Boy bands to top the Billboard charts since 1980
For anyone who grew up in the 1980s or beyond, it's hard to imagine a playlist without at least one boy band song. If you were a child of the '80s, you likely adored the New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), while those growing up in the mid-'90s or early 2000s were more familiar with the pop tunes of the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, or Boyz II Men. It could even be argued that none of these groups would have existed if it weren't for the supergroup success of The Beatles in the 1960s, bringing their signature rock 'n' roll hits to American teens in the early years of the Billboard Hot 100, a ranking of the hottest singles based today on digital and physical sales, streaming plays, and radio plays that was started in 1958.
Music fans of all ages are likely familiar with The Beatles, while today's millennials are well-versed in One Direction, The Wanted, and BTS. But what of the other bands that topped the charts and didn't achieve widespread success? Did those groups simply fade into obscurity after becoming one-hit wonders? To find out, 麻豆原创 's comprehensive list of boy bands from a bank of sources last updated November 2018. The list was reduced to bands after 1980 who had a Billboard Hot 100 hit with a music video available. That list is organized chronologically in this gallery to see which was the most successful boy band of the past 30 years. Whatever happened to some of your old favorites, like Color Me Badd and Hanson? Did the groups that spawned from reality competitions succeed in their real-world music careers?
Read on to find out who recorded with the greats, who found (and lost) stardom, and who is still on top in the world of boy bands today.
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Musical Youth
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淧ass the Dutchie鈥
- Peak chart position: #10 (Feb. 26, 1983)
Musical Youth, the first African-American act to appear on MTV, had a hit with its 1983 single 鈥淧ass the Dutchie.鈥 Their follow-up record, 鈥淵outh of Today,鈥 was and audiences. The group recorded with Donna Summer and embarked on a world tour; however, attempts at finding a new sound caused the band to fall apart soon after.
Menudo
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淗old Me鈥
- Peak chart position: #62 (June 15, 1985)
Menudo is perhaps best-remembered as the ; after the peak of its success in the 1970s and 鈥80s, the group was rebooted in 2007 due to the reality series "Road to Menudo" and "Making Menudo." While the original group had hits with such singles as "Hold Me" and "If You're Not Here (By My Side)," the new members of the group became known for songs including "More than Words (A E I O U)" and "Lost."
The Boys
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淒ial My Heart鈥
- Peak chart position: #13 (Feb. 25, 1989)
鈥淒ial My Heart鈥 was the beginning in a string of hits for The Boys, . Other chart-toppers for the Abdulsamad brothers included 鈥淟ucky Charm,鈥 鈥淎 Little Romance,鈥 鈥淗appy,鈥 and 鈥淐razy鈥 (later used in a Pepsi commercial).
New Kids on the Block
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淚'll Be Loving You (Forever)鈥
- Peak chart position: #1 (June 17, 1989)
Every American teen in the late 鈥80s knew the NKOTB: Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, and Donnie Wahlberg. The New Kids on the Block became best-known for the 1988 album 鈥淗angin' Tough,鈥 with hit singles 鈥淧lease Don't Go Girl,鈥 鈥淵ou Got It (The Right Stuff),鈥 and 鈥淚'll Be Loving You (Forever),鈥 among others.
Perfect Gentlemen
- Top-ranked music video: "Ooh La La"
- Peak chart position: #10 (June 2, 1990)
Perfect Gentlemen toured with New Kids on the Block shortly before the release of the 1990 debut album, "Rated PG." Unfortunately, the shortly after the release of its second single, "I Need You."
Bell Biv DeVoe
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淧oison鈥
- Peak chart position: #3 (June 9, 1990)
Bell Biv Devoe started as a spin-off group from the 1980s boy band New Edition. The newly formed group was seeking a fresher, more street-oriented approach to contemporary R&B. Bell Biv DeVoe had including the title track.
