I Heart NKOTB

Yes, I was a New Kids on the Block fan. And so were you if you were a kid in the late 80's. We all were. We had weird hats with their logo and posters in our rooms. Some people had bedspreads and pillow cases with their pictures all over it (and still do, right Cliff?). Everyone had picked a favorite. My favorite was Jordan. I had an over-sized button that I wore on my jacket to show my devotion. We knew the songs by heart and knew the dances that went with every song. Embarrassing, I know.

Then it was over. They broke up. We were disappointed but got over it quickly and we have spent the last 15 to 20 years making fun of ourselves for acting that crazy about anything. I mean, really, it was ridiculous.

Well, they've reunited. They had their first performance in 15 years this morning on the Today Show. Did I tune in? You bet. I've been waiting all week for this. They danced and sang. I watched and laughed. I still knew all the words. The audience was full of women on the brink of turning 30 who probably drove their mini-vans to Rockefeller Plaza. They screamed their hearts out and held up signs that said things like, "30 Year Old Moms in California Still Love You!!" Dead serious.

After "Please Don't Go Girl" it went downhill. They brought out scantily clad girls that danced and they sang new songs (which means they are taking this reunion thing seriously). Ug. They should have stopped after the old stuff. I don't recall then singing that badly in the 80's but I'm sure they did. No matter how bad it was or how rusty their dances, it was still fun to watch. I'll be singing "Step by Step" all week, I'm sure.

Here's to the olden days--and here's to being DONE with them.

(For more thoughts on going back a decade see Michael's post.)