More than 20 years after their peak, *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” and “This I Promise … More
NSYNC is one of the bestselling boy bands of all time, and its legacy is undeniable. The group dominated the late ’90s and early 2000s with massive hits, unforgettable videos, and iconic live performances – and by breaking more than a few hearts. But somehow, despite all the success and ubiquity, NSYNC had never managed to collect even a single platinum-certified song in the U.S. — until now.
More than two decades after its heyday, the Justin Timberlake-fronted pop outfit is finally catching up and securing some long-overdue wins.
Three NSYNC Hits Finally Go Platinum
Three of NSYNC’s most beloved tracks were recently awarded new honors by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). “Bye Bye Bye,” “This I Promise You,” and “It’s Gonna Be Me” have all been certified platinum in the United States.
Yes, somehow, that’s a first.
In a time when even rising stars and mid-tier pop acts regularly earn platinum plaques, it’s almost unbelievable that NSYNC hadn’t already reached this milestone. But while it may have taken longer than expected, these belated certifications serve as a reminder of how beloved the band’s biggest singles still are to this day.
“It’s Gonna Be Me” Is Now Triple Platinum
Among the trio of recent honorees, “It’s Gonna Be Me” was the only one that had previously secured any RIAA recognition. Back in mid-2000, when it first exploded, the song went gold. That remained its only official certification until this week.
This frame, the band’s only Hot 100 No. 1 single – another shocker – finally surges past that mark and earns triple platinum status. That means the pop smash has moved at least three million equivalent units in the U.S. alone.
“Bye Bye Bye” Surges to Five Times Platinum
Even more shocking is the news of “Bye Bye Bye” and its new award. Despite being arguably NSYNC’s most recognizable anthem, the track had never been certified by the RIAA — at any level. Now, more than two decades after its release, it doesn’t just go platinum. It skips every milestone and leaps directly to five-times platinum.
“This I Promise You” Earns Its First Certification
“This I Promise You” is also new to the RIAA honor roll. The group’s heartfelt ballad has been certified platinum for the first time. Though it was overshadowed by some of NSYNC’s flashier releases at the time, the appeal of “This I Promise You” has helped it reach this long-awaited milestone – decades after it first took on the Billboard charts.
No Strings Attached Benefits As Well
As those three tracks climb, one of NSYNC’s albums also earns a new honor. No Strings Attached adds another certification, moving up to 12-times platinum in the U.S. The blockbuster full-length was named a diamond title by the RIAA back in December 2000. It moved to 11-times platinum the following year, and now it’s climbed again.
Other NSYNC Tracks Have Been Certified
These new wins drastically increase NSYNC’s total count of certified songs, but they’re not entirely alone. A handful of the group’s other hits have also earned RIAA plaques, albeit at lower levels.
“I Want You Back” remains steady at gold, a status it first earned many years ago. The same can be said for “Music of My Heart,” the group’s collaboration with Gloria Estefan, which also holds gold certification and has not yet advanced further.
