Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs

Feature Photo: Ibolya Nyikos, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs list takes a look at one of music’s most popular boy bands from the late 80s and 90s. They sold over 70 million records during their time together. They have won different awards for their work. The group has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They were so popular at one point they were on several magazines and had dolls. They were a marketer’s dream. They weren’t too many things that didn’t have their faces on them. They even had a Saturday morning cartoon at one point. There weren’t too many boy bands at the time that were able to achieve all of that.

New Kids On The Block consisted of members Donny Wahlberg, Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Danny Wood and Joey McIntyre. They got their start when music producer Maurice Starr wanted to recreate a new version of the r&b and pop group New Edition. He wanted a blue-eyed soul version of New Edition so he held auditions for the group. The first member to join the group was Donny Wahlberg.

Actor Mark Wahlberg (brother of Donny Wahlberg) was in the group for a few months. Donny asked his friends Jamie Kelly, Jordan Knight and Danny Wood to join the group. Knight asked his older brother Jonathan to join the group. Kelly ended up leaving shortly after he joined it. Starr wanted a singer who sounded like Michael Jackson in the group to replace Kelly. He added Joey McIntyre to the group.

They released their eponymous debut album in 1986. The album didn’t create much buzz for the group even though it was a modest hit. The song “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind)” helped the album get some attention. The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Be My Girl” and “Stop It Girl.” It went on to sell over three million copies.

The guys fared better with their second album Hangin’ Tough. It was released in 1988. This is the album that made the group a household name. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 charts and number 40 on the r&b charts. It features the hit singles “Please Don’t Go Girl,” “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” “Hangin’ Tough” and “Cover Girl.” The album sold over 12 million copies. They won awards for this project. Like most acts, New Kids On The Block recorded a Christmas album. They managed to garner a hit single. “This One’s for the Children” was a top 10 hit for the group. The album sold over two million copies.

New Kids On The Block released their next album Step by Step in 1990. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “Step by Step,” “Valentine Girl,” “Tonight” and “Let’s Try It Again.” The album sold over three million copies. Their popularity was beginning to wane by the time their next project was released. They were losing their fanbase because of the popularity of Hip Hop and rock music. Their next album Face the Music was released in 1994.

The album peaked at 37 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “If You Go Away,” “Dirty Dawg” and “Never Let You Go.” The album sold over 138,000 copies. This was the last album the group released at that point. Jonathan Knight left the group because he was suffering from health issues. After he left the group, the rest of the guys decided to break up.

The group reunited in 2008. They released the album The Block in 2008. The album featured all five members of the group. The album debuted at number one on the Pop charts and number two on the Billboard 200 charts. That was quite a feat for the group considering how long they were on hiatus. The project features the singles “Summertime,” “Single,” “Dirty Dancing” and “2 in the Morning.” The album sold over 332,000 copies during its run. They released 10 in 2013. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 charts and number one on the Independent albums charts. The album features the singles “Remix (I Like The)” and “The Whisper.”

New Kids On The Block were one of the biggest acts in music at the height of their career. You couldn’t pick up any merchandise without seeing their faces on it. They proved they were more than just a replica of another popular group. They managed to find success in their own right. In fact, they sold more records than New Edition. They had the same problem with Maurice Starr that New Edition had when he was accused of stealing their money. They were able to overcome that obstacle and keep going. They continue to tour with other 80s and 90s acts. This Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs list will feature 10 of their best songs.

# 10 – Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind)

The first song on our Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs list is “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind) from their eponymous album. The song has an r&b sound. This is a cover of the Delfonics’ song “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time).” Before you even listen to this song, there are a couple of questions that come to mind. Was it a risk to cover a song that is a signature song from another group? Did they pull it off? The answer to the first question is yes it was a risk. The answer to the second question is yes they pulled it off.

