The powers that be in the music industry are obsessed with formulaic simplicity. To be a hit, a song must have an uncomplicated time signature, use a predictable chord progression, last three and a half minutes, and be about love. While talented artists have no choice but to succumb to this rubbish, a little digging through their portfolios can thankfully reveal the true gems. (Of course, the same digging can also be met with barely listenable noise—ahem, Drake.) Here are five songs by five great acts that should have been hits. Keep in mind that all of these acts have had immense success—no one is starving. It’s just that the songs that brought them fame aren’t the ones that exhibit the depths of their talent.
“One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces” by Ben Folds Five
The keys can be front and center in the classical and jazz scenes, but geeky keyboardists have a tendency to get the shaft in the rock world. That’s never been the case with Ben Folds, whose pieces are centered around him absolutely shredding the piano. You might be familiar with Folds thanks to the song “Brick,” but this track from the same album—Whatever and Ever Amen—does a far better job of displaying his pianistic dominance. (Note: Pianistic is apparently a real word.)
“Three Women” by Jack White
For better or worse, Jack White will always be associated with the White Stripes, the two-person outfit that gifted us “Seven Nation Army,” one of the greatest sports anthems of all time. But it’s when he surrounds himself with a proper band that he can shed the indie rock label and showcase his true gifts. This track off his solo album Lazaretto wasn’t released as a single, but if you want to know what precision in timing and mixing sounds like, here it is. Oh, and the multitalented White isn’t even playing his usual guitar, traded in for the piano on this jam.
“Rapunzel” by Dave Matthews Band
Nothing against “Crash Into Me” or “The Space Between,” but the brilliant Dave Matthews Band can do much more, yielding a sound that is truly unique in mainstream circles. In this song from their album Before These Crowded Streets, they bounce around in terms of time signature before ending with a stretch of musical ridiculosity, proving to record executives everywhere that, yes, it is okay to use real instruments. (Note: Ridiculosity is probably a word, used here to convey awesomeness.)
“15 Step” by Radiohead
It’s striking that one of the greatest bands of its generation is known by many for just one track, the ’90s classic “Creep.” Although the band could do alternative rock better than most alternative rock outfits, they ended up going in a different direction, doing…basically whatever they wanted. In 2007, they made the pioneering move of releasing their album In Rainbows online, concocting a business plan that only true artists could devise—allowing fans to set their own price. The opening number from the album—not released as a single—is the pinnacle of experimental dance music. Or is it progressive electronica? Or art rock? Whatever, it’s really good.
“As” by Stevie Wonder
Nothing by Stevie Wonder is truly underrated, but his genius is more apparent once you make it past “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.” While often an afterthought, this track from his iconic album Songs in the Key of Life showcases the legend’s ability to give you everything—love song, funky electric piano, and infectious gospel—all signed, sealed, and delivered in one tidy package.
So what exactly is the take-home message of this songs that should have been hits exercise? Either (a) to remember that the best music isn’t always the most-played music, or (b) absolutely nothing.
