If you’ve ever belonged to a “fandom” of any kind, you are likely no stranger to debates. After all, a lot of being a fan requires dedication and passion about whatever or whoever you’re a fan of. If you ever find yourself in an argument with someone who has ever been a loyal fan of anything, you’re going to lose. We’ve trained for running people into the ground since 1999 (well, BSB fans anyway)!
These debates occur externally (our band is better than your band) and internally (this song is better than this song), but whatever they may be, there are are some debates that will last among fans likely for far longer than the Backstreet Boys will even exis- well… we won’t go there. This post is dedicated to some of the top most heated debates that exist among Backstreet Boys fans (and those who dare to cross them).
1. “The One” vs. “Don’t Want You Back”
Most of the fans reading those words just mentally-muttered “UGGHHHH, damn it, Nick!” or something along those lines. The story is one that a large percentage of BSB fans will never let Nick Carter off the hook for (even though it’s just as much our fault as it is Nick’s) (And when I say our, I mean NICK GIRLS). Even Bustle has written about it. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, allow us to enlighten you.
In 2000, the Backstreet Boys handed the wheel over to fans and let them choose the final single off of Millennium via MTV’s TRL. The choices were “The One” and “Don’t Want You Back”. While we personally love “The One”, there is no denying that DWYB is a real banger and was in the lead to be the next single UNTIL Nick called into TRL….and said his vote was for “The One”.
The man is unaware of the power that he wields.
Suddenly, “The One” was winning and kept being voted for…all because Nick said so.
This really was a win-win situation – both songs are great. But there will ALWAYS be a debate about what might have been and which is better.
2. NKOTBSB vs. Never Again
While we (Kristie and I) were HUGE fans of NKOTBSB and would love to see a part two, there are a whooooolllllleeeee lot of fans who would fight us on it. We’re sure there are numerous New Kids fans who feel the same way.
The boyband supergroup released a joint album of the groups’ greatest hits plus two collabs and toured between 2010 and 2012 and they truly took the world by storm. Love it or hate it, NKOTBSB got a LOT of media attention and brought the Backstreet Boys back to arenas. The show itself was hours of GOOD. STUFF. From ballads to band battles to songs that kept you out of your seats, the tour was a dream for some….
….And apparently a nightmare for others. There are fans that hated seeing anyone but the Backstreet Boys, felt tickets were unfairly split, etc. And when it comes to a NKOTBSB return? Thanks, but thanks for them.
3. Unbreakable / This Is Us Eras vs. Every Other Era
There are BSB fans who refer to the Boys’ Unbreakable and This Is Us eras as “the dark ages”. Most of these fans were either hardcore Kevin fans or they just fell off the Backstreet radar due to these two albums garnering less attention, a lot of fans were in college, etc. Some fans just think these albums and the subsequent tours were just not worthy of affection.
Then there are those of us who think these eras are VASTLY underrated. These were the eras that saw the Boys going back to their roots with radio promo and the beginning of VIP upgrades as we know them. However you feel, these eras kept the Backstreet Boys going and kept us satiated until Kevin’s return.
Cruise vs. Vegas Residency vs. VIP
When the world was normal, there were usually three separate “special events” that BSB fans saved up for: The BSB Cruise, VIP Meet and Greet, and / or a Vegas trip (or good tickets at a concert).
And eeevvvveerryyybody has an opinion on which one you should do if you can only pick one. We see fans questioning all the time which one people should do and wow, the variables. In the end, it’s about your own priorities, really.
But if you can do all three in your lifetime, definitely try to experience all three.
Backstreet Boys vs. *NSYNC
The Backstreet Boys can say “oh we’re actually friends with *NSYNC” all day long but ehhhh, 98% of us can’t hang. It’s ingrained in our brains. 90s PTSD. The end.
Nick’s Hair vs. Nick’s Hair
Everyone’s got an opinion. That middle part, those spikes, the long, the shaved – Nick’s best hairstyle, oddly enough, might be the most highly debated growth on a Backstreet Boy. We don’t make the rules.
What Happens On The Backstreet 