home. Singles like “When the Lights Go Out” and “If Ya Gettin’ Down” also proved that members could write or co-write their own hits.

The life cycle of a boy band almost inevitably involves the singling out of certain members for stardom. This could involve a solo singing career, à la One Direction’s Harry Styles, or acting/reality show appearances. This is where Nick Lachey and 98 Degrees come into the picture, since it was the former’s marriage to singer Jessica Simpson that allowed both of them to expand beyond music. This isn’t to say that 98 Degrees didn’t enjoy plenty of success as a musical group, of course, with the sibling relationship of Nick and Drew Lachey bringing a unique dynamic to their stage presence. Elsewhere, songs like “Because of You” and “The Hardest Thing” earned 98s Degrees massive chart success to boot.

It’s probably doubtful that those behind the casting process for Boyzone thought ahead much when it came to the group’s name. The intent here was very clear, laid out in black-and-white with the idea to create an “Irish Take That.” And this was exactly what producer and manager Louis Walsh achieved when he gathered up a group of handsome fellas to sing old-school covers and modern originals across Irish pubs and TV programs. Boyzone’s first three albums and the “By Request” compilation disc sold millions of copies, and managed to increase the band’s profile both at home and abroad. So, yeah, the “boys” in Boyzone eventually grew up to become men, but “Manzone,” “Guyzone” or even “Blokezone” don’t really have the same ring to them, do they?

The original success of Britain’s Take That burned brightly, to the tune of three highly successful albums released in quick succession. We all know how invested fans of boy bands can get, so when news broke that Take That was splitting up in 1996, a helpline was actually set up by Samaritans to deal with this crisis. Of course, we possess the benefit of hindsight to know that Robbie Williams’ departure would lead to an equally successful solo career, while Take That would eventually reunite without Williams in 2005, and then back with him in 2010. The band’s fans never forgot them through all these years, and were apparently just glad they were, wait for it, “Back for Good.”

This one is tough, because the New Kids on the Block did achieve a lot of their success during the 1980s, but thankfully their momentum carried them along enough into the following decade (and beyond) to merit their inclusion on this list. Because what grouping of boy bands would be complete without mentioning just how huge a phenomenon NKOTB was, back in their day? Their 1990 album, “Step By Step” featured two top ten singles, as well as an expansive world tour. The New Kids were also co-writing more songs at this point, and playing their own instruments. This allowed their more mature follow-up, “Face the Music,” to incorporate more diverse musical influences, such as R&B.

It’s probably disingenuous to immediately dismiss the intrinsically hooky nature of pop music and “boy band” material as ineffectual or without merit. After all, even restrained, structured pop tunes can be difficult to write. Boyz II Men turned their melodic, sensitive and sincere style of vocal pop harmony into an art form. This was achieved primarily upon the backs of their ballads, like “End of the Road,” “On Bended Knee” and “I’ll Make Love to You.” Boyz II Men could also swing and groove with the best of them, however, and helped underline the fact that pop music can be a unifying and transformative genre.

The question every boy band fan was asking at the start of this video is probably clear: which out of The Big Two is going to take the top spot? Well, it’s NSYNC who receives the silver medal this time around, but that does nothing to detract from how generations of pop music fans grew up with these boys as their musical soundtrack. The legacy of NSYNC managed to launch a successful solo career for Justin Timberlake (even if we feel that JC Chasez was the better singer – sorry, Justin!) as well as various reality, acting and charity work for NSYNC dudes Joey Fatone, Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick. Is it too much to close this entry out by saying “Bye Bye Bye”?

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

LFO
These Lyte Funkie Ones Had Some Memorable Hits

O-Town
From Reality Show Obscurity to Chart Success

BBMak
Britain Strikes Boy Band Gold Yet Again

Westlife
A Dark Horse Boy Band Pick From Ireland

The music of the Backstreet Boys frankly defined the landscape of ‘90s teen pop, but make no mistake: it didn’t come and go with the era – or should we say with the “Millennium”. No, there’s an entire generation of adults that still look back upon the group’s music with limitless nostalgia. This love and devotion goes far beyond mere looks (which fade), or even talent (which can be manipulated or impersonated). Said simply, the Backstreet songs weren’t just better, they were the BEST. From “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” to “Incomplete,” it’s a murderer’s row of hits.

Who’s your biggest boy band crush, then or now? Let us know in the comments!