Troop
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淎ll I Do Is Think Of You鈥
- Peak chart position: #47 (Aug. 18, 1990)
Troop, which is an had hits like 鈥淪pread My Wings鈥 and 鈥淎ll I Do is Think of You.鈥 The group worked on several other albums together, including 鈥淒eepa鈥 and 鈥淎 Lil' Sumpin' Sumpin',鈥 in the years that followed, but none achieved the success of 1989's 鈥淎ttitude.鈥
Brother Beyond
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淭he Girl I Used to Know鈥
- Peak chart position: #27 (Aug. 25, 1990)
This British pop band shot to fame in the late 1980s after collaborating with producers Stock, Aitken, and Waterman. Top hits included 鈥淭he Harder I Try,鈥 and 鈥淭he Girl I Used to Know.鈥 Unfortunately, after the release of its second album, 鈥淭rust.鈥 Two members released solo albums while another joined a different boy band.
Guys Next Door
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淚've Been Waiting For You鈥
- Peak chart position: #42 (Feb. 23, 1991)
In a move capitalizing on the fame of the New Kids on the Block's real-life success, Guys Next Door was created in the early 1990s as a for NBC's Saturday morning lineup. The band's biggest hit was 鈥淚've Been Waiting for You,鈥 but 鈥淚 Was Made for You鈥 was notable for its catchy pop quality as well, landing the group a cult following.
Hi-Five
- Top-ranked music video: "I Like The Way"
- Peak chart position: #1 (May 18, 1991)
R&B group Hi-Five topped the charts in the early 1990s with hits including "I Like the Way," "Unconditional Love," and "Never Should've Let You Go." In 2014, former Hi-Five singer Russell Neal was of his wife.
Color Me Badd
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淚 Adore Mi Amor鈥
- Peak chart position: #1 (Sept. 21, 1991)
American R&B group Color Me Badd , though it's since been revived. Bryan Adams, Mark Calderon, Sam Watters, and Kevin Thornton comprised the original group, known for hits like 鈥淚 Wanna Sex You Up,鈥 鈥淚 Adore Mi Amor,鈥 and 鈥淎ll 4 Love.鈥
Boyz II Men
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淓nd of the Road鈥
- Peak chart position: #1 (Aug. 15, 1992)
Boyz II Men was perhaps the of the 1990s, remembered for hits like 鈥淚'll Make Love To You,鈥 鈥淓nd of the Road,鈥 and 鈥淥ne Sweet Day.鈥 The group's soulful vocal harmonies were the combined efforts of Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Michael McCary, and Marc Nelson.
Shai
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淚f I Ever Fall in Love鈥
- Peak chart position: #2 (Nov. 21, 1992)
This 1990s R&B group had a few minor hits, including the title track from its 1992 debut album, 鈥淚f I Ever Fall in Love.鈥 consisted of Carl 鈥淕roove鈥 Martin, Darnell Van Rensalier, Marc Gay, and Garfield Bright, though Martin later left the group.
SILK
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淔reak Me鈥
- Peak chart position: #1 (May 1, 1993)
R&B quintet SILK was known for hits like 鈥淔reak Me,鈥 鈥淟ose Control,鈥 鈥淕irl U For Me,鈥 鈥淚t Had to Be You,鈥 and others. The group's first album, , and they had several successful follow-up albums, including their self-titled sophomore effort in 1995. Though their heyday was in the mid-1990s, the group reformed in the mid-2000s.
U.N.V.
- Top-ranked music video: "Something's Goin' On"
- Peak chart position: #2 (July 31, 1993)
Contemporary R&B group U.N.V. (Universal Nubian Voices) is a quartet best known for their hit "Something's Goin' On." Consisting of John Powe, his brother Shawn, John Clay, and Demetrius Peete, the in the mid-1990s: "Something's Goin' On" and their self-titled sophomore effort.
Jodeci
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淟ately鈥
- Peak chart position: #4 (Aug. 28, 1993)
The group Jodeci is known for songs like 鈥淐ome and Talk to Me,鈥 鈥淔reek'n You,鈥 鈥淔eenin',鈥 and others. Members Devante Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci, and JoJo started off as two separate musical duos of brothers and realized they were .
