From their debut in 1997 with their self-titled album to Celebrity in 2001, *NSYNC captured hearts and dominated the Billboard charts with unforgettable songs, including anthems like “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.”
This iconic boy band, featuring Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick, consistently delivered hits to the Pop Airplay chart in the late 90s and early 2000s. They achieved two No. 1 singles within just four years. “Bye Bye Bye,” from the album No Strings Attached released in 2000, reigned for an impressive 10 weeks at the top of the chart that year. Following closely, “It’s Gonna Be Me,” also from No Strings Attached, held the No. 1 spot for five weeks later in the same year. In total, *NSYNC boasted nine top 10 hits on the Pop Airplay chart, solidifying their status as pop royalty.
On the Billboard Hot 100, NSYNC secured six top 10 hits, with “It’s Gonna Be Me” achieving the coveted No. 1 position for two weeks in the spring of 2000. Their longest-charting song on the Hot 100 was “This I Promise You,” another gem from No Strings Attached*. It spent 26 weeks on the chart in late 2000, peaking at No. 5, showcasing the song’s enduring appeal.
No Strings Attached made history upon its release in March 2000, selling a record-breaking 2.4 million copies in its first week. This sales record stood until Adele’s 25 surpassed it in 2015. The album also dominated the Billboard 200 albums chart for eight weeks. NSYNC’s other No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 is Celebrity*, which topped the chart for a week in August 2001.
Let’s revisit *NSYNC’s 10 biggest songs based on their performance on the Pop Airplay chart, celebrating the enduring legacy of their music.
NSYNC’s 10 Biggest Billboard Hits chart rankings are based on weekly performance on the Pop Airplay chart, updated through September 9, 2023. Songs are ranked using an inverse point system, awarding the most points for weeks at No. 1 and fewer points as chart positions decrease. Adjustments are made to account for chart methodology changes over time, ensuring fair representation across different eras.
10. I Drive Myself Crazy
Image Credit: Frank Micelotta/GI
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 14
Peak Date: May 22, 1999
9. Pop
NSYNC performing Pop on stage, showcasing their signature dance moves.
Image Credit: Tim Roney/GI
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 5
Peak Date: June 30, 2001
8. Gone
*NSYNC in a promotional shot for their song Gone, highlighting their mature image from the Celebrity era.
Image Credit: Tim Roney/GI
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 7
Peak Date: Nov. 17, 2001
7. Girlfriend, feat. Nelly
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 5
Peak Date: April 13, 2002
6. I Want You Back
*NSYNC in their early days performing I Want You Back, a song that launched their career.
Image Credit: GI/Bob Riha, Jr.
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 7
Peak Date: May 9, 1998
5. Tearin’ Up My Heart
Image Credit: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 6
Peak Date: Sept. 26, 1998
4. This I Promise You
*NSYNC performing This I Promise You, a ballad showcasing their vocal harmonies.
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 4
Peak Date: Nov. 18, 2000
3. (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You
Image Credit: Scott Harrison/Hulton Archive/GI
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 5
Peak Date: Feb. 20, 1999
2. It’s Gonna Be Me
*NSYNC in the iconic puppet-themed music video for It's Gonna Be Me, a summer anthem.
Image Credit: Bob Berg/GI
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 1 (five weeks)
Peak Date: July 1, 2000
1. Bye Bye Bye
Image Credit: Vinnie Zuffante/GI
Peak Position on Pop Airplay: No. 1 (10 weeks)
Peak Date: March 4, 2000
