Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
Backstreet Boys
简体
Backstreet Boys
后街男孩

Learn English with this Pop English Lesson

Date: Nov 14 2012

Themes: Celebrity, Music, Pop Culture

Grammar: Present Progressive Tense

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

The 1990s was a magical time when record labels assembled groups of singing and dancing young men, which became known as boy bands. None was more successful than the Backstreet Boys, but can their fame continue now that the members are in their 30s and 40s?

The Backstreet Boys have decided to reunite and tour again with the music that made them famous years ago. A reunion like this can excite a band’s original fans and hopefully create new fans in the younger generation. Find out if Marni and Jeff think Backstreet has what it takes to make another comeback.

上世纪九十年代是个不可思议的时代,那时的唱片公司将一些“能歌能舞”的小伙子组成各种组合,这就是后来为人所知的男孩乐队。当时,没有乐队能取得像后街男孩一样的成就,但现在,当乐队成员步入三四十岁时,他们还能继续创造辉煌吗?

后街男孩决定重聚,并再次巡回演绎多年前的成名曲目。像这样的重聚可能让乐队的老牌粉丝兴奋不已,还可能在年轻一代人中赢得新粉丝。看看玛尼和杰夫是否认为后街男孩会再次崛起。

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jeff

Jeff

Marni

Marni

Jeff:  Hey Marni, have you heard the word?

Marni:  Do tell! I don’t know.

Jeff:  Well, the word is the Backstreet Boys are making a comeback.

Marni:  What? Aren’t they like Backstreet Men by now?

Jeff:  I don’t know, do you think a boy band can exist once they become men?

Marni:  I guess, you know, if people are excited about it and there’s an audience for it, then sure, but, I think it’s really just mostly nostalgic, and this sort of throwback to a simpler time in the late ‘90s.

Jeff:  Yeah, I think that’s kind of what the people behind it are aiming for.

Marni:  Sure.

Jeff:  I mean, everyone’s nostalgic, a little bit, for something, so…

Marni:  That’s true. And this is a phenomenon that keeps occurring. Like, what was the original, New Kids on the Block was sort of the original boy band?

Jeff:  Jackson 5.

Marni:  Well there you go, now you’re taking it real old-school, but, you know, all these bands sort of reunite and have these comeback tours when they’re older, and who is their demographic? Is it the 13-year-old girl who’s now grown up as well, or is it a new group of 13-year-old girls?

Jeff:  I think it’s both.

Marni:  I guess that’s true. Well, good luck to ‘em.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Present Progressive Tense" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Jeff asks Marni if she’s heard that the 1990s’ boy band, the Backstreet Boys, are making a comeback. She’s surprised: are they even boys anymore? Jeff wonders if a boy band can exist once it’s all grown up.

Marni thinks it probably doesn’t matter, as long as people are excited about it. She thinks that nostalgia is probably the motive for their excitement. Jeff agrees. It’s also true that boy bands have been around for awhile, going back to New Kids on the Block, and even the Jackson 5.

So who is the audience for this reunion: new fans, or old ones? Jeff and Marni agree that it’s probably both.

Were you ever a fan of the Backstreet Boys? How about NKOTB or the Jackson 5? Has a band you liked ever gotten back together for a reunion? Do you think it’s a good idea for old bands to perform together again?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

makpal

makpal

Kazakhstan

I would definitely go to their concert if they came to Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, such big stars do not visit our country))

11:58 AM Nov 14 2012 |

makpal

makpal

Kazakhstan

Yes, I used to be a big fan of BSB, and whenever I hear their music I feel really nostalgic. I know their songs by heart cause they were the first songs I listened to and sang in English. they definitely helped me to improve my English a lot.
As regards NKOTB or Jackson 5, I’ve heard of them, but can’t even remember any of their songs. I guess they were not very popular in my country or at my teenage time))
I think old fans will be the majority of the audience, if such bands as BSB or Nsync, who I also loved a lot, make a comeback, as people tend to go to the ones they love listening to (or used to), rather than to those they don’t know well

11:55 AM Nov 14 2012 |

Irene Forever

Ukraine

I have never been a fan of the Backstreet Boys so I have nothing to say about them. To answer the question which band I would like to see  back together I can call  Modern Talking. I loved their songs tho they are outmoded now.

11:22 AM Nov 14 2012 |

1 person likes this

Englishty

Englishty

Egypt

I think it could work out for old bands to reunite again succcessfully but in my opinion on condition that they make songs which is proper now cause definitely the taste changed completely compared to the music in the ninetiesCool

09:02 AM Nov 14 2012 |

1 person likes this

elina6

elina6

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I dont hear this group name until now,but I got many information about this group now.


 

08:19 AM Nov 14 2012 |

Sun_daisy

Sun_daisy

China

Yes, I see, in December 28th they will hold a concert in Shanghai。

07:56 AM Nov 14 2012 |

1 person likes this

julywidiawati

Indonesia

The Backstreet Boys was one of my fav boyband when I was in first grade of college, the songs were like soundtracks of life if I turn them on now. Recall me of some old friends and sweet memories when each of us got a crush on our seniors. We all got married with kids now. :D


I think when they get back together again I’m afraid they could not compete with other young boy bands such as one direction for example hahah… But it would be good for just a reunion somehow.

02:03 AM Nov 14 2012 |

MinhThuy

MinhThuy

Viet Nam

when i listend to music, i feel deep down in your the world other….......music..

01:12 AM Nov 14 2012 |

Likes (27):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast