The Top Five *NSYNC Songs Of All-Time

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Today is April 30, and by now you’ve surely seen the meme of a curly-haired Justin Timberlake across your social media platforms with “It’s Gonna Be May” across the photo. In honor of the former boy band’s unofficial holiday, I decided there was no better day than to list the top five *NSYNC songs of all-time.

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I’ll go on record saying that I preferred *NSYNC to the Backstreet Boys, but BSB blew them away in terms of vocal talent. I’ll also give you one spoiler: “Tearin’ Up My Heart” didn’t make the cut.

5. “I Want You Back” (1996)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is6gtilerPk&w=560&h=315]

I never mind when my iTunes library plays this and the Jackson 5 song of the same name back-to-back. The group’s debut, breakout single was the perfect pop jam to burst them on the scene, but their best work was ahead of them.

The group sings from the male perspective about a love lost that he wants back, apologizing for all of his past sins. For millennials, this compares well with Maroon 5’s “Misery,” in that they are both surprisingly catchy and up-beat for songs with rather mellow lyrics.

4. “This I Promise You” (2000)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6thmPrTxBtI&w=560&h=315]

The group’s second ballad, “This I Promise You” was – and still is – was popular choice at weddings, and for good reason. The entire song consists of the group professing their love for their partner and how they want to spend the rest of their lives with them.

The boys were always good at pop, but they weren’t so bad at slowing it down and serenading the love of their life.

3. “Bye Bye Bye” (2000)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-KmOd3i7s&w=420&h=315]

Arguably the group’s most popular hit, “Bye Bye Bye” was the group’s middle finger to an ex. After getting jerked around over the course of their one-sided relationship, the boys bolt for greener pastures. Relationships are a partnership, not a game; once the boys realized that, it was “Bye, Felicia.”

2. “It’s Gonna Be Me” (2000)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMlWwIXg3M&w=420&h=315]

The follow-up to “Bye Bye Bye” and the group’s only No. 1 hit, this song cemented *NSYNC’s foundation for pop royalty. I’m currently 26, and whenever this song is on, the volume is going up, the windows are going down, and the f-cks given are going out of them.

I (unabashedly) remember most of the choreography from the “boy band” performances me, my brother and our friends used to put on at Letchworth Child Care Center. Word is that video evidence still exists, although I have not been able to obtain this alleged footage.

1. “God Must’ve Spent A Little More Time On You” (1998)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fxh7jAJR8U&w=560&h=315]

The group’s first ballad, this song is nearly five minutes worth of feels. Another popular song choice at weddings, “God Must’ve Spent A Little More Time On You” doesn’t have as much of a proposal feel that “This I Promise You” does, but I think it’s their best all-around song.

Gentleman, if you’re ever looking to woo your woman with a serenade, this is an excellent choice.