Music that is still essential for fans... or not.
A Grammy carries a certain promise of immortality. Win one,
just one, and your name is etched in history. But that’s no guarantee that you
or your music will live on in people’s lives. In some cases, it's a matter of a
cultural shift (people produce novelty songs besides Weird Al?). In other
cases, well., some musical acts end up sabotaging themselves, while others
never truly caught on despite taking home the recording industry's highest
award. Here are some examples of Grammy winners whose work has slipped away.
just one, and your name is etched in history. But that’s no guarantee that you
or your music will live on in people’s lives. In some cases, it's a matter of a
cultural shift (people produce novelty songs besides Weird Al?). In other
cases, well., some musical acts end up sabotaging themselves, while others
never truly caught on despite taking home the recording industry's highest
award. Here are some examples of Grammy winners whose work has slipped away.
Michael Bolton
The epitome of late-’80s and early-’90s cheese, the sonic
equivalent of Fabio, Michael Bolton gave adult contemporary a bad name with his
overcooked interpretations of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and the Grammy
winner “When a Man Loves a Woman,” never mind his frequent collaborations with
schlock songwriter Diane Warren.
equivalent of Fabio, Michael Bolton gave adult contemporary a bad name with his
overcooked interpretations of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and the Grammy
winner “When a Man Loves a Woman,” never mind his frequent collaborations with
schlock songwriter Diane Warren.
Kim Carnes
Carnes quickly faded from the spotlight after winning Record
of the Year in 1982 for “Bette Davis Eyes.” The song occasionally pops up –
Courtney Love, Taylor Swift and Kylie Minogue have covered it in the last
decade – but Carnes, and the rest of her sizable catalog, have mostly
disappeared.
of the Year in 1982 for “Bette Davis Eyes.” The song occasionally pops up –
Courtney Love, Taylor Swift and Kylie Minogue have covered it in the last
decade – but Carnes, and the rest of her sizable catalog, have mostly
disappeared.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Carpenter won five Grammys from 1992 to 1995, but she
couldn’t keep up with the rapidly changing state of the country and pop charts
in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Even though she produced a clutch of big hits
– “Down at the Twist and Shout,” “Passionate Kisses,” “He Thinks He’ll Kiss
Her” – few of them get airplay these days.
couldn’t keep up with the rapidly changing state of the country and pop charts
in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Even though she produced a clutch of big hits
– “Down at the Twist and Shout,” “Passionate Kisses,” “He Thinks He’ll Kiss
Her” – few of them get airplay these days.
The Civil Wars
The indie-folk duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White won
Grammys for three straight years (2012-14), but they called it quits a few
month after their last win, for the song “From This Valley.” Williams and White
have both released solo albums since, but to little notice.
Grammys for three straight years (2012-14), but they called it quits a few
month after their last win, for the song “From This Valley.” Williams and White
have both released solo albums since, but to little notice.
Coldplay
Coldplay was the biggest rock band in the world for most of
the ’00s – platinum albums, stadium tours, seven Grammys, and unexpected
endorsements from Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Frank Ocean. They seemed to be on the
way to establishing themselves as the next U2, but the relatively lackluster
response to "A Head Full of Dreams" and the "Kaleidoscope"
EP suggest that Chris Martin and company aren’t necessarily too big to fail.
the ’00s – platinum albums, stadium tours, seven Grammys, and unexpected
endorsements from Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Frank Ocean. They seemed to be on the
way to establishing themselves as the next U2, but the relatively lackluster
response to "A Head Full of Dreams" and the "Kaleidoscope"
EP suggest that Chris Martin and company aren’t necessarily too big to fail.
