Top 20 Best Backstreet Boys Songs

“Backstreet Boys” (1996)
We’re kicking off with one to get your blood pumping! Some might say this song marked the moment the group became international superstars. Does it get more pure ‘90s boy band energy than this? High-octane fun with a danceable beat and an infectious hook. It leans into hip-hop influences more than most of their other hits, with a funky groove and a rap verse that give it a playful, party-ready sound. The song is about hyping up a love interest, wrapped in a slick melody that includes a chorus that practically demands you move. In fact, don’t mind if we do!

“DNA” (2019)
Two decades in, and the Backstreet Boys are still keeping us on our toes! “Chances” is a sleek, emotional mid-tempo ballad that delivers those harmonies we love but with a fresh, modern sound. This time, they switched things up with different members tackling parts we wouldn’t usually expect, but somehow, it just worked. Everybody brings their absolute A-game. The magic that made us fall for them in the first place is still totally intact, hitting longtime fans right in the nostalgia while proving they could still win over new listeners. It’s classic BSB with a contemporary edge, and honestly, they sound as good as ever.

“Never Gone” (2005)
“I Still...” is one of those Backstreet Boys songs that’s had a stronghold on our hearts since we first heard it. It’s brimming with that emotion and sense of yearning that had us head over heels for practically all their ballads. It’s about someone who knows they need to move on from a past relationship but is still too attached to their feelings. Its smooth and haunting melody wraps itself around listeners while its lyrics hit us straight in all the feels. It didn’t get as much attention as some of their bigger hits, but real fans know it’s one of their most underrated gems.

“Millennium” (1999)
As we’ll soon see, “Millennium” is packed with hits that are still crowd-pleasers today. “The One” is no exception—it was actually chosen as the album’s fourth single by fans through a “TRL” poll, with Nick Carter supposedly leading the charge to make sure it won. So, in a way, this song was dedicated to everyone who had supported them, from their crew to us fans. We might not be “The One” they’re singing about, but it sure feels like it. With its bright, pop-rock(ish) vibe, it’s pure feel-good fun. Whether alone in our room or at their concerts, we can’t help but throw our arms up and sing along!

“In a World Like This” (2013)
This song actually has some really sweet inspiration. Co-writer and band member Kevin Richardson got the idea from something his father used to tell him as a kid before football practice. Teaming up with AJ McLean and others, the guys wrote the lyrics with their own children in mind. The result is a gentle, warm melody wrapped in a chill-inducing blend of their voices that’s like a comforting hug from a loving parent. The lyrics remind us that we, too, can accomplish anything we set our minds to. In a world that often feels bleak and disheartening, this song shines like a much-needed beacon of hope.

“Backstreet Boys” (1997)
If we’re talking about what the Backstreet Boys do best, their vocal skills—especially those harmonies—are at the top of the list. The way they combine their voices is just beautiful; it’s almost like they were born to sing with each other. Seriously, these harmonies could give anyone goosebumps! The song is about giving everything to someone special and you can feel their sincerity in every note. The melody is smooth and dreamy, giving the track this timeless effect. It’s one of those songs that feels like a love letter set to music. No matter how many times we hear it, we fall just as hard.

“In A World Like This” (2013)
After over 20 years in the spotlight, the Backstreet Boys have seen a lot of changes, both in the music world and the world in general. According to A.J., this song is meant to reflect just that. It puts the world under a lens that celebrates the good times while commiserating the bad. That might sound a little heavy at first, but the message is actually pretty uplifting. The melody pulls you in like it’s telling you to keep going and that better times are ahead. It has this perfect balance of grit and heart, reminding us that we’re stronger when we stick together, no matter what.

“Black & Blue” (2000)
This song takes us back to our childhood bedrooms, walls plastered with BSB posters, imagining they’re singing just to us. While boy bands tend to be known for their killer dance moves—and, of course, this one’s no exception—it’s the way their voices are perfectly synchronized that still makes us swoon after all these years. Not many groups can put so much soul into every note, turning an emotional song into something that feels almost blissful. It’s like a heartfelt confession, and you can really feel the passion and vulnerability they bring. Even now, the emotion in this song still hits just as hard.

“The Hits – Chapter One” (2001)
One thing that made BSB stand out is that there’s no one specific lead singer. Each member plays to their strength, which is probably why they’ve always been able to capture the hearts, souls, and ears of their fans. “Drowning” is a perfect example of this, with each guy taking on a part that shows off their individual talents. Yet when their voices come together, the song soars, making every moment that much more powerful. The harmonies and depth they bring to this track just show how in sync they are as a group, making it a standout in their catalog. It certainly deserves more appreciation!

“Black & Blue” (2000)
People expected a lot when buying the follow up to the ever-popular album, “Millennium,” and wow, did the boys from Orlando ever deliver! Kicking off the album was this track about giving into temptation and the burden of guilt that haunts those who make that choice. With that darker tone in mind, it makes sense that the chorus is so damn memorable. A track that utilizes the classic catchy style the Backstreet Boys are known for and an awesome key change towards the end of the song, there’s no way “The Call” couldn’t make our list.

