definition of a boyband

[Guest pearljamfan]

My sister and I have had this debate for years now as far as what a boyband really is or what makes one. I say that a boy band is basically a pop group put together by a record label for the sole purpose of making money. My sister on the other hand thinks that a boyband is ANY music group containing guys. I think she needs to open her eyes and realize she is wrong and Im right.

[Guest The Man in Blak]

Here's how I'd define a boy band:

 

boyband: a group of young men who are marketed strictly upon their physical appearance and personalities; there is no defined requisite for all members to have any formal musical talent, though being able to dance is a plus; each member of the group will have a different personality (to cover more tastes and demographics) and songwriting will cater to the overall image of the band, as opposed to musical exploration.

 

Obviously, the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync immediately come to mind...but you can't forget the original pioneers for boy bands:

 

The Beatles.

 

It's probably the most unfortunate influence they had on the music world, but it cannot be denied - the way that the Beatles were marketed is very similar to the way that later boy bands, such as New Kids on the Block and Backstreet, would be thrown on your television. John was the intellectual Beatle, Paul was the cute Beatle, George was the quiet Beatle, and Ringo was the weird mutant Beatle. Their early music consisted primarily of rock 'n roll standards and hip love ballads, which totally catered to their boy-next-door appeal.

 

Thank GAWD that the Beatles actually had musical talent to not only back up their image, but to push beyond it.

[Guest Still Fly]

Not every boyband is hopeless when it comes to talent

 

Lets not forget The Jackson 5

 

NSYNC might not appeal to everybody, but "Gone" is a decent song. Their earlier stuff just fucked them up for life.

 

But true, most are crap.

 

But I think the only reason that people don't like boybands is that they are also males and they don't find singing about love very interesting. And they don't find five effeminite guys dancing around in sparkly pants very appealing.

 

But the girls who like them find it appealing, so you really can't stop that, can't you?

[Guest jimmy no nose]

Yeah the Beatles were pretty much marketed like a boy band, but they actually had talent and used instruments and stuff. They got many of the teenage girl fans that boy bands today will get, but other people were really into them for their musical ability.

[Guest Alice_In_Chains_Chick]

Stupid ugly "guys" put in a band...who cant sing, dance, or even write their own music....so over all Pathetic Idiots in a band who cant do a thing..but somehow manage to get a lot of young girls to be their "pets" (dont ask about what I mean lol)

[Guest evenflowDDT]

Here's how I'd define a boy band:

 

boyband: a group of young men who are marketed strictly upon their physical appearance and personalities; there is no defined requisite for all members to have any formal musical talent, though being able to dance is a plus; each member of the group will have a different personality (to cover more tastes and demographics) and songwriting will cater to the overall image of the band, as opposed to musical exploration.

 

Obviously, the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync immediately come to mind...but you can't forget the original pioneers for boy bands:

 

The Beatles.

 

It's probably the most unfortunate influence they had on the music world, but it cannot be denied - the way that the Beatles were marketed is very similar to the way that later boy bands, such as New Kids on the Block and Backstreet, would be thrown on your television. John was the intellectual Beatle, Paul was the cute Beatle, George was the quiet Beatle, and Ringo was the weird mutant Beatle. Their early music consisted primarily of rock 'n roll standards and hip love ballads, which totally catered to their boy-next-door appeal.

 

Thank GAWD that the Beatles actually had musical talent to not only back up their image, but to push beyond it.

Couldn't put it any better. Thanks for classifying The Beatles as a boy band, because in their early years (maybe not so much their later years, but definitely their early years) that's EXACTLY what they were, but most people don't have the balls to admit it because they hate today's boy bands too much.

 

While a good portion of today's boy bands aren't very good, I hate people who automatically assume that just because a band is a boy band or pop band, that they suck. Of course I might just be saying that because I'm admittedly a fan of several BSB & *NSYNC songs... I guess you could call it a guilty pop music pleasure

[Guest Black Lushus]

regardless of how much they suck, the guys on NSync and Backstreet Boys CAN sing and dance, gotta at least give thetm that much...okay well Nick Carter really sucks (yes I know their names, don't act like im the only one)...

[Guest EQ]

[Guest Black Lushus]

[Guest Choken One]

Don't worry, Lush...It's Ok. I know the names too for some reason.

