Though most of them are often called music artists who are not real musicians, the success they have earned makes them difficult to ignore. They are the poster boys of the music industry who make every teenage girl scream and faint with intoxicating delight… to the jealousy of those girls’ boyfriends. Who do you think among them is most worthy to be called, the best boy band?
Westlife
Once dubbed as the ugliest boy band in the world by Symon Cowell, these Irish dudes overcame hurtful odds and earned for themselves one of the most handsome success stories that any boy or young man could ever dream of.
From Ireland, 1998
Popular songs: Swear It Again, Fool Again, If I Let You Go
Members: Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Brian McFadden
Backstreet Boys
They are obviously a boy band, but to the members of the group themselves, they would rather be called as a vocal harmony group. Unlike most similar artists, they prided in their musicianship by occasionally playing their own instruments onstage.
From USA, 1993
Popular Songs: Quit Playing Games, I Want it That Way, Drowning
Members: A. J. McLean, Howie D., Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell
Menudo
While most boybands were still inside their moms’ bellies, the original boys of Menudo were already very busy touring the world, the music charts, and the hearts of fans. Spanning across generations, their members come and go, maintaining their legacy and astounding greatness.
From Puerto Rico, 1977
Popular Songs: Fuego, If You're Not Here, Please Be Good To Me
Popular Members: Robi Rosa, Ricky Martin
Jackson 5
Believed to be the first group that truly popularized the term “boy band,” Jackson 5 is a group of young men bounded by blood and brought one of the most famous pop artists in history – Michael Jackson.
From USA, 1964
Popular Songs: I'll Be There, Dancing Machine, Blame It on the Boogie
Members: Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Michael Jackson
One Direction
These pals are a bit of a newcomer, but they can’t be deemed less-successful than the rest of the bands on this list. They are the only group in history to have their first four albums debut at no.1 in US Billboard 200.
From England, 2010
Popular Songs: One Thing, What Makes You Beautiful, Drag Me Down
Members: Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik
NSYNC
Emerging at an era when boy bands were said to be at its popularity peak, NSYNC rose to stardom as the 8th best-selling boy band in history. Rolling Stone Magazine also considers them one of the Top 25 Teen Idol Breakouts on their active years.
From USA, 1995
Popular Songs: Bye Bye Bye, Thinking of You, It's Gonna Be Me
Members: Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass
Take That
Considered to be the best boy band to ever come out from Britain, some critics and fans alike think of them as the non-rocker equivalent of The Beatles. Already in their 40’s now, and no longer the baby-faced heartthrobs like when they first came out, Take That is still active to date, though they are 2 members short of their original lineup.
From England, 1990
Popular Songs: Back For Good, Never Forget, A Million Love Songs
Members: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange, Robbie Williams.
Boyzone
Most boy bands project kinetic energy with a blast onstage. With Boyzone however, they don’t need to do that. All they need to do is be melodic, produce minor body-language, and captivate a lot of girls. Even with the presence of younger boy groups, these Irish gentlemen are still actively doing what they do best.
From Ireland, 1993
Popular Songs: No Matter What, I Love The Way You Love Me, Picture of You
Members: Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch
New Kids on the Block
Before the likes of Backstreet Boys and NSYNC conquered the mainstream, there was NKOTB, the most popular boy band in the 80’s. They were so popular indeed, that they were able to receive their own star in The Hollywood Walk of Fame last 2014.
From Massachusetts, 1984
Popular Songs: You Got It, Step By Step, If You Go Away
Members: Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood
F4
In a dimension ruled by Caucasian young boys, there came F4 – a group of Asian males who captivated the world with their androgynous projections. These dudes are the proof that all you need to be famous are a few English words, and 8 pairs of squinty eyes.
From Taiwan, 2001
Popular Songs: Liu Xing Yu, Season of Fireworks, Can't Lose You
Members: Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu, Vic Chou
Who do you think among them should be declared as number 1?
