“MMMBop” (1997)
Performed by Hanson
Another debut album single, “MMMBop,” is performed by the band Hanson, comprised of three brothers (and a couple of other members)—Zac, Taylor, and Isaac. At the time when “MMMBop” became a #1 hit on the American and British charts, the three brothers were between 11- and 16-years-old, becoming sensations just for their young ages. It helped that “MMMBop” became a turbo pop rocket of a single, giving Hanson a great debut album success—though this one remains their most famous song even today.
“MMMBop” has a sunny melody and a massive but very simple chorus, with just the youthful voices of the Hanson brothers singing along; it’s pure teen-pop bliss. Interestingly, the song was initially slower, but the Dust Brothers—producers most famous for their work with Beck, Beastie Boys, and the original soundtrack for Fight Club—decided to flip it into a less soulful and more pop-ish track that can make even the grumpiest person sing along. “MMMBop” was a way of life in 1997.