 

Here's a question for you guys

 

Of the Boybands...which boy has the best chance of solo future? I nominate Timberlake.

[Guest The Amazing Rando]

the Beatles could be considered a boy BAND

 

cause bands play instruments...

 

 

NSYNC and Backstreet Boys are boy GROUPS....they don't (normally) play their own instruments...5 guys in front of a beat machine or house band does not make THEM a band too...

 

I hate hearing NSync being called a boy band....Hanson is a boy band....Nsync is a boy GROUP...

 

guh........

[Guest razazteca]

Boy Band is any group produced or form by that guy from Orlando, Trans American music? He is responsible for all of the popular bands from New Edition to O Town.

 

basic prerequisites are:

 

1. Pretty Boys

2. Dance

3. get 7th grade girls to worship them

4. be on MTV heavy rotation

5. are mindless puppets or clones that follow a formula that the guru from Orlando deems profitable

[Guest The Man in Blak]

Of the Boybands...which boy has the best chance of solo future? I nominate Timberlake.

If it's not Timberlake, it will be one of the other N'Sync members, since they seem to be the only boy group left standing after three albums. Working with Michael Jackson = instant musical cred (for reasons I can't exactly fathom).

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

"definition of a boyband?"

 

A Boyband reminds me of the Hardy Boys. Only Teenage girls and homosexual males go crazy for them.

 

Sorry, that might be harsh, but I couldn't help it.

[Guest jimmy no nose]

....Hanson is a boy band....

I almost forgot about them, but now that you've mentioned them I just have to say that for the longest time I thought Hanson were girls.

[Guest DARRYLXWF]

The thing is though, it was considered COOL to like the Beatles.

[Guest Still Fly]

Of the Boybands...which boy has the best chance of solo future? I nominate Timberlake.

If it's not Timberlake, it will be one of the other N'Sync members, since they seem to be the only boy group left standing after three albums. Working with Michael Jackson = instant musical cred (for reasons I can't exactly fathom).

Its Timberlake...

 

Or JC Chasez (pronounced Shazay) another Nsync member

 

How I know this...

 

I don't know.

[Guest Black Lushus]

Brian Littrell and AJ McClean from the Backstreet Boys could do well on their own..but of course it's Nick freaking Carter that is getting the first solo album from them, that kid sucks...and someone said NSYNC is the only group left, BSB is still around. Apparently on their next album they are each doing 2 songs on their own then like 2 or 3 all together...don't worry, their fad will die soon enough folks...

[Guest redbaron51]

and when boy bands die for three years, they'll be back again, and then BSB and NSYNC will try to release a new album which will flop.

 

Face it, we need another NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal)

[Guest Ripper]

You guys don't have to like him, but Justin Timberlake is the mo' fucking MAN!!

 

That dude can sing. I generally hate everything I have heard from the BSB, but that "Gone" song was pretty hot from N' Sync...and....[bows head in shame]....i..kinda like that "Pop" song...

[Guest Big McLargeHuge]

Oh, man I knew this would happen. The backlash against pop is receiving a backlash of its own.

 

I'll comform as well...teen pop rules!

[Guest evenflowDDT]

Of the Boybands...which boy has the best chance of solo future? I nominate Timberlake.

I don't really think so. I'd say in all honesty that it's AJ Maclean from BSB. He already has toured and recorded a solo album under his moniker... damn, the name slips me, it's Johnny something... and it's a more "edgy" character than his regular boy-band self.

 

I'd say Nick Carter, but I think that incident in the club where he got arrested and cried like a baby is going to hurt him. Also, even though Timberlake also has the proverbial ball in his court via "the look" and "the know" (he's worked with Elton John and is dating Janet Jackson, for goodness' sake how more "in the know" can you be! ), he has yet to really do anything with it on his own. I'll believe a solo career when I see it.

[Guest Still Fly]

Of the Boybands...which boy has the best chance of solo future? I nominate Timberlake.

I don't really think so. I'd say in all honesty that it's AJ Maclean from BSB. He already has toured and recorded a solo album under his moniker... damn, the name slips me, it's Johnny something... and it's a more "edgy" character than his regular boy-band self.

 

I'd say Nick Carter, but I think that incident in the club where he got arrested and cried like a baby is going to hurt him. Also, even though Timberlake also has the proverbial ball in his court via "the look" and "the know" (he's worked with Elton John and is dating Janet Jackson, for goodness' sake how more "in the know" can you be! ), he has yet to really do anything with it on his own. I'll believe a solo career when I see it.

