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 and 3.
This is an interesting week as there are no heavy hitters in this one and few well known songs.
Section 1: The Ass End
Robert Miles
”One and One” 1996, #54 (19 weeks) (download)
The name Robert Miles didn’t actually mean anything to me until I listened to his one real hit, ”Children” which went to #21. ”One and One” was the second single in the US (the track wasn’t on the international version of his debut album, Dreamland, until it was re-issued) and for the time was a very good tune.
Militia
”Burn” 1998, #52 (20 weeks) (download)
Militia were a short lived five piece rap group. “Burn” was their only hit but is still pretty damn solid.
Steve Miller Band
”Wide River” 1993, #64 (8 weeks) (download)
Well, anything is better than ”Bongo Bongo” so in comparison this is a gem. But of course, I like picking on Steve Miller for his shit-tastic output in the 80s and 90s too. This was the title track of his album in 1993 and would be the last hot 100 hit for him.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/de8-Lr61RmE" width="600" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
Shane Minor
”Slave to the Habit” 1999, #82 (7 weeks) (download)
I’d bet you could release this song today and would be a bigger hit now than it was back then. Strangely enough, this seems a little ahead of its time.” ”Slave to the Habit” was co-written by Toby Keith and appeared on the self-titled debut and only album from Minor.
Mint Condition
”Forever In Your Eyes” 1992, #81 (8 weeks) (download)
It’s a shame Mint Condition wasn’t bigger than they became. The group was very diverse, playing R&B but mixing rock, jazz and soul in with their smooth base to keep their style varied and interesting.
Miranda
”Your Love Is So Divine” 1994, #66 (14 weeks) (download)
I’m just going to let Miranda bathing entice you.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/Of-uhhQWNeA" width="600" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
MissJones
”Where I Wanna Be Boy” 1995, #79 (7 weeks) (download)
”2 Way Street” 1998, #62 (13 weeks) (download)
”Where I Wanna Be Boy” was a non-album cut but ”2 Way Street” was from Miss Jones’s only record, The Other Woman. She then went on to be the gossip queen for Star and Buc Wild, followed by her own morning show and now hosts her own internet radio show daily.
Mista
”Blackberry Molasses” 1996, #53 (18 weeks) (download)
”Lady” 1997, #90 (3 weeks) (download)
Mista was an interesting and innovative group led by Bobby V and produced by Organized Noise. ”Blackberry Molasses” is a pretty great song, something that sounds like Prince would have written (he didn’t though). ”Lady” might be okay on its own but as the follow up single it paled in comparison.
Mista Grimm
”Indo Smoke” 1993, #56 (20 weeks) (download)
Eh, one of the shittier west coast rap songs back in the early 80s, this was from the Poetic Justice soundtrack and doesn’t mark Nate Dogg’s finest moment either.
Mr. Big
”Ain’t Seen Love Like That” 1994, #83 (6 weeks) (download)
Mr. Big was a very talented band but unfortunately after ”To Be with You” hit #1, they went from being a rockin’ band to a ballad band. It’s unfortunate, because Mr. Big had the ability to rock out quite well.
Mobb Deep
”Shook Ones Pt. II” 1995, #59 (10 weeks) (download)
”Survival of the Fittest” 1995, #69 (12 weeks) (download)
Both of these tunes are from The Infamous which has stood the test of time to go down as one of the greatest hip hop albums of the era. Havoc & Prodigy were well respected by fans and peers alike.
Mona Lisa
”Can’t Be Wasting My Time” 1996, #65 (13 weeks) (download)
”You Said” 1996, #83 (5 weeks) (download)
Although she was singing very grown up sounding songs, Mona Lisa was only 16 when these tracks were released. ”Can’t Be Wasting My Time” is the better of the two, coming from the Don’t Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In the Hood soundtrack.
Comments