This romantic song is about a man proving his love for the woman in his life. They don’t stray away from the original version of the song. It almost sounds like a Karaoke version of the Delfonics’ song. Jordan Knight sings the song in a higher key than William Hart did in the original version. Knight sings the chorus in falsetto, which could have been a risk, but he manages to sing in tune. The rest of the group sings in perfect harmony in the background.

# 9 – Single ft. Ne-Yo

The next song on our Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs list is “Single” from The Block album. The song has a pop and r&b beat. This flirty song is about a man wanting to be a woman’s boyfriend. He wants to convince her that he would be a good match for her until the song goes off. This is the type of song singer/songwriter Ne-Yo would sing, but it’s a different sound for the group. The track proved the guys were willing to do something different. They seem like an unlikely pairing, but they make it work. The guys sound good together.

Joey, Jordan and Donny sing the song with Ne-Yo. They sound mature in the song. It’s definitely different from their other work. The music caters to their voices very well. The music includes finger snaps and the keys. The music is simple and stripped to allow the listeners to focus on their voices. It’s a good club song. This seductive song could be enjoyed in the club as well as in your bedroom. It’s definitely worth a listen.

# 8 – Cover Girl

This fantasy song is from the Hangin’ Tough album. The song has a pop and rock beat to it. The emotional song is about a man being in love with someone and he compares her to a model. He considers her to be his cover girl. They were teenagers when they recorded this song so it was an appropriate song for them. They proved they could write a love song that would make girls feel good. The music is upbeat and catchy. The guitar riffs give the song a rock edge. They aren’t really known for rock music so this was a chance for the group to spread their wings musically.

Donny Wahlberg sings lead on this track. This was a wise choice to make. His voice is perfect for the music. He has a low tenor voice and it’s very easy on the ear. He usually adds raps to their songs so it was nice to hear him do a song without rapping. His vocals are strong and impressive. He holds little notes towards the end of the song. The rest of the group does a good job supporting him in the background.

# 7 – Full Service ft. New Edition

This romantic song is from The Block album. The song has a pop and r&b sound. This metaphoric song is about a man taking care of a woman’s needs. They compare their love for the woman to getting a full service job at a gas station. It was an unusual way to talk about pleasing a woman, but it fits. This song is groundbreaking because it was the first time New Kids On The Block worked with New Edition. New Kids On The Block were patterned after New Edition so it was fitting that they did a song together. The music is captivating and hypnotic.

The music will have you out of your seat and on the dance floor. They do utilize some AutoTune in the song, but it doesn’t hurt it at all. If you are a fan of both groups, this song is a dream come true for you. They all do a great job on this track. It caters to all of their strengths.

It was a total injustice that this song wasn’t released as a single. The song is very good and features two of the biggest 80s groups together for the first time. There aren’t enough words to express how good this song is and it’s definitely worth checking out.

# 6 – Step by Step

This playful song is from the album of the same name. It has a dance, pop and disco sound. This bouncy song is about a woman who is always on a guy’s mind. The music is infectious. It is upbeat and will have you moving around. It’s impossible to sit still while listening to it. The violin and drums drive the music. The music also has an old school sound to it. The guys included a disco sound to the music. You can almost feel the group dancing while they recorded it.

This track gives all of the members a chance to sing. It’s unique because all of the members don’t usually sing lead on their songs. The guys get a chance to show what they could do while singing lead. They all win the vocal battle because they sound good. They sing in time with the beat changes. This song is one of the group’s biggest hit singles and it’s easy to see why it was a hit.

# 5 – Hangin’ Tough

The next song on our Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs list is “Hangin’ Tough” from the album of the same name. The song has a dance, pop, funk and rock sound. The nostalgic song is about the tough time they had when they got together as a group. Here is some trivia about the song.

Wahlberg claimed the song was written for the Boston Celtics. They wanted to write an anthem for the basketball team. They wanted to make the song sound like Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” It worked because the melody is similar to Queen’s song. Wahlberg does the lead vocals on this track.

