Top 50 Best NSYNC Songs of All Time

NSYNC is the quintessential archetype of a world-conquering Boy Band. The group consisted of five young talented men who could write and perform. And they were all so devilishly handsome that they would grace the bedroom walls of teenage girls for decades to come.

NSYNC came about in 1995 when founding member, Chris Kirkpatrick, was introduced to the late Lou Pearlman by a mutual friend. Lou had already had tremendous success forming and providing funding to the Backstreet Boys, who were a worldwide phenomenon. 

Chris Kirkpatrick was able to impress Pearlman enough with his singing and songwriting that Pearlman offered to finance his musical endeavors. But only if Kirkpatrick could find four more male singers to form a group.

Time to team up…

Kirkpatrick was young and ambitious. So, he took to the task with earnest determination, and phones began ringing. One of these phones belonged to the talent agent representing Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez. Timberlake and Chasez had attracted some attention on The Mickey Mouse Club.

Not long after the MMC came to an end in 1994, Timberlake received a call from Chris Kirkpatrick, and the offer was made to join his new group. Timberlake recommended that JC also join, and the kindling was lit. All that was left was to find a good baritone. 

The trio went on a mission for a bass singer in Orlando, Florida. While there, they had an encounter with a former Universal Studios Florida colleague of Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone. They ended up recruiting Jason Galasso as baritone after holding auditions. 

Where the name comes from…

The name came about after Justin’s mother remarked on how “in-synch” the group was with their voices. The name was also a play on words as the way it was stylized, “NSYNC.” It was made up of the last letters of the first names of the five members: JustiN, ChriS, JoeY, JasoN, and JC.

Unfortunately, Jason decided to drop out of the group at the last minute, citing that he had aspirations of becoming a teen idol. The group was desperately in need of another baritone singer. And, after several more auditions, they had had no success. 

Enter vocal coach from the Mickey Mouse Club, Mr. Robin Wiley. He suggested they give 16-year-old Lance Bass a shot. After flying out to audition in Orlando, Bass was immediately accepted into the group. He was nicknamed “Lansten” so that the group could retain their clever name. 

Their big breakthrough…

The new lineup began rehearsing dance routines and songs. Eventually, they performed for Pearlman and a group of executives. And while there were initial doubts, the group was subsequently signed to BMG Ariola Munich. 

NSYNC went to Sweden to record their debut album. Their first official single, “I Want You Back,” was released in Germany in 1997 and hit the top ten in Germany eleven days after its release. 

Since then, they’ve become an international sensation selling over 70 million records and winning a string of awards. With that said, here are my picks for the best NSYNC songs of all time.

Top 50 Best NSYNC Songs of All Time

1

Pop

Album: Celebrity

I thought “Pop” would be a fitting starter for a list of songs by “one of the greatest boy bands ever.” It was NSYNC’s first single from 2001’s, Celebrity. The song was not their best chart performer and, in the subject matter at least, was a departure from their usual style.

The lyrics address the “boy band” label and the fact that the group doesn’t have control over how the media and fans decide to think of them. However, they view themselves not as a fad or passing fashion but as artists. Therefore, their art, including this very song, will endure.

“Pop” made it to #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 while managing to become a top ten entry in the UK. In Canada, it managed to climb to #1. 

Showing their stuff…

The music video is a must-watch if you’re a fan and haven’t seen it. Easily one of their best and proven by the four awards the music video picked up at the MTV awards, including Best Pop Video. 

They performed the song at the 2001 MTV Music Awards with none other than Michael Jackson as a guest.

2

I Want You Back

Album: *NSYNC

This one will be a no-brainer to NSYNC fans. It marks the beginning of their upwards accent to international success. So, no surprise then that it is one of NSYNC’s biggest songs ever.

Written and co-produced by Max Martin and the late great Dennis Pop., it was the first release by the group and broke them into pop charts across Europe. The single reached the top ten in Germany eleven days after its release and soon became a top 40 chart number across Europe. 

Two years after the initial release, I Want You Back made it to #5 on the UK Singles Pop Chart and managed to climb to #13 in the US, marking the group’s breakthrough in the United States. “I Want You Back” has been certified Gold by the RIAA.

3

Gone 

Album: Celebrity

“Gone” was initially intended to include the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Unfortunately, this never materialized. Despite that, this beautiful number (another Timberlake and Wade Robson collaboration) managed to make a lot of waves.

The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Performance By a Duo Or Group With Vocal. Additionally, “Gone” peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on the R&B singles chart. 

The song’s accompanying music video was directed by fashion photography giant Herb Ritts. Although, it was delayed due to the September 11th attacks. The video earned a nomination for video of the year at the MTV music awards.

