NKOTB's Back. Alright!

A week or two ago there was a “rumor” that New Kids on the Block were going to reunite. By the time I heard it, it was officially dismissed and I was like, “yeah right, how could anyone think that would be a good idea? The New Kids were great, but not as musically developed as some of the more recent boy bands. I have a feeling we’ll still be hearing some of those Backstreet Boys and N’Sync songs on the oldies station in our mature years. The New Kids’ music hasn’t stood the test of time so much. At least, they don’t play the songs that I ever hear. Of course, if I really wanted to hear them, I could dust off my old cassette tapes and give them a play. I pretty much have the recordings committed to memory and can just play it to myself in my brain.

To put it mildly, I was an obsessed New Kids fans. I was their biggest fan, of course and I vowed to be loving them forever. My room was wallpapered with posters. I had stacks of teen magazines and cut out pictures and articles and made my own scrapbooks. I knew each Kid’s age, birthday, astrological sign, shoe size, favorite food and more. I just knew if I ever got that chance to meet Donny, and he really got to know me, we would be married. The age difference wouldn’t matter to him, because I would be his one true love. I saw them in concert three times. My dedicated Mom even camped out overnight for tickets for one concert scoring with fourth row seats. I shrieked and screamed my way through the concerts like I was under attack. Why do young girls screech that high pitch scream for the objects of their affection? We watched their concert videos over and over again. I also have recordings of these in my brain to revisit when I desire. I still have my t-shirts, buttons, pillow case, collecting cards in storage.

I’ve examined this and tried to determine whether this obsession was a good thing, and I’ve decided it was. The New Kids’ were good, clean cut boys. They promoted good messages about not doing drugs, stay in school etc. I think it kept me out of trouble a little longer than I probably would’ve. I wanted them to be proud of me! It certainly would have been better to be obsessed about Bible study, fine literature, world history etc., but I was 11, so whatever! My home life was kind of crappy and it was a nice outlet. It gave me something positive to focus on.

Then NKOTB backlash became so intense and prevalent. I held on to my passion longer than most, but when Donny was arrested for setting a hotel on fire, or some such delinquency, I took the posters down and moved on. It was kind of a relief, because those of us who were hangin’ tough in the land of NKOTB fandom were becoming more and more the subject of ridicule.

So what do I think of the reunion? At first I thought it might be a tad pathetic. I know some of the guys have tried to strike out on their own with solo careers, with a little success. Donny has had some success in the movies, Danny producing music and John in real estate. Are they trying to rejuvenate their sagging careers? Are they broke? How did they all come to the agreement to reunite? They’ve recorded a new album. They wrote all of their own material. THAT should be interesting and completely different! What if it's even good?

They were on the TODAY show Friday. I tried to be mature about it, but they handed the mic to Donny and then it happened – I giggled! I had a little shiver go through me and I got really excited! I totally geeked out. It was so great to see those five guys standing together. I’ll definitely be following this story closely, to see if they still have the right stuff. (sorry for the silly jokes/song references. I can’t help myself. If I could've worked "Please Don't Go Girl" in there I would've). I must say, if I ever do get that chance to meet Donny, I'll have to tell him he's too late. I have found my absolutely, one true love and I wouldn't trade him for anyone!