Pam’s favorite: “Bye Bye Bye” (2000)
As a band, ‘N Sync will always hold a special place in my heart, if anything, simply because theirs was the first concert I ever went to and as Hypable’s resident music writer, I think you can probably guess the lasting effect finally getting to go to a full-blown concert had on me.
Needless to say, picking one favorite ‘N Sync song was ridiculously hard and as tempting as it was to go with the ever sappy “God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You”, I had to give some love to the boys’ first single off No Strings Attached, “Bye Bye Bye”.
Apart from being ridiculously catchy tune-wise, and bitingly edgy (for a boy band) lyrically, the proverbial cherry on top of the cake that really makes this single great was the signature choreography that went along with it.
As a tween, I remember running home from middle school with my brother hoping we would get home in time to watch that day’s snippet of the “Bye Bye Bye” music video on TRL just so we could study and memorize all the dance moves. To this day, I STILL may or may not know all the choreography to both “Bye Bye Bye” and a few other choice ‘N Sync singles but that’s probably not something I should ever fully admit to as a grown adult!
Kyle’s favorite: “It’s Gonna Be Me” (2000)
Not only is this song one of the catchiest tunes ever, it was the beginning of something beautiful: Using ‘N Sync for memes. Who doesn’t love to use a good “IT’S GUNNA BE MAY” meme at the end of April? Or “IT’S GUNNA BE ME” for deciding whether or not you’re going to do something. It’s classic 90s pop now turned into classic humor, and we love it!
Plus, you just can’t get that song out of your head. It’s impossible. I don’t care if you already got it out of your head, it’s still there in your subconscious. You brain will always think “It’s Gonna Be Me.”
Karen’s favorite: “Pop” (2001)
There are a lot of ‘N Sync classics that I love, and picking just one is impossible. But “Pop” is one that stands out a little more than the rest.
You can hear the evolution in the voices, the harmonies, the styles, and even the music itself in the song “Pop.” The entire Celebrity record sounds a bit more hip-hop and a bit more dangerous than ‘N Sync’s previous albums, and we definitely applaud that.
‘N Sync was doing what they wanted to do and taking risks, which is what “Pop” is all about. The group sings about how ‘N Sync is not just a 15 second fad never to be remembered again (because, hello, 12 years later).. “Pop” is, in fact, a legitimate genre that can be both addictive and good.
Some of us (not me) may laugh at ‘N Sync these days, but let’s not forget that they laid a lot of groundwork for other artists and bands, and “Pop” was one of those songs that showed people boy bands and pop music were more than just two-dimensional.
Danielle’s favorite: “Girlfriend” (2002)
There’s just something about “Girlfriend” that makes me so unbelievably happy. Every time I hear it, I can’t help but sing along and start busting out some choreographed dance moves, regardless of whether I’m sitting down, standing up, alone in my bedroom, or in a public place. Plus, it’s just so hard not to feel nostalgic whenever this song comes on. After all, it was the last single ‘N Sync released as a band.
I was never a huge fan of their final album, Celebrity (No Strings Attached was always my favorite), but “Girlfriend,” in my opinion, was different. The combination of its subtle hip hop vibe and all of the questions the guys ask makes the song feel so personal, as if the five guys were speaking right to me and asking me to be their girlfriend.
After Sunday night’s short ‘N Sync “reunion” VMAs performance, I’m really happy that it was one of the band’s favorite songs too. I may or may not have cried when I heard them sing it (but that’s for me to know and you to never find out!).
What’s your favorite ‘N Sync song of all time?
Let us know in the comments below!
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.