The Making of 'MMMBop': Hanson Brothers Tell Their Versions of the Hit Song | PEOPLE

The three brothers of Hanson - Isaac, Taylor and Zac - share each of their sides of the story on the making of their 1997 hit single ‘MMMBop.’ It turns out that the word ‘MMMBop’ was written with the intention of being the background part to another song. Which brother came up with ‘MMMBop’? How did they decide on the spelling of the nonsense word? And what does ‘MMMBop’ mean exactly? Learn all that and more with Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson opening up about the creation of the smash hit song and its surreal music video.
HANSON has marked two decades of independence with the release of 'Underneath: Complete,' an expanded deluxe edition re-release of the band's third album. The band is on the road now performing the 'Underneath: Experience Tour.' For complete details, visit hanson.net/calendar.
Subscribe to People ►► bit.ly/Subscrib...
CONNECT
Web: people.com
Facebook: / peoplemag
Twitter: / people
Instagram: / people
TikTok: / people
PEOPLE remains the trusted authority at the center of pop culture. The PEOPLE brand features a unique mix of breaking entertainment news, exclusive photos, video, unparalleled access to the red carpet, celebrities, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling newsmakers of our time.
The Making of 'MMMBop': Hanson Brothers Tell Their Versions of the Hit Song | PEOPLE
/ people

[@aldorado123]

Congratulations to the video editors who weaved these three interviews so well! Love how Zac gives us his POV during his 11-year kid self -- so glad he could just be a child at that time.

[@katlivesmusic7086]

They have never gotten the recognition they so deserve... far more talented then most people know. All because they choose to listen to their hearts and go the indy route. l have seen them live 4 times. They're are a must see live!

[@Lady_Que]

I 100% agree. They got lumped into the mainstream pop scene when they really weren’t like everyone else.

[@davep2323]

They are financially set for life, and they look like that!! What more do you want to give the one hit wonder band? 😂

[@Lady_Que]

@ They are financially set for life because they have continued to release multiple albums and continue to tour. And what does them having one massive song have to do with the original commenter’s remarks about the recognition of their talent? There are many artists whose best work isn’t their most consumed work and comes after their peak popularity.

[@davep2323]

@@Lady_Que sounds like someone poked the bear! Back to your daydreaming 😖🤘 🤣

[@Lady_Que]

@ Sure Dave. You just keep it moving to the next video you want to troll on . ✌🏾✌🏾☮️☮️

[@dangewang]

Older brother giving his little bro all the props. Respect.

[@swankelly]

Yeah, Isaac has always been like that. He's just a sweet humble guy. Gives do much credit and praise for his brothers.

[@creeptree]

Absolutely the best interview I've seen with them in all the years

[@lisafoodie8443]

them boys grew up 🔥

[@siobhanrose1680]

I was 12 when Mmmbop came out, and not a second went by for the next 5 yrs, that Hanson were not a daily part of my life. I grew out of pop within a year or two, but Hanson, I never grew out of Hanson. Hanson are the most important band in my life to this day and I am now 39yrs old. When I was 12 (and before and after) I was having a very, very hard life. I was born into a hard life, and in my teens I struggled the most. There were days I slept with a little box cutter and considered taking my own life. Hanson literally saved my life. I held on, in moments when I was breaking apart, because I was given their CD for xmas, and I had taped it, so I had it on tape and could play it over, and over and over on my 20yr old (tape) walkman. I cried, and I cried and I cried, but I always came back to Hanson. They literally held my hand with their songs, through some moments no 12-13-14-15yr old should ever face. No person, let alone a child. Hanson held me. To this day, their first album is my safe space. I love Hanson and will forever be grateful to them. Growing up in New Zealand, I never got to see them growing up, though I dreamed of it, we never would have been able to afford it anyway, but I did see them when they came out to Australia about 7yrs ago. I stood in the sidelines and, I cried happy little hidden tears. I know a lot of people love Hanson, but, Hanson saved my life. I next level love Hanson.

[@siobhanrose1680]

My friends tag me in anything to do with Hanson, and a couple of months back my partner said “You can only listen to one song for the rest of your life, it’s the song you hear on hold, in the elevator, in stores, on the radio… One song.” and without skipping a beat MMMbop. I still listen to it once a week. Or more. That whole album, is just, to the day, the best.

[@ClaytonTownley]

What were these difficult moments you faced in your early teens? Glad you made it!

[@KrystahMoose]

I don't wanna take your moment, but everything you just said, down to the age you were when it came out, DITTO!!! My young life to a T!

[@thetravelinglibrarian]

I loved this interview! So fun to watch as a fan since '97. The lyrics really hit harder as you get older. Crazy how relevant "hold on to the ones who care, cause in the end they'll be the only ones there" is all these years later.

