----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Opinions written in this blog are strictly mine. I don’t claim to know the boys personally, and what I’ve written here are merely observations from other fans’ testimonies, stories that ran on different mass media, and from the electronic trail they are constantly leaving on social media for the whole world to see. My semi postmodernist mind is screaming that this is capitalism at its finest, but, hey… if it’s for a talented group that I think should be supported? To hell with capitalism!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| Photo by: Arianne Zagala |
Last Tuesday, May 5, the Backstreet Boys held their In a World Like This (IAWLT) Philippine-leg concert at the Mall of Asia arena. Of course, I didn’t miss the chance to see them perform live. I grew up listening to their songs—hit after hit after hit, and they really stuck to me even now.
Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not writing this blog to reminisce, because yeah, there are a lot of those all over the internet already. I decided to write this blog to celebrate who they have become after all these years. So, what is it really that makes them stand out from the rest—stand so far out that a lot of people consider them to be in a whole different league of their own? Where do I even begin?
Discography
For my younger-than-20-years-old
readers, let me give you a brief background of who Backstreet Boys is. You know
what? On second thought, you can easily get a good discography account of this
group on the net. Oh yes, you don’t even have to look so hard since the “trip
down memory lane” approach was used by a lot of writers who covered the IAWLT
concert last Tuesday. In all fairness to them, though, it was indeed a trip down
memory lane—and it was fun, heck, we really partied like it was 1999! Here
are some reviews I found online:
5 life lessons from the
Backstreet Boys by Joyce Jimenez (Phil Star)
Backstreet’s back and they’re still alright by Nathalie Tomada (Phil Star)
If you missed the concert and you want a blow by
blow account of what happened, you can read this:
REVIEW | The boys of a generation:
Backstreet’s back, alright! by Tricia Aquino (Interaksyon)
But anyway, back to my topic: What is it that
makes the Backstreet Boys the greatest boy band of all time? I don’t think
it’s because they stuck to a formulaic way of writing and producing music. And it's definitely not because they played it safe by sticking to being a “boy band” and never maturing in their craft, because they did.
But more than that, here are some reasons I think Backstreet boys will always remain to be well-loved by the people (aside from their good looks and overly cheesy songs that make you want to fall in love):
But more than that, here are some reasons I think Backstreet boys will always remain to be well-loved by the people (aside from their good looks and overly cheesy songs that make you want to fall in love):
1. Because they treat their music with respect—as an art and as an extension of themselves
Have you noticed how now that they’re working
independently on their music, the messages of their lyrics became more
personal? Let’s not look too far on the repertoire. In the IAWLT album, there
are two songs that stand out in this category—Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of and Madeleine.
Show 'Em What You're Made Of is a song written by Kevin and AJ as an advice for their little ones. It's also the title of their upcoming movie which is a documentary of who the Boys really are. Listening to the song and looking at their ups and downs as a group, one is reminded of how they, themselves, lived through the wisdom that they are now trying to pass to their kids.
The other song, Madeleine, at first glance, seems to be just another feel good, inspiring song. But the inspiration behind it is as deep as it can get. Let AJ tell you all about it.
If you haven’t heard these two songs off of their new album, I’ve posted them below:
Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of
Madeleine
2. Because they are five guys overflowing with talent
But despite the fact that they are individually strong singers, they don’t overpower each other. Their vocal harmony and chemistry as a group is so good—it’s almost too good to be true. But it is true, and that’s the best part! Check out this fan made video that showcases their vocal harmony throughout the years.
And even after all these
years, they still pack the same, if not better, vocal power, and together they
really sound great.
Video credits: Teta del Rosario via Youtube IAWLT Tour 2015 Manila
3. Because
they respect the stage, their craft, and their fans
So much that
they refuse to not sing live no matter what state their health is in. Have you seen how packed their schedule has been since they first started this world tour? Here’s a
preview:
Photo Credit: www.backstreetboys.com
To get the whole picture, though, you have to check out the rest of the IAWLT tour dates. And, take note… they sing live. Every time.
How can I be so
sure? Well, here’s the thing: remember when I said that they perform live “no
matter what state of health they are in?” I don’t know if
you noticed this, but Brian’s mid-tone, even his speaking voice, is not as
powerful as it used to be.To make the not-so-secret story short, it’s because
he was diagnosed with what’s called a vocal tension dysphonia and a neurological
issue called dystonia. Let B-Rock tell you, first hand, what this is through this interview with cosmopolitan.
In a
nutshell, it makes it very difficult for him to talk, much more to sing—but he
still does, anyway. And for that, I respect him very much. I was really happy
to hear first hand, during the concert, that his voice is getting better now. Give
him a few more months, and I believe B-Rock will be back in full swing!
(Yes, I’m a B-Rock girl, if I didn't make that seem ooh-so-obvious already… he-he)
4. Because they love what they’re doing
And people see that in how they give their best in every performance. Let’s admit it, anyone talented or well-connected can go on-stage and get their shot at the lime light. But not everyone does it because it’s what they love to do. Most of the time the reason is that show business is a lucrative source of profit.
I don’t claim to be an expert on how Hollywood works, but what I observe is that when a band or an artist decides to go solo, that’s when their true voices rise up. And, if anything, I really am glad that the boys decided to do their own thing. This is the reason they can stand on stage, take their final bow, and still promise that the party will go on and on and on.
 |
| Photo by: Arianne Zagala |
So, yeah, maybe there is a formula to be the best in what you do: respect for your craft + overflowing talent + respect for the stage + respect for the fans = enjoyment of getting to do something you are passionate about.
In Backstreet Boys' case, I guess we could say that it’s making quality music and performing on stage together, entertaining their millions and millions of fans all over the world. That’s what makes the Backstreet Boys Larger than Life.
As a person who’s
very passionate about organizing and directing live events, it would be a dream come true if, one day, I’ll be able to produce a show
for these guys. It would be an intimate concert—the kind of set up which focuses only on
the beauty of their voices and not much on the theatrics of their usual ones—very much like their "A night out with the Backstreet Boys" concert in 1997.
Let me close this blog by leaving you with one of my favorite live performances of the Boys featuring their single In a World Like This. It's not perfect, but it showcases everything that I mentioned in this post:
Let me close this blog by leaving you with one of my favorite live performances of the Boys featuring their single In a World Like This. It's not perfect, but it showcases everything that I mentioned in this post:
Dear Backstreet boys, don't say you're back, alright? You were Never Gone! :)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important: Video credits go to the owners of the clips on YouTube. No copyright infringement intended in the publishing of these videos.
Special thanks to my editor and official photographer: My sister, Arianne Zagala
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Special thanks to my editor and official photographer: My sister, Arianne Zagala
