Hello, Purrlings. It’s been a hot minute since my last blog post. It was a hard one for me to write and I don’t think I fully articulated all my feelings, but like everything else, it’s all a learning experience and I’m glad I posted it. I thought I’d lighten it up this time and talk about the best boy band ever: New Kids on the Block!
Don’t @ me with these newer boy bands like *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, or One Direction?” And, don’t get me wrong, I do love a good 1D ballad or a catchy BSB tune, but let’s give credit where credit is due and acknowledge the trailblazers that started it all. (And no, I don’t think the Jackson 5 is the start of the boy bands that we know today…)
Some of you might not be able to picture it, but maybe some of you can: the late ’80s and early ’90s, when scrunchies and big hair ruled the world, and the only thing better than a mixtape was a new episode of “Saved by the Bell.” In the midst of it all, five hot dudes from Boston took the world by storm, melting hearts and gracing bedroom walls with their signature dance moves and harmonies. And if not the world, certainly mine. Do you remember that feeling, the one where you thought someone’s music just literally spoke to you?
Their songs became our anthems, and we were hopelessly devoted to these boys who seemed to understand our teenage angst.
Jordan, Jonathan, Joey, Donnie, and Danny – these were the guys who sung about “The Right Stuff” and made me swoon with “Please Don’t Go Girl.” They were the epitome of cool, and it’s no wonder we couldn’t help but fall head over heels for them. Even now, as a middle-aged mom of four, I can’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia whenever I hear one of their classic hits… and yes, they’re all on my playlist.
And what about that dancing? NKOTB had us bopping around in our living rooms, trying to perfect their smooth moves. In fact, I may or may not have attempted the “Hangin’ Tough” dance at a recent family gathering with my husband’s family… (sorry, kids, mom’s still got it!). Their infectious energy and undeniable charisma laid the groundwork for future boy bands to follow.
We’re talking about a time when acid-washed jeans, oversized jackets, and high-top sneakers were all the rage. NKOTB rocked these trends with confidence, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish for a time machine to transport me back to those simpler days every so often. But it was their confidence that gave everyone who followed theirs.
New Kids on the Block will always hold a special place in my heart. They were the pioneers, the trendsetters, the original boy band sensation. The bond we shared with them during our formative years is something that will never fade, much like the lyrics to “Step by Step” permanently etched into our memories. And I think that’s what everyone can relate to, whether it’s with Backstreet or NSync. That bond you feel to the bands that make you feel alive and sexy and everything else.
Of course, I never got to see them in concert, which sucked. Now they have a cruise or something and I haven’t done that, either. Regardless, they will forever be a symbol of a time when my biggest worries were what to wear to the school dance or who my favorite member of the group was (Team Donnie, by the way). So, let’s raise a glass to NKOTB and celebrate the magic they brought to our lives.
Till next time, keep hangin’ tough, and may your love for New Kids on the Block never fade.
Valentine Fox Books 