The 60 Best Pop Groups From the '80s, '90s, and '00s You May Have Forgotten About

And, no, we're not counting *NSYNC.

a collage of forgotten 00s and 90s pop groups
(Image credit: MediaPunch Inc/Alamy Stock Photo / ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo / PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo)

Nowadays the charts may be dominated by solo artists, from the "pop girlies" to rap and country superstars, but for a long time, pop groups reigned supreme on the radio. K-pop idols have filled that void, as did the U.K.'s One Direction for a period in the 2010s, but at least stateside, girl groups and boy bands haven't nearly been as popular in recent years as they were in the '80s, '90s, and '00s.

The gaggles of gorgeous, young entertainers had incredible musical and dancing abilities—bonus points for coordinating outfits. With a personality for each member (there was always a Bad Girl, like Aubrey O’Day, or a Pretty Boy, like Justin Timberlake, to speak of), some had a good long run at the top of the charts, while others boasted just one absolute bop of a jam before fading into obscurity as the best pop group you may have forgotten about. 

As it turns out, however, there's nothing more fun than revisiting the hits they gifted us throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early aughts that you didn't even realize you still knew all the words to. Get ready to create a new Spotify playlist stat because these will take you back. Below, walk down memory lane and revisit the best pop groups you may not remember.

With contributions from