Backstreet Boys

The holidays can be a rough time for some people. Whether it’s dealing with family stress, bills or missing that special person that’s no longer here, sometimes you just need a little pick-me-up.

For a lot of Backstreet Boys fans, seeing the boys live is that kind of ‘pick-me-up.’ Some fans have been lucky this holiday season with AJ, Brian, Kevin, Nick and Howie taking part in several iHeartRadio holiday shows.

For those that haven’t been able to see the boys, there are some other things you can do to bring a smile to your face.

DVDs/VHS tapes
While the Backstreet Boys haven’t come out with a real DVD (except for the documentary) in years, drag out those DVDs and even the VHS tapes.

Whether you watch the “Never Gone” DVD to see AJ McLean and his “topless golfing,” or “Around The World” video and Brian constantly making funny faces at the camera, watching their old DVDs/VHS tapes can be a fun time and lift your spirits.

And if you are really feeling frisky, we know you still have some VHS tapes of taped television performances. Watch the boys on MTV Diary from the 100 hour world tour or those old episodes of TRL.

If you’re really feeling down, bring out that old green VHS tape where Nick Carter “resigns” in Florida.

Youtube
If you don’t have a VCR or any of the old videos on DVD, your best bet is to look toward your old friend YouTube.

Remember the old days when we didn’t have YouTube and you had to have things taped on VHS? Those days are no more. Literally, everything the boys have ever done is on YouTube. Fans have gotten techy over the last few years (including myself) and transferred appearances from VHS and have put them on YouTube.

Sille Travn Nielsen of Denmark agrees with watching videos on YouTube to help cure the blues.

“Not sure it’s helping much, but there’s such a Backstreet drought right now, for my part, withdrawal symptoms must be kept down as much as possible,” she joked. “But I think it’s actually making (the blues) worse.”

Want to watch a TV appearance from Italy in 1996? It’s on YouTube. Want to watch the little commercials for when the Backstreet Boys hosted the Saturday morning cartoons on the old WB channel? They are on YouTube.

There are concerts, full TV appearances, fan-shot concert videos, music videos - everything. YouTube is a treasure chest for a Backstreet Boys fan.

Music
Listening to the albums is certainly something you can do when you can’t sit down to watch videos. Whether you are driving, walking or even sitting at work, listening to “Millennium” is sure to lift anybody’s spirits.

“An endless loop of their music in my ears while working on my novel,” Kelli Detering of Iowa said. “I admit, I spend more time singing loudly than typing words for said novel.”

“The music is a great escape,” Nicole Meighoo of Canada said. “No matter what ever I’m going through, putting on BSB puts me in a better mood. Nothing that a great BSB song can’t get me through.”

One tip when it comes to letting the music bring a smile to your face, listen to something Backstreet Boys-related that you haven’t listened to in a while. Maybe it’s “Let’s Have A Party” or “Lay Down Beside Me,” but everybody has a few Backstreet classics that aren’t always on rotation.

‘Show Em What You’re Made Of’
When all else fails, watch the documentary that gave so many so much insight into our favorite band. You know that you can watch it a million times and still find something new.

Maybe it’s listening to that little bit of “Spotlight” or Kevin in the background, cracking up at Nick and Brian fighting during the meeting. The movie is sure to make you smile, especially at the end.

Shop
Nothing makes someone feel better than spending a little money.

If you’ve already gotten your tickets for the boys’ residency in Las Vegas (if not, click here), there a few more things you can get.

If you didn’t get the full Backstreet Boys membership, it’s not too late. Having a pair of Backstreet Boys socks alone is worth it. Not to mention you can get the more expensive package with a T-shirt and a shot glass. See and shop the memberships here. 

To top that off, you can head over to the Backstreet Boys store and get yourself a few Backstreet Boys Christmas goodies including a T-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, and a tree ornament. Or enter to win some items here.

Plus, they still have some 2016 Backstreet Boys cruise goodies for sale if you weren’t able to attend the event or forgot to get something while on the boat.

And if all else fails, try talking to Backstreet Boys fans. There is always someone out there to talk to in this fandom, whether it’s a fan from another country or just on the other side of your town. The Backstreet Boys not only created a fandom but created a family - an army.

Happy holidays everybody and keep the Backstreet Pride alive!