"Riddle" (2000) Masterpiece Theater
Hot 100 Peak: #92
Overall score: 6.69 High score: 10 (1x)/Low score: 3 (1x)
Continuing the trend of going out on a low note, En Vogue faded into oblivion with this flop about a cheating boyfriend. The decision to abandon the group's signature smooth R&B vibe for a sexier, hard-hitting sound feels a little desperate for these women of a certain age, but they certainly do their best to sell "Riddle" with some fierce attitude.
I hope En Vogue has a lot of songs on the upper part of the chart. They're amazing.
Their songs all seem to fall near the top or the bottom of the countdown. Voters really connected with their biggest hits, and the rest of their songs were pretty much ignored.
Their songs all seem to fall near the top or the bottom of the countdown. Voters really connected with their biggest hits, and the rest of their songs were pretty much ignored.
I'm not really that familiar with the group and the only song I knew was 'Riddle' but then when I listened to it one by one, there were some songs that I knew but didn't know they sung it. They are an amazing trio nonetheless, vocals wise and attitude wise. Cannot wait for the next batch.
"Love Don't Love You" (1993) Funky Divas
Hot 100 Peak: #36
Overall score: 6.77 High score: 8.5 (1x)/Low score: 4 (1x)
More than almost any other song, "Love Don't Love You" straddles the line between the two eras from which this rate drew inspiration: The rich harmonies of the hook harken back to the successful Motown girl groups that provided En Vogue's direct blueprint, while the new jack swing instrumental is very much of the early '90s period in which the song was written (and this next wave of female vocal groups flourished). It's an extremely successful cross-decade mash-up, though most voters didn't seem too excited by the combination.
I'm not really that familiar with the group and the only song I knew was 'Riddle' but then when I listened to it one by one, there were some songs that I knew but didn't know they sung it. They are an amazing trio nonetheless, vocals wise and attitude wise. Cannot wait for the next batch.
They were actually originally a foursome! After "Don't Let Go (Love)," one member left the group over contract negotiations and En Vogue was never able to regain the same success or acclaim.
"Don't Cha" ft. Busta Rhymes (2005) PCD
Hot 100 Peak: #2
Overall score: 6.77 High score: 10 (1x)/Low score: 1 (1x)
This debut single initially positioned the Pussycat Dolls to fill the void left by the demise of TLC and Destiny's Child—as a female R&B group for the urban music era. Their novelty powered "Don't Cha" all the way to nearly topping the charts, but looking back, it's a little surprising that such a low-key song made such a significant splash; the famous chorus, while endlessly quotable, is barely danceable, and the guest turn from Busta Rhymes is positively sleepy.
They were actually originally a foursome! After "Don't Let Go (Love)," one member left the group over contract negotiations and En Vogue was never able to regain the same success or acclaim.
Oh wow. Thanks for the information. They're pretty amazing I must say. Don't Cha this low, not surprised really. The song is BAD but is insanely catchy
I'm so glad they're being PUNCHED OUT OF THE GAME.
That's like six singles gone, right? So they have:
Stickwitu
Buttons
I Hate This Part
Jai Ho
left, right?
Yep! These first couple sets have been a PCD bloodbath. But you'll have hold on a little longer for the rest to be eliminated; those four aren't coming for a while yet.
"Runaway Love" (1993) Runaway Love
Hot 100 Peak: #51
Overall score: 7.00 High score: 9 (1x)/Low score: 5.5 (1x)
At the height of their career, En Vogue released the Runaway Love EP to capitalize on the immense success of their previous album, Funky Divas. Its only new song was this easy listening R&B jam—so smooth that it barely leaves an impact. A modest airplay hit, voters were equally lukewarm on "Runaway Love," with half awarding it a 7.
Overall score: 7.00 High score: 9 (1x)/Low score: 4 (1x)
"Girl Talk" was TLC's first new release after the tragic death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and their first lead single to miss the top ten of the Hot 100. For one of the biggest musical acts in the world, it was a surprise disappointment; perhaps audiences balked at the awkwardness of a TLC without the "L," or maybe they were turned off by the track's harder urban edge, which built on FanMail's exploration of hip-hop sounds. Either way, voters were likewise unenthused, rating it below all other major singles from the group.
"Give It Up, Turn It Loose" (1992) Funky Divas
Hot 100 Peak: #15
Overall score: 7.00 High score: 10 (1x)/Low score: 3 (1x)
Another spot, another pleasantly middle-of-the-road En Vogue track. After all those huge smashes, it seems that they really had to resort to some album filler to keep the Funky Divas machine running.
"Give It Up, Turn It Loose" (1992) Funky Divas
Hot 100 Peak: #15
Overall score: 7.00 High score: 10 (1x)/Low score: 3 (1x)
Another spot, another pleasantly middle-of-the-road En Vogue track. After all those huge smashes, it seems that they really had to resort to some album filler to keep the Funky Divas machine running.
Now THIS is too low. Perfect top 30 material here.