Hangin' Tough

Studio album by New Kids on the Block

Released

September 6, 1988

Recorded

1988

Studio

Mission Control, Westford, MA
The House Of Hits, Boston, MA
Normandy Recording Studio, Providence, RI

Genre

Length

42:02

New Kids on the Block chronology

New Kids on the Block
(1986)

Hangin' Tough
(1988)

Merry, Merry Christmas
(1989)

Singles from Hangin' Tough

"Please Don't Go Girl"
Released: April 16, 1988
"You Got It (The Right Stuff)"
Released: November 7, 1988
"I'll Be Loving You (Forever)"
Released: April 10, 1989
"Hangin' Tough"
Released: July 3, 1989
"Cover Girl"
Released: August 22, 1989

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Amazon.com
Robert Christgau	C+

Hangin' Tough is the second album by American boy band New Kids on the Block, released on September 6, 1988, by Columbia Records. It is widely regarded as the breakthrough album of the group's career and has been praised by some music critics, gaining positive reviews for their musical transition from bubblegum pop to urban contemporary, blended with popular rock music. Originally the group's label had already planned to end their contract when their first album in 1986 garnered little commercial and critical attention which was nearly led to their failure. However, Maurice Starr, the group's producer, diligently persuaded the label to let them record for a second album.

Hangin' Tough led the group to success due to the emergence of their music to radio airplays and creation of music videos for each released single, showcasing the group's visual appeal. Their popularity was eventually built as they made TV appearances and embarked on promotional tours. By the end of 1989, the album topped on the US Billboard 200 charts, while peaked at number two both on Canadian Albums Chart on the same year and in the UK Albums Chart on the following year. The album also has a home-media video release entitled New Kids on the Block: Hangin' Tough which is a documented musical film about the group's biographical career which it was released in 1989. It also contains a series of music videos, live performances, and exclusive interviews from the group and their fans. The album and the film itself, both were receiving few accolades: two American Music Awards and at least one Grammy Award nomination.

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Wikipedia