Greatest Hits - Chapter One

I have many bands whose GHs I've promised to acquire once they are out. BSB was one of those, which I guess must make them my favourite boyband. I just stopped to wonder where the producers find the names they give their boybands and why so many of them end up sounding like gay porn sites. Just consider BSB or Boyzone...

#1 I Want It That Way 9

Back then this was played so very intensively that I got to grow tired of it. It's by no means bad but not one of my favourites.

#2 Everybody 9½

Great song but why this remix that brings nothing new? The case is quite similar to that on AoB's Singles with Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry. Once I used to call this the best boyband song ever but not anymore, I think. Nowadays it's... well, what it indeed is? Eligible candidates include N*Sync's Bye Bye Bye, Sechs Kies's Com' Back and Mumohan Sarang as well as Turbo's White Love and Knife.

#3 As Long as You Love Me 7½

I've never been a big fan of BSB's pre-Millennium material (with the obvious exception of Everybody) and always seem to forget such things even exists, though they make up at least half of this collection as well.

#4 Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely 10

Ooh, this is so totally kaihea. I know HRL wouldn't consider this that but maybe just sad instead but then again, my definition of kaihea is a bit different from hers.

#5 Quit Playing Games with My Heart 6

I just wonder how it's possible for a band to change so much for the better and remain equally successful? This one has a boring chorus with way too few chords.

#6 We've Got It Going on 7

And then on to the very old stuff. Now this actually sounds quite Korean. But not the kind of Korean I like. Funny that they started like this and then moved onto ballads and not the other way.

#7 All I Have to Give 7

Very similar to #3 and #5 and suffers the same fate.

#8 Larger Than Life 9½

Now we're back in business. Powerful and progressive. I remember very well the video and the strange dance moves. I wonder if I have the video, I think I might. If I do, I have to study the moves, now that I actually can dance.

#9 I'll Never Make You Cry 8

This is clearly the best one in the vain of tracks #3, #5 and #7. The Spanish version Nunca te haré llorar is even better.

#10 The Call 9

The best thing in this is the way the spoken words in the beginning correspond to the lyrics. Oh oh, another candidate for the best boyband song category is of course BSB's own Get Another Boyfriend that really should've been released instead of this or the crappy but surprisingly likeable More Than That.

#11 The Shape of My Heart 10

I still can't help but wonder how is it possible that I like these newer slow songs of theirs so much better than the early ones? Just compare the scores for the odd numbered tracks so far! You know, I almost bought the Black & Blue album back then, before the initiative collapsed to two things: weak latter part of the album and repulsive religious pathos in the booklet.

#12 Get Down 7

Another true oldie. Do they really say "Your lipstick tastes so sweet"? Yuck. But oh well, a man who's tasted several brands of dishwashing liquids shall not throw stones...

#13 Anywhere for You 7

I didn't remember there were so many of these similar old slowies. Not one of the worst.

#14 More Than That 8½

I don't understand. This shouldn't be good in any way and after all, it was the biggest flop (and mistake) of their career. Not to say anything about the fact that they would've had something much more urgent to release instead... But no matter what, I've grown to like this. Maybe it's the last notes in the chorus.

#15 Drowning 10

What a great way to end your career. Few bands manage to produce one of their best efforts as the last one. Or even if they would be able to do it, they don't. Just look at Steps who could've had the brilliant Only in My Dreams as their farewell single but instead had the lousy Words Are Not Enough. The beat element at "baby I" in the chorus is just so very good. So are the modulation and the way the chorus restarts after it, the beat "steps" at 3:25 as well as the chord emphasis at 4:11. Such details make a great song.