Signs You Were a New Kids on the Block Fan (And Proud of It!)

Let’s be real: if you were around in the late '80s and early '90s, there’s a good chance you spent more than a few hours (or days) swooning over New Kids on the Block (NKOTB). " Hands Up"

From their matching outfits to their killer dance moves, these five dudes, Jordan, Joey, Donnie, Danny, and Jonathan, swept through the pop charts like a tidal wave of synchronized choreography and heartthrob status.

But how do you know if you were really a NKOTB fan? Well, let’s take a walk down memory lane and see if these signs hit home for you. (Spoiler: If they do, you were definitely part of the Blockhead crew, and we’re here for it!)

1. You Knew the Dance Moves Like the Back of Your Hand

Let’s face it, Hanging Tough was basically your personal theme song, and you had those iconic dance moves down pat. Whether you were practicing in your living room or at recess, you could do the Step by Step choreography like a pro. You probably even tried to mimic Donnie’s cool swagger or Joey’s sweet smile, but let’s be real, we all secretly wanted to be Jordan with his killer voice and hair that defied gravity.

2. You Had a Poster (or 12) on Your Wall

If your bedroom walls weren’t plastered with posters of NKOTB in their leather jackets, snapbacks, and high-top sneakers, did you even live in the '90s? Your favourite member (we know, it’s hard to choose) was immortalized on your walls, and you’d often daydream about meeting them or, you know, them noticing you in the crowd.

Bonus points if you carefully cut out pictures from Top of The Pops or Smash Hits magazines and added them to your growing shrine. No judgment. We’ve all been there.

3. You Knew the Names of All the Members (And Who You Were Crushing On)

Sure, there were five of them, and maybe it was hard to keep track of all the names at first, but once you were hooked, you knew each New Kid’s name and favourite colour. Jordan was the cute one, Joey was the sweet one, Donnie was the bad boy, Danny was the dancer, and Jonathan? He was… the nice one. (Don’t worry, Jonathan, we loved you, too!) But let’s be honest, you had a favourite. Was it Joey with his floppy hair and puppy eyes? Or Donnie with that edge? Either way, you were in love.

4. You Owned More Than One NKOTB Tape or CD

If you didn’t have an NKOTB cassette tape (or a few), were you really a fan? Whether you were blasting You Got It (The Right Stuff) on a boombox or wearing out your Step by Step CD on your Walkman, you knew the lyrics to every song. From the early hits to the later ballads, you loved it all. And let’s not forget about that Hangin’ Tough album cover - who else had their hair that perfect?

5. You Knew the Lyrics to “The Right Stuff” Like They Were Your Own Personal Anthem

Let’s just say that The Right Stuff wasn’t just a song, it was a mood. You could belt out, “Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, you’ve got the right stuff, baby!” and you knew every single harmony, riff, and background voice. If the song came on, it was an automatic sing-along and maybe even a little shimmy. Don’t even try to pretend you didn’t practice the "step touch" dance in front of the mirror.

6. You Had an NKOTB T-Shirt, and You Wore It Proudly

Oh, you weren’t shy about it. You had at least one (if not several) NKOTB T-shirts, and you wore them like a badge of honour. Bonus points if it was a vintage shirt that you snagged from a concert or a mall kiosk. You wore it to school, the mall, and maybe even to bed. And if you were lucky enough to snag a “Hanging Tough” shirt with all the boys’ faces on it, you were the envy of every Blockhead.

7. You Secretly (Or Not-So-Secretly) Wanted a NKOTB Lunchbox

Who needed a regular old lunchbox when you could carry around an NKOTB one? Sure, you may have been slightly too old for a lunchbox by the time you started middle school, but that didn’t stop you from imagining what it would be like to walk around with one featuring the guys’ faces plastered across it. And who knows? You might’ve snuck one into your bag to stash your snacks during those sleepovers. (It’s okay, we won’t tell anyone.)

8. You Knew the NKOTB Christmas Album by Heart

The holiday season wasn’t complete without the New Kids on the Block Christmas Album blaring from your stereo. Who didn’t love Funky, Funky Christmas or This One’s for the Children? You knew those tunes better than any of the classics, and if you didn’t belt out Please Come Home for Christmas at least once each holiday season, did you even celebrate?

9. You Had a Blockhead Name

If you were a true fan, you probably had a Blockhead name. Maybe it was something like “Joey’s Girl” or “Donnie’s Forever” or, heck, you even went by “Jordan’s Biggest Fan.” You were part of the fandom, and you let the world know it. You wore the title proudly and probably included it in your AIM screen name (and maybe your email too).

10. You Still Know the Dance Moves (And You’re Not Afraid to Show Them)

The best part? You’re still busting out a few of those classic NKOTB dance moves when you’re feeling nostalgic. Whether it’s in the living room or at a party when “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” comes on, you know you’re the first to stand up and show everyone how it’s done. And guess what? You still got it.

Being a New Kids on the Block fan was more than just a musical preference; it was a lifestyle. From the posters to the dance moves to the unforgettable crushes, you were a proud member of the Blockhead crew.

And even if you’re now a grown-up, there’s a part of you that will always remember the joy, the tunes, and those iconic boy-band moves. So go ahead, sing “Hangin’ Tough” like nobody’s watching. We know you still can! 🎶