As a longtime fan of the Backstreet Boys, I’ve grown up with their music. They were my entertainment world as a pre-teen in the 90s. I have always appreciated their harmonies, stage presence and dance moves, and their ability to evolve with the times. But I’ll admit—Nick Carter as a solo artist did not initially resonate with me. For those of you that know me now, this likely comes as a major shock to you, because I am a full fledged Nick-girl at present. But Nick’s early solo work, while catchy and fun to most, felt like it was crafted to fit industry trends rather than tell his story. Over the years, though, something changed. I didn’t just start listening to his music—I started feeling it. His latest song, “Stages,” is the culmination of that transformation, and as a mother, a working professional, and someone navigating the ever-changing phases of life, I feel more connected to his music than ever before.
Life is full of stages. The excitement of youth, the struggles of finding yourself, the overwhelming responsibility of building a family and career—it’s all a journey, and “Stages” beautifully captures that reality. Nick Carter has always been in the public eye, but only now is he truly allowing his real self to take center stage. Gone are the days of music designed simply to fit a certain mold—his latest work, especially this song, feels like a raw and honest reflection of the life he’s lived and the lessons he’s learned.
As a mother of two kids close in age to Nick’s two older children, I see the parallels in our lives. Balancing a demanding job with the emotional responsibility of raising children is something I struggle with daily. The exhaustion, the guilt, the love, and the hope—it’s all there, wrapped up in the lyrics of “Stages.” In this song, Nick doesn’t just sing about change—he embodies it. The first music video for the song, filled with personal home videos of his family and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his life, makes this song feel even more intimate. It’s not just a song; it’s a reflection of a father trying to hold onto precious moments while life keeps moving forward. And that hits me deep in my gut.
One of the most powerful aspects of “Stages” is its honesty. As parents, we often try to freeze time, to capture every little milestone before our children grow up before our eyes. I tell my son all the time to “stop growing” and he responds “I don’t have control over that mom!”. As much as we try, life doesn’t slow down. The realization that we can’t always be there for every moment, that we have to juggle our own dreams while nurturing our children’s, is something that weighs on me constantly. I am regularly walking the line between professional living a job and career that I know I was called for and parent dreading the time away from my own children. Watching Nick weave those emotions into this song and music video makes me feel seen in a way I didn’t expect.
I think back to his earlier solo albums—fun, high-energy, and clearly made with the intent of being radio-friendly. But there was always a sense that he was trying to find his own identity, trying to prove something. Now, with “Stages,” he’s not chasing validation. He’s making music because it means something to him. And that shift is what makes this song so powerful.
The music video takes that authenticity even further. Seeing raw, unpolished moments of Nick with his wife and children, sharing laughter, cuddling, and simply being present in the small moments of everyday life—it’s incredibly moving. Just a simple clip of Nick sitting in the back seat of a car while facetiming in to his son’s baseball game was so familiar to me. It feels like a window into a life that is relatable for so many of us who are trying to balance everything while making sure our loved ones feel seen and cherished. The tenderness of those moments is what makes this song more than just music—it’s an experience, a reflection of what truly matters.
For those of us who have grown up alongside the Backstreet Boys, who are now building careers, families, and navigating the chaos of adulthood, “Stages” is a reminder that we’re not alone in these feelings. We all go through transitions. We all struggle with holding onto what matters while pushing forward. Nick’s journey—from teen pop star to solo artist to father and storyteller—mirrors the natural progression of life.
Music is at its most powerful when it feels personal when it reaches into our hearts and says, “I understand.” And that’s exactly what “Stages” does. It’s a song for parents, for dreamers, for anyone who has ever looked around and wondered where the time has gone. It’s a song for those of us who sometimes feel like we’re trying to be everything for everyone while making sure we don’t lose ourselves in the process.
If you haven’t watched the “Stages” music video yet, I encourage you to do so. Not just as a fan, but as someone who has loved, lost, grown, and changed. Because at the end of the day, we’re all going through our own stages—and that’s something worth celebrating.
Note: Today after writing this post, Nick released a “tour edition” of the Stages video with his band who has been on tour with him for the past few years.