All-4-One
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淚 Swear鈥
- Peak chart position: #1 (May 21, 1994)
Grammy-winning, platinum-selling group All 4 One rose to fame with hits like 鈥淪o Much in Love,鈥 鈥淚 Swear,鈥 and 鈥淚 Can Love You Like That.鈥 The group continued to perform for more than 20 years, though on a considerably smaller level, releasing and a retrospective album in 2015.
Immature
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淣ever Lie鈥
- Peak chart position: #5 (Oct. 15, 1994)
American record executive Chris Stokes discovered the R&B/pop group Immature, a trio that included including Marques Houston, Jerome Jones, and Kelton Kessee. The group released four albums together, 鈥淣ever Lie,鈥 鈥淐onstantly,鈥 and 鈥淚 Don't Mind,鈥 among others.
Soul for Real
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淐andy Rain鈥
- Peak chart position: #2 (March 18, 1995)
What distinguishes Soul for Real from other 1990s R&B groups was not the band's composition (they were four brothers), but the origin story of being discovered at McDonald's. Whether or not it's true, the Dalyrimple brothers became known for hits like 鈥淐andy Rain,鈥 鈥淓very Little Thing I Do,鈥 and 鈥淟ove You So,鈥 (produced by P. Diddy).
Take That
- Top-ranked music video: "Back for Good"
- Peak chart position: #7 (Nov. 11, 1995)
British boy band Take That was inspired by the success of NKOTB, with hits like "Do What U Like" and "Why Can't I Wake Up With You." Despite the intervention of famed Arista Records executive Clive Davis, internal drama .
New Edition
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淗it Me Off鈥
- Peak chart position: #3 (Aug. 31, 1996)
New Edition started the boy band movement in many ways, forming in Boston back in the early 1980s. They've re-formed in the past few years under the name RBRM. The group's members are of the New Jack Swing R&B/hip-hop style.
No Mercy
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淲here Do You Go鈥
- Peak chart position: #5 (Oct. 12, 1996)
No Mercy started performing on his tour. Consisting of Marty Cintron and his two best friends, Ariel and Gabriel Hernandez, the group is remembered for hits like 鈥淲here Do You Go,鈥 鈥淧lease Don't Go,鈥 and 鈥淢ore Than a Feeling.鈥
Blackstreet
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淣o Diggity (ft. Dr. Dre)鈥
- Peak chart position: #1 (Nov. 9, 1996)
R&B group Blackstreet was one of . Producer Teddy Riley, who had worked with notable names like Michael Jackson and Bobby Brown, spearheaded the formation of the group in the early 1990s. They enjoyed success with hits like 鈥淣o Diggity,鈥 鈥淭ake Me There,鈥 and 鈥淏efore I Let You Go.鈥
Az Yet
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淗ard to Say I'm Sorry (ft. Peter Cetera)鈥
- Peak chart position: #8 (May 3, 1997)
What sets Az Yet apart is the the group has undergone. There have been as many as five members at one time, and as few as two. The group's single 鈥淟ast Night鈥 was featured on 鈥淭he Nutty Professor鈥 soundtrack, and the group's latest work was their 2016 album, 鈥淪he's Magic.鈥
Hanson
- Top-ranked music video: "MMMBop"
- Peak chart position: #1 (May 24, 1997)
Home-schooled Oklahoma brothers Taylor, Zac, and Isaac Hanson were on the younger side when their hit single, "MMMBop" hit the airwaves. Specifically, they were , respectively. The family trio still plays and records music together, and celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2017.