[@thefamouspeopleus]

It's so cool to hear the Hanson brothers share their memories of creating 'MMMBop'!

[@ibbig7933]

So so so glad they survived this early success being healthy and happy grown ups!!!!!❤❤❤

[@truepenny2514]

Very cool men. The fact that they turned out so well-adjusted and comfortable with their fame speaks volumes about their parents.

[@karemaykojella6006]

Maybe at that time it wasn't Diddy's era yet

[@catara.]

​@@karemaykojella6006 it was, they just weren't part of it.

[@doorlight]

​@@karemaykojella6006they stayed grounded and chose Tulsa plus their parents protected them.

[@oldmate99]

First bro got a wok eye

[@JackieDaytona1776]

Good parenting rarely leads to a "Controversies" section in Wikipedia lol

[@pauldesigncomics2625]

Nice how the oldest is humble giving praise to his younger brothers’ talents

[@trekon2023]

Yes, so wholesome all three. ❤

[@michellesarmento1175]

Isaac is always so humble and such a gentleman

[@0mcmhs8]

I enjoyed this interview so much. Gosh I can’t believe how old I am.

[@JackieApril]

I love Zac's sense of humor! God bless Hanson 💙

[@Nicole-yl5ox]

I feel like they were my first celeb crush. I still love MMMBop. Brings back so many good memories.

[@lcherry222]

This video is such a cool concept. I love the individual interviews!

[@brucecaudill1958]

Zac Hanson should do stand-up comedy. He is hilarious. I love Hanson they all rock.

[@teijaflink2226]

And he ended up being the best looking brother.

[@blugreen123]

I love that they embrace this song as their legacy! 😊

[@fleurdelotusrosecam38]

Hanson interviews always make me smile. They’re not only an amazingly talented trio of musicians but so down-to-earth, wholesome and authentic. Love them and their music ❤️❤️❤️

[@kateNwilson]

My boys! 🎉 I have been a fan for 26 years! Issac is so kind, he is the big brother you want and need. I was always in love with Taylor, but Ike's personality just does it for me. 😍

[@WegrennerX]

So now what? Keep on loving and hoping 😅

[@kateNwilson]

@WegrennerX basically 😄

[@PumpkinMozie]

All of the footage of them playing around in the music video is so wholesome. Seeing them just having innocent fun fills my heart with a joy, especially now that I’m a mom myself.

[@creeptree]

They should always be interviewed separately

[@fanson1986]

I'm not really sure they were, as they were obviously reacting to what was being said. Unless it's just good editing

[@barbararuby555]

At times it was hard to tell. It's possible they were interviewed separately and then they were shown what the other brother(s) said and that's when they got their reactions.

[@johngleue]

It's probably just good editing. They would have had to interview them in some sort of order, so I don't think it would've been possible to show what each brother said to the other brothers.

[@JohnWickBabaYaga556]

Mmm hmmm

[@sxftdp]

@@johngleue i could be totally wrong here but perhaps their were 3 cameras and the brothers sat around them in a circle.

[@msmunier]

Ok one of the better interviews I’ve seen of theirs in a while! Loved seeing their different perspectives.

[@cubbb7689]

Were you an MmmBop fan when the song first played? I was hooked on the first listen.

[@philiq18]

"Weird" is an underrated track. 🔥

[@Punk_bb.19]

Factsss

[@crazylicious85]

My fave!

[@EdenMcCoy-rt9hp]

Absolutely

[@Pinkchihuahuadog]

I still have the single CD of this song.

[@10INTM]

For three boys who hit such popularity so young it's impressive how much they kept on the straight and narrow. They never embarrassed themselves or got into a scandal, they just turned out to be 3 pretty normal guys who play. (I may be ripping off something Todd in the Shadows somewhere in that statement.)

[@johnbrewer2206]

I still love the song, it’s part of my youth, it’s catchy as all get out and the vibe just makes you want to move, and the talent that oozes from them at such a young age is just fantastic. Big fan, still blast it with no same in my game. Thats a total gem of track! Takes me back ever time, the vocals are top tear too.

[@melaniereeder2349]

They are just the best. They took extreme fame and were able to turn it into a beautiful career, family and life. Wow. That’s an achievement.

[@Qhhtreikibybrie]

This was fabulous to watch. They never talk this privately like this. Thank you. ❤💚💙

[@LouiseDoesMusic]

Forever grateful for these guys & their music ❤️💚💙

[@juckimal]

My daughter sang this song every Friday night as a kid. Love you guys and its a great song.

[@DeeBullock1836]

There isn’t a thing these awesome brothers have done that isn’t AMAZING!!!! And I’m a mom and grandmother and I love their music since my daughters bought their first album in 1997 at 12 and 5 years old….my 12 year old daughter first played I WILL COME TO YOU, and it brought tears to my eyes, so beautiful…then played MMMBOP…and they could buy anything HANSON they wanted!!! Even concert tickets!!!! It all reminded me of my childhood heartthrobs Donny Osmond & the Osmond Brothers…who I know some of to this day!!!!!!

