Anyone who grew up in the 1990s has a soft spot for NSYNC, even if they’re embarrassed to admit it. The boy band was one the most popular musical acts in the world for a quick but intense four-year period, from 1997 to 2001. It was nominated for seven Grammys and 15 MTV Video Music Awards, and had four albums go platinum.

This particular 90s child has more vidid memories of NSYNC than perhaps any other musical band or artist. I distinctly remember rushing home after an anxious day of fourth grade so that my mom could drive me to music retailer Sam Goody (rest in peace) to buy No Strings Attached, the group’s second album. I remember plopping in front of the TV to watch the music video for “Bye Bye Bye” dominate the #1 slot on MTV’s Total Request Live for what seemed like an eternity. I remember getting into actual arguments with the pro-Backstreet Boys contingent of my class, and how utterly, undeniably wrong they were.

It’s a testament to NSYNC’s timelessness that you can walk into any McDonald’s almost two decades later and hear “Tearin’ Up My Heart” blaring through the speakers. I can still recite every righteously indignant lyric of “Bye Bye Bye,” every frenzied note of “Pop” (essentially the nerdy white-guy equivalent of Dr. Dre’s “Forgot About Dre”). But I’d be remiss not to also mention the earnest, semi-creepy apology song, “I Want You Back,” or the histrionic teen love ballad “This I Promise You” (“I’ve loved you forever/In lifetimes before…And with this vow/Forever has now begun”).

Much of the fun of listening to music again after a long time is the rediscovery. NSYNC has many more hits, and there are many more days in May to make them your soundtrack to spring. I have not forgotten you, NSYNC, nor have I forgotten your contributions to pop music.

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