Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs
Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs
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Before NSYNC and One Direction, there was New Kids on the Block. During the late 80s and early 90s, these Boston kids changed the face of pop culture. Their music made a lasting impression in music history and in this countdown, we're taking a look at the Top 10 New Kids on The Block Songs! We've included songs like “If You Go Away,”, I'll Be Loving You (Forever)”, “Summertime”, “Cover Girl”, “Please Don't Go Girl”, “Tonight”, “Hangin' Tough” and “Step by Step”.
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#10: “Games” Step by Step (1990)
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As heard in New Kids live shows, this track “has a very strong message.” It’s true, as the group put the smack down on haters while delivering some majestic harmonies too. Lyrically, “Games” introduced a more street-smart aesthetic, as the Boston crew had actually shortened their group name to NKOTB, insinuating their maturity as a unit. Maybe their dance routines for “Games” don’t hold up to 21stcentury standards, but the music itself led to a modest Billboard hit. All in all, the more aggressive lyrical approach distanced the New Kids from their peers, and the playful chorus certainly pleased the core fan-base.
#9: “If You Go Away” Face the Music (1994)
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Ah, yes – now this is a legit early 90s slow jam. Featuring the poignant vocals of Jordan Knight early on, the track quickly shifts gears to young Joey, doubling down on the heartthrob effect. “If You Go Away” actually dropped during an awkward time, as the New Kids released the single in late 1991, a few years before including the track for their fourth studio album. Even so, “If You Go Away” performed well on the charts but it essentially marked the end of the 90s NKOTB phenomenon. As a stand-alone track, however, it’s highly underrated and often forgotten New Kids single.
#8: “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” Hangin’ Tough (1988)
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During their late 80s prime, New Kids on the Block released this emotional ballad and fans gently wept with joy. “I’ll Be Loving Your Forever” ultimately reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, so you know that both women and men alike were feeling this guilty pleasure slow jam. There’s much to appreciate with this NKOTB classic, whether it’s the slow build-up or the high-pitched Jordan Knight vocals. “I’ll Be Loving You Forever”’s straight forward approach earned the boys even more exposure, solidifying the New Kids as THE boy band of the time.
#7: “Summertime” The Block (2008)
Now, let’s just take a minute to understand the context of this digital age New Kids track. At the time of release, the crew had been on a slight hiatus. In fact, “Summertime” marked their first single in 14 years, but their updated sound certainly had a place in pop culture. Ok, maybe both the song and music video have a few issues, but if you grew up with the New Kids, then none of that really mattered when this song first emerged. It’s easy to connect with the “Summertime” vibe, and while the New Kids’ comeback song didn’t crack the Billboard Top 10, it still gave them new life and a much-needed hit.
#6: “Cover Girl” Hangin’ Tough (1988)
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A decade before Britney Spears took Bubblegum Pop into the 21st century, this New Kids track capitalized on the same lyrical concept. Released as the album’s fifth single, America responded positively, as “Cover Girl” reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Written and produced by the legendary Maurice Starr, it’s one of those quintessential “Hey Girl” tracks, loaded with fluff and cheesy lyrics, but it made loyal fans go crazy at live shows. It most definitely a product of the time, but the New Kids changed lives with “Cover Girl”… they changed lives.
#5: “Please Don’t Go Girl” Hangin’ Tough (1988)
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Yet another evocative song featuring the spoken word by one Danny Wood, this track also thrives with the harmonies of young Joey Mac. For their breakthrough sophomore album, the New Kids actually chose “Please Don’t Go Girl” as the lead single, a gentle ballad for all their adoring fans. No, it’s not quite a club banger, but it’s a perfect example of how NKOTB could slow things down for an atmospheric vibe. Released in April of 1988, the single truly sent the New Kids into pop culture stardom after a somewhat disappointing 1986 debut.
#4: “Tonight” Step by Step (1990)
As the second single from the wildly successful “Step by Step” album, this New Kids number steps away from the typical pop song formula. Combining lyrical shout-outs to prior hits with playful rhythmic switch-ups, “Tonight” offered something different for both existing fans and curious consumers. Incidentally, this is what made NKOTB so timely and relevant, as they weren’t afraid to take a few risks. It might not go down in history as a gem of early 90s songwriting, but it features New Kids in their prime and harmonizing like nobody’s business – a fully formed boy band.
#3: “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” Hangin’ Tough (1988)
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So, here’s one of those up-tempo New Kids songs that simply took the world by storm. With such a catchy hook and a fresh late 80s sound, “The Right Stuff” unsurprisingly cracked the Billboard Top 10, even making the soundtrack for the 1989 Fred Savage film “The Wizard.” If that’s not impressive, well, even Weird Al parodied the NKOTB hit, further enhancing the song’s legacy. For its time, the track established a new groove for the New Kids and gave them a lively hit that appealed to various demographics.
#2: “Hangin’ Tough” Hangin’ Tough (1989)
Ladies and gentleman, these are the bad boys of 80s pop music. Ok, maybe the New Kids postured a bit with “Hangin’ Tough,” but they surely bought into the vibe and lyrical message of the song. There’s much to enjoy with this gritty NKOTB classic, most notably a willingness to shed their clean-cut image. The music video played a large role in the song’s success, with Donnie Wahlberg taking center stage and presenting the crew as a bunch of ruffians from the block. “Hangin’ Tough” obviously didn’t affect pop culture like some later boy bands, yet it created a new brand for the New Kids and helped them survive the decade as a collective unit. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Single” with Ne-Yo The Block (2008) “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” New Kids on the Block (1986) “Dirty Dancing” The Block (2008)
#1: “Step by Step” Step by Step (1990)
Kicking off a new decade of pop music, the New Kids further influenced pop culture trends with this highly energetic single. If social media existed back then, “Step by Step” would have won the Internet, as everybody and their momma was seemingly vibing to the New Kids style. At the time of release, NKOTB had been away for a bit, and their five-step lyrical structure gave each member their moment to shine, especially Jordan with his astonishing Step 3 falsetto. For the music video, a young Mark Wahlberg makes a cameo, but it’s all about the New Kids’ return, as this 90s-hit inspired a new wave of American boy bands. So, do you agree with our selections? What is your favorite New Kids on the Block song? For more trendy Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.