He was the right one for the job because he’s the one who raps in their songs. He isn’t the first person you would think of when you list rappers, but he holds his own in the song. They might have had a hard time convincing people that they were tough because they’re a boy band. If you can get past the fact that they aren’t exactly “tough,” you may find the song enjoyable. They sing in time with the music. The harmonies are on point. The song is a little cheesy, but it’s still a banger.

# 4 – You Got It (The Right Stuff)

This meaningful song is from the Hangin’ Tough album. The song has an r&b, dance and pop sound. The iconic song is about a guy letting a woman know that she’s got the right stuff for him. She’s everything he needs in a woman. This song is one of the group’s signature songs and it’s easy to see why because the song is phenomenal. The song will hook you the second it starts. The catchy beat will grab you instantly. Jordan Knight and Donny Wahlberg sing lead on the track. Jordan’s tone is perfect in this track. He tends to sing in falsetto in some of their songs and it’s not always necessary. He sings the song in his normal pitch and it works beautifully.

Donny Wahlberg sounds amazing too. He sings the post-chorus and it’s incredible. He sings in time with the beat changes and he makes you want to sing with him. As soon as you hear the guys sing their ad-libs, you are hooked. You might have thought this song would have made it to number one on our list, but it was a coin toss for the last four spots on the list.

# 3 – Please Don’t Go Girl

This heartfelt song is from the Hangin’ Tough album. It has a pop and r&b sound. This beautiful song is about a guy who doesn’t want the woman he loves to leave because she’s his everything. He pledges to love her until the end of time. This is one of the group’s signature songs. Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight sing lead on this song. McIntyre sounds like a young Michael Jackson on this track. It’s easy to forget that he’s a young boy singing a mature song like this. He has a beautiful voice. He’s in perfect pitch in the song. He holds little notes that are impressive.

Jordan Knight sings in his lower register for parts of the song. He sounds good in that pitch. He sings one line in falsetto that doesn’t suit his voice, but it doesn’t hurt the song. They sound like they have a lot of soul in this song. The music is gorgeous and hypnotic. You could get lost just listening to it. The music is just as good as the vocals. Everything about this song works.

# 2 – I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)

This touching song is from the Hangin’ Tough album. It has an r&b, pop and blue-eyed soul beat. This romantic song is about a man expressing how long he will love the woman in his life. He intends to love her forever. This is a deep song for teenagers to sing. You can forget they are teenagers while they are singing about loving a woman for life. The song was recorded years ago, but it still resonates years later. As soon as the first bar starts, the song will captivate you. The music is soft and rhythmic. It’s perfect for slow dancing or just spending time with someone you love.

Jordan Knight takes the lead on this song. He made the decision to sing it in different pitches. He goes up and down throughout the song. He doesn’t seem committed to one pitch. His voice sounds better when he doesn’t sing in falsetto.

His voice is much better when he sings in his normal tone. He does take a risk and holds a high note towards the end of the song, and it paid off. The rest of the group sings the background in a lower pitch, which was a great contrast to Knight’s falsetto vocals. This song could have easily been number one if it weren’t for the song we picked.

# 1 – I Remember When

The number one song on our Top 10 New Kids On The Block Songs list is “I Remember When” from the Hangin’ Tough album. The song has an r&b and pop sound to it. This heartbreaking song is about a guy reminiscing about the love he lost. Joey McIntyre sings lead on this track. His voice is absolutely incredible.

He has a gorgeous voice and sounds sincere while he tells the story about lost love. He sounds like a young Michael Jackson in this song. He sings with a lot of soul. It’s hard to believe he’s a young boy singing this song. He belts throughout the song. He turns it into a power ballad. The rest of the guys sound great harmonizing in the background.

They sing in a deeper pitch so it works with McIntyre’s tenor vocals. The music is simple and sweet and complimented his voice. It gives you a chance to get lost in his impressive vocals. The chorus will get stuck in your head long after the song is done. This underrated song should have been released as a single. It may not have been number one on the charts, but it was going to be number one on our list.

Updated Aug 2, 20222

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