Westlife performing at a 2009 Nobel Peace Prize concert.

With the news of A1 coming to the Philippines for a two-night concert (one in Manila, another in Cebu) and the resurfacing of a nostalgic NSYNC photo back in the heyday of 90s boy bands, it really feels good to reminisce and hear hits popularized by a bunch of often uniformly-dressed vocal charmers all over again.

Though it’s hard to capture all the glory of these much-adored musical groups, here’s a list of essential boy band songs with LSS-worthy melody and swooning message that seem to never grow old!

The Monkees – “I’m a Believer” (1966)

If you’re part of the younger generation, you’ve probably first heard this hit from the animated flick, Shrek. However, this Neil Diamond-penned song was actually born in the 60s and was first popularized by The Monkees. Though guitarist Michael Nesmith believed that it wouldn’t be a hit, the song went on to become one of the singles to have sold at least 10 million physical copies globally.

The Jackson 5 – “I’ll Be There” (1970)

The song is hailed as one of the most celebrated Motown classics, earning the Jackson brothers their fourth chart topper for the year 1970. The feat made to them become the first black male group to score four consecutive no. 1’s. Michael once wrote in his memoir that the hit was their group’s “real breakthrough song.”

Menudo – “Hold Me” (1985)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHRjWauwpvE

“Hold Me” comes from Menudo’s 17th album and second eponymous musical offering. By the time it reached American audiences, the Puerto Rican group is already known for their “ever-rotating” cast. The song’s music video featured Robi Rosa as lead vocals with the rest of his bandmates — including a young Ricky Martin.

New Kids on the Block – “Please Don’t Go Girl” (1988)

The ballad serves as the Boston-based boy band’s first commercially successful hit. The single, taken from the group’s second album, “Hangin’ Tough,” peaked at the no. 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 singles. Nine years after, pop heartthrob Aaron Carter covered the song and included it on his self-titled debut album.

Boyz II Men – “End of The Road” (1992)

The Grammy award-winning R&B hit ranks as Billboard’s 6th most successful song of the 90s. Recorded for the soundtrack of the film Boomerang, the Boyz II Men smash hit spent a record-breaking 13 weeks at the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Take That – “Back For Good” (1995)

Writing the song for only 15 minutes, Gary Barlow was proud to say that compositions written the quickest turn out to be the best. “Back For Good,” a cut from the band’s third studio album Nobody Else, signified a new level of maturity for Take That, preparing their adolescent fans to become a grown-up pop audience.

The Backstreet Boys – “I Want It That Way” (1999)

Its methodically-rhymed lyrics, one line after the other, made this song very iconic and memorable. Adding up to its impact was the well-choreographed dance moves of A. J. McLean, Howie D., Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell in classic white outfits. The group behind “Everybody” and “As Long as You Love me,” Backstreet Boys is arguably one of the greatest boy bands of all time.

Westlife – “My Love” (2000)

The Irish boy band earned their seventh UK no. 1 with this classic 2000 ballad. The song also won them the coveted UK public-voted Record of the Year award. Many believe that “My Love” portray’s the band’s longing for their native homeland, apart from the song’s obvious theme about a love interest that was left behind.

A1 – “Like A Rose” (2000)

The song that has become a radio staple in many countries is taken from the British-Norwegain band’s debut album, Here We Come. Serving as the offering’s last official single, “Like A Rose” peaked at the no. 6 spot of the UK singles chart.

NSYNC – “Bye Bye Bye” (2000)

With its catchy chorus, the song was able to secure the number one spot in different music charts across Australia, Canada, US and New Zealand. Lead by JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake, this song about bidding farewell to a relationship is undoubtedly essential in every boy band fan’s playlist.

O Town – “All or Nothing” (2001)

This pop ballad from the American boy band landed on the top 5 spots of various music charts in Canada, United Kingdom and in the United States. The early 2000 hit, which was later covered by Westlife, is the second single of O-Town’s debut album.

One Direction – “What Makes You Beautiful” (2011)

“What Makes You Beautiful” is the lead single of the English-Irish boy band’s 2011 debut album, Up All Night. The uptempo pop hit earned the X Factor alumni a Brit Award for Best British single back in 2012. Five years after its release, the song’s charm and empowering message are still well-loved by many.

(Image by Harry Wad [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)