In Defense Of Boybands (Part II)

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Apr 04, 2000 Source: Lindsay Submitted By: I would like to address the issue of the “almighty boyband”. What is a boyband?? It is the stereotypical label given to a group of young men who bring their harmonies together to contribute t the music industry. Some “boybands” include ‘NSYNC, 98 Degrees and my personal favourite The Backstreet Boys. People tend not to take “boybands” seriously mainly due to the fact that 75% of their audience is adolescent females. Is that any reason not to be taken seriously as artists?? I think not. The Backstreet Boys are one of the hardest working acts in the entertainment industry. Unlike the rest of us, “boybands” work 10 hours a day or more. They have hours of press conferences, followed by stage rehearsal and nightly concerts. At night when we are comfortably tucked in our beds, they are on tour buses driving to their next concert venue and living out of suitcases. Hence leaving little room for a personal life and family. There are also the issues to attend to that according to some “boybands” lack talent, do not play their own instruments and do not write their own lyrics. Let me begin wit the first; to say they lack talent is complete and utter rubbish. Unlike other acts who (I will admit) try to hide their lack of singing ability with dance steps; The Backstreet Boys have less dance moves in their performance so to concentrate on the vocal aspect of it. The Backstreet Boys do not and I repeat DO NOT lip-sync during any of their performances, unlike other acts we know; no names called (Britney Spears). Addressing the issue of not playing their own instruments, BIG DEAL!! Do any of the greatest performers play their own instruments? For example Michael Jackson and Madonna; or to you rap fans DMX or Jay Z. Though they do not play instruments when they perform, I can assure you that each member of The Backstreet Boys can play an instrument. Also lets us not forget the most famous boyband, The Beatles all of whom played their own instruments. To the fact that they do not write their own lyrics this is only true their first album. Just like other artists when first trying to establish one self did not write their own lyrics, for example Mariah Carey. Now on their sophomore album The Backstreet Boys have written, co-written and arranged most of the songs. If you still believe they lack talent, listen to such heart wrenching ballads as “Back to your heart” and “The Perfect Fan” which were written by Kevin and Brian respectively. There is also Savage Garden, who is considered by some to be a “boyband”, who writes all of their own lyrics and music. For a little more food for thought musical great Frank Sinatra now deceased did not write his own lyrics; also current great Whitney Houston does not write her own lyrics. People also believe that all “boybands” sound the same. HELLO!! they are singing the same type of music, Pop , and if you are not a fan of pop it will all sound the same. In the same way a person who is not a fan of rock or rap will find they all sound the same. Yes, they tend to sing mostly about love; so what’s the problem with that?? In the same way most rap contains profane and violent lyrics. There is nothing wrong with bringing joy to a young girl’s face during the hardest phase of her life with just a line from a love song. Yes, I admit there are great lengths at which teenage girls go to, to see their favourite “boyband”, for example camping outside the MTV studios a day in advance; yet we cannot forget the happiness these bands bring to these young girls, giving them hope in love. To come to a close I believe in giving respect where respect is due and in my opinion they deserve our respect. If you still believe at the end of this article that “boyband” suck, I leave you with this. The Backstreet Boys have the highest sales record for 1999 and the record for selling the most albums, a title previously held by country great Garth Brooks. Also their salaries put them in the same category as that of Madonna and The Artist formerly known as Prince. Also let me not forget the famous boybands of the past, The Jackson 5 and The Beatles. Both of which deserve credit for their profound influence on the music of today. Comment on this item. Next Item: Could a Backstreet Boy be a hero? Prev Item: 101 Synonyms For the Word Kevin