Bobby Darin
Mad Men-era pop star Bobby Darin evolved in just a few short
years from a purveyor of bubblegum pablum (“Splish Splash”) to a songwriter and
interpreter of deeper and darker material – standards like “Dream Lover,” “Mack
the Knife,” and “Beyond the Sea” that are more admired than loved by classic
pop aficionados.
years from a purveyor of bubblegum pablum (“Splish Splash”) to a songwriter and
interpreter of deeper and darker material – standards like “Dream Lover,” “Mack
the Knife,” and “Beyond the Sea” that are more admired than loved by classic
pop aficionados.
Gnarls Barkley
The surprising success of CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse’s
rock/soul/hip-hop hybrid didn’t last long – a third album has been in the works
since 2010. In the meantime, Green has launched a successful solo career,
explored acting, worked on "The Voice," and made a habit of
ill-advised Tweeting.
rock/soul/hip-hop hybrid didn’t last long – a third album has been in the works
since 2010. In the meantime, Green has launched a successful solo career,
explored acting, worked on "The Voice," and made a habit of
ill-advised Tweeting.
India.Arie
India.Arie rode the wave of early ’00s neo-soul set in
motion by Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Maxwell to four Grammys, but mixed
reviews, low sales, and delays in between albums have swept her out of public
awareness
motion by Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Maxwell to four Grammys, but mixed
reviews, low sales, and delays in between albums have swept her out of public
awareness
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
The novelty quickly faded after Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
beat Kendrick Lamar for Best New Artist and two hip-hop awards at the 2014
Grammys. The duo’s second album wilted and they’re currently on hiatus.
beat Kendrick Lamar for Best New Artist and two hip-hop awards at the 2014
Grammys. The duo’s second album wilted and they’re currently on hiatus.
John Mayer
Mayer hasn’t disappeared—he released a new album (and two
related EPs) in 2017, and has been performing with former members of the
Grateful Dead. But it’s a far cry from the multiplatinum success of his first
four albums and his ’00s tabloid presence, suggesting that his reputation hasn’t recovered from his disastrous (and racist) 2010 Playboy
interview. (Don't worry. The link is safe.)
related EPs) in 2017, and has been performing with former members of the
Grateful Dead. But it’s a far cry from the multiplatinum success of his first
four albums and his ’00s tabloid presence, suggesting that his reputation hasn’t recovered from his disastrous (and racist) 2010 Playboy
interview. (Don't worry. The link is safe.)
Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin’s unbearably upbeat 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be
Happy” was an anomaly in a long and storied career as a jazz vocalist, and one
most of us prefer to forget. But McFerrin still has a devoted following among
jazz and classical-music listeners – in fact, he’s won seven other Grammys,
most of them for jazz vocal performances, in addition to the three he won for
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
Happy” was an anomaly in a long and storied career as a jazz vocalist, and one
most of us prefer to forget. But McFerrin still has a devoted following among
jazz and classical-music listeners – in fact, he’s won seven other Grammys,
most of them for jazz vocal performances, in addition to the three he won for
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
Roger Miller
The one-of-a-kind singer-songwriter Roger Miller won 11
Grammys in 1964 and ’65 – and then had middling success until his death in
1992. Miller was enormously talented, but he wasn’t made for showbiz
superstardom – his absurdist character sketches, delivered in an imperturbable
Texas drawl, and with wry, mordant wit, have made him a deeply respected cult
figure.
Grammys in 1964 and ’65 – and then had middling success until his death in
1992. Miller was enormously talented, but he wasn’t made for showbiz
superstardom – his absurdist character sketches, delivered in an imperturbable
Texas drawl, and with wry, mordant wit, have made him a deeply respected cult
figure.
Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap was a Grammy machine for more than a decade,
racking up six country-music awards between 1975 and 1988. But his slick
crossover sound was made obsolete by George Strait, Clint Black, and Alan
Jackson in the late-'80s and early-’90s, and it’s never come back into style.
racking up six country-music awards between 1975 and 1988. But his slick
crossover sound was made obsolete by George Strait, Clint Black, and Alan
Jackson in the late-'80s and early-’90s, and it’s never come back into style.
