This One's for the Children

"This One's for the Children"
Single by New Kids on the Block
from the album Merry, Merry Christmas
B-side"Funky, Funky Xmas"
ReleasedOctober 12, 1989
Recorded1988
GenrePop
Length3:54
LabelColumbia
SongwriterMaurice Starr
ProducerMaurice Starr
New Kids on the Block singles chronology
"Cover Girl"
(1989)		 "This One's for the Children"
(1989)		 "Step by Step"
(1990)

"This One's for the Children" is a song by American boy band New Kids on the Block, and is written and produced by Maurice Starr. The lead vocals are sung by band members Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg. Taken from the group's holiday album, Merry, Merry Christmas (1989), the single was released in October 1989 by Columbia Records. It peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 1990, and number nine on the UK Singles Chart 11 months later.

Featured on the song's B-side was "Funky, Funky Xmas", which was an airplay only single promoted during the holiday season. The rap/lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, and Donnie Wahlberg.

Music video

The accompanying music video starts with different languages saying "This One's for the Children". It features the band near a piano with Jordan Knight playing it and co-singing with Donnie Wahlberg while showing young children from around the world.

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "This One's for the Children"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA) Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – This One's for the Children". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – This One's for the Children" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Top Singles. Volume 51, Issue 12 (1990-02-03)". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Adult Contemporary. Volume 51, Issue 13 (1990-02-10)". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). ""New Kids On The Block". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960-30.6.21 (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 182" (PDF). Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  6. ↑ "New Kids on the Block | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Israeli Charts". Retrieved June 26, 2026. Search "New Kids on the Block" for Israeli chart history.
  8. ↑ Radio Luxembourg Singles. December 16, 1990.
  9. ↑ "New Kids on the Block – This One's for the Children" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 8/12/1990 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Playlist Chart" (PDF). Music Week. December 22, 1990. p. iii. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  12. ↑ "New Kids on the Block Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  13. ↑ "New Kids on the Block Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ "nkotb". Gghunt.utasites.cloud. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  15. ↑ "Adult Contemporary. Volume 51, Issue 13 (1990-02-10)". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1990". Longboredsurfer.com. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  17. ↑ "American single certifications – New Kids On The Block – This One's for the Children". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 13 March 2016.