A Brief History of the Boy Band Hand-to-Heart Move
In recent months, concerned pop music enthusiasts (Vulture included) have noticed that the new class of boy bands — One Direction and the Wanted, specifically — are slightly lacking in the choreography department. It’s true: Neither band really dances, in the traditional pop-and-lock, five-shoulder-shimmy, “Everybody”-Frankenstein-shuffle sense of the word. But there is one move that the British upstarts have adopted with gusto, and it is a boy-band staple, the sincerest expression of love that an over-gelled heartthrob can offer. So, please join us now in a retrospective of the Hand-to-Heart — the gesture that unites all boy bands, old and new.
A lesson in form, from the original boy band: one hand on the mic, one hand placed gently on the chest, eyes half-closed in desperation. Vests optiona...
A lesson in form, from the original boy band: one hand on the mic, one hand placed gently on the chest, eyes half-closed in desperation. Vests optional.
Photo: Jerritt Clark/2011 Jerritt Clark
The hand-to-heart can also be directed to God, as in, "Dear God, why is Justin's hair like that?"
Photo: SGranitz
"Cross my heart and hope to die, I will never wear my hair curly like that again." — Justin Timberlake
Photo: J. Shearer
A well-placed hand-to-heart can also show off your color-coordinating manicures, as A.J. demonstrates.
Photo: Dave Hogan/2001 Getty Images
He's fine; he's just really feeling that key change.
Photo: Christina Radish
Who has two hands and a heart (and a terrifying expression on his face, like he just realized he's wearing a headset mic and is really upset about it)...
Who has two hands and a heart (and a terrifying expression on his face, like he just realized he's wearing a headset mic and is really upset about it)? This guy.
Photo: Adam Bettcher/2011 Adam M. Bettcher
This hand is slightly below the heart, but to be fair, that is an awesome pocket square. Don't hide it.
Photo: Steve Thorne/2009 Steve Thorne
A+ hand-over-heart placement. Donnie knows his biology.
Photo: Janette Pellegrini/2010 Janette Pellegrini
Jordan also gets an A in hand placement.
Photo: RJ Capak/? 2006 RJ?Capak, All Rights Reserved, 917-560-5423
But Nick Lachey's just feeling his own pecs.
Photo: KMazur
And again.
Photo: KMazur
More self-pec appreciation.
Photo: Steve Mack/2012 Steve Mack
Okay, a little closer to the heart here.
Photo: Dave Hogan/2011 Getty Images
Now we're just admiring our own six-packs.
Photo: Ryan Pierse/2012 Getty Images
And our blazers with fancy piping.
Photo: Scott Legato/2012 Scott Legato
We spot one Hand-Heart-I'm-a Little-Teapot, but only one. Up your game, fellas.
Photo: Matt Kent/2011 Matt Kent
Two out of five: We'll take it. Welcome to the Boy Band big leagues, 1D.
Photo: Scott Barbour/2012 Getty Images