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The top boy band song from the year you were born
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- Boy bands have dominated the Billboard Hot 100 music chart for decades.
- This includes groups like Boyz II Men and more recent favorites like One Direction and the Jonas Brothers.
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When you hear the term "boy band," the first thing that probably comes to mind is a group of men singing together and performing synchronized dance moves.
While that is true for groups like New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys, there are other groups that choose not to have choreographed moves going back decades.
Merriam-Webster defines a group as one that contains two or more people. This means that a duo, like Wham!, could technically be considered a boy band.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider
subscribers.
Become an Insider
and start reading now.
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For the purposes of this article, we included groups consisting of all-male members (regardless of what genre of music they fall into) that broke through on the pop charts.
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Keep reading to find out which boy band topped the Billboard Hot 100 during the year you were born.
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1950: "Sam's Song" — Bing and Gary Crosby
"Sam's Song" was created by Lew Quadling and Jack Elliott. The Crosby duo's spin on the song was just as popular as a previous version from Joe "Fingers" Carr and the Carr-Hops, and ended up on the Billboard Hot 100. Listen to it here.
1951: "(It's No) Sin" — Four Aces
The track was developed by George Hoven and Chester R. Shull released by the quartet in 1951. Listen to the song here.
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1952: "Tell Me Why" — Four Aces
The Four Aces wasn't the only artist to record a version of "Tell Me Why," but their version landed high on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. You can listen to it here.
1953: "You, You, You" — Ames Brothers
The band released the ballad in the early '50s and it became one of their biggest hits. You can listen to it here.
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1954: "Sh-Boom" — The Crew-Cuts
The quartet's track, which was a cover of a song from The Chords, proved to be a success in the US, UK, and Australia. You can listen to "Sh-Boom" here.
1955: "Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley and The Comets
The rock and roll track was released in the mid-'50s. You can listen to it here.
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1957: "Bye Bye Love" — Everly Brothers
The siblings' hit song went on to be covered by music legends like The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel. You can listen to the track here.
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1958: "All I Have to Do Is Dream" — The Everly Brothers
The swoon-worthy ballad was released in 1958. Listen to "All I Have to Do Is Dream" here.
1959: "Sleep Walk" — Santo & Johnny
Santo and & Johnny's hit instrumental song has been used in plenty of movies and shows over the years, from "La Bamba" to "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." You can listen to it here.
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1960: "Cathy's Clown" — The Everly Brothers
The song was released as part of the duo's 1960 studio album titled "A Date with the Everly Brothers." You can listen to the song here.
1961: "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" — The Highwaymen
The hit track appeared on the folk group's "The Highwaymen" album. Listen to the song here.
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1962: "Peppermint Twist" — Joey Dee and The Starliters
Joey Dee and The Starlighters rose to fame while performing at the Peppermint Lounge, which served as inspiration for their hit track "Peppermint Twist." In addition to peaking at No. 1 on the Hot 100, the song went gold. You can listen to it here.
1963: "Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs
"Sugar Shack" was released in 1963 and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. You may have heard the hit track in movies like "Forrest Gump" and "Dogfight." Listen to "Sugar Shack" here.
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1964: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The Beatles
John Lennon and Paul McCartney cowrote the track, which was included on the band's 1964 album titled "Meet the Beatles!" "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was also covered on Fox's "Glee" and the 2019 movie "Yesterday." You can listen to the song here.
1965: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" — Four Tops
"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" was one of the biggest songs of 1965 and went on to be covered by La Toya Jackson, Johnny Rivers, and The Supremes. Listen to the song here.
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1966: "Cherish" — The Association
The Association earned their first No. 1 with "Cherish," from their debut album "And Then... Along Comes the Association." Listen to the song here.
1967: "The Letter" — The Box Tops
"The Letter" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and became the Tennessee band's first big hit. You can listen to the song here.
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1968: "Hey Jude" — The Beatles
"Hey Jude" was released in 1968 and ended up getting nominated for Grammys for record of the year and best contemporary-pop performance for a vocal duo or group. You can listen to the song here.
1969: "Honky Tonk Women" — Rolling Stones
"Honky Tonk Women" was written by Rolling Stones members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. You can listen to the song here.
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1970: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" — Simon and Garfunkel
"Bridge Over Troubled Water," from the duo's 1970 album of the same name, won a Grammy for record of the year. You can listen to the award-winning song here.
1971: "Joy to the World" — Three Dog Night
"Joy to the World" appears on the group's fifth album, titled "Naturally." The track was also covered by Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) while at a piano bar on season nine of "Friends." Listen to Three Dog Night's chart-topping song here.
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1972: "Oh Girl" — Chi-Lites
"Oh Girl" was included on the group's fourth studio album, titled "A Lonely Man." Listen to the song here.
1973: "Brother Louie" — Stories
New York-based band Stories released a popular cover of Hot Chocolate's "Brother Louie" in the '70s. You can listen to the track here.
