My favorite Backstreet Boys songs

Let’s take a break from all the indie music that usually makes up my music related posts. Let’s have a look at some of my favorite songs by a group who played a major role in my life for more than 13 years. I’m taking about Backstreet Boys of course. When you’ve been a fan for such a long time and you play their music religiously, certain songs will pop up as your favorites. Most often, not because they are the best known or because they are the best songs in the catalog, but because you have certain memories attached to them. Even though my love for them has dwindled down in recent years, I found myself listening to some of my old playlists after I saw them live on March 24th. Hence the idea for this post. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and my favorite songs by BSB.

All I have to give (a capella)

The only song on this list that was ever a single, but in a slightly different version. I distinctly remember buying this song as part of their single for Shape of my Heart. If there is one thing which defines or at least used to define Backstreet Boys it was their a capella singing. Add in the fact that I have always liked All I Have to Give as a single the minute I heard it and you have the perfect combo for a favorite BSB song.

Close my eyes

Released as a b-side on the single for Inconsolable, this song immediately hit home. Another thing that Backstreet get right is a good power ballad. I used to listen to this all the time to soothe my moods.

Color my world

A bit of a cheesy song this unreleased track for Never Gone, but nonetheless catchy and I love how each voice blends into the next. Nice concept, great singalong. Solid song. Also covered by Westlife.

Don’t wanna lose you now

Track no. 9 on their Millennium album. I used this song as my alarm clock for a year straight when I was 15. Nuff said.

Everybody (Live 2005 tour)

I couldn’t find a link to the version I listen to (which is from the Cleveland Up Close & Personal Tour), but this will do. The only bit you’re missing is the fact that this version ALSO used The Ying Yang Twins’ Wait (The Whisper Song) for the intro and the first half of the chorus. Oh well. Sheer brilliance in this remix and a special song because it was during my 2005 stay in the US that BSB decided to come back with a tour. It was the first tour for which I saw more than one show and they played all clubs too. Best. Tour. Ever.

Grammy Awards Medley

In the year 2000, at the height of their career, Backstreet Boys performed this medley at the Grammy Awards. They never won any, but yet this song encompasses pre-Internet fandom in a nutshell: my VCR was on all night to catch this on video tape when FOX broadcast the show live in The Netherlands. Oh the memories (and the stress whether your video tape would actually be able to catch everything).

If you stay

An old unreleased track that was never on any single or CD. It was only released as a special song for some 90s R&B collection. And then they decided to do it live for their 2001 Black & Blue tour. An oldie, but a goodie.

Something that I already know

My favorite of all favorites. This one is very special to me. I used to listen to this all the time during my first teaching job and while I was training to become a teacher at the same time. Many memories are attached to that period in my life and they all come together in this one song for me. Plus the vocals are off the chain in this.

Undone

The most recent song in this list. This song is from their 2009 album This is Us. This is Us marked the start of my dwindling fandom (I still dislike that album with a passion). All but one song ended up on the ‘oh-no-not-this’ list. This song is quintessential Backstreet newstyle. I wish they’d do an entire album filled with this R&B fusion style music that showcases their vocals.

Who do you love

Old unreleased track of which the only full version in existence is this acoustic live version from the A Night Out… video tape which was released in 1998. This was supposed to go on an album, but then they changed managements and things got changed up. I’ve loved this since I was 14 when I first got my hands on the tape.

What’s your favorite Backstreet Boys song?