Surprisingly Big Hits That Aren't Big Radio Classics...

Most probably have never heard of him or this song -

Now this, is a Cruel Summer, OP.

R2 Love freestyle. I remember I first heard that song in 2002.

Ace of Base's Cruel Summer? Surely you jest, OP. There is only ONE Cruel Summer that means anything, and it's the classic, '80s movie staple original by Bananarama posted at R3.

Not a specific song, but I feel Kim Sanders may have had some potential but she perfected her talent in Germany. I find her interesting being the same age as Janet and also from Gary, Indiana.

Bonus, Melanie Thornton could have had a few songs but had little exposure in the US. Unfortunately, no longer with us. Similar to Kim Sander, an African American who found more success Germany.

Did folks read the OP's request?

Basically, songs that might have gone top 20 (a big hit) that isn't played on the radio after fizzling out in a record time.

This song below went like top 16 here in the US but you'd be hard pressed to find a radio station that has slipped it into its playlist in recent years =

Beyoncé’s If I were a boy. They only play Halo or Irreplaceable as far as her ballads.

This is a great example.

Someone in another thread (maybe OP) asserted that Ace of Base's Cruel Summer was a big hit. Posters, including me, said they didn't remember it being a hit. I do remember Bananarama's version being popular.

Repeat after me (and a few others here):

BANANARAMA - the ONLY version worth a shit.

This pile was all over MTV when released in 1984. It hit the top 10, can’t remember hearing it since.

Ace of Base's Cruel Summer, Top 40 info:

On the charts in 1998 for 12 weeks (July to Sept., 1998)

Peaked at # 19

Big hit? I don't think so.

It’s interesting how so many songs were popular around the first world and then the US has some curtain where the same song is nonexistent.

"I Know" by Dionne Farris. It was huge at the time and stayed on the charts for eons. It's pretty shocking how little attention it gets today.

Crush by Jennifer Paige

Arrested Development's "Tennessee"

It was a big hit in1992, even winning a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

I hadn't heard it in years, and the other day I happened to see it on a list of top songs from early 90s.

^Prince sued them for sampling the “Tennessee” line from his song “Alphabet St.”

Did a quick wander over to Billboard Top 100 in the late 80s, early 90s as I would. Some of this has faded into obscurity, a few classics and some of these songs are now jock jams. Who is Karyn White? She had 4 top ten hits! I know Dataloungers are about to dazzle me with their knowledge of her but the average person under 40 would be totally stumped. Who??

^My lord, you must be young. Karyn White was pretty big for a time back in late '80s and early '90s, particularly on R&B stations, but she did have several pop hits and videos that were big on MTV in the wake of the success of Janet's "Control" album (Karyn, Jody, Nia Peeples, Vanessa Williams, Pebbles, Paula Abdul etc. all had albums modeled off of "Control," but that's another topic for another day). Her hits Superwoman, Secret Rendezvous, The Way You Love Me and Romantic were huge back then. Her first album was produced by LA and Babyface, but Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis produced most of her second album including the Hot 100 #1 Romantic.

Crush by Jennifer Paige was a good song. I have that on my iPod.

This went to number one in early 1990. I rarely hear it.

Another number one from 1990 that doesn’t get much play now.

Early 80s music is chock full of these.

Kenny Rogers boring song “I Don’t Need You” hit #3…. it’s like it never happened.

Ray Parker Jr, “The Other Woman” hit #4… same thing.

I could list a dozen more like that.

Maybe I'd be clearer on Karyn White if I'd been a R&B person. I remember the song Romantic. She married Terry Lewis. Did he give all his good songs to Janet? I could tell you more about Nia Peeples than Karyn White.

Gimmick songs. Some of them are good even.

I hate that they never play Adele’s first single Chasing Pavements which was a moderate hit. It’s one of her best vocal performances and definitely most soulful. It really is a beautiful track.

R20, are you white? Did you grow up in the suburbs only listening to pop radio? That would explain a lot.

Three Little Pigs by Green Jelly. Haven't heard this in years

Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe

Sittin' in the Lap of Luxury

This made it to #2 in 1991.

Belinda Carlisle's "Leave A Light On" (#11 hit) is a good example of this. I haven't hear it on the radio on over 30 years.

Her other big hits (Heaven Is A Place On Earth (#1), I Get Weak (#2), Mad About You (#3) & Circle In A Sand (#7) have found there way onto my radio even tho they've older hits than this one.

I still love this one but it rarely gets any play, I think it went to #2 as well.

R33, that video is sooooo 1991

Too Many Walls by Cathy Dennis

Pat Benatar's "Invincible" was one of her four big top 10 hits here in the US (a #10) but I haven't heard it on the radio since the 80s.

Her other three top 10 hits = "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (#9) as well as "We Belong" & "Love Is A Battlefield" (both #5 hits) are the songs radio plays...

r33 r35 please type the name and artist, as not every YT video displays a link preview anymore. If you want us to know what you're talking about, that is.

I just heard this on XM radio. This is Sisqo’s only number one hit, not the thong song.

r34 I loved that song

I haven't heard that Kriss Kross song Jump in ages...

DHT - Listen to your Heart. It was a dance song the became a pop hit with a slower version. Probably the biggest Belgian song to hit the US in recent decades.

I hear the Ace of Base version of “Cruel Summer” every year. NBC’s Today show uses it every year on the first day of summer.

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