[@AliciaLlanas]

Great interview! Fan since 1997 🇲🇽

[@B1indB1ake13]

They know each other so well... love it 😊 they are so talented

[@showtimesynergy87]

love them so much! just saw them in concert. amazing!

[@Danasaur_123]

This song was ahead of its time. Lyrics hit hard as ever.

[@RandomNiches]

I'm not a musician by any means, but I've always thought that this song doesn't get the FULL credit it deserves as a good quality song, both music and lyrics. As the song gets older, it is getting more of that attention, which is good.

[@staceyroberts3468]

I’ve always loved their humor!!! Three great, talented guys ❤️

[@JekBacarisas]

This song hits different as an adult.

[@JJ-rx5oz]

I'm with you Zac, I hate hearing ppl butcher the lyrics too. It's so easy to sing Mmmbop ba du ba dop ba du bop. Anyway I've been a fan since 1997 and I never get bored hearing this song.

[@h.b16]

You just butchered the lyrics😂

[@JJ-rx5oz]

@@h.b16 This tells me you're not a fan and you definitely do not know the lyrics 🤣🤣

[@ericacruz8261]

In 2 years, MMMBOP is going to be 30 years old ❤

[@RandomNiches]

I was looking forward to seeing this video clip, but I enjoyed it MUCH MORE than I thought I would.

[@pbaryski]

They all seem so grounded and nice.

[@m9ch15l]

Other ppl reminisce their childhood moments of playing video games or riding their bicycles... but these guys reminiscing of writing their hit song lol

[@johnokeeffe698]

Have to say, they seem like a bunch of absolute champions

[@cynthiahelena5819]

MMBOP is my license plate and I forget it so often that I still get surprised when people are honking me because they relate to the song 😁🥰🥰

[@AthenaBethBlack]

Heartwarming trip down memory lane! Time goes by way too fast. 😭💙

[@EdenMcCoy-rt9hp]

I still know every word, beat, breathe to every second of their first 4 or 5 albums. Shout out to my old disc man. Man, those were good times 😅😊

[@swankelly]

I always think that the one song, I know by heart without messing any lyric, sound or beat is MMMBop. Makes it even funnier to me that people get it so wrong. 😆

[@19jacinta88]

I heard the song in the 90s, but was firmly cemented in the Backstreet Boys-fandom, so I didn't give the Hansons much though until last year when Instagram suddenly recommends a video with them singing "Mmmbop" with the caption: "Wait, I...did Hanson always plan a 25-year slow burn with Mmmbop? Because the way these lyrics hit as an adult 🤯" and yeah, they weren't wrong.

[@Kiertiana]

You should check out the whole Middle To Nowhere album. There's SO many moving deep songs on there. "I Will Come To You" and "With You In Your Dreams" are so powerful. I was a BSB girl too, but I had this whole album on repeat too.

[@cita_m]

I think us 90s girls missed out on other bands because we held loyalties to our boys.

[@EdenMcCoy-rt9hp]

​@cita_m I was one of the few among my friends who was an equal opportunity listener...I was a fan of Nsync, the Backstreet Boys, and Hanson all at the same time, and I never wavered 😅

[@silverface2011]

The siblings that shows true brotherhood

[@KimTippett]

One of my favourite songs back in the day

[@jaywilldoit]

I never thought I’d hear from Hanson again lol after all these years. These guys were a part of my childhood.

[@Dan-cj9yg]

The youngest looks 14 and 40 at the same time.

[@Rochelle1985]

He's currently 39, lol. 😂

[@DNYLNY]

I was obsessed with them!!! They're amazing and so talented.

[@lauraperdomo9095]

I love these brothers. So well balanced❤... And gorgeous to look at 🎉

[@Rdkhk335]

My daughters were 3 & 6 yrs. old when the song came out. We all loved the song & the video. Dancing around our house, listening to it😊❤

[@taargustaargus3139]

I was just a little too old to get into them when i was younger and obviously made fun of them at the time cus the younger kids listened to them. But i can appreciate them more now, especially after watching this. I honestly had no idea they wrote their own stuff at that age. The way they embrace it now is also awesome.

[@EdenMcCoy-rt9hp]

That's always been a big plus, for sure. Even if you don't dig their sound or their style, they have written, produced, and performed every song they have ever recorded, including all vocals and all instruments. Impressive as hell

[@BobbyDirt]

Surprisingly well adjusted.

