That’s right. I like boy bands. Something about the catchy, upbeat tunes and the cheesy love songs draw me in every time. But let’s face it, boy bands ruled the music industry from the late ’80s all the way to the early ’00s, selling millions of records and touring the globe. As someone who grew up during those formable years, it is no wonder I am a fan. When I was younger I listened to New Kids on the Block, All-4-One, Boyz II Men, ‘NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, O-Town, Hanson, BBMak, and the list goes on (Don’t worry, I was exposed to other types of music including a number of legendary, meaningful songs). More recent years have brought around the Jonas Brothers, JLS, One Direction, and The Wanted.

AND I am not ashamed to say I listen to these boy bands (although when I watch the videos of some of the older boy bands performing the same songs and dance routines as men in their 30s and 40s…I just feel sad for them and think they look a bit ridiculous).

In June, I’m going to see the Backstreet Men…I men Boys (Do you think they regret their band name?) in concert. I never saw them when I was at that nerdy, awkward stage of thirteen, so I thought I’d see them at the nerdy, awkward age of 28. I am not a fangirl, but I am a fan. These guys have been making a come back since the late ’00s when boy bands started to get popular again (I believe the Jonas Brothers led the resurgence of the boy bands in 2007). I should use the words “come back” lightly because really they never left. They’ve released several albums since the slowdown of boy bands in the early ’00s. They had Never Gone (2005), Unbreakable (2007), This Is Us (2009) and their latest album  In a World Like This (2013). There was at least one song from each of those albums that was popular on the radio. Maybe it is not the same as having 4 or more songs hitting the charts, but it is something. The album This is Us features a song called Straight Through My Heart. The video for the song embodies the same silliness that the Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) video did in the ’97 (okay maybe not as bad, but mythical creatures still make an appearance).

Several boy bands (NKOTB, Boyz II Men, etc.) have regrouped to make new music and sing those beloved songs that made them popular. One group that will never have the reunion some fans probably would love is ‘NSYNC. It is pretty difficult for the band to tour without Justin Timberlake and let’s just say he’s moved on from “It’s Gonna Be May“…sorry I couldn’t resist…”It’s Gonna Be Me.” I won’t say JT is the most successful boy-band member to go solo because I don’t have the facts, but he’s done really well for himself. I was actually bummed that I wasn’t able to get tickets to his 20/20 tour (the tickets sold out in minutes and now people are reselling them for double and triple what they paid, but that is a whole other tangent).

This article seems to be about confessions…I confess that I heard and liked a few songs by One Direction and The Wanted before they were a total sensation here in the States. My obsession with all things British led to my discovery of the two boy bands and I downloaded a few songs. The next thing I know they’re playing the songs on the radio and I can’t get away from them. I mean it when I say I am a fan, but not a crazed one. If their songs play, I sing along and when they’re over I move on. I don’t obsess about them. Although, my hublet probably would argue that isn’t true because of the research I was doing for this article.

He said: “Why are you watching BSB videos.” I said: “Because…it is research.” *skeptical look from my husband*

I probably listened to 20 different boy-band songs just to inspire me to write, but also because I had money on my iTunes account that I wanted to spend. ANYWAY, just know it’s okay to like boy bands or any other type of band and music. Whatever floats your boat, remember to let your freak flag fly high.

By the way, if you say you don’t like boy bands I would argue that if you have ever listened to the Jackson Five and enjoyed it…you like boy bands. I’m not a music buff, so there are probably others that could be referenced if I did some more research. It’s just best to admit it. I know you’ve sang along with those memorable boy band tunes. I won’t tell.

-AM