Backstreet Boys
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淨uit Playing Games with my Heart鈥
- Peak chart position: #2 (Sept. 6, 1997)
A quarter-century after the group's first string of hits, the Backstreet Boys鈥斺攁re still performing vocal harmonies together. Teenagers in the mid-'90s remember the boy band for such hits as 鈥淓verybody,鈥 鈥淨uit Playing Games with My Heart,鈥 and 鈥淚 Want it That Way.鈥 You may be surprised to learn that the group's latest release was 2019's 鈥淒NA.鈥
Nu Flavor
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淗eaven鈥
- Peak chart position: #27 (Jan. 31, 1998)
The members of R&B vocal quartet Nu Flavor and started performing together soon after, with a demo cover of Journey's 鈥淥pen Arms,鈥 followed by hits like 鈥淗eaven,鈥 and 鈥淪weet Sexy Thing.鈥 The group recorded two albums together: a self-titled debut and their sophomore album 鈥淚t's On.鈥
Playa
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淐heers 2 U鈥
- Peak chart position: #38 (June 6, 1998)
Playa formed when high school friends began performing gospel songs together. The group at a concert and was soon signed to the Elektra Records where it was part of the Swing Mob label. Fellow artists included a young Missy Elliott, Timbaland & Magoo, and Ginuwine. 鈥淒on't Stop the Music,鈥 鈥淐heers 2 U,鈥 and 鈥淣ever Too Late,鈥 were some of Playa's greatest hits.
5ive
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淲hen The Lights Go Out鈥
- Peak chart position: #10 (Aug. 1, 1998)
British boy band 5ive became popular with the success of its songs 鈥淪lam Dunk (Da Funk),鈥 鈥淲hen the Lights Go Out,鈥 and 鈥淚f Ya Gettin' Down.鈥 The group , but reunited in 2006, and then again in 2012.
Youngstown
- Top-ranked music video: "I'll Be Your Everything"
- Peak chart position: #71 (Aug. 21, 1999)
The trio Youngstown () had a hit with "I'll Be Your Everything," which was featured on the soundtrack to Disney's "Inspector Gadget." The group is also remembered for "Sugar," which rose to #21 on the U.S. Hot Singles Sales chart in 2001. Unfortunately, the group disbanded shortly after, overshadowed by such early 2000s favorites as NSYNC.
LFO
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淪ummer Girls鈥
- Peak chart position: #3 (Aug. 28, 1999)
The trio from Massachusetts known for 鈥淪ummer Girls鈥 and 鈥淕irl on TV鈥 (which had an accompanying music video featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt) saw its self-titled debut album go platinum. Sadly, the Lyte Funky Ones are , as Devin Lima passed away in 2017, following the death of Rich Cronin in 2010鈥攂oth from cancer.
Ideal
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淕et Gone鈥
- Peak chart position: #13 (Nov. 20, 1999)
Following the success of the New Jack Swing movement, the group Ideal emerged as a . Their greatest hit was the #2 R&B single 鈥淕et Gone鈥 in 1999, but the group also enjoyed success with 鈥淲hatever,鈥 achieving gold status on its album before disbanding.
IMx
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淪tay The Night鈥
- Peak chart position: #23 (Jan. 8, 2000)
Following a decade of success as Immature, and had a hit with 鈥淪tay the Night鈥 in late 1999. Other singles from the two albums the band recorded together included 鈥淎in't No Need,鈥 鈥淜eep it Low,鈥 and 鈥淚n & Out of Love.鈥 The group broke up in 2002.
Westlife
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淪wear it Again鈥
- Peak chart position: #20 (July 1, 2000)
Irish boy band Westlife had success in the early 2000s with singles 鈥淔lying Without Wings,鈥 鈥淔ool Again,鈥 and 鈥淯nbreakable.鈥 Each member after the group split up in 2012. In 2018, four of the original five members announced plans for a reunion.
Nine Days
- Top-ranked music video: "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)"
- Peak chart position: #6 (July 22, 2000)
Rock band Nine Days is unique on this list of mostly pop and R&B boy bands, but their hit "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" propelled , placing the group squarely in the ranks of other successful musicians of the era. The group never officially broke up but did take the time to pursue separate interests before reuniting for a new studio album "Snapshots" in 2016.