“Black & Blue” (2000)
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. BSB’s knack for slowing it right down to hit us with an emotional wallop is readily evident, and “Shape Of My Heart” is one example of such a song. With relatable lyrics and a bittersweet melody, this powerful track drips with BSB’s epic signature style. The tune was a top 10 hit in the States and a #1 in Canada and much of Europe, including Sweden where the track was actually recorded. Coming a bit later in their career, this track is not to be missed by anyone who calls themselves a real Backstreet Boys fan.

“Backstreet’s Back” (1997)
Money isn’t everything. Don’t believe us? Take a listen to this song. Laying down a few pieces of wisdom, the boys explain to the object of their desire that they don’t have much money, or nice things, but do have an abundance of love to give. It croons, it belts, it’s got everything we need from a Backstreet Boys track. As much as we love that sentiment, however, given the fact that “Backstreet’s Back” – this song’s parent album – sold well over 17 million copies, we’re guessing they’ve got a little bit more to give than love at this point.

“Backstreet Boys” (1996)
Some boys will make some pretty dastardly promises they don’t intend to keep, but when the promise is delivered via a hit single, you better believe they mean it. The title pretty much says it all here, and the boys have got us hooked from the beginning to listen to their heartfelt words of love in verse after verse. We don’t know whether or not we’d actually recommend using the lyrics of this song as inspiration for wooing the ladies, but it probably couldn’t hurt.

“Backstreet Boys” (1996)
Back to the beginning! The fourth single off their debut album, this early work from the group put them in the spotlight. A straightforward song with a simple message, “Quit Playing Games” has the singers wishing that their significant other would just, you guessed it; quit playing games with their hearts. With its catchy melody and smooth vocals to boot, this song was an indicator of the group’s career to come. The song was a #2 hit in both the US and the UK and was a #1 in Switzerland, proving the Swiss know a good thing when they hear it.

“Millennium” (1999)
If you take everything we've said about their harmonies and how they make us feel each emotion, then multiply it by 10,000, you get this song. The vocal chemistry between the guys is unreal, and when you throw in the rich, layered orchestration, it just takes things to another level. The way it builds the feelings of longing and heartache pulls you right in. It’s no wonder it got rave reviews, hit #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned certifications in multiple countries, ranging from silver to platinum. Plus, it scored a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

“Never Gone” (2005)
And some say comebacks are the stuff of dreams. Five years after the release of “Black and Blue,” the Backstreet Boys’ 2005 album “Never Gone” was released, headlined by this single. Not only a triumphant return to form, “Never Gone” managed to showcase a new dimension to the group, with one of their best produced songs to date leading the charge. As emotional as it is powerful, this track proved that as much as the group’s songs were long lasting, the group was equally capable of changing with the times.

“Backstreet’s Back” (1997)
Proving they could sing love songs as well as they could dance numbers, the five-man group laid out their signature style of emotional ballads with this track. “As Long as You Love Me” carries themes of unconditional love, and moving forward with relationships, and delivers them with a smooth as silk tone. It’s a track that’s both easy to listen to and fiendishly addictive, so we can’t get enough of this song. And with its near global top 10 status, we clearly weren't the only ones.

“Millennium” (1999)
The opening scream is enough to get everyone’s blood pumping. The kick-off song from the Millennium album, the lyrics to “Larger Than Life” take an introspective look at fame and the relationship with the fans. In fact, the track’s chorus even thanks the group’s fans and supporters for their love and dedication to the group. In return, the members of BSB knock it out of the park with this high-energy dance number. Meanwhile its video is notable as the 14th most expensive video of all time, coming in at $2.1M. Totally worth it.

“Backstreet’s Back” (1997)
Backstreet's back? Alright! After their debut album, many wondered if this new pop group was just a passing phase. Proving once and for all that this was not the case, the group followed up strong with “Backstreet’s Back”, letting the world know that not only were they back but that they were here to stay. A number sure to get everyone at the party dancing thanks to its powerful beat and anthemic chorus, this powerhouse can still be found on many fans’ playlists today.


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

Even the Group Called It One of Their Best Since “I Want It That Way.’”

This Song Deserves More Love, That’s the Way We’d Like It

The First Single from Their First Album & What an Intro It Was! They Really Do Have It Goin’ On

Newly a Quartet, the Group Entered a New Era with a New Sound

The Boys Really Carved Their Space Among the Pop Greats with This One

“Millennium” (1999)
The crown jewel of the group’s magnum opus album Millennium, “I Want It That Way” sweeps us off our feet with the soft opening notes and doesn’t stop there. A pop-ballad to end all pop-ballads, the rising energy of the song’s arrangement is a pop song not soon forgotten by casual listeners and die-hard fans alike. With 30 million copies of the album sold, thanks in large part to this song, and the boys donning all white for the music video, this song cemented the group as icons in pop culture history and set the standard for what a boy band should be.



What BSB song is your go-to? Let us know in the comments