4

(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You

Album: *NSYNC

This one has a special place in the catalog of NSYNC. That is because the subject matter is not their usual. Rather than the usual romantic love or mere infatuation, we find an expression of the relationship between a mother and a son. 

It was the last single from the group’s self-titled album and was the first to break into the Hot 100, peaking at #8. On the Adult Contemporary charts, it went all the way to #2. 

Furthermore, the country band, Alabama, recorded their own version of this memorable NSYNC song in 1999, with NSYNC members joining them in the studio. This version made it to #3 on the Country Music charts. 

5

Bye Bye Bye

Album: No Strings Attached

This could easily be called the greatest NSYNC song ever. It was released as the first single to an album that would go on to sell over ten million copies and earn Diamond Certification (that’s Beatles territory in terms of sales!). 

Co-written and co-produced by a pair of Swedes, Kristian Lundin and Jake Schulze, “Bye Bye Bye” was offered to the British group Five, who decided to pass on the track. Allegedly, the song has a double meaning since it coincides with the group’s departure from RCA Records and Lou Pearlman. 

“Bye Bye Bye” peaked at the #4 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent a total of twelve weeks in the top ten. It was also a top ten hit across the world. In addition, the album earned a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year. 

6

Girlfriend (feat. Nelly)

Album: Celebrity

This was the third single from the album, Celebrity. And it was also the group’s final single release. It was their sixth top ten hit and won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Hookup. 

The Neptunes (including Pharrel Williams) remixed the song to create space for rap verses from Nelly, who was enjoying his first surge of success in the music world. This only added to the power of the song and helped it climb to #25 on the R&B Songs chart.

7

This I Promise You

Album: No Strings Attached

Sticking to top ten hits, we have what has become of the most popular wedding songs in history. As a result, it’s one of the best NSYNC songs of all time. Written by Richard Marx, “This I Promise You” was released as the third single from No Strings Attached.

The song reached the #5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and managed to climb to the top of the Adult Contemporary chart, where it remained for a staggering thirteen weeks. Furthermore, in the UK, “This I Promise You” reached #21. To date, it’s still one of the most popular NSYNC songs.

8

Music of My Heart (feat. Gloria Estefan)

Album: Music of My Heart

Written by Dianne Warren and produced by David Foster, “Music of the Heart” was featured in the only non-horror film ever to be directed by Wes Craven. 

The group’s collaboration with Latin superstar Gloria Estefan peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it received an Academy Award nomination along with two Grammy nominations. The film tells the true story of Roberta Guaspari, who co-founded Harlem’s Opus 118 School of Music.

9

It’s Gonna Be Me-

10

Tearin’ Up My Heart-

11

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays-

12

I Drive Myself Crazy-

13

Space Cowboy (Yippie-Yi-Yay) (feat. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes)-

14

Just Got Paid-

15

Celebrity-

16

That’s When I’ll Stop Loving You-

17

Tell Me, Tell Me…Baby-

18

U Drive Me Crazy-

19

Something Like You-

20

See Right Through You-

21

Sailing-

22

Selfish-

23

Everything I Own-

24

Here We Go-

25

Bringin’ Da Noise-

26

I Need Love-

27

I’ll Never Stop-

28

I Believe In You-

29

Celebrity (The Radio Remix)-

30

The Two of Us-

31

Girlfriend (feat. The Neptunes)-

32

Could It Be You?-

33

You Got It-

34

The Lion Sleeps Tonight-

35

That Girl (Will Never Be Mine)-

36

No Strings Attached-

37

It Makes Me Ill-

38

Falling-

39

I Want You Back (The Jackson 5 cover)-

40

Something Like Me-

41

Bye Bye Bye (Teddy Riley Remix)-

42

Crazy For You-

43

Music Of My Heart (feat. *NSYNC)-

44

O Holy Night (A Cappella)-

45

Kiss Me At Midnight-

46

You Don’t Have To Be Alone (On Christmas)-

47

Love’s In Our Hearts On Christmas Day-

48

Home For Christmas-

49

The Game Is Over

50

Digital Get Down

Searching for Awesome Songs?

We can help. Take a look at our detailed reviews of the Best Gloria Estefan Songs of All Time, the Best Maroon 5 Songs of All Time, the Best Mary J. Blige Songs of All-Time, the Best John Legend Songs of All Time, and the Best Chicago Songs of All Time for more great music selections.

Best NSYNC Songs of All Time – Conclusion

In my humble opinion, “Music of My Heart” is the best song that NSYNC ever recorded. But, it also stands as a testament to the fact that they aren’t just some fad-riding Boy Band. Rather they are serious musicians who have true merit. 

Aside from that, it was a peak in their career. One that can tell you a lot about how much they stood to achieve going forward. 

Until next time, happy listening.