BBMak
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淏ack Here鈥
- Peak chart position: #13 (July 29, 2000)
鈥淏ack Here,鈥 鈥淕host of You and Me,鈥 and 鈥淪till on Your Side鈥 helped British trio BBMak rise to fame in the early 2000s. If they're still your go-to boy band, you're in luck: The group has been inspired by other boy bands getting back together and in March 2019.
NSYNC
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淚t's Gonna Be Me鈥
- Peak chart position: #1 (July 29, 2000)
Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Justin Timberlake were so famous in their heyday that any boy band list would be incomplete without them. After the late Lou Pearlman founded the Backstreet Boys, who would become NSYNC's rival group, he started producing music for NSYNC, whose members then ranged in age from 14 to 23. With hits such as 鈥淭earin' Up My Heart鈥 and 鈥淚 Want You Back,鈥 the group's success was instant. As the story goes, Justin Timberlake's and and the band split in 2002.
Son by Four
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淧urest of Pain (A Puro Dolor)鈥
- Peak chart position: #26 (Aug. 19, 2000)
Another story of egos getting the best of a group is the story of Son by Four. After the success of the group's single 鈥淧urest of Pain (A Puro Dolor),鈥 the Latin pop group seemed ready to rise to the top. Band frontman Angel Lopez instead embarked on at a solo career in 2002, effectively ending the group.
2gether
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淭he Hardest Part of Breaking Up鈥
- Peak chart position: #87 (Sept. 9, 2000)
The boy band hype in the late 鈥90s was so huge that MTV In a way, this move backfired, and the group known for 鈥淭he Hardest Part of Breaking Up鈥 and 鈥淯+Me=Us (Calculus)鈥 became popular in its own right, even touring with pop princess Britney Spears at one point. There were talks of a reunion back in 2011.
soulDecision
- Top-ranked music video: "Faded"
- Peak chart position: #22 (Sept. 9, 2000)
After the success of "Faded," soulDecision aptly disappeared from view. One of the band's members, Trevor Guthrie, had a hit in 2014 with dance song "This is What it Feels Like." The song was nominated for a Grammy and a decade after soulDecision split up.
98 Degrees
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淕ive me Just One Night鈥
- Peak chart position: #2 (Sept. 30, 2000)
Nick and Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre comprised the pop group 98 Degrees, best-known for 鈥淏ecause of You,鈥 鈥淚 Do (Cherish You),鈥 and 鈥淭rue to Your Heart,鈥 among others. Nick Lachey was briefly married to pop star Jessica Simpson (their relationship was the subject of a reality show on MTV). The other group members also pursued individual projects, and these days, the .
112
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淧eaches And Cream鈥
- Peak chart position: #4 (July 7, 2001)
Known for singles 鈥淵ou Already Know,鈥 鈥淥nly You,鈥 and 鈥淒ance With Me,鈥 the R&B foursome and won a Grammy and an MTV VMA. The Atlanta-based group became Bad Boy Records' signature artists, before switching over to Def Jam.
O-Town
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淎ll or Nothing鈥
- Peak chart position: #3 (July 28, 2001)
Another Lou Pearlman vehicle, O-Town gained throngs of teen fans from its and had commercial success with its recordings. "All or Nothing鈥 and 鈥淟iquid Dreams鈥 became popular songs before the band's breakup in 2003.
Jagged Edge
- Top-ranked music video: Where The Party At
- Peak chart position: #3 (Sept. 15, 2001)
American R&B group Jagged Edge is signed to Jermaine Dupri鈥檚 label, So So Def Records. Hits include 鈥淚 Gotta Be,鈥 鈥淭he Way that you Talk,鈥 and 鈥淗e Can鈥檛 Love You.鈥 The group .
