If you’re a ‘90s kid, chances are that you grew up as part of the Backstreet Boys fan-club. From feeling euphoric and socially charged with Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), love-sick with As Long As You Love Me or downright emo with Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely, they had a song for it all – and we were hooked!
So when I heard that my favourite ’90s boy-band was coming back with a new “hit-number”– social media being presumptuous – my middle-school self could barely contain her excitement.
But when I saw the video of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, I had only one thought in mind – Go back to the ‘90s, boys.
While admittedly the song can be considered “catchy” by some, it sounds like the group sold out to the newly transformed One Direction-esque pop narrative.
What was so distinguishing about the group that made up my childhood (and a fair share of my adulthood), was that they were original, well, to the most part at least. Their songs were classic and unchallenged and their dance moves unique.
But this song, to even my biased ears and heart, was at best and worst generic.
It sounds like a poorly-made mash of a Justin Bieber song garnished with some typical Justin Timberlake show-tunes on top.
Where’s the entrapping soulfulness of Incomplete? The promises made in Shape of My Heart?
What we have here is a non-relatable, extra-quirky, electro-pop tune that I for one, cannot link back to the Backstreet Boys I grew up with.
Seriously guys, quit playing games with my heart.
Although the group has never been credited for having the most awe-inspiring lyrics in their songs, they’ve stood out in the past for hitting the nail right on the head.
Remember these lines?
Voices tell me I should carry on
But I am swimming in an ocean all alone
Baby, my baby, it's written on your face
You still wonder if we made a big mistake
It was the anthem for every post-crush depression, the anthem for all pre-pubescent teens. And now in this song we have:
I'm not that kind of person
Who can fall in and out of love with you
That's not what love's supposed to do
I'm not that kind of person
Who can fall in and out of love with you
That's not what love's supposed to do
Understandably, they have to keep with the times, and to that extent their adopting this overhyped, half Bieber-half Weeknd tune to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, is possibly expected.
Doesn’t mean I have to like it.
So to my favourite boy-band from the ’90s, the ones I would turn to in moments of teenage angst, I have to say, you definitely broke my heart.
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