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
Peter Murphy
”Cuts You Up” 1990, #55 (9 weeks) (download)
”Cuts You Up” was so catchy that it became the #1 Modern Rock hit in the US in 1990 spending seven weeks in the top spot. Pop radio really had very little place for it but this is a track made for rock radio. I haven’t heard a Peter Murphy solo record since 1995’s Cascade but of the albums before that point, the album from which this came (Deep) is his best.
Keith Murray
”The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World” 1994, #50 (18 weeks) (download)
”Get Lifted” 1995, #71 (10 weeks) (download)
Eh. Other than his remake of ”Rapper’s Delight” with Redman and Erick Sermon, I’ve never heard a Keith Murray song worth listening to a second time. Certainly neither of these are. And my fingers certainly are having a hard time accepting having to type “beautifullest” a couple times.
Myron
”We Can Get Down” 1997, #75 (8 weeks) (download)
”Destiny” 1998, #47 (13 weeks) (download)
Myron had a smooth voice but completely forgettable songs. And that’s probably why you don’t remember him either.
Nas
”It Ain’t Hard To Tell” 1994, #91 (8 weeks) (download)
”If I Ruled the World” 1996, #53 (20 weeks) (download)
”Nas Is Like” 1999, #86 (4 weeks) (download)
”Hate Me Now” 1999, #62 (8 weeks) (download)
”Nastradamus” 1999, #92 (6 weeks) (download)
I often wonder if Nas’s ego got in the way of him being one of the biggest rappers in the world? Other rappers had beef with him (especially Jay-Z) which usually means not only are you actually good enough that people start shit with but you also rub some people the wrong way. From the ”Hate Me Now” video where he’s nailed to the cross or calling himself ”Nastradamus,” the dude is pretty ”confident” in himself. And in actuality, he should be as I think he’s one of the best rappers of my generation. From the classic Illmatic record to singles like the last two here (”Nastradamus” is my favorite from him), he rarely spits anything that isn’t fantastic.
Ultra NatÁ©
”Free” 1997, #75 (19 weeks) (download)
Ultra NatÁ© was an American dance artist, born in Maryland and Ultra is actually her birth name. She’s better known for ”If You Could Read My Mind” as part of Stars on 54 (which we’ll get to later).
Naughty By Nature
”Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” 1992, #53 (20 weeks) (download)
”It’s On” 1993, #74 (12 weeks) (download)
”Written On Ya Kitten” 1993, #93 (3 weeks) (download)
”Craziest” 1995, #51 (10 weeks) (download)
”Mourn You Til I Join You” 1997, #51 (12 weeks) (download)
Naughty By Nature is really the epitome of the golden age of hip-hop. ”O.P.P.” and ”Hip Hop Hooray” go down in history as two of the biggest anthems in rap. Treach, Vin Rock and Kay Gee all came across as hardcore and yet they were still able to mix in catchy hooks and sing-alongs without losing their edge. Their self-titled record in 1991 and 19 Naughty III haven’t necessarily held the test of time but they were the shit back in the day.
Nastyboy Klick
”Down For Yours” 1997, #69 (17 weeks) (download)
”Lost In Love” 1998, #53 (9 weeks) (download)
Whoosie, whatzie? Known as Nastyboy Klick first, then simply NBK then NB Ridaz, I would think most people didn’t know them at all. Led by MC Magic who formed his own label, Nastyboy Records, these Latin rappers started out as a six-piece when they were known by their full name. Personally I don’t recall ever hearing these tunes before but after listening to these and a full other singles it seems they tended to create tunes on the slower side. Oh, and ones that suck too.
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