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette remains active more than 20 years after
the mega-success of "Jagged Little Pill," releasing new music every
four or five years, with ever-diminishing returns, both commercially and
critically.
the mega-success of "Jagged Little Pill," releasing new music every
four or five years, with ever-diminishing returns, both commercially and
critically.
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature won the very first Best Rap Album Grammy,
in 1996, for the now-forgotten "Poverty’s Paradise." The New Jersey
trio’s smash hit “O.P.P.” hasn’t been forgotten, but it’s more of a punchline
or trivia answer than a fondly remembered favorite.
in 1996, for the now-forgotten "Poverty’s Paradise." The New Jersey
trio’s smash hit “O.P.P.” hasn’t been forgotten, but it’s more of a punchline
or trivia answer than a fondly remembered favorite.
Sinead O'Connor
One massive hit – even one as affecting as “Nothing Compares
2 U” – wasn’t enough to override O’Connor’s penchant for alienating middle
America. Tearing up a photo of the pope on "Saturday Night Live,"
refusing to perform after “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and all the subsequent
fallout effectively ended a once-promising pop career.
2 U” – wasn’t enough to override O’Connor’s penchant for alienating middle
America. Tearing up a photo of the pope on "Saturday Night Live,"
refusing to perform after “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and all the subsequent
fallout effectively ended a once-promising pop career.
Jeannie C. Riley
The very thing that made “tHarper Valley P.T.A.” a hit in
1968 – references to feminism, single motherhood, rising hemlines, and the
swinging sexual revolution – make it a relic these days. It was Jeannie C.
Riley’s first hit, and her only major one.
1968 – references to feminism, single motherhood, rising hemlines, and the
swinging sexual revolution – make it a relic these days. It was Jeannie C.
Riley’s first hit, and her only major one.
Ray Stevens
Two-time Grammy winner Ray Stevens, famous (if that’s the
right word) for cornball novelties like “The Streak” and “Gitarzan,” was
nominated nine times over almost two decades—and only once for comedy.
right word) for cornball novelties like “The Streak” and “Gitarzan,” was
nominated nine times over almost two decades—and only once for comedy.
Terence Trent D'Arby
It’s not hard to figure out what happened to the career of
arty ’80s funk and R&B singer Terence Trent D’Arby. Just check out his
latest album, from 2015, an independently released double sci-fi concept album
called "The Rise of the Zugebrian Time Lords."
arty ’80s funk and R&B singer Terence Trent D’Arby. Just check out his
latest album, from 2015, an independently released double sci-fi concept album
called "The Rise of the Zugebrian Time Lords."
Velvet Revolver
If a so-called supergroup featuring half the "Use Your
Illusion" lineup of Guns N’ Roses, Scott Weiland in between Stone Temple
Pilots reunions, and the guitarist from a band called Electric Love Hogs seems
like an embarrassing pick for the 2005 Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy,
consider the other four equally unpalatable nominees from that year: Incubus,
Metallica (for a song from "St. Anger"), Nickelback and Slipknot.
Illusion" lineup of Guns N’ Roses, Scott Weiland in between Stone Temple
Pilots reunions, and the guitarist from a band called Electric Love Hogs seems
like an embarrassing pick for the 2005 Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy,
consider the other four equally unpalatable nominees from that year: Incubus,
Metallica (for a song from "St. Anger"), Nickelback and Slipknot.
The Wallflowers
Jakob Dylan’s rootsy alt-rock anthems seemed profound at the
time – it probably had something to do with his father’s reputation. But it
took the Wallflowers four years to follow up "Bringing Down the
Horse," giving us time to put the college-poetry lyrics and artsy
pretensions of Best Rock Song Grammy winner “One Headlight” in proper
perspective.
time – it probably had something to do with his father’s reputation. But it
took the Wallflowers four years to follow up "Bringing Down the
Horse," giving us time to put the college-poetry lyrics and artsy
pretensions of Best Rock Song Grammy winner “One Headlight” in proper
perspective.
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