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1974: "Come and Get Your Love" — Redbone
"Come and Get Your Love" is from Redbone's fifth studio album, titled "Wovoka." The track was also performed by Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) during a scene in 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy." Listen to the song here.
1975: "Jive Talkin'"— Bee Gees
Bee Gees had plenty of hit songs, and "Jive Talkin'" (from their 1975 album "Main Course") is one of their most well-known, groovy tracks. Listen to the song here.
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1976: "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" — Four Seasons
In an interview, Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio revealed that the song was originally about the repeal of Prohibition, which took place in December 1963. When the song was rewritten, it became focused on the relationship between Gaudio and his wife, Judy Parker.
Listen to the hit song here.
1977: "Hotel California" — Eagles
At the 20th Grammys, "Hotel California" won the award for record of the year. Listen to the track here.
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1978: "Night Fever" — Bee Gees
"Night Fever" appears on the soundtrack for the 1971 film "Saturday Night Fever," which John Travolta starred in. Listen to the disco song here.
1979: The Jacksons — "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)"
"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" is from The Jacksons' 1978 album "Destiny." Although the hit song was recorded by the whole group, it's Michael Jackson's vocals that stand out. Listen to the catchy song here.
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1980: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" — Queen
According to guitarist Brian May, Freddie Mercury wrote "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" as a tribute to Elvis Presley. Watch the music video for the chart-topping song here.
1981: "Keep on Loving You" — REO Speedwagon
"Keep on Loving You" is a hit song from rock group REO Speedwagon. It was released on their 1980 album "Hi Infidelity," which reached diamond status after selling 10 million copies in the U.S. Watch the music video for "Keep on Loving You" here.
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1982: "Eye of the Tiger" — Survivor
"Eye of the Tiger" is best known for being the theme song for "Rocky II." The song was also nominated for an Oscar for best music/best original song. Listen to the track here.
1983: "Every Breath You Take" — The Police
This track from The Police received Grammys in 1984 for song of the year and best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal. The music video also won an MTV Video Music Award in 1984 for best cinematography. Watch the music video for "Every Breath You Take" here.
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1984: "Jump" — Van Halen
In 1984, "Jump" won an MTV Video Music Award for best stage performance. The hit song was also nominated for a Grammy for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal the following year. Listen to the song here.
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1985: "Careless Whisper" — Wham!
"Careless Whisper" topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985. And although it was a hit, George Michael said that he didn't understand why the song became so popular.
"I'm still a bit puzzled about why it's made such an impression on people," Michael said in 2009.
Listen to the song here.
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1986: "Broken Wings" — Mr. Mister
"Broken Wings" was released as part of the group's second album and the track was nominated for a Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group. Watch the music video for the song here.
1987: "Livin' on A Prayer" — Bon Jovi
"Livin' on A Prayer" appears on the band's third album, "Slippery When Wet." The track also won the MTV Video Music Award for best stage performance in a video in 1987. Watch the music video for "Livin' on A Prayer" here.
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1988: "Sweet Child O' Mine" — Guns N’ Roses
In 1989, the all-male rock group won the American Music Award for favorite pop/rock single for "Sweet Child O' Mine." Watch the music video here.
1989: "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" — New Kids on the Block
"I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" is from NKOTB's second album, "Hangin' Tough," which was released in September 1989. Watch the music video here.
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1990: "Step by Step" — New Kids on the Block
NKOTB proved to be a favorite boy band in the '80s and '90s with "Step by Step." Watch their synchronized moves in the music video here.
1991: "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" — Hi-Five
Hi-Five's "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" is one of the group's most popular tracks and it appears on their debut 1990 album. Listen to the smooth song here.
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1992: "End of the Road" — Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "End of the Road." They also received a Grammy for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal in 1993. Watch the music video for "End of the Road" here.
1993: "In the Still of the Night" — Boyz II Men
"In the Still of the Night" is an a capella cover of a 1975 song originally recorded by The Five Satins. It has also been covered by The Beach Boys. Listen to Boyz II Men's hit version here.
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1994: "I Swear" — All-4-One
"I Swear" can be heard on the R&B group's self-titled debut album, which was released in 1994. Listen to the hit song here.
1995: "On Bended Knee" — Boyz II Men
"On Bended Knee" is from Boyz II Men's second studio album, "II." The album won a Grammy for best R&B album in 1995. Watch the official music video here.
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1996: "Anything" — 3T
"Anything" is from R&B trio 3T's debut album, "Brotherhood." The album was released in November 1995. Listen to the song here.
1997: "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" — Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys are one of music's most successful and popular boy bands, with eight studio albums and millions of copies sold worldwide — and they're still together. Listen to their hit track, "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" here.
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1998: "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" — Backstreet Boys
In 1998, the music video for "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" won an MTV Video Music Award for best group video. At the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards, this BSB track also took home the award for favorite song. Watch the official music video here.
1999: "I Want It That Way" — Backstreet Boys
"I Want It That Way" is from Backstreet Boys' "Millennium" album. The popular track earned them two Grammy nominations in 1999. Watch the official music video here.