B2K
- Top-ranked music video: "Bump, Bump, Bump (ft. P. Diddy)"
- Peak chart position: #1 (Feb. 1, 2003)
B2K was active between 1998 and 2004, with singles like "Bump Bump Bump," "Gots Ta Be," and "Badaboom." The group starting in 2019.
The Click Five
- Top-ranked music video: Just The Girl
- Peak chart position: #11 (Sept. 3, 2005)
Boston-bred The Click Five looked like an American version of The Beatles and had a hit with 鈥淛ust the Girl鈥 in 2005. The group split in 2013 to pursue solo ventures, and the closest the members have come to a reunion was in 2015, where they performed some of their old songs.
Aventura
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淓lla Y Yo鈥
- Peak chart position: #97 (Dec. 17, 2005)
The Bronx-based boy band Aventura came together over , a Dominican music genre. They were signed by BMG Records, and won a Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Tropical Album in 2007. The group split up in 2011, then came back together and played a final concert in 2016.
Day26
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淕ot Me Going鈥
- Peak chart position: #79 (April 12, 2008)
Another TV-to-reality group was Day 26, which emerged from 鈥淢aking the Band 4鈥 as a project of P. Diddy's. Though the group left Combs' label, Bad Boy Records, members were as of spring 2018.
Jonas Brothers
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淏urnin' Up鈥
- Peak chart position: #5 (July 12, 2008)
One of the more popular modern boy bands is the Jonas Brothers: Nick, Joe, and Kevin. This trio, whose story echoes Justin Timberlake's, got its start on the Disney Channel. There were reunion as recently as a month ago, despite the group splitting up and moving on in 2013.
Big Time Rush
- Top-ranked music video: "Boyfriend (ft. Snoop Dogg)"
- Peak chart position: #72 (May 7, 2011)
Like the Jonas Brothers (and so many other boy bands), rumors of a reunion are flying for Big Time Rush, or BTR, as the group is known to fans. The band broke up in 2014, just a year after the Jonas Brothers, and five years after first forming on that catapulted the group to fame.
Mindless Behavior
- Top-ranked music video: 鈥淢rs. Right鈥
- Peak chart position: #72 (Nov. 5, 2011)
Boy band Mindless Behavior was hailed as to modern boy bands like The Wanted and BTS, portrayed as a throwback to NSYNC-style music. The group's music is generally less pop-oriented, and more soulful. Songs include 鈥淰ideo,鈥 鈥淧retty Girl,鈥 and 鈥淯sed to Be.鈥
The Wanted
- Top-ranked music video: "Glad You Came"
- Peak chart position: #3 (March 31, 2012)
Boy band The Wanted after a successful world tour and singles 鈥淕lad You Came鈥 and 鈥淐hasing the Sun.鈥 Members of the group went on to pursue individual entertainment projects including singing, songwriting, and acting. As of 2019, there have been no talks of a reunion.
One Direction
- Top-ranked music video: Best Song Ever
- Peak chart position: #2 (Aug. 10, 2013)
One Direction is , like so many others, as of January 2019. The group is known for hits like 鈥淏est Song Ever鈥 and 鈥淲hat Makes You Beautiful,鈥 and is fronted by Harry Styles. The group stopped performing together after the departure of Zayn Malik in 2015.
5 Seconds of Summer
- Top-ranked music video: "Amnesia"
- Peak chart position: #16 (July 19, 2014)
5 Seconds of Summer is the Australian pop-rock group behind 鈥淵oungblood,鈥 鈥淪he Looks So Perfect,鈥 and 鈥淎mnesia.鈥 Their latest album, 鈥淵oungblood,鈥 hit a milestone in March 2019, and the band is currently on tour.
BTS
- Top-ranked music video: DNA
- Peak chart position: #67 (Oct. 14, 2017)
K-pop band BTS may herald the new era of pop stardom: the group has more than 20 hit songs, including "Idol," "Fire," and "I Need U." BTS also has millions of adoring fans around the world. The group, whose name is formed in 2013 and continues to enjoy massive success.