With Bottom Feeders we take a look at the songs on the Billboard Hot 100 that only got a little love. It’s an A-Z look at songs that charted no higher than #41 in the decade. Take a listen, enjoy and comment. And don’t forget, information on the top 40, airplay and bubbling under charts are on pages 2-4.
Section 1: The Ass End
Ricky Martin
”Maria” 1996, #88 (14 weeks) (download)
”The Cup of Life” 1998, #60 (16 weeks) and 1999, #45 (18 weeks) (download)
If Ricky Martin had come up in a trivia contest I would have told you his first charting single was ”The Cup of Life.” After his split from Menudo, Martin released four Spanish language records and ”Maria” appeared on his third disc, A Medio Vivir. It was the first time that he would record a Spanglish version of a tune to be released in the US. It happened again when Vuelve was released in 1998 and “La Copa de la Vida” was then recorded with a Spanglish version as well. Both tunes were then put on his self-titled English record in 1999 which of course made him a US sensation. He’s been off the map for a while though as he hasn’t released an English language record since 2005’s Life.
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Rosco Martinez
”Neon Moonlight” 1994, #57 (10 weeks) (download)
Here’s an artist that I’ve never even heard of before. Rosco Martinez was a Cuban pop/rock artist signed to Zoo Entertainment. From what I can tell, Rosco released a Spanish language album for Zoo in ’94, then recorded those tracks again in English and added ”Neon Moonlight” as well as three or four others for release of an English record that same year.
Richard Marx
”Chains Around My Heart” 1992, #44 (13 weeks) (download)
”Until I Find You Again” 1997, #42 (20 weeks) (download)
”At the Beginning” 1997, #45 (20 weeks) (download)
According to Billboard, Richard Marx had enough hits to be the 143rd top ranked artist of all time. Personally, I tend to think of him as an 80s artist thanks to all three of his #1’s on the Hot 100 chart coming from his ‘80s records. But he had a heck of a chart run right through ’97 with seven more top 20 hits. Whether you like his brand of adult music or not, he did write some damn catchy tunes and has a great voice. ”Chains Around My Heart” and ”Until I Find You Again” are great examples of some of his finest work. ”At the Beginning” was his duet with Donna Lewis from the movie Anastasia.
Marx is still making music today but if you really want to have a great time, follow him on Twitter @richardmarx — he tends to say whatever’s on his mind which makes for some fascinating conversations. And I’m not complimenting his music so he doesn’t rip me a new asshole either. He truly made some great tunes.
Master Ace Incorporated
”The INC Ride” 1995, #69 (16 weeks) (download)
”Sittin’ On Chrome” 1995, #84 (8 weeks) (download)
Masta Ace was a rapper named Duval Clear who was also a member of The Crooklyn Dodgers. ”Sittin’ On Chrome” was probably the most memorable song he made thanks to a hell of a beat.
Master P
”Mr. Ice Cream Man” 1996, #90 (9 weeks) (download)
”If I Could Change” 1997, #60 (15 weeks) (download)
”Step To This” 1999, #88 (3 weeks) (download)
Master P had talent but it was in production, not rapping. In fact, I think he’s one of the worst rappers of decade. And as founder of No Limit records, he basically created a whole new style of rap in the 90s but he also had a ton of artists that were also less than talented like Silkk the Shocker, Mo B. Dick, Sons of Funk and others. All three of these tunes suck royally but none of them are as bad as his most popular song, ”Make Em’ Say Uhh!”
Dave Matthews Band
”Crush” 1999, #75 (16 weeks) (download)
I’m actually confused at my own tastes as I listened to Under the Table and Dreaming and Crash endlessly for years. Now I can’t get anywhere near a Dave Matthews album.
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