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2000: "Bye Bye Bye" — NSYNC
In 2000, "Bye Bye Bye" won an MTV Video Music Awards for best pop video, viewer's choice, and best choreography in a video. The track also received four Teen Choice Awards that year. Watch the iconic music video for "Bye Bye Bye" here.
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2001: "Hanging by a Moment" — Lifehouse
"Hanging by a Moment" is from Lifehouse's debut album, and the song was written in less than 20 minutes.
"This melody just kind of popped into my head, so it was conflicting melodies with what I was singing and what I was hearing," lead singer Jason Wade told Billboard. "It was a really surreal, strange thing."
Listen to the song here.
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2002: "Gone" — NSYNC
"Gone" is part of NSYNC's third studio album, "Celebrity." In an interview, Timberlake revealed that he originally wrote the song for Michael Jackson.
According to Timberlake, Jackson wanted the song to be a duet for the two of them. Unfortunately, by the time Jackson came to that decision, NSYNC had already released the track as one of their own.
Watch the music video for "Gone" here.
2003: "When I'm Gone" — 3 Doors Down
"Kryptonite" led to 3 Doors Down's initial mainstream success, but "When I'm Gone" (from their second studio album) was also a hit. The track even peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Listen to "When I'm Gone" here.
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2004: "This Love" — Maroon 5
Maroon 5 won a Grammy for best new artist in 2005. In 2006, "This Love" earned them a Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal. Listen to the hit song here.
2005: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" — Green Day
The punk rock group has been around since the '80s, and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" earned them a Grammy for record of the year in 2006. Watch the official music video for the song here.
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2006: "Over My Head (Cable Car)" — The Fray
The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)" was released as part of their debut album, "How to Save a Life." The track was also nominated for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Listen to the song here.
2007: "Makes Me Wonder" — Maroon 5
This chart-topping track earned Maroon 5 a Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal. Watch the official music video here.
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2008: "Burnin' Up" — Jonas Brothers
For years, the Jonas Brothers were associated with Disney Channel, starring in the "Camp Rock" movies and having a short-lived sitcom of their own. They also released four studio albums, and "Burnin' Up" appears on their third one.
The track peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received a Teen Choice Award for choice summer song. Watch the official music video (which includes a cameo from Selena Gomez) here.
2009: "Gives You Hell" — The All-American Rejects
"Gives You Hell" appears on the group's third studio album, "When the World Comes Down." The album was certified gold and the track peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Listen to it here.
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2010: "Hey, Soul Sister" — Train
In 2011, "Hey, Soul Sister" won a Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals and a Billboard Music Award for top rock song. Watch the official music video for the popular song here.
2011: "Pumped Up Kids" — Foster the People
"Pumped Up Kicks" helped Foster the People achieve radio success, and the song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011. At the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, "Pumped Up Kicks" also won the award for rock song of the year. Listen to the track here.
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2012: "Glad You Came" — The Wanted
"Glad You Came" is arguably The Wanted's most popular song, and propelled them to success in America. In 2013, the UK group won the People's Choice Award for favorite breakout artist. Watch the official music video for "Glad You Came" here.
2013: "Story of My Life" — One Direction
After the worldwide success of One Direction's debut single, "What Makes You Beautiful," they continued to be one of the music industry's top-selling boy bands. "Story of My Life" is from their third album and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 2013. Listen to "Story of My Life" here.
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2014: "Counting Stars" — OneRepublic
OneRepublic's lead singer, Ryan Tedder, is the writer of many of the group's hits, including "Counting Stars." The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2014. Watch the music video here.
2015: "Sugar" — Maroon 5
"Sugar" appears on Maroon 5's fifth album, "V," and received a Grammy nomination at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Watch the band crash weddings in the music video here.
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2016: "Perfect" — One Direction
"Perfect" is from One Direction's fifth studio album, "Made in the A.M." It's also the first album the group released following the departure of Malik. In 2016, the track won a Teen Choice Award for choice love song and a Radio Disney Music Award for best crush song.
Watch the official music video for "Perfect" here.
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2017: "Believer" — Imagine Dragons
"Radioactive" is the song that led to Imagine Dragons' mainstream success, and the tracks released since then have proven to be hits.
"Believer" hit No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the bold track was featured on TV shows like "Riverdale," trailers for films like "Murder on the Orient Express," and commercials for brands like Nintendo.
Watch the music video here.
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2018: "Thunder" — Imagine Dragons
"Thunder," from their third studio album, was nominated for a Grammy for best pop duo/group performance at the 60th Grammy Awards. Watch the official music video here.
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2019: "Sucker" — Jonas Brothers
"Sucker," which was released in early 2019, marked the Jonas Brothers' glorious comeback following the band's breakup six years prior. The hit song helped the group earn the N0. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time ever, despite the Jonas Brothers' lengthy career in the music industry.
"Sucker" also landed a 2020 Grammy Awards nomination for best pop duo/group performance. You listen to the song here.
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