McLean's just a drunken bastard.

 

And the name is "Jonny NoName" or something to that affect. Its his altar ego band thing.... and it seriously wasn't that popular.

 

Timberlake is DONE with his solo album. Its due out this fall. Carter's should come out following that.

 

I think Timberlake is more in the running for this one, just because he has some artists supporting him. (Nelly, etc.)

 

Take it from a chick.

 

[Guest Black Lushus]

does Joey ever sing? or does he just kinda dance around?

[Guest Still Fly]

does Joey ever sing? or does he just kinda dance around?

He had a solo in their sophmore album, No Strings Attached.

 

Other than that....

 

Nope.

 

But he's certainly a good dancer

[Guest The Man in Blak]

Brian Littrell and AJ McClean from the Backstreet Boys could do well on their own..but of course it's Nick freaking Carter that is getting the first solo album from them, that kid sucks...and someone said NSYNC is the only group left, BSB is still around. Apparently on their next album they are each doing 2 songs on their own then like 2 or 3 all together...don't worry, their fad will die soon enough folks...

Well, from what I saw of reaction to Black & Blue, or whatever that album was where they "attempted" to play their own instruments...it was quite a flop. But I guess if anybody deserves a second chance in the music biz, it's just gotta be those plucky Backstreet Boys.

[Guest Midnight Express83]

Boy Band: a bunch of men who sing pop music and either dance or sway to the music(depending if its uptempo or a slow jam). PerlJamFan, your sis is right.

 

So basiclly: ALL groups like 112, BSB, Nsync, New Edition, Boyz II Men, New Kidso n the block, 98 degrees, Beatles, Jackson 5, Osmans, O Town, Hanson, B2k, IMx, C Note, Blackstreet, Guy, Full Force, Jagged Edge, The Jacksons, 3T, LFO, and The Boys(just to name off the top of my head) are boybands. Some get more cred than others but they all did the same thing. Now talent of one over the other is really subjective, but they are boy bands.

[Guest Zack Malibu]

does Joey ever sing?  or does he just kinda dance around?

He had a solo in their sophmore album, No Strings Attached.

 

Other than that....

 

Nope.

 

But he's certainly a good dancer

Joey actually had a decent solo song on the On The Line soundtrack.

 

And yes, I own that soundtrack. And that movie. And others by the notorious 'boybands'.

 

Yep, I'm not afraid to admit I like a lot of songs by these 'boybands', however, in my honest opinion, I don't care if you're O-Town, Metallica, or Billy Joel...if I like your music, regardless of what genre you tend to fall into, I'll support you.

 

So yeah, chalk me up as a pop music fan.

[Guest starvenger]

Choken One wrote:

Of the Boybands...which boy has the best chance of solo future? I nominate Timberlake.

Three that have had some solo success are Michael Jackson, Robbie Williams and Bobby Brown.

 

The Amazing Rando wrote:

I hate hearing NSync being called a boy band....Hanson is a boy band....Nsync is a boy GROUP...

It's all about the alliteration, hence "boy band" and "girl group". Which leads to the question: what do you call bands/groups like S Club? Coed Combos?

 

razazteca wrote:

Boy Band is any group produced or form by that guy from Orlando, Trans American music? He is responsible for all of the popular bands from New Edition to O Town.

You're thinking of Lou Perlman. He's responsible for the better known US boy bands.

 

Here's a question: Why is it that there are few or no solo male pop singers (not surnamed Jackson) who do the singing and group dancing gimmick?

[Guest Midnight Express83]

Well, he is wrong about New Edition. New Editon was started in boston, they basiclly formed themselves and signed to a record deal after making Candy girl in 1981. It took them 2 years to get signed. Lou stumbled into this field by renting a jet to New Kids on the Block. The rest is Orlando history.

 

Bobby Brown's solo career was from 1986 to 1990. His career is dead. And has been for the longest. The only reason Witney calls him the King of RnB is because she is the Queen of RnB and he has his title through marriage.

 

S Club 7 is a pop group, they are all pop groups. Boy Band is just a stigger title like hair band.

 

Pop music as its on stand alone genre is basiclly RnB with less soul. Botttom line. So all big time RnB singers are pop stars.