[@RedHotChilliMusic]

They are so much fun! More Hanson content please!! We missed them. This make me wanna watch their middle of nowhere self made documentary. I watched it sooo many times when I was little, wow. So talented and such hotties lol

[@sammantadelbosque5167]

Loved the interview!!! Thank you!!!!

[@torrimills1915]

I had a crush on Taylor and posters of Hanson so did many of my friends❤❤

[@BritBelle89]

Best pop song of all time! These parents did a great job! Awesome men!

[@nikos9257]

Wonderful people and wonderful musicians

[@xdxdxdxd4575]

The oldest one has a really calm speaking voice, that I can fell asleep on!

[@thisismyinferno]

Had crushes on all three of them at different times in my life. Now is currently Issac. First was Taylor then Zac.

[@emileekFolkDivinre6105]

I have so much respect for them❤❤❤Thank you

[@trekon2023]

Such adorable kids. ❤

[@LorchVHS]

I'm a 40 year old straight, married man with a son and I totally dig Hanson. I was in grade 8 (early high school) when MmmBop came out and loved it. Everyone made fun of me and I didn't care.

[@Mary-po4ti]

GREAT BAND. GREAT GUYS...❤❤❤

[@jlidd]

What a lovely interview. That was really cool to see

[@StephanieBogart]

I heard the actually lyrics earlier this year. Man they are so sad! It’s such a beautiful song!

[@rebeccasjodal9769]

I were so in love with Zac (the youngest) at the time❤ I was about 9-10 years old

[@fanson1986]

Whos the most creative? Taylor: I'm sure they'll say I'm the most artsy. Isaac: Zac 😄 On top of what Isaac said, Zac does woodwork and he built his own house!

[@SENSEF]

Still ❤ Hanson soooo much!

[@christinadipinto]

Love this! Also, we need a Hanson Podcast!!! I would love to hear them talk about all the things 👏🏻

[@ec6933]

I heard them live on that video that got popular like 7 or 8 years ago and I have to say they might be the best live performers I've ever heard in my 35 years.

[@jeanniekiehl]

LOL Zac on people singing MMMBop wrong....scooby boo bop hahaha

[@Foreverarose8]

They’re from my town and they used to play at our middle school. We all loved it. I had their home phone number when I was 13. I think I talked to Taylor once on the phone lol.

[@theorthodoxkase2442]

Isaac and Zac are Orthodox Christians, and Zac is a Deacon in the Church. I'm sure Taylor will follow some day ; )

[@youmadbro9024]

That was actually pretty great. I enjoyed that a lot.

[@charchaz00]

coming up with a classic as literally children is amazing, their musiciaship is underated

[@CharleysAquaticNook]

I’ll never get sick of this song lol

[@endlessness80]

Saw them live a couple of months ago. Best $25 evening ever.

[@moso-bunnie]

Wow I loved this interview!!

[@chrisanthemum7]

So glad we made them famous 👍👏🙏🔥🏆

[@rosemarywoodhouse4832]

I loved this song when it came out. My friend bought me the cassette tape (yup!).

[@MichelleBourque-w9z]

I ❤ this song I listen to it all the time

[@hairnedez9126]

Thank you, so refreshing!

[@AnA4ever39]

Wow, i was such a Hanson fan, it is so weird seeing them all growing up. 😮

[@danielroberto2209]

I love the song "Weird".... very insightful lyrics.

[@Nirvanablue89]

Back in the 90s when they hit and we were all into rock and not pop, they seemed so lame, but these guys are the real deal. They write and play all their own music. I have so much respect for them.

[@chalkbunt81]

Wasn't ready for the Hanson hate for how I've been singing this for years.

[@Huhgundai399]

Imagine you’re entire life revolving around 1 song

[@fanson1986]

It's difficult to believe they remember things so well from 30 years ago! 😄

[@belair90210]

Why? Lol

[@fanson1986]

​@@belair90210well, would you remember the details of something you did at school, when you were 6? 😀 And some of the details are new, at least to me

[@marianajmj]

I love Handome, I mean Hanson! They are absolutely great musicians!

[@FoneticaMusicalconBruna]

They still look so young ❤❤❤ my bestie was super in love with Zac when we were in junior-high

[@lizzybizzy3017]

Loved when they sang Shallow on the Masked Singer. ❤ Better than the original.

[@doorlight]

Always proud of you Hanson! ❤

[@salvie3694]

Good thing my sister gifted me with your 3 car garage casette tape (booklet of lyrics inside). I will never sing the wrong lyrics of mmmbop. 💚❤️💙

[@Bert-lw1ot]

They traveled the world off the back of this song, can’t knock them. They did a brilliant acoustic version of this song a couple of years ago that’s on here

[@audrastraw6638]

My favorite band since forever! ❤

[@alxbss10]

One of my favorite Song of all time 😁

[@nobnesbit]

5:16 Zac